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HOT NEW REVIEWS
DOG EAT DOG ‘FREE REDICALS VINYL LP‘ (METALVILLE/PIAS)
Now
this is a huge surprise, because I received a wonderful vinyl edition of the
new album of the legendary band DOG EAT DOG. 30 years ago I was (and still am)
a huge fan of the American Hardrock band WARRANT, and they had a new album out entitled
Dog Eat Dog in 1993. When it came out, at the same time a band called DOG EAT
DOG released an album which had the title Warrant. You can imagine that this
was quite confusing and back then I was not interest in the band DOG EAT DOG,
because I thought they were Hardcore in it’s most extreme direction. Little did
I know that DOG EAT DOG was actually quite melodic, because what followed
during the 90s and 00s in the Hardcore/Metal world was far more extreme.
Anyway, now after all these years I receive a beautiful looking vinyl release
of their 5th album Free Radicals, which is the follow-up of their
previous album Walk With Me that was released all the way back in 2006.
Anyway,
the band currently consists of John Connor – vocals, Dave Neabore – bass, backing
vocals, Brandon Finley – drums and Roger Haemmerli – guitars, and originally
they were formed by ex-MUCKY PUP members back in the late 1980s and the New
Jersey based band became known as a crossover band that melted Metal, Hardcore,
Ska and Rap in a same way we saw at the time being done by bands like RED HOT
CHILI PEPPERS, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, URBAN DANCE SQUAD, etc. They also had a sax
player in their line-up, but on this new album it’s the 4 of them without the
sax, and also musically it’s a bit more melodic and polished, especially during
the rather first couple of catchy tunes like Lit Up and Kin. The 90s LIMP BIZKIT
similarities and also references to the earlier rougher DOG EAT DOG uptempo hardcore
sound (when they sounded like BIOHAZARD) can also be heard here and there (such
as Energy Rock, which is still a pretty good song by the way), but overall I think
this album is more going into a LIVING COLOR meets EXTREME style (just listen
to Mean Str featuring RUDEBOY of URBAN DANCE SQUAD) and actually they sound
really good. I understand that if you’re a fan of the fast hardcore-rap style
of their early years you might be disappointed, but give these guys a chance,
because they deliver a great new album here that is too good to be left alone.
It’s
also a very (and I mean VERY!) diverse album, because besides the 2 mentioned
styles like funky melodic heavy rock and hardcore rap, there is even space on
side B for a calmer lo-fi kinda ballad (Bar Down), a radio rap-rock hit (Man’s
Best Friend) and quite a lovely soulful R&B piece (Zamboni), so therefore
this vinyl album is definitely recommended if you like your music to go into a
lot of different directions. The artwork of this gatefold record is also lovely
and reminds me of those early 90s album covers when such cartoon drawings were
very popular (remember UGLY KID JOE). Check out all info on this band and their
whereabouts at: https://www.dogeatdogofficial.com/
(Points: 8.2 out of 10)
CORELEONI ‘ALIVE VINYL LP‘ (METALVILLE/PIAS)
About
15 years ago the Swiss band GOTTHARD was one of the absolute finest Hardrock
bands on the planet. I saw them multiple times at various places and they
always gave away a true Hardrock show like nobody else, which was mainly thanks
to their amazing charismatic singer STEVE LEE. Sadly Steve died in a motorcycle
accident on 5 October 2010, and that’s when the book of GOTTHARD suddenly closed
for yours truly. However, GOTTHARD continued with a new lead singer and also
released new studio albums, and besides that GOTTHARD guitarist LEO LEONI started
a sorta tribute side project dedicated to Steve. This project band became known
as CORELEONI, which in the early years introduced RONNIE ROMERO to the world as
a sensational new lead singer, and eventually he went on doing a lot of other
things to become a superstar in his own right (and FRONTIERS RECORDS’ project
house singer), yet CORELEONI also continued with a new singer called EUGENT
BUSHPEPA, and besides releasing and doing live gigs of the early GOTTHARD material,
they are now also recording newly written tunes in the GOTTHARD style. This
lovely looking blood vinyl edition of a live record that was originally performed
and recorded in March 2022 is a nice introduction to their new singer, who also
comes close to Steve’s signature vocal style. It’s a nice compilation of old
GOTTHARD classics like Downtown, Standing In The Light, Mountain Mama, Angel,
Firedance and such, but also some great new CORELEONI tunes like Let Life Begin
Tonight and Purple Dynamite that both remind of the early GOTTHARD sound. It’s
impossible to replace Steve, because he was one of the greatest frontmen ever in
Hardrock history, but nevertheless CORELEONI does nail it on this live vinyl
album release to put some of the old GOTTHARD signature sound into your home! I
was not too familiar with CORELEONI, but it’s definitely a band to check out! More
info at: https://www.coreleoni.com/
(Points: 8.1 out of 10)
THE HEAT INC. ‘ASLEEP IN THE EJECTOR SEAT’ (MELTED DINO
RECORDS/UK IMPORT)
Out
of London, UK comes the sensational new band THE HEAT INC. They are formed
around singer Jon Dodd, guitarist Marco Simoncelli and the rhythm section of
Nicholas Rigot and Maurizio Vitale, and Asleep in the Ejector Seat is their
official first full-length album. Without a doubt, these guys have delivered a
champions league album here, because it easily beats all the other rock albums
I have heard in 2023! There is a lot of competition and countless bands out
there doing a sorta similar rockstyle, but THE HEAT INC. are doing it just a
little better, which is thanks to catchy songs, a rich tough rocking sound and
a charismatic singer with a voice that immediately makes clear THE HEAT INC.
has got something special. I am really excited about this band and if they can
cut it live as well, then we are looking at a band that might become one of the
big rockbands in the future to come.
The
album opens with a dark tough uptempo rocker titled Souvenir, which sounds quite
melodic as well, but also a little gothic/post-punk ish here and there, kinda
like a mix between THE CULT, BILLY IDOL, THE ALARM and GUN. Following is even
better and is quite sensational if you ask me, as this is uptempo melodic
post-punkrock at it’s very best, with even memories of THE DAMNED, yet in a
modern jacket. These guys sound like the next big thing if you ask me, as the lead
vocals of Jon are superb (like a mix between BILLY IDOL, JIM MORRISON and
MICHAEL HUTCHENCE, yet with an own identity), the melodies are catchy and their
overall tight tough sound fits somewhere between classic punk, post-punk and melodic
hardrock. Thankfully the rest of the album keeps the high level of the first 2
songs, with as other highlights uptempo pieces like Little Knuckle Charlie, ’98
(SENSATIONAL!!!, an instant crowd pleaser and radio winner! THE KILLERS eat
your heart out!), Ms. Willie Mae and
the very melodic Get Wild. The band also draws some inspiration from dark heavy
blues rock in a song like This Thing Called Love (ROYAL BLOOD meets RIVAL SONS)
and raw dirty mean Garage Rock and Roll can be heard at it’s very best during
Akasaka Murder Squad, so there is enough diversity to keep everyone entertained,
although they are at their very best during those killer monster uptempo
melodic post-punk/heavy rockers that are combined making up the major part of
this sensational full-length debut CD of THE HEAT INC.
I
am safe to say that this band has got all the potential ingredients that are needed
to become a huge band in the future! This record will belong to the best rock
albums of 2023 and as aforementioned if they can do this live as well on this
studio album, then we need to keep our eyes wide open for THE HEAT INC! Go
check them out at: https://theheatinc.bandcamp.com/music
(Points: 8.9 out of 10)
BIG ENGINE ‘LIVE’ (BIG ENGINE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
It’s
amazing that there are still so many amazing local classic rock bands in the
USA (and Canada) that are only really known in their own area, because when the
opening song Turn It On from the live CD of the Florida based BIG ENGINE blows
through the speakers, it is clear that we are dealing here with a band that has
a superb huge true classic rocksound that should gain them arena size
audiences. BIG ENGINE comes out of Jacksonville, Florida, USA, and they have
been around for a while, about 30+ years, and in that period they released
quite a lot of studio albums, which I sadly haven’t heard so far. This new Live
CD of the band shows they are true rockers live on stage and if you hear a song
like I’m Ready Let’s Go, it has a sorta American Y&T ish heavy rocksound.
It’s almost of the same high level, which is thanks to the superb vocalwork of
lead singer/guitarist TONY MIKUS. He is a real shouter in the old school style
(DEE SNIDER meets KEVIN DUBROW), and also some of the songs have that good old
QUIET RIOT / KEEL / WASP / VAN HALEN kinda 80s Glam/Hair/Party Metal touch,
such as can be heard during Make Your Move, Juggernaut (Built For Speed) and
Party Like A Rock Star. The other members in the band are drummer Charlie Ost,
bassist Mitchell Prevento, guitarist/trumpet player Anthony Mikus Jr. (Tony’s
son), guitarist Ryan Williams, keyboardplayer/saxophone player Emily Mikus
(Tony’s daughter) and guitarist Jerry Bacmeister, and from start to finish this
is a fantastic live CD that captures this strong band really well. There’s also
the Southern Rock touch of course, because after all they hail from Jacksonville,
Florida! Without a doubt, a band to check out if you like real American
Hardrock and Roll. I hope I can also hear and review their earlier studio
albums! Meanwhile, more info at: https://www.bigengine.com
(Points: 8.3 out of 10)
LAURENCE JONES ‘BAD LUCK & THE BLUES’ (MARSHALL
RECORDS/KINDA AGENCY/ITALY IMPORT)
Without
a doubt, LAURENCE JONES from Liverpool, UK is one of the fastest rising stars
in the world of heavy blues rock. JOE BONAMASSA and KENNY WAYNE SHEPHARD are 2
of the biggest names around nowadays from the younger generation since the turn
of the decade, but Laurence is definitely hot on the heels of them. Laurence is
a gifted guitarist who lets the guitar sing, but he can also sing himself, and
that combination is striking gold, and when you also deliver a lot of great
self-written material that is open to other styles besides Blues, so mixing it
up with heavy rock, melodic rock and hardrock here and there, then you have an
absolute winner on your hands! His previous album Destination Unknown from 2022
was one of the best albums of the year, and now there is already a new album
entitled Bad Luck & The Blues, which besides Laurence also features bassist
Jack Alexander Timmis and drummer Ash Sheehan, but it’s of course Laurence who
is the mega star here on such superb rockers like I’m Gone, Lonely Road, Take
Control and Woman. Perhaps a little more heavy blues rock orientated than the
previous record that had a few pure melodic rockers, this is definitely another
highlight in his career. Without a doubt, this album is an absolute must-have
for anyone into heavy blues rock with strong melodies, biting guitarwork and
excellent vocalwork. I will catch him live soon here around the corner, and all
I can say is that it’s going to be a sensational show! More info at: https://www.laurencejonesmusic.com
(Points: 8.9 out of 10)
EMMA WILSON ‘MEMPHIS CALLING’ (INDEPENDENT/FRANKS
ROSZAK PROMOTIONS/USA IMPORT)
It’s
pretty amazing to learn that British singer/songwriter EMMA WILSON’s vocal
talent has just recently been discovered, because she sounds really impressive.
Emma is an amazing singer with such a pleasant voice, and her music is a mix of
Blues, old school Soul and a little Rock. In 2022 she won several British Blues
Awards after releasing her debut album Wish Her Well, and now she returns with
a Stax/Motown meets Blues kinda record that was recorded in Memphis with some
well-known names from the Soul/Blues industry, such as DON BRYANT, CHARLES
HODGES and musicians whom played with THE BO KEYS, GREG ALLMAN BAND, BOOKER T
& THE MGs and CYNDY LAUPER. Highlights on this new album are A Small Word,
Watching You Leave, What Kind Of Love, the TERRY REID co-written I’ll See You
In The Morning and the funky Drug (slightly AMY WINEHOUSEish), but any song on
this CD sounds lovely, with a healthy mix of soulful vocals, bluesy riffs and
well-thought melodies. Among the 9 included songs are a couple of blues
traditional/covers, but I have to say that the self/co-written songs by Emma
show her talent even more, because those are really wonderful song. Check out
this talented singer/songwriter at: https://www.emmawilson.net
(Points: 8.4 out of 10)
MORGENDUST ‘MORGENDUST’ (INDEPENDENT)
From
out of nowhere comes a new sensational Dutch band called MORGENDUST. They were
formed in 2018, released some singles and an EP before corona hit the world big
time and they had to slow down, but meanwhile they worked on their same titled
debut album that has now seen the light of day. I have to say that this album
really impressed me due to the incredible tight musicianship and superb melodies
that can be found all over the place. The band’s line up consists of Marco de
Haan (lead vocals, guitars, drums), Ron van Kruistum (guitars & backing
vocals), Iwan Blokzijl (keyboards & backing vocals), Dario Pozderski (bass
& backing vocals) and Patrick Pozderski (drums). 13 songs are included in
total on this professional sounding first CD of the Zwolle based band.
Opener
No Clear View is a superb midtempo neo-progressive rocker with a certain ARENA
meets FOR ABSENT FRIENDS kinda approach. The lead vocals of Marco are very
strong and breathe a sorta PETER GABRIEL feeling. Next track 1982 is an uptempo
melodic symphonic rocker with a slight new wave touch, very 80s in the soaring
guitar department, while the chorus has a beautiful memorable melodic hook that
will definitely appeal to fans of both the classic neo-prog bands of the past
(PALLAS, ARENA, FAF, IT BITES), but also if you like for example THE WAR ON
DRUGS or even TEARS FOR FEARS. Modern Daydream follows and this has an AOR
touch, while the guitarwork has again that classic new wave/post-punk feeling,
very 80s for sure. These guys sound really sensational, because everything is
crystal clear; the vocals, the guitars, the songs… it’s all picture perfect and
for a newcomer MORGENDUST delivers one of the finest Dutch albums of 2023! The
CD continues with the midtempo semi-ballad Wouldn’t It Hurt You, a song with an
80s U2 guitar twangle and a fantastic melodic AORish chorus that almost makes
me remember of JOURNEY. The Losing End brings the band into a groovy rocking
direction, while Still Not Close is another beautiful melodic midtempo pop/rock
piece with a strong chorus, and overall reminding me again of the FOR ABSENT FRIENDS
classic album The Big Room if anyone remembers that record! There’s likewise
also some MARILLION references here, especially their late 80s/early 90s
period. Anyway, the album continues with Realtime, a calmer semi-ballad with a
PETER GABRIEL meets MARILLION vibe.The midtempo rocker We Set Sail follows with
it’s big drumsound (SIMPLE MINDS ish) and a strong chorus once again. Following
song The Years is a short calmer song, while the next track Red Handed is a very
strong catchy uptempo melodic poprocker with once again a memorable chorus. Racing
The Clouds is a modern uptempo poprocker with a fresh approach in a style that should
even appeal to fans of other recent Dutch bands like GO BACK TO THE ZOO, THE
VICES and such. These Shadows is back to the classic Neo-Progsounds of ARENA
and PALLAS, while finally closing track A Way Out is a calmer slightly
experimental post-prog piece that has modern MARILLION/RADIOHEAD/PORCUPINE TREE
similarities.
Concluded,
MORGENDUST melts a lot of 80s styles, new wave, post-punk, sympho, neo-prog and
aor/pop/rock, yet with a fresh modern feeling, so I can imagine their catchy
songs will appeal to a lot of people out there. I truly hope to catch them live
someday soon, because they are on top of my list of best new Dutch bands, Check
them out for yourself at: https://morgendust.com/
(Points: 8.9 out of 10)
HENGE ‘ALPHA TEST 4 VINYL ALBUM’ (INDEPENDENT/UK IMPORT)
The
band from outer space HENGE completely took me by surprise during their performance
at the Metropolis Festival in Rotterdam back in 2022, and after hearing and
reviewing their previous album ExoKosm, the band from Manchester, UK now returns
with their 3rd full-length record entitled Alpha Test 4. I received
it as a beautiful picture perfect looking and sounding vinyl edition, and right
from the start until the end this is space music (whatever that might be!) at
it’s very best. The band consists of Zpor,
Goo, Grok and Nom, and they take influences from everywhere and HENGE is
actually impossible to describe, although you can definitely hear that their
synth based sound is taking the best of classic 70s kraut, symphonic/progressive
rock, 80s acid and 90s techno. It’s like TANGERINE DREAM, HAWKWIND and MIKE
OLDFIELD got in a wrestling match with late 80s/early 90s acid/techno DJ’s, but
managed to keep performing in a traditional band line-up, yet somewhere along
the way ended up in a sci-fi movie picture. The result is live on stage entertainment
of the highest degree, but also when just listening to this new album, you will
be entertained from start to finish.
The
first 2 songs Get A Wriggle On and Self Repair Protocol start very quirky with
a sorta early 80s new wave/alien sound that does remind of THE BUGGLES meets
STYX’s Mr. Roboto, yet more experimental and wicked, but then again also
extremely catchy, with a main focus on robotic alien vocals and altari/80s
video game keys and synths. The album continues with all kinds of weird madness
sounds, yet it all still is quite catchy. It’s actually impossible to compare
and once you have seen these guys live you will be stunned and HENGE will take
you on their incredible journey into a land or galaxy far far away…
Other
highlights can especially be found on side-B of this beautiful vinyl album, which
are the superb synth dominated (with also a cool guitar riff) Altered State,
the hypnotical dreampop female vocal driven First Encounter, the progrocking
Asteroid (sounds like if KING CRIMSON would end up in a fight with ZAPPA in the
21st century!) and the 80s acid techno influenced titletrack Alpha
Test 4 that is a sorta kraut techno and even funky synthwave piece that also
has a proggy touch in an outer space setting.
This
album once again goes in a lot of different directions just like their previous
album, so it is much more than just space rock, and it is definitely one of the
absolute highlights in instrumental music of 2023, although here and there some
vocals do appear (and they are really good as well!), but it’s mostly focused
on synths and keys with a biting rhythm section giving it a funky danceable
touch and a subtle soaring guitar that completes the full rich sound of HENGE. The
sound should appeal to so many people, and as aforementioned live on stage
these guys absolutely deliver, despite they look like aliens in a fight with
LORDI and STAR WARS action figures. It may look weird at first sight, but this
is highly professional and definitely a band to go and see when they’re in
town! Check them out at: https://hengemusic.bandcamp.com/album/alpha-test-4
(Points: 8.8 out of 10)
BROEKHUIS, KELLER & SCHONWALDER ‘PURPLE’ (MANIKIN
RECORDS/GERMANY IMPORT)
Just
like every other release on the quality label MANIKIN RECORDS, also this CD of
BROEKHUIS, KELLER & SCHONWALDERS from 2019 is filled with high quality calm
instrumental synthesizer driven kraut/prog/new age music that combines the best
of it’s influences from the past (TANGERINE DREAM, KLAUS SCHULZE, MIKE
OLDFIELD, ALAN PARSONS, JEAN-MICHEL JARRE) with a modern touch. Purple consists
of 5 individual chapters that take up 64 minutes of playing time. All tracks
are composed, arranged and performed by BAS BROEKHUIS, DETLEF KELLER and MARIO
SCHONWALDER. The music is a journey through synth landscapes that take you into
another world and would be perfect for a sci-fi movie as background music. More
info at: https://manikinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/purple
(Points: 8.3 out of 10)
FANGER & SCHONWALDER FEAT. LUTZ GRAF-ULBRICH
‘ANALOG OVERDOSE 5’ (MANIKIN RECORDS/GERMANY IMPORT)
Originally
released on MANIKIN RECORDS back in 2014, the included music on the CD Analog
Overdose 5 by FANGER & SCHONWALDER feat. LUTZ GRAF-ULBRICH is timeless,
because it has a lovely exciting instrumental sound that fits somewhere between
old school kraut and berlin school music of the 70s, modern post-prog (due to
the subtle guitar) and synthwave, with even a hidden 70s jazz-fusion funky
touch here and there. It sounds a bit more uplifting and adventurous than some
of the other releases, and it is actually quite diverse, so it should appeal to
a lot of people out there. It concerns here a CD that is entirely composed and
performed by THOMAS FANGER, LUTZ GRAF-ULBRICH and MARIO SCHONWALDER. They are
doing a great job here to keep every single song of the 9 included tracks
interesting from start to finish. The playing time of 77 minutes keeps you
entertained from start to finish, and there is a lot to discover here. The
album takes you on a road trip through Germany, and I can easily say that this
is an incredible highly professional album that should be in the hands of every
dedicated fan of instrumental kraut/Berlin school/synthwave/psot-prog fan out
there, because these 4 gifted musicians deliver top-notch material that
combines influences from a lot of genres by using synths and a guitar. Make
sure to check out this release from 2014, because it still sounds fresh and
up-to-date. More info at: https://manikinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/analog-overdose-5
(Points: 8.6 out of 10)
KONTROLL-RAUM ‘CHECK IN’ (MANIKIN RECORDS/GERMANY
IMPORT)
MARIO
SCHONWALDER is a German electronic musician and producer, and he is also the
founder and owner of MANIKIN RECORDS. In the past 30 years he recorded and
composed a lot of music in the old Berlin school/Electronic Krautrock music
direction, sometimes solo, but usually in projects and he participates on most
of the releases on his own label. These are all high quality releases, and one
of them is KONTROLL-RAUM, which he founded with BAS BROEKHUIS and FRANK ROTHE
in 2020 as a sorta digital project because it was all recorded online during
the covid lockdown. It’s another amazing journey spread over 7 long tracks that
take up 73 minutes of your time, but it surely feels like this adventure goes
on and on, as it really takes you on a trip that melts the classic electronic
sounds of the 70s (KLAUS SCHULZE, TANGERINE DREAM, JEAN-MICHEL JARRE) with the
modern age of synthwave. Especially during the superb CG 05-05 it results in a
symphonic synth dream come true for all the fans of synthesized electronic
music. Definitely a CD to own if you’re a fan of all those lovely synth sounds.
More info at: https://manikinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/check-in
(Points: 8.5 out of 10)
FILTER-KAFFEE ‘105’ (MANIKIN RECORDS/GERMANY IMPORT)
Released
back in 2021, the project FILTER-KAFFEE is formed around MANIKIN RECORDS label
owner MARIO SCHONWALDER and FRANKE ROTHE, whom both are synthesizing their way
into a ‘stones’ adventure, because that is the theme around the 6th release in
this CD series as FILTER-KAFFEE. The music is as close to classic Synth draven
kraut/electronic music as you can get, with sometimes really cool heavy synth
melodies. Fans of TANGERINE DREAM and KLAUS SCHULZE will absolutely love this
CD. A lovely album that brings once again the best you can get on electronic
synth music. More info at: https://manikinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/105
(Points: 8.5 out of 10)
BROEKHUIS, KELLER & SCHONWALDER ‘THE VLAGTWEDDE TAPES’
(MANIKIN RECORDS/GERMAN IMPORT)
I
am absolutely a sucker for instrumental synth dominated music, and especially
in the kraut and prog scene the past 50 years have seen many great releases. Berlin
based musician MARIO SCHONWALDER sent me another batch of releases on his label
MANIKIN RECORDS, and also this one called The Vlagtwedde Tapes he recorded with
BAS BROEKHUIS and DETLEF KELLER is a trip through the wonderful worlds of
classic instrumental “Berlin School” synth based krautrock like it was done by
acts such as TANGERINE DREAM and KLAUS SCHULZE, VANGELIS, KITARO, ALAN PARSONS
PROJECT, JAN HAMMER, BLADE RUNNER, JEAN-MICHEL JARRE etc. etc. 5 long songs are
included here, and from start to finish this is one of those albums you should
play loud in your room to feel the energy these talented 3 musicians felt when
recording such lovely synth sounds in 2021. It’s synth kraut prog music at it’s
very best (with an 80s new age touch as well), especially during Vlagtwedde
Tape 2 and Raindrops On The Roof, but every moment on this high quality CD is a
joy to listen to if you like the synths upfront. Check it out for yourself at: https://manikinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-vlagtwedde-tapes-2
(Points: 8.7 out of 10)
VARIOUS ARTISTS ‘MANIKIN RECORDS THIRD DECADE’ (MANIKIN
RECORDS/GERMAN IMPORT)
MANIKIN
RECORDS is the label of Berlin based musician MARIO SCHONWALDER, and Third
Decade was released in 2022. It is a very nice overview of 10 acts on his
label, each with 1 song, and some of them were released, while others are made
available on this compilation CD. The label has been around for over 30 years
now, and sadly one of its label’s signed main musician/composer, THOMAS FANGER,
he sadly died in 2022, making this CD a sorta tribute to him, because he is
featured on several songs. The CD contains tracks by Broekhuis, Keller &
Schönwälder, Filter-Kaffee, Pyramid Peak, Mario Schönwälder, Thomas Fanger, Menzman,
Kontroll-Raum, Broekhuis, Kelller & Schönwälder feat Raughi Ebert &
Thomas Kagermann and Fanger & Schönwälder feat. Lutz Graf-Ulbrich. It’s
definitely a great trip through the whereabouts of this fascinating label that
is focused on synth based music that nevertheless is very diverse, because it
goes from New Age, classic Kraut/Symphonic to Progrock and even modern New Age.
This compilation CD gives you a good idea of the label, and many of the 10
songs are a highlight here if you like for exciting sci-fi orientated
instrumental synthesizer dominated music. More info at: https://manikinrecords.bandcamp.com/
(Points: 8.4 out of 10)
FANGER & SCHONWALDER FEAT. LUTZ-GRAF ULBRICH ’ANALOG
OVERDOSE 6’ (MANIKIN RECORDS/GERMAN IMPORT)
Here
we have another winner on the MANIKIN RECORDS label, because this 2021 release
of the project FANGER & SCHONWALDER FEAT. LUTZ GRAF-ULBRICH has got all the
ingredients needed to keep up the interest from start to finish when listening.
77 minutes of enjoyable instrumental music that captures a lot of influences,
such as progrock, old school krautrock/Berlin, new wave, new age, synthwave and
even post-progrock here and there. It has a healthy mix of synths, with every
now and then a post-prog guitar to give the sound a modern touch, because after
all when the synths dominate it’s 70s/80s all the way. Definitely a great
challenging album that should appeal to a lot of people out there. More info
at: https://manikinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/analog-overdose-6-24-bit
(Points: 8.6 out of 10)
BROEKHUIS, KELLER & SCHONWALDER ‘REPELEN REVISITED’
(MANIKIN RECORDS/GERMAN IMPORT)
The
BROEKHUIS, KELLER & SCHONWALDER project on MANIKIN RECORDS released several
more CDs, and this Repelen Revisited was originally released in 2018. It starts
quite relaxed with a Spanish guitar interlude and the music goes into a mostly
calmer synth direction during the 70 minutes that follow. 7 tracks are included
in total and the instrumental music here is more or less new age orientated, so
a little less adventurous than the usual releases on MANIKIN RECORDS.
Nevertheless, it’s a very nice relaxing albums that sounds best as background
music. Check for yourself at: https://manikinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/repelen-revisited
(Points: 7.8 out of 10)
A FLYING FISH ‘EL PEZ QU VOLO ACT 1’ (APOLLON RECORDS/NORWAY
IMPORT)
A
FLYING FISH is the project of the Mexican multi-instrumentalist RAHOOLA, and
despite El Pez Qu Volo Act 1 is already the 5th album under this
moniker, the recordings of this new album took place between 2014 and 2022, so
it is actually mostly recordings from before A FLYING FISH released albums, because
their debut was released in 2019. Anyway, he got help from guest vocalists (Viin
Angelini, Myrthala Bray, Luis Mora, Goran Setitus, Francia Sofia, Margil
Vallejo and Laura Vargas), while Rahoola himself took care of all the instruments.
The result is a theater musical based album that shows that Rahoola is a gifted
musician and his guest singers are able to sing very well, yet it is all a bit
too musical / Disney for yours truly. If you like such theatrical musical themed
music, then you will love this quirky bunch of songs that could easily be used
for a musical, which in this case would be about a flying fish! Check out for
yourself at: https://aflyingfish.bandcamp.com/album/el-pez-que-vol-act-i
(Points: -)
RIBOZYME ‘CELESTIAL LOW’ (APOLLON RECORDS/NORWAY IMPORT)
Actually
I was not familiar yet with the Bergen, Norway based band RIBOZYME, but
Celestial Low is already their 8th album, and already from the very
first seconds of the album it is clear this is high quality catchy melodic
heavy rock. They were formed back in 1998 and their new album was produced by
SPIDERGAWD mastermind PER BORTEN. The line up of RIBOZYME consists of drummer
CATO OLAISEN (ex-MAJOR PARKINSON, TRUST, NATT), bassist BARD KRISTINSON (TRUST
US, NATT), guitarist/vocalist KJARTAN ERICSON (VESTAMARAN) and guitarist THOMAS
LONNHEIM (ex-SAGH, JACK HERREN BAND…), and 8 killer rockers can be found on
this excellent new record. If you like SPIDERGAWD, FOO FIGHTERS, DANKO JONES,
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and such, then you will love this superb similar
sounding true rock and roll album that has it’s highlights during uptempo heavy
rockers like Newly Defeated, Bloodworks (superb!) and Order, and the midtempo
massive prog metal ish Bleacher (with it’s strong catchy super melodic
THRESHOLD ish chorus!). Definitely a big recommendation to fans of any of the
mentioned rockbands. Check them out at: https://ribozyme.bandcamp.com/album/celestial-low
(Points: 8.5 out of 10)
THE GUESS WHO ‘PLEIN D’AMOUR’ (THE GUESS WHO
RECORDINGS/DEKO ENTERTAINMENT/MILES HIGH PRODUCTIONS/CANADA IMPORT)
Who
would have thought the legendary Canadian band THE GUESS WHO would be still
alive in 2023 with a brand-new studio album release. I have to inform you that there’s
only one original member left from the line up that recorded the classic tunes
in the 60s and 70s, of which of course American Woman is the most well-known
song of the band. Anyway, drummer GARRY PETERSON is the last remaining member
from the classic line up. The other musicians that make up THE GUESS WHO in
2023 are DEREK DE SHARP (guitars, keys, lead vocals), MICHAEL STAERTOW
(guitars), LEONARD SHAW (keys, sax, flute) and drummer MICHAEL DEVIN. Derek,
who is married to SASS JORDAN by the way, he is an amazing lead singer with an incredible
range (DENNIS DE YOUNG style), the harmonyvocals in each song are picture-perfect,
the melodies are very catchy and the soaring guitarwork is giving it that
classic rock sound of the 1970s. I am really impressed by this album and
hopefully it will gain them new fans.
Opener
The King is a big surprise, because this is a classic 70s melodic
Pomp/Progrocking tune that has a slight STYX theatrical touch and also some
QUEEN similarities here and there, while it also reminds me a bit of KAYAK and
KANSAS. I think you can say that if you mix up those classic 70s bombastic epic
theatrical prog/pomp bands, then it might end up sounding like THE GUESS WHO. Next
song Across The Line dives into THE BEATLES territory, and it’s really well
done, a sorta epic semi ballad with superb vocals and 70s AOR melodies, and
also SPOCK’S BEARD comes to mind here and there, yet less proggy. I am safe to
say that it all sounds very impressive and sensational, but of course it’s far
removed from the band’s old dirtier rocking sound. On the other hand if you don’t
make that comparison, I think this CD should definitely belong in your
collection if you’re a fan of old school AOR/Pomprock with a STYX/BOSTON meets
THE BEATLES kinda approach. Other highlights are the superb midtempo AOR piece
People Around Me (FOREIGNER ish), Spaces (pure 70s bombastic ballad like E.L.O.
meets 10CC and PAUL MCCARTNEY), the 70s midtempo AOR/Melodic Rocker Free
(BOSTON meets QUEEN in a THE WINGS jacket) and the huge sounding groovy classic
hardrocking closing title track Plein D’Amour. From start to finish this is an
extremely well-produced album with many sensational songs and it also has beautiful
artwork by the way, and if it had been released in the 1970s, it might have
become a millionseller. If you like the last STYX record or THE WINGS or even QUEEN,
then you will surely love this record! Check out the ‘new’ THE GUESS WHO at: https://www.theguesswho.com/
(Points: 8.8 out of 10)
THE GROGANS ‘FIND ME A CLOUD VINYL LP’ (COUSIN WILL
RECORDS/AUSTRALIA IMPORT)
I
happened to witness a great gig in a church of these Australian rockers called
THE GROGANS recently at a festival in Rotterdam, and thanks to them I received
a vinyl record they released. The band hails from Melbourne, and Find Me A
Cloud is their 4th album so far. The band was formed back in 2016,
and the 3 members (lead vocalist and guitarist Quin Grunden, guitarist Angus
Vasic and drummer Jordan Lewis) are barely 25 years of age, but in Australia
they are already moving up as headliner act. Over here in Europe they are
slowly building up a reputation, and this new album is definitely one to check
out if you like a good old fashioned rock and roll album. The vinyl gatefold album
looks amazing, with an extensive LP size booklet included that has all kinds of
pictures of the band as well as the lyrics of the 11 included songs and much
more to read while listening to the album. On vinyl this album sounds of course
at its best, really raw and authentic.
Opener
Hey Ma'am is a catchy healthy mix of uptempo garage rock, indie and a bit of
surf/rockabilly, while following Overheat is a strong midtempo melodic powerpop
rocking tune with a touch of college rock/indie, like TEENAGE FANCLUB crossed
with a 90s Britpop band. Things get rocking and uptempo during the fantastic punky
garage rocker I Cannot Read Your Mind, which has a late 60s meets early 80s
vibe, and it is definitely a catchy crowd-winning anthem! I would say that this
is one of those tunes that will make people dance all over the place. Lay Back
more or less continues this uptempo rocking style, and especially the big fat
groovy bluesy guitar riff makes this song another highlight. Closing Side-A is
Heads In The Sand, which is another very good song that has a rocking midtempo
sound that could be identified as Classic Rock meets Garage Rock. Highlights on
Side-B are the cool 60s Garage Rocker I Need You (THE KINKS ish), the raw tough
fast uptempo rocking Nowhere To Be (which has an almost classic DEAD BOYS/THE
DAMNED kinda vibe) and the catchy melodic rocking I’m Not Sure. Although Surf Rock
is mentioned in their bio, I only heard it a few times, such as during THE
BEACH BOYS ish Stay High, because this is mainly a rock and roll record in an
old school garage/punk jacket. More info on these guys can be found at: https://thegrogans1.bandcamp.com/album/find-me-a-cloud
and https://www.thegrogansband.com
(Points: 8.4 out of 10)
THE BLUEST SKY ‘THE BLUEST SKY’ (POWDERFINGER PROMOTIONS/USA IMPORT)
Boston, USA based
guitarist/singer/songwriter CHUCK MELCHIN is mainly known as leader of the
band/project THE BEAN PICKERS UNION, but he also has a solo project going on
called THE BLUEST SKY, which now marks it’s first same titled CD release. The
music is a mix of uptempo Americana and Alternative Country, sounding quite
uplifting, although vocally it has a clear kinda nasal American
singer/songwriter approach, like NEIL YOUNG / BOB DYLAN and such. The music is
however more cheerful than those 2 legendary singer/songwriters and has it’s
highlights during catchy uptempo pop/rockers like The Girl It Took The
Universe, Amy Jean (very strong), I Am James and Wake Up Suzy. Besides Chuck on
vocals and guitar, the rest of the line-up of musicians includes Andy
Santospago and Gary Goodlow on various guitars, James Rohr and Duncan Watt on
keys, Dan Beller-McKenna on pedal steel, Dave Westner plays bass and drums on
several songs, Paul Gallo drums on a song and Jon Nolan (of SAY ZUZU) on
guitar, and all of them deliver a strong sounding record that should especially
appeal to fans of Americana and Alt Country (think RYAN ADAMS meets STEVE
EARLE). Check it out for yourself at: https://www.facebook.com/BluestSkyBand
(Points: 7.9 out of 10)
THE BEAN PICKERS UNION ‘GREATEST PICKS’ (POWDERFINGER PROMOTIONS/USA
IMPORT)
THE BEAN PICKERS
UNION is a Boston, USA based band fronted by singer/songwriter Chuck Melchin,
and it features a collective of musicians from around the Cambridge /
Somerville Massachusetts area. Together they create all-original
Americana/Rootsy singer-songwriter pop/rock that sounds very melodic and tells
us all kinds of stories. The list of participating musicians is very long,
around 30 I guess, but Chuck is the main musician/singer/songwriter. 18 tracks
are included in total, and thanks to the help of all these musicians, the sound
is very diverse and rich in its arrangements, while the melodies during uptempo
light rockers like Burning Sky, I’m So Sorry, Independence Day (with a light
soul touch) and Warrior (a folky touch, and the best song of the whole album
for sure!) are a joy to listen to. I believe this is a best of CD release,
collecting the best songs they recorded in the past 15 years. Go check it out
for yourself at: https://thebeanpickersunion.bandcamp.com/
KARMAMOI ‘STRINGS FROM THE EDGE OF SOUND’ (INDEPENDENT/ITALY IMPORT)
At first sight
when looking at the album cover of the new CD of the Italian band KARMAMOI I
expected a full-blown heavy Progmetal release, but Strings From The Edge Of
Sound is a completely different adventure. Opener Black Hole Era is a
well-thought calmer progressive rocksong, yet different than the usual prog
stuff, because there is a clear classical music touch, which can be heard even
more during the orchestral versions of several other songs on this album, so
it’s no wonder why the album is called Strings… Anyway, KARMAMOI is an Italian
progressive rockband, and they already released 5 studio albums in the past.
This new CD contains 5 new songs and 5 songs from their previous albums
rearranged and revisited for orchestra that gives them a new powerful sound. I
have to say that I am very impressed and as already mentioned, it all sounds
quite different than the usual stuff. The band consists of Daniele Giovannoni:
Drums , Keyboards and Backing Vocals, Valerio Sgargi: Vocal, Backing Vocals and
Keyboards, Alex Massari: Guitars and Alessandro Cefalì: Bass, and the CD is a
pleasure to listen to from start to finish. It’s a beautiful album that has
amazing melodies thanks to the strong vocals of Valerio and the big orchestral
arrangements. Definitely an album I would recommend to any music fan out there,
because it should appeal to a much wider range than just the progfans out
there. Just put on Tell Me for example, which is an absolutely lovely song that
could easily become a huge hit! If you like PINK FLOYD, PORCUPINE TREE and
MARILLION, then this KARMAMOI is definitely a huge recommendation, but actually
the band has an own identity which should be treasured, so go check them out
at: https://karmamoi.bandcamp.com/album/strings-from-the-edge-of-sound
A.S. FANNING ‘MUSHROOM CLOUD’ (K&F RECORDS/GERMANY IMPORT)
Each year in the
city of Rotterdam there is a festival which is unique due to the fact that you
get absolutely value for your money. The LEFT OF THE DIAL FESTIVAL attracts
thousands of people each year to come and watch 100+ bands from all over Europe
(although mainly from the U.K.) play in all kinds of original places all over
the city centre, and you will discover bands and artists that might become huge
in the future. My focus was as always on several acts that I absolutely wanted
to see and one of them was A.S. FANNING, who performed a wonderful crystal
clear show in the church called WAALSE KERK. He has a unique voice that at
first sight immediately makes you think of LEONARD COHEN and NICK CAVE, but in
the end A.S. has an own identity, also musically speaking. He is a
singer-songwriter from Dublin but currently residing in Berlin, and Mushroom
Cloud is his 3rd solo album. The album starts dark, melancholic
and bombastic with the beautiful Mushroom Cloud, yet done in a smooth laid-back
relaxing style that combined with A.S.’ low octave range gives a very
interesting authentic original sound that does have some comparisons to of
course LEONARD COHEN. You cannot deny to feel the same kinda vibe as Leonard,
but if you listen further however, you can hear that musically speaking it’s
slightly different and even some alternative rocking influences can be heard
during a great song like Coman, and also a touch of 70s nostalgica pop like
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT on a song like Haunted, but A.S. is at his very best during the
bombastic chamber pop songs like the lovely I Feel Bad and Disease. It might
not be a very cheerful album, it is on the hand a beautiful dark album that
suits the slightly depressing weather quite nicely, and without a doubt, this
is an incredible high quality album that should definitely be in the hands of
fans of LEONARD COHEN, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, JOHN GRANT and NICK CAVE. I’ll bet he
is going to breakthrough big time at some point in the near future, meanwhile
check out more info at: https://www.asfanning.com/
AGUSA ‘PRIMA MATERIA’ (INDEPENDENT/SWEDEN IMPORT)
Actually I was not
familiar with the Swedish band AGUSA before, but after listening to the new
album Prima Materia they released I can honestly say that that this a fantastic
band you absolutely need to check out if you can. The music takes you straight
back to the classic progressive/symphonic 1970s. It is mainly instrumental
based, and done in the most authentic way you can imagine. AGUSA was formed
back in 2013 in the city of Malmo, and this is already their 8th album. They
are a very productive band, but definitely keep the level very high as I could
hear on this new CD. Their line up consists of Mikael Ödesjö / guitar, Roman
Andrén / keyboards, Jenny Puertas / flute, voice, Simon Ström / bass and
Nicolas Difornis / drums, percussion, voice, and right from the very first few
seconds of the opening song Lust och fägring (Sommarvisan), which has a playing
time of almost 15 minutes by the way, it is clear that this band is creating
some amazing pure 70s improvised progressive/psychedelic sounds that never seem
to stop and thanks to the use of keys, guitar and flute doing all kinds of
solos and duets, this makes them sound very organic and interesting, and you
will be entertained during the full 40+ minutes of the CD. There are all kinds
of memories of classics 70s band like CAMEL, CARAVAN, PROCOL HARUM, KHAN,
RENAISSANCE, ELOY, etc. etc. The canterbury sound is present here, but AGUSA
has an own identity, and for yours truly the highlight is the exciting 10 minutes
counting Ur askan that even reminds me a bit of ALTIN GUN, so with some
psychedelic Arabic influences. You should definitely check out AGUSA at: https://agusaband.bandcamp.com/album/prima-materia
(Points: 8.7 out of 10)
COASTWISE ‘HARD ROCK IS BACK’ (INDEPENDENT/PORTUGAL IMPORT)
Out of Portugal
comes COASTWISE, a new band that makes their debut with the full-length album
Hard Rock Is Back. They are clearly in a pure 80s setting with their pure 80s
melodic (Euro) Hard Rock sound that reminds me of bands like SCORPIONS, 220
VOLT, FISC, VICTORY, KEEL, DARXON, HIGH POWER, TALON and such. They were formed
back in 2020 by guitarist HISTEM JR and drummer BRENO CARLINI, who were joined
at a later stage by bassist AIVAN SOUSA (who replaced their previous
bassplayer) and Belgian singer ARTHUR PAGLIARINI. Together they recorded a nice
record with as already mentioned a sound that is close to 80s Hardrock, and
while listening you would honestly believe this is a re-issue of a 1985 recorded
album! Highlights are uptempo rockers like Hard Rock Is Back (hello
SCORPIONS!), I’m On Fire, Jungle Showdown (catchy, pure KEEL!) and To The Top.
Even pure 80s power ballads are included (Call Me Again and Lamb In The Dark,
reminding me of AXXIS), although the band is at their best during the uptempo
rockers and despite it might sound all a bit dated to some of you, if you like
80s hard rock, then this is definitely a recommended band! High-pitched vocals,
screaming soaring guitars, fists in the air… it’s all included on the debut CD
of COASTWISE. More info at: www.facebook.com/Coastwiseband
After The Flood is
the debut album of the Belgian band IRONBORN. It is an independent release, and
musically speaking we are entering the world of Melodic (Power) Metal in a very
traditional way, kinda reminding of NOSTRADAMEUS and MYSTIC PROPHECY, yet with
also other influences here and there. The band started as a cover band, but
eventually started writing own material, which resulted in an EP release in
2017, and after the covid period work began on a full-length album, which has
now seen the light of day in the shape of After The Flood. IRONBORN consists of
lead singer TOM HUGELIER, guitarists JOHN MORTELEZ (who grunts a few times) and
BJORN COYSMAN, bassist JAN VERSNICK and drummer TOM DEBLAUWE. I have to say
that I am quite impressed, because this independent release sounds quite good
and professional, yet also captures that classic underground/retro sound of the
old metal days. The guitarsound is phenomenal, just listen to for example the
twin-guitarsound of the catchy uptempo Melodic Metal piece Prison Grounds (80s
riff with a touch of classic German/Teutonic Metal like NOISEHUNTER meets
SINNER/ACCEPT), and also vocally Tom is able to sing quite well. All together a
nice debut that shows that IRONBORN is a great newcomer in the Metal scene.
Just this past Saturday I saw a similar local band over here (THE HARMLESS), so
it is good to see new bands popping up here and there playing classic Melodic
Metal. Other highlights are After The Flood (close to classic Bay Area
TESTAMENT/ANTHRAX Thrash Metal) and closing track Into Darkness (midtempo epic
piece). Check them out at: www.facebook.com/IronbornOfficial
(Points: 7.9 out of 10)
ALWAID ‘TWELVE DAEMONS’ (VALKYRIE RISING/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)
ALWAID is a female
fronted band from Lille, France, and Twelve Daemons is their 3rd album
so far. Their first album was released back in 2014, and so we are now 10 years
later and meanwhile the band has performed a lot of times across Europe, and
you can clearly hear that they have perfectioned their sound which is typical
European female fronted Melodic Symphonic Metal in the style of THERION,
THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, EPICA, NIGHTWISH and such, yet a little less symphonic and
bombastic perhaps. I have to say that lead singer MARIE PERRIER has a very
strong angelic voice that goes up to soprano range quite easily, and when
listening to the first song Illuyanka, you can also pick up some Arabic
influences, which likewise also bands such as MYRATH, EPICA and KAMELOT did in
the past. The rest of the band consists of guitarist MAX RENARD, bassist DENIZ
PEKIN and drummer ROBIN GRABMANN, and without a doubt Twelve Daemons is an
impressive album that should easily appeal to fans of aforementioned bands. It
has a massive professional sound and the artwork is also beautiful, and besides
the aforementioned opening song, other highlights are Five Sisters (superb!),
The Rose, The Fox and The Snake and A Paradox In Red And Black. More info can
be found at: https://www.alwaidband.com/
GALAHAD ‘THE LONG GOODBYE’ (GALAHAD/AVALON RECORDS/UK
IMPORT)
For
almost 40 years the legendary UK band GALAHAD have been a very popular
progrockband, and despite only lead singer STUART NICHOLSON is left from the
first line up, GALAHAD is still alive and well. The Long Goodbye is their 12th
album, and it was recorded at various locations over the last couple of years, while
once again KARL GROOM of THRESHOLD fame edited, mixed and mastered the record. The
sound is massive and with a crystal clear top-notch production, this is definitely
a modern sounding, yet classic prog influenced album, and perhaps it might be
GALAHAD’s finest release so far! After the midtempo prog rocking opener Behind The
Veil Of A Smile, things get very sensational during the uptempo AOR chorus
driven symphonic rocker Everything’s Changed that feels a bit like ASIA crossed
with IT BITES, ARENA and PALLAS. Following Shadow In The Corner is another
sensational song, featuring a strong catchy chorus and a fantastic soaring
guitar solo, this is another energetic uptempo progressive rocking tune. The
Righteous And The Damned starts very original with a sorta theatrical/old
cinema/Montmartre kinda feeling, yet after a few minutes it dives once again
into massive sounding melodic progressive hardrocker with some twists during
the song, here and there reminding of SAGA and RUSH. The titletrack The Long
Goodbye starts calm and piano-led in a FISH style, but develops into a
blockbusting 13 minutes counting epic prog piece (which has an amazing JOURNEYesque
guitar solo towards the end!). The CD version of the new album contains 2
bonustracks (the excellent Darker Days and Open Water), which are also both
great progrocking pieces. Concluded, GALAHAD returns with a wonderful new album
that will be loved by fans of the band for sure, but also if you’re not
familiar with the band’s material, then this is definitely a good start, because
The Long Goodbye is one of the finest prog albums of 2023! More info at: https://www.galahadonline.com/
(Points: 8.8 out of 10)
STARBENDERS ‘TAKE BACK THE NIGHT VINYL LP’ (SUMERIAN
RECORDS/UK IMPORT)
We
reviewed several albums of the Atlanta, Georgia, USA based female fronted band
STARBENDERS in the past, and now they are back with a sensational new album
titled Take Back The Night. Although they were already a bit 80s orientated,
when looking at the album cover and inside sleeves of the beautiful green vinyl
edition I received of this new STARBENDERS album, it is clear that they are now
on full swing back to the 80s, and I have to admit it feels like we are back to
the future 1985 all over again sometimes, and thankfully it’s from start to
finish at a very high level, but also with a modern touch here and there. The
band consists of Kimi Shelter - lead vocals / guitar, Aaron Lecesne (aka
Aaronious Monk) – bass, Emily Moon - drums and Kriss Tokaji - lead guitar /
vocals, and their mix of Glam, New Wave, Punk and Hardrock could already be
heard on the previous 2 albums, but now they are back with their strongest
effort so far, Take Back The Night. Kimi has a great raspy voice that has got
KIM CARNES, PAT BENATAR and STEVIE NICKS written all over, while the looks of
the band is a throwback to 80s MTV. 13 songs are pushed on this single vinyl,
which has some really great inside sleeve notes that is fully equipped with
pictures of the glamerous band members.
Opener
The Game takes us straight back to the glory days of 1980s Hair Metal, with a
sorta very early PAT BENATAR touch, while the chorus is something DESMOND CHILD
could have written for KISS or BON JOVI back in the day. Yours truly is a
sucker for this kind of sing-a-long 80s American Hardrock, and STARBENDERS does
it really well here. Following Sex is a bit more modern, yet also with a retro
vibe, but it is tougher and rocks much more, and it even has a touch of Punk/Sleaze/Glamrock
hidden inside (JOAN JETT/GIRLSCHOOL/THE RUNAWAYS), while the soaring guitarsolo
gives it another biting 80s touch. Body Talk is up next, and this song opens
with big 80s SCORPIONS alike guitar riffs and also the chorus has again that
80s Hair Metal feeling. This is one of those songs that would have been huge 40
years ago when RATT, CRUE, DOKKEN and such dominated the US radio airwaves, but
it could even fit in a current Netflix serie/movie, because the 80s have fully
returned! Although nothing new is happening here, STARBENDERS are doing it all extremely
picture-perfect spot on, so any fan of classic 80s Hair Metal with strong
female lead vocals (LITA FORD/JOAN JETT/PAT BENATAR/STEVIE NICKS style) will
love this album. Were Not Ok is the first song with a more 90s kinda approach
due to the slow downtuned vibe, but it’s still quite nice actually, although
more entering a sound that is close to let’s say THE CRANBERRIES. Cherry Wine
follows in a smooth poppier melodic poprock approach like 80s STEVIE NICKS and
early 80s PAT BENATAR, and trust me it is a definite radio hit! Seven White
Horses is up next, and yes this is another radio winner, perhaps more aimed at
today’s modern retro heavy rock, the catchy chorus is definitely one to
sing-a-long! Closing Side-A of the vinyl record is the slightly edgier heavier
raw uptempo punky rocker The End Is Near.
Side-B
opens with Blood Moon, which is one of the heaviest songs on the album, as it
is a big time hard hitting melodic metal piece that almost feels like classic
GIRLSCHOOL, BITCH and a bit of HALESTORM for modern measures. If You Need It is
another sorta 90s downtuned tune, which is still very melodic and also quite
good, yet different than the 80s stuff if you know what I mean. Marianne
follows, and this is one of the absolute highlights with it’s incredible catchy
chorus and 80s vibe, it sounds like the perfect cross between STEVIE NICKS and
classic PAT BENATAR and throwing in early DIVINYLS, KIM CARNES and THE MOTELS
in for good measure, including those memorable hooks and guitar riff (Fire And
Ice/Shadows Of The Night, etc). This song would have been a major hit if it was
1983! The 80s continue during Poison, which is likewise the cover of the ALICE
COOPER 80s classic! STARBENDERS has clearly listened to 80s American Rock
during the covid period, because their previous albums were more a melting pot
of all kinds of styles. Midnight is the following track, and this is another
catchy 80s uptempo melodic rocker. Closing the album is Say You Will, which is
a sorta semi-ballad/rocker that has a modern touch.
Concluded,
STARBENDERS definitely nails it here in releasing a picture perfect 80s
influenced American Hardrock record. Fans of all those female fronted acts
mentioned in the review, they need to get this beautiful vinyl album a.s.a.p.
More info at: https://www.starbenders.com/
(Points: 8.9 out of 10)
ANDREAS KUMMERT ‘WORKING CLASS HERO VINYL RECORD’
(DRAKKAR/SOULFOOD MUSIC/GERMAN IMPORT)
Right
from the very first few seconds it is clear that we are dealing here with a
high quality album and a superb vocalist. It concerns the new album Working Class
Hero of the German singer/songwriter ANDREA KUMMERT, who already released about
5 albums since 2012. Andreas is a gifted singer with a soulful voice in an
American kinda way, while his music is a mix of blues, soul, country and a bit
of pop. He also plays guitar and keys, while there are several other musicians joining
him on bass (STEFAN KAHNE, ASBJORN GARTNER), drums (MICHAEL GERMER, ULI BIEBER),
backing vocals (PHILIPP HAHN, IRA DIEHR), guitar (ACHIM HOOCK) and keys
(PHILIPP HAHN, ALFRED KRITZER, DAVID HEINER). Without a doubt, this is a very
strong impressive international sounding record that should definitely gain him
a lot of attention in the music business. In The Netherlands we have DAWN BROTHERS
and DE WOLFF, but ANDREAS KUMMERT is definitely as good as those similar sounding
acts.
His
new album starts with a wonderful calmer bluesy country-soul ballad titled Leave
The Radio On that sounds a bit like CHRIS STAPLETON, while following Clown Song
is a catchy uptempo blue eyed soul song like a mix between HALL & OATES and
PAUL CARRACK. I Don’t Know is a lovely soulful ballad where Andreas sounds a
bit like JUNO ROXAS (of ROXUS) and the song itself has clear similarities to
PAUL CARRACK. In My Bones follows and this is a strong tough midtempo melodic
heavy blues rocker in the style of JOE BONAMASSA, ERIC JOHANSON and LAURENCE
JONES. Hard Times has a slight rootsy bluesy Gospel/Americana kinda feeling in
the DAWN BROTHERS/DE WOLFF style, while closing track Spaceship of Side-A is a calmer
soul ballad.
Side-B
of this beautifully looking red vinyl edition of Andreas’ new album opens with
In It For The Money (although that’s mentioned on the vinyl gatefold sleeve,
but it’s actually the last song on Side-A), which is a strong hard-hitting midtempo
bluesy classic rocker with a southern rock touch a la BLACKFOOT/LYNYRD SKYNYRD.
Up next is Poor Boy Boogie, which is a lovely slow tempo foot stompin’ heavy
blues rocker in the JOE BONAMASSA style. You Got Something is another melodic
soulful pop piece that has once again a PAUL CARRACK meets YOUNG GUN SILVER FOX
kinda vibe, so there’s some blue eyed soul Westcoast for you to check out. It’s
amazing how easy Andreas’ sings and what a natural sounding voice he has! Laying
In Front Of You is a great bluesy rock guitar riff driven tune with an almost
JIMMY BARNES kinda vibe, which is thanks to once again the vocals of
Andreas. Mothers In The Kitchen
continues the album in a slower heavy blues rock direction, also in the aforementioned
JIMMY BARNES style. The ELTON JOHN cover Rocket man is up next and Miracles
closes the album in style, because this is a beautiful piano-led soulful Westcoast
semi-ballad, which again reminds me of YOUNG GUN SILVER FOX, and a bit of THE
TESKEY BROTHERS, because overall it also reminds me a lot of them actually.
Concluded,
Andreas definitely deserves a lot of attention in the music business and
especially abroad, because he is a gifted singer/songwriter with a superb
professional sound that can be heard quite clearly on his new album Working
Class Hero. More info at: http://www.andreas-kuemmert.de/
(Points: 8.7 out of 10)
STONE WATER ‘MAKE ME TRY’ (TIMEZONE RECORDS/GERMANY IMPORT)
As soon as the
opening song Stony Rock of the debut album Make Me Try from the German band
STONE WATER is blasting through the speakers, it is clear that we are musically
speaking heading to the deep south of the US of A, because this is prime-time
Southern Rock, but then done by German musicians. The band was formed recently
in the city of Hamburg by musicians whom played already together in acts like
HIGH SOUTH and VANJA SKY. Their line-up is guitarist ROBERT WENDT, vocalist
(and playing harp!) BOB BEEMAN, drummer HANSER SCHULER and bassist ARTJOM
FELDTSER, and they are doing a really good job here to sound very authentic and
memories of bands like LYNYRD SKYNYRD, THE OUTLAWS, THE BLACK CROWES, POCO and
such are quite clear here and there. Also the Dutch band DE WOLFF comes to
mind, especially during great uptempo pieces like Stone Rock, Change and Awful
Blues. There’s a touch of soul and blues as well, but this is usually the case
with Southern Rockbands and I can smell some TOM PETTY and LITTLE FEAT (especially
during the calmer funky/groovy Second Floor) a few times, and I also have to
mention the beautifully cover of the ROLLING STONES classic Sway, so it is all
a very good melting pot and I can easily recommend this great new band. Let’s
hope they will do a tour someday soon throughout Europe, so we can catch them
live. Meanwhile, check them out at: www.stonewaterband.com
(Points: 8.1 out of 10)
JOHN VENTO ‘BRICK BY BRICK’ (GARDEN PARTY RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
Brick By Brick is
the 4th album of the Pittsburgh, USA based singer/songwriter
JOHN VENTO, who is also a member of the bands BUSINESSMEN and THE NIED'S HOTEL
BAND. Along with a host of other musicians, which include Cherylann Hawk –
Voice, Bob Zigerelli – Voice & Acoustic Guitar, Hermie Granati – Voice,
David Granati – Electric Guitar, Bass, Voice and George Perilli – Drums, John
recorded a new CD titled Brick By Brick. Musically speaking it is a lovely
typical old school American/Heartland Rock affair in the good old JOHN COUGAR meets
BOB SEGER style, with some Americana and Pop/Rock influences as well, sounding
very American and authentic in a good old rocking direction that is also hooky,
melodic and catchy. John has a great voice, and right from the rocking opener
New Mexico Way you can hear how this sounds like, although the best songs can
be found later on the CD. Throughout the album there is also a bluesy touch,
but it’s all sounding very American, and really really good for sure, with as
other highlights the cool slow bluesy No One Wears A Watch, the strong uptempo
tough rocking Brick By Brick (JOHN CAFFERTY ish), the fantastic SILVER
CONDORish rocker Ain’t No Sin To Rock’n’Roll, the fantastic twin-guitar driven
melodic rocker Start All Over Again and She Drove Me To The Poorhouse. Quite a
surprising independent release and definitely highly recommended, so go check
out more into on John at: https://johnvento.com
(Points: 8.3 out of 10)
THE MIGHTY BARD ‘BEYOND THE GATE’ (EPICTRONIC RECORDS/UK IMPORT)
Only one look at
the album cover is already enough to bring you in a progrock dream, but also
the included music is thankfully also pure progrock, and after several times
listening to the new album of the British band THE MIGHTY BARD it is clear to
me that this is one of the major prog albums released in 2023. The band was
formed in 2004 by guitarist Dave Clarke and ex-Silmarillion keyboardist Neil
Cockle, and they were later joined by bassist Mark Cadman, drummer Tom Mear,
violinplayer Mark Parker and vocalist Benj. The debut album Blue God And Other
Stories was released in 2014, and now almost 10 years the follow-up Beyond The
Gate is released. I have to admit that this new album of the band is really
amazing, because it’s a true classic progressive rock adventure of an
incredible high level.
After the short
interlude that is the titletrack Beyond The Gate, things become very
sensational during following Magician, which is a killer melodic neo-progrock
tune that has a massive sound/production and takes us straight into the
champions league of prog. Fans of ARENA, IQ, GALAHAD, PALLAS, PENDRAGON and
such need to check out THE MIGHTY BARD a.s.a.p., because they deliver a
masterpiece here with Beyond The Gate. I really like the typical ‘British’
sounding vocals of Benj, the wonderful big harmonyvocals (in an almost QUEEN
setting), the excellent melodies created on the guitar and keyboard, the groovy
rhythm section and the addition of a violinist (KANSAS style) in their line-up
that gives the band an orchestral rich sound in general. Other highlights are
Guarded Street, Illusion and Secret Garden, but every song of the 7 included is
an absolute winner. This is how prog needs to sound, and after all the British
still seem to be able to produce new classics!
I am safe to say
that THE MIGHTY BARD sounds indeed mighty and their new CD will definitely find
its way to the progfans out there. Check them out at: https://themightybard.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-gate
JHETT BLACK ‘BABEL VINYL RECORD’ (INDEPENDENT/RUMBLESTUMP
ENTERTAINMENT/SMITH ENTERTAINMENT DISTRIBUTION/USA IMPORT)
It
was a busy day at work and when I almost got home an American blues rock
musician called JHETT BLACK mailed me that he was staying at a beautiful bed
and breakfast around the corner where I live in Dordrecht, and he wanted to hand
over his debut vinyl album Babel to me. It was an honor to meet this incredible
talented musician, who plays guitar and other instruments on his first album,
and he sings in a very original dark low octave range (in the JOHNNY CASH, NICK
CAVE, HOWLIN’ WOLF style (just listen to the slow gothic blues song Gold or
closing track Wayward Son of Side-A for example). At the International Blues
Challenge Awards in Memphis in 2022 he finished 2nd, and his album is charting
at the moment, so he is definitely moving up in popularity soon. He is touring
in Europe right now, but due to work and distance I could sadly not catch him
live somewhere, but hopefully that will be possible next year. Anyway, besides
Jhett there are a few other musicians on his lovely dark looking and sounding
first vinyl album. The album was produced by Glenn Halverson, Al Basile and
Callie Sioux, while Dusty Skins (drums, percussion), Luciana Schiavone (backing
vocals), Déhá (bass, keyboards, percussion) and Robbie Coleman (bass) are the
musicians helping out to give Jhett a full rock band sound. The music balances
somewhere between the earlier described Gothic Blues (JOHNNY CASH meets NICK
CAVE meets HOWLIN’ WOLF) and big fat stompin’ dirty raw bluesy rock and roll
the way it was meant to be played. ZZ TOP and SEASICK STEVENS became superstars
with this kind of real honest authentic bluesy soulful boogie rock and roll,
and JHETT BLACK does a similar thing actually on uptempo pieces like Mama Told
Me Not To, Eve and 12 Bar Blues Again, while the midtempo stuff such as Roll
Out, Eulogy and sensational closing track Going Down (with it’s cool big 80s
kinda drum/beat sound) are as close to honest dark blues as you can get. The
album will be labeled as Blues likewise, but there’s much more to discover
here, and JHETT BLACK has a true own style, and on vinyl that sounds really
impressive. And there is a lot of diversity going on, because how about the
uptempo Sonic Tonic, which is a song that is completely different than the rest
of the album, because this is a slightly gothic/new wave kinda rocker with a
rather catchy poppy approach. I think it’s best to listen to this man’s lovely
debut album for yourself.
JHETT
BLACK is quickly making a name for himself and I am convinced that in 2023 he
will definitely gain a lot more new fans, especially if he is able to come over
and play at the blues festivals in The Netherlands (and Europe). Meanwhile,
check him out at: https://www.jhettblackblues.com/
(Points: 8.4 out of 10)
ERJA LYYTINEN ‘DIAMONDS ON THE ROAD – LIVE 2023’
(TUOHI RECORDS/BLUESLAND PRODUCTIONS/FINLAND IMPORT)
This
summer I had the privilege to see the sensational Finnish guitarist/vocalist
live in concert, and she was unbelievable. Without a doubt one of the best
female guitarists at the moment, and also musically speaking she has made major
steps the last couple of years, because her most recent album Waiting For
Daylight is a superstrong melodic heavy (blues) rock affair with clear
influences from classic hardrockbands such as THIN LIZZY, VAN HALEN and URIAH
HEEP. She did several successful tours in 2023, and a Finnish performance from
March 2023 was captured live, and now released as a 2-CD package. A lot of the
songs featured here are also from that 2022 studio album Waiting For The
Daylight, such as the wonderful Bad Seed, Last Girl, Never Really Had You, Waiting
For The Daylight, You Talk Dirty, The End Of Music and the titletrack of the
live CD, Diamonds On The Road. The older songs have a more bluesy rock
direction, which is also quite good, but it’s clear that she delivers her best
during the newer material. Erja has been in the music business for quite a
while now, because she released her debut album 20 years ago, but somehow now
it clicks and she is at an incredible high level. I can only say to you
whenever she’s in your area, go catch and check out this sensational female
guitarist, because she shreds as one of the finest at the moment. Her stage
performance is also very appealing, so from start to finish you will be
hypnotized. In case you can’t make it or you want to relive those memories of
seeing her live in action, then make sure to check out this wonderful live 2-CD
set. More info at: https://erjalyytinen.com/
(Points: 8.5 out of 10)
ADAM ZINDANI ‘BLACK EYES BLUE’ (VOICE OF VEGA RECORDS/ABSOLUTE/UK
IMPORT)
Guitarist/singer/songwriter
ADAM ZINDANI comes out of Birmingham, England, and he is best known as a member
of the famous Welsh rockband STEREOPHONICS, but he also has an own band called
CASINO, and recently started a solo career, of which Black Eyes Blue is his
debut solo album. I am not sure who plays on the album, because that is not
mentioned in the liner notes of the CD booklet I received, but it seems Adam
does a lot on his own (including producing). 20 songs are included, and right
from the start you will be pleased with a big anthemic sound that grabs you and
doesn’t let go.
Opener
What About Love is well-thought honest midtempo AOR tune with a cool 80s kinda
feeling (especially in the rhythm section and the hooks here and there). The
sound is rich, the hooks are catchy and the vocals of Adam are spot-on, and it’s
all jam-packed in a crystal clear production setting. Adam is a gifted singer
with a fantastic voice, and he is able to write some really strong songs that
could easily become massive radio hits. The following titletrack Black Eyes
Blue is basically a modern picture-perfect midtempo AOR/Melodic Poprock tune
that should be a radio hit for sure. It’s like ERIC MARTIN, BRYAN ADAMS, GLEN
BURTNICK, JOHN PARR and such 80s AOR/Poprockers started a new career in 2023,
because it sounds fresh and yet still has that good old soulful AOR kinda touch
of the aforementioned 80s singers. Other highlights are Should Have Known Better
(catchy uptempo AOR/Poprock a la BRYAN ADAMS), Dance (superb 1983ish hookladen westcoast-AOR,
keyboardfriendly and reminding of JAY GRUSKA if anyone remembers him!) and
Wanna Get Into U (smooth calmer midtempo AOR like BRYAN ADAMS meets JOHN MAYER and
a bit of PAOLO NUTINI). I am safe to say that if you call yourself an AOR fan
and want to hear a fresh new artist with a similar vibe, but still with a
modern approach (like JOHN MAYER for example). You also should not be afraid of
a few calmer acoustic tingled singer/songwriter pieces here and there (I’ll Get
Over Loving You, Believe In You and the beautiful closing track Stranger) as
well, so there’s a bit more diversity going on actually, but the general
feeling is AOR/80s Melodic Poprock ish in a modern fresh jacket. More info can
be found at: https://adamzindani.com/
(Points: 8.5 out of 10)
ABSTRACT INC. ‘GOODBYE BIG IDEA’ (ZENNEZ
RECORDS/BELGIUM IMPORT)
Goodbye
Big Idea is the debut album of the Brussels, Belgium based band ABSTRACT INC.
Their line up consists of Abel Jednak – Altsax, Joos Vandueren – Tenorsax,
Machiel Heremans – Guitar, Leonard Steigerwald - Piano/Rhodes, Otto Kint -
Double Bass and Daniel Jonkers – Drums, and musically speaking they are playing
a spicey (and spacey) mix of jazz, post-progrock and classical music. 7 long
songs can be found on the album, and there is a healthy modern approach to the
band’s rich influences and without a doubt it is a very fine listen from the
start to the finish of the album. The songs have all kinds of various
directions, sometimes rocking in a post-progworld, then calm and classical
music based, while they also dive into some complex jazz here and there, and
this makes ABSTRACT INC. a highly recommended band to check out. More info at: https://abstractinc.bandcamp.com/album/goodbye-big-idea
(Points: 8.2 out of 10)
GLORIOUS WOLF ‘MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER’ (INDEPENDENT)
Out
of The Netherlands comes an exciting project called GLORIOUS WOLF, which is
formed around multi-instrumentalist/producer/composer RUUD DIELEN, who did a
lot on his own to create the 3rd album Mysterious Traveler under this moniker.
There are several guests on vocals (CELIA VAN ONNA and FRANK VAN DER BORG) and
drums (KIKE PAGLIA), but Ruud himself plays guitar, bass, keys and mellotron
besides composing, arranging and producing the CD. Musically speaking it is
high quality concept progressive rock orientated, which in the hands of a
Dutchman is in good hands if we look at the countless other prog rock concept
albums we have seen the past 30 years (AYREON, KAYAK, MAGORIA…), and despite it
all sounds a bit calmer and less bombastic than the usual suspects in this
genre, GLORIOUS WOLF is definitely in the premier league with it’s high quality
(mostly instrumental) progressive rock. The melodies are beautifully played by
Ruud on the guitar, bass and keyboard, and here and there we have songs that
feature the 2 aforementioned singers, whom are doing a great job, and I
wouldn’t mind more vocals on a future record. The artwork of the CD booklet is
beautiful, thanks to ED UNITSKY, and from start to finish you will be taken
into the exciting world of Ruud. Check out more info at: www.gloriouswolf.bandcamp.com
(Points: 8.3 out of 10)
MOON SAFARI
‘HIMLABACKEN VOLUME 2’ (BLOMLJUD RECORDS/JUST FOR KICKS/GERMAN IMPORT)
Founded in 2003, the Swedish
band MOON SAFARI was discovered by THE FLOWER KINGS keyboardplayer Thomas
Bodin, who also produced their debut album A Doorway To Summer in 2005. They
released 3 more studio-albums during the following 10 years, and eventually
after their fourth studio album, Himlabacken Vol. 1 (2013), it became quiet
around them, but another 10 years later they return with a follow-up of their
previous concept album, marking new CD Himlabacken as volume 2 here, and their
5th studio album in total so far. The band’s line up consists
currently of Petter Sandström - lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, Johan
Westerlund - bass, backing and occasional lead vocals, Simon Åkesson - lead
vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, Pontus Åkesson - guitars, backing and
occasional lead vocals, Sebastian Åkesson - keyboards, percussion, backing
vocals and Mikael Israelsson - drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals.
Their music is progressive rock with 6-part lead- and harmonyvocals, because
each of the bandmembers is able to sing really well, making the music sound
extremely melodic and catchy.
Opener 198X (Heaven Hill)
immediately shows that we are dealing here with a lovely high quality album
that will appeal to all fans of Neo-Prog, Sympho, Pomp and AOR due to the
massive use of harmonyvocal driven choruses, cheerful keys and soaring guitar melodies.
It’s like we stepped back to the mid 80s, yet it still sounds fresh if you know
what I mean. ARENA comparisons are there for sure, but also let’s say ASIA or
KANSAS and even JOURNEY, so melt it all together and you got yourself a perfect
mix of AOR, Pomp and Neo-Prog/Sympho. It might be something in the water, but
the Swedish musicians always have a good ear for a catchy melody and when
combined with prog elements, then you end up sounding quite sensational and
that’s what MOON SAFARI is all about when you listen to the amazing uptempo
Between The Devil And Me that is actually a close-call in hookladen early 80s
Westcoast-AOR perfection, reminding quite a lot of TOTO and LE ROUX circa So
Fired Up, but with a proggy touch in the instrumental section of this 10
minutes counting epic tune. The cheerful keys and harmonyvocals of Emma, Come
On takes us straight back to the 70s sound of STYX, so here is a pure
Pomprocker for your taste! A Lifetime To Learn How To Love is up next, and this
might at first sight sound quite sugarsweet and pop orientated, it is a nice
ballad that reminds me a bit of PROMOTION, the short-lived Swedish CHICAGO/TOTO
ish sounding band from the 1990s. Beyond The Blue is a short song, while Blood
Moon picks up again those big 6-part harmonyvocals that make it sound like STYX
again, so once more pure Pomprock, but also QUEEN and ROBBY VALENTINE come to
mind, while you might also compare MOON SAFARI to that other Swedish band that
does more or less the same thing (A.C.T., but then a bit more quirky) and even
CATS IN SPACE. Teen Angel Meets The Apocalypse is a 21 minutes counting tune
that combines the theatrical musical aspect of STYX with the classic
neo-prog/symphonic sounds, which can also be heard during Forever For You,
while the shorter Epilog closes the CD. Here and there 80s YES is also a very
strong comparison, and I have to say this is a very impressive high quality CD,
but for some it might all sound a bit too theatrical and musical orientated due
to the massive use of harmonyvocals, forgetting the real progrock element
sometimes, however if you like KAYAK, STYX, KANSAS, ROBBY VALENTINE, VALENSIA,
A.C.T. and such, then you will definitely like this album of the Swedish band
MOON SAFARI. More info can be found at: https://www.moonsafari.se/
(Points: 8.6 out
of 10)
NI ‘FOL NAIS’ (BROKEN SILENCE/CREATIVE ECLIPSE PR/GERMAN IMPORT)
Fol Nais is the 3rd album
of the French band NI, and musically speaking we are heading into high quality
instrumental complex progressive/noise metal that sometimes sounds really
confusing, extreme and difficult, but also has calmer parts like a mix between
MESHUGGAH, TOOL and LONG DISTANCE CALLING, yet with the focus on extreme
complex parts. On the other hand, the rhythm section (bassist BENOIT LECOMTE
and drummer NICOLAS BENOLIN) gives it this typical pure prog/jazz approach,
while the 2 guitarists (ANTHONY BEARD and FRANCOIS MIGNOT) show their skills in
delivering all kinds of heavy riffs and distorted noise synth like sounds
(check out the song Chicot for example). They have an own identity, and anyone
into complex instrumental music might want to check out this band at: http://ni-music.com
SULLVATION ‘THE BEGINNING OF THE END’ (XSTROYES RECORDS/UK
IMPORT)
Here
we are heading into pure classic US Heavy Power Metal in it’s most purest
tradition of acts like ICED EARTH, SEVEN WITCHES, SANCTUARY, JAG PANZER, METAL
CHURCH, HELSTAR, etc. etc. It concerns a band called SULLVATION, which at first
sight seems to be an one-man’s project, because American multi-instrumentalist
BRENT SULLIVAN did almost everything on his own (songwriting, producing,
engineering, mastering, mixing and playing bass, guitar, keys), but if we look
further we also find a drummer CHUCK WHITE, guest lead singers and guest lead
guitarists, so there’s more than meets the eye. The most well-known guest lead
singer is of course TIM “RIPPER”OWENS (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), but most of
the other featured guest singers sound quite good and have a pure Metal
orientated voice. The sound is massive, the artwork very professional and from
start to finish this is a great melodic US Power Metal adventure. The album has
been released independently, and I believe it is Brent’s first album under the
SULLVATION moniker, but in his 40+ years music career he did play in several
other bands and released albums with them, such as SLAUTER XSTROYES, WINTERKILL
(on MTM MUSIC in the 90s), SPIRITWEB (reviewed about 25+ years ago by yours
truly) and MINDWARP CHAMBER. Anyway, the use of various lead singers and guitars
gives the album a continued moment of interest, because every singer and every
lead guitarist sounds just a bit different, but they are all performing at a
high level, and songs like We Become, We Come In Peace, Carry On and the
fantastic twin-guitar soaring What You Don’t Know will be appreciated by any
fan of classic melodic US Metal. Check out more info at: www.sullvation.bandcamp.com
(Points: 8.3 out of 10)
BAD TOUCH
‘BITTERSWEET SATISFACTION’ (MARSHALL RECORDS/UK IMPORT)
Out of Norfolk, UK comes the
authentic classic rockband BAD TOUCH, and they were formed in 2010 when the
members were still in college. 13 years later they have built up a band with a
strong live reputation and Bittersweet Satisfaction is already their 6th album.
BAD TOUCH consists of Stevie Westwood – Vocals, Rob Glendinning – Lead Guitar,
Daniel ‘Seeks’ Seekings – Guitar / Vocals, Michael Bailey – Bass and George
Drewry – Drums / Vocals, and their classic rocksound has clear elements of the
late 80s and early 90s Stadium/Arena American Melodic Hardrock when melody was
king with catchy hooks, memorable melodic choruses and soaring guitar solos.
Imagine when Hair Metal was huge, but then with a classic rock approach in a
modern jacket. TESLA, THUNDER, LILLIAN AXE, SONS OF ANGELS, BANGALORE CHOIR,
JESSE STRANGE, WHITE LION and such come to mind when listening to this
fantastic band, and despite it might not sound really original, these guys
absolutely deliver the music at a very high level, and they are able to write
some very catchy tunes that definitely stick inside your head after hearing
them. 10 songs are included in total, of which the highlights are the catchy
uptempo melodic rockers This Life, Spend My Days, Bittersweet Satisfaction and
Tonight, the groovy midtempo Taste It (THUNDERish), but there’s also the
classic 80s melodic power rockballad in the shape of Nothing Wrong With That
(WARRANT meets AEROSMITH) and Come Back Again. If you want to hear a good old
fashioned fun melodic hardrocking record, then make sure to check out BAD
TOUCH’s awesome new album Bittersweet Satisfaction. More info at: https://badtouchrocks.co.uk/
(Points: 8.5 out
of 10)
THE RECORD COMPANY
‘THE FOURTH ALBUM’ (ROUND HILL RECORDS/UK IMPORT)
THE RECORD COMPANY is an
American band founded back in 2011 and they are settled in Los Angeles,
California, USA. The Fourth Album is their 4th album likewise,
and they are formed around CHRIS VOS (vocals, guitar, harmonica), MARC CAZORLA
(drums, piano, vocals) and ALEX STIFF (bass, guitar, vocals). Musically
speaking they present us high quality all-original authentic raw bluesy soulful
southern rock and roll with an early 1970s touch of THE STOOGES, ZZ TOP, CANNED
HEAT, etc. It also reminds me a lot of the Dutch heroes of DE WOLFF and even a
bit BLACKBERRY SMOKE comes to mind, so then you might more or less understand
what this is all about. There’s also most of the time clear influences of
classic Blues (MUDDY WATERS/BB KING), especially during the bluesy guitar riffs
and rhythm section, just listen to the superb closing track You Made A Mistake
for example, because this sounds like it was recorded in a smoky bar somewhere
down in Texas (almost reminding of Mannish Boy). It’s by the way Chris who
shines on each and every song of the CD due to his fantastic soulful vocals. He
completely lifts up the material to higher places and makes THE RECORD COMPANY
standout between the countless other bands out there. 10 songs are included in
total, and the highlights include the uptempo rockers I Found Heaven (In My
Darkest Days), Patterns (THE STOOGES ish), Bad Light and Roll With It (sounds
like we stepped back in time in a retro late 60s rock’n’roll machine and
discovered ROLLING STONES never existed!), and the catchy funky radio-ready
Talk To Me. Without a doubt, this is a great authentic rockband that would live
on stage probably impress even more with their southern fried raw dirty mean
dusty bluesy rock and roll sound. Check them out at: https://therecordcompany.net/
(Points: 8.5 out
of 10)
MPG ‘MPG DELUXE
EDITION’ (MELODIC ROCK CLASSICS RECORDS/AUSTRALIA IMPORT)
Although originally released
in 1981, I discovered the only MPG album during the 1990s, and eventually got
in touch with the band’s guitarist DAVID MIKAEL, who during the late 90s had
his own studio, so we did an interview back then, and I did a full story on
MPG, but also reviewed some of his new work that was released as DAVID. Good
times for sure, although around 1998 not many people were interested in reading
about old stuff (haha). Anyway, another 25 years later that MPG album has now
been re-issued onto CD by MELODIC ROCK CLASSICS after 42 (!) years of it’s
original release! It sounds very fresh, even to today’s standards, and
basically this is champions league AOR of the classic late 70s/early 80s era.
TOTO, DAKOTA, FRANKE & THE KNOCKOUTS and such acts are good comparison’s to
this AOR classic of MPG. Anyway, besides the original 9 songs there are also
pre-MPG songs included when the band was called MILES BROS. (from the 1970s
era), and also a lot of demos and unreleased recordings that could have led to
a 2nd album.
Songs like Too Many Questions,
Workin’ Overtime, Can I Come Over Tonight and Always Something are timeless AOR
classics, and a must for any dedicated AOR fan out there. It’s great that they
have finally been released on CD, because the sound is now much bigger than on
the old vinyl album. It’s a 2-CD set with a lovely extensive booklet that
covers the story of the band as well as rare band pictures, however the biggest
surprise is the new song Stop The World, which is a nice
bluesy rocker for sure, but it’s far removed from the classic AOR sound of MPG, although it’s good to
see the guys teaming up in their original line-up and actually recording a new
song. The first batch of unreleased songs, 7 in total, I was already familiar
with, because I had the original demo tape, but thankfully it’s now officially
released on CD. The sound quality is not the best, but it's great to see
unreleased MPG tunes such as That’s Easy, Can’t Miss Love, Front Page News and
Worn Out Shoes getting a proper CD release, because these are really good pure
AOR tunes. Number One is one of the few unreleased big production sounding
classic AOR anthems in the classic TOUCH, SHELTER, PREVIEW, LIONHEART kinda
world, and of course it would have been great if all the unreleased songs had
such a high quality sound, but nevertheless we can enjoy at least some great
unreleased AOR tunes here, with as other highlights the TOTOish Westcoast-AOR
pieces Nobody There (a la PLAYER), Somebody Somewhere and the beautiful AOR
tune Some Other Time (recorded live as MILES BROS. = pre-MPG live in 1979) as well
as all the
aforementioned tunes, and likewise it’s the original album tracks that
show MPG at their very best!
Concluded, this is another
classic AOR album every home should have on both LP and CD, and this 2-CD set
contains a lot of unreleased material of the band that despite the (sometimes
average) quality of the demos and live stuff definitely gives you a good idea
how good these guys were back in the day! The MPG classic debut and only album
they ever released sounds really good on CD, and is right up there with the
countless other AOR classics from the golden era of AOR music (1976-1984). More
info at: http://davidmikeal.com
(Points: 8.8 out
of 10)
AS IS ‘THE STORY
CONTINUES’ (POEXULA MUSIC/USA IMPORT)
The history behind the
American band AS IS goes back to the late 1960s. This band wrote and performed
the included songs on this AS IS CD The Story Continues between 1969 and 1974,
and now almost 50 years later the original members recorded some of their
material. Actually, this is already the 2nd CD they recorded
together as AS IS and it’s all thanks to their singer, songwriter, producer,
engineer, educator and multi-instrumentalist DAVID MIKEAL, who of course is
best known as the lead singer/guitarist of the legendary AOR/Pomprockband MPG.
Anyway, David has done a lot more in the past 6 (!) decades besides playing in
bands, because he also has his own studio in Florida where AS IS recorded this
new CD. AS IS was his main band before he eventually formed MPG, but you can
read more about that in the review of the re-issue of the one and only MPG
album on CD. AS IS’s music is pure classic rock/70s AOR/Rock in a style that
reminds me a bit of URIAH HEEP, balancing somewhere between 70s Hardrock, Prog,
Pomprock and a bit of heavy Blues Rock. Done really well and sounding quite
authentic, it’s good to see these guys still deliver the goods and David has a
real classic rock voice, so it is a pleasure to listen to the 9 included songs.
More info can be found at: http://davidmikeal.com/asiscover
(Points: 8.1 out
of 10)
LOW CUT CONNIE ‘ART DEALERS VINYL RECORD’ (CONTENDER
RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
The
new album of the Philadelphia, United States based band LOW CUT CONNIE is definitely
remembering us of the 1970s, and despite it is said to be a tribute to LOU
REED, there is much more to discover here on Art Dealers, which I received in an
excellent sounding vinyl format. The band was formed in 2010, and this is
already their 7th album. The bandleader is singer/songwriter ADAM WEINER, who
writes all the songs and also produced the album, while he plays piano, guitar,
percussion, keyboards and synths as well. LOW CUT CONNIE might therefore rather
be called his project actually, but there are nevertheless a whole list of
musicians helping him out and giving his sound a real band kinda feeling when
listening. 13 songs are included on this new album, and opener Tell Me Something
I Don’t Know is a wonderful hard hitting midtempo bluesy rocker with a strong
chorus and a great guitar riff, not even far removed from THE BLACK KEYS. Next
track Sleaze Me On is a little grittier and also adds some Soul influences, especially
in the groovy arrangements and backing vocals, coming across like something
ROLLING STONES could have recorded in the 1970s. Big Boy follows in a slightly
more 70s T-REX ish glamrock direction and even early 70s DAVID BOWIE comes to
mind during this uptempo rocker. After just a couple of songs it is clear that
this is a high quality record with an honest authentic 70s rock and soul sound
that really recalls the good old days. Speaking of the 1970s, the superb Are
You Gonna Run? Is a sorta late 70s powerpop/AOR/pop semi-ballad that recalls
BILLY JOEL, HALL & OATES, JOE JACKSON and such, including a catchy hook and
piano/keyboard driven dut-dut melody. Don’t Get Fresh With Me continues in this
somewhat laid-back 70s AOR/Powerpop/Westcoast direction that even reminds me a
bit of BENNY MARDONES and EDDIE MONEY, so as you can see this is a very diverse
record that truly reminds us of the good old 70s American FM Radio sound.
Wonderful Boy is up next, and this is a calmer piano-ballad with high falsetto vocals,
while closing Side-A of the vinyl record is the cool uptempo Garage Rock and
Roll tune Whips And Chains that could easily become a huge radio hit because it
has a very catchy vibe that reminds me of THE STRUTS crossed with 70s LOU REED.
Side-B
opens with Take Me To The Place, a lovely classic 70s AOR/Pop anthem that has
again a BILLY JOEL / ELTON JOHN vibe in it’s piano-led verses and hooks, while
the strong catchy rocking chorus is made for classic radio and even reveals a
bit of STEELY DAN crossed with the Heartland Rock of MICHAEL STANLEY BAND, so
there’s your New Jersey touch! Call Out My Name is a pure 70s anthemic pop tune
and following King Of The Jews is a nice powerful ballad. I Don’t Understand
You is a catchy short but sweet uptempo melodic poprocker with a late 70s/early
80s vibe, titletrack Art Dealers is a sorta 70s ballad and closing song of the
album Party’s Over is a throwback to a 1930s close-harmony vocal driven
doo-woop blues style. As you can see there is an incredible diversity in music
styles on this record, which makes it enjoyable to listen to from start to
finish.
Concluded,
LOW CUT CONNIE absolutely delivers a lovely new album that breathes the classic
70s all over the place, melting the catchy hooks and melodic choruses in an
authentic anthemic rocking sound, yet with also a surprise here and there. Check
out the vinyl edition, because that format gives the best sound quality of this
highly recommended new album of the band. More info at: https://lowcutconnie.com/
(Points: 8.5 out of 10)
KEVIN BORICH
‘DUETS / LEGACY 1973-1981’ (INDEPENDENT/AUSTRALIA IMPORT)
KEVIN BORCH is a New
Zealand-born Australian guitarist and singer-songwriter, and he was a founding
member of THE LA DE DAS, the leader of KEVIN BORCH EXPRESS, a founding member
of THE PARTY BOYS, as well as a session musician for numerous acts besides having
a solo career all his life. He has been in the music business for over 60 years
(!) and released a lot of music throughout his life, but also performed with
many legendary musicians and bands. Outside Australia he is lesser known, so
that makes the CDs he was kind enough to send me for a review even more
interesting, because it concerns here a new CD titled Duets, but also a sorta
best of CD titled Legacy 1973-1981 that covers a very busy and wild part of his
career, the 1970s and early 1980s, when he recorded and performed all over the
world with a lot of other famous musicians, which resulted in a CD that was
compiled by Kevin himself in 2022.
Legacy 1973 – 1981 contains 3
CDs that are split over a Rock orientated CD, a calmer softer material based CD
(both CDs featuring songs recorded between 73-81) and a 3rd CD featuring live
recordings from the 90s and 00s. We’re back almost 50 years in time when these
recordings took place and CD 1, which is simply titled Volume 1: Hot, this is a
very enjoyable classic 70s rocking album that reminds me of all those classic
acts from that period in music history. It’s a melting pot of Pub Rock, Classic
Rock, Heavy Blues Rock and a bit of Hardrock like a mix between TASTE, RORY
GALLAGHER, THIN LIZZY, STATUS QUO, PAT TRAVERS and PETER FRAMPTON. Kevin is a
great singer and he is also a gifted guitarplayer who does all the 70s
rock/hardrock tricks during the 17 included songs on the rocking first CD of
this 3-CD package. Highlights include uptempo rockers such as Goin’ Somewhere,
Goin’ Down Town, Need Your Love, Six Million Dollar Role (catchy tune) and
especially the last 4 songs on CD1 are really strong Classic Rockers that sound
like a mix between THIN LIZZY and PAT TRAVERS (Caught In The Middle,
Rock’n’Roll, Don’t Let Go and Shy Boys Shy Girls).
CD 2 is titled Volume 2 //
Chill, and basically it’s indeed a more relaxed side of Kevin, so it is more
balladry and laid-back, here and there slow bluesy melodic rock ish, but mostly
melting all kinds of other influences (funk, soul, jazz, westcoast, pop and
even reggae) into the 17 included songs, with as highlights Cannot Do Right
(strong semi melodic rockballad), Mon Ami (70s funky soul tune), Backs To The
Wall (one of the few rockers here, an almost very early KISS/STARZ ish sounding
straight forward 70s rocker), Working On A New Day (CITY BOY/CHARLIE ish 70s
melodic rocker), the prog/pomprocker Flight 506 and the RICK SPRINGFIELD ish
melodic rocker Waiting For You.
The 3rd CD contains more
recent live recordings from the 1990s and 2009, and these songs show Kevin in
his purest heavy blues rock direction, and I have to admit that it sounds
really good, both vocally and on guitar. His guitarwork is phenomenal on these
wonderfully captured live recordings from 15-30 years ago, especially during
the amazing 10 minutes counting Celebration that reminds me of WALTER TROUT.
Fast forward to 2023 and a new
CD is released entitled Duets, which brings him straight up to the number 1
album charts of Australia! It is really impressive if I look at the list of
guest singers whom are singing a duet with Kevin, because LEO SAYER, SUZE
DEMARCHI, IAN MOSS, JOE WALSH (!), ANGRY ANDERSON, SWANNEE and many more appear
on Kevin’s new CD. The music is somewhat calmer than his previous work, but
it’s definitely a very nice mixture of blues, westcoast, pop and a bit of
soul/jazz, with Kevin’s amazing smooth guitarplaying to accompany the vocal
duets he’s doing. Highlights are Bring Loving Back Again (westcoast-soul-pop
semi ballad duet with LEO SAYER), the uptempo rocker Keep It To Myself, Soapbox
Bitchin’ (with the legendary ROSE TATTOO singer Angry) and closing track There
Is A Road (featuring the Aussie Westcoast-AOR legend SWANEE). I was not
familiar with Kevin’s music before, so it is a pleasure to get a good look on
his past and present through these CDs. More info can be found at: https://kevinborich.com.au
(Points: 8.4 out
of 10)
THE BLUE LENA ‘DARKWOOD’ (INDEPENDENT/UK IMPORT)
The
UK keeps on delivering high quality new releases in the world of melodic heavy
blues/classic rock, and the latest one is from a band called THE BLUE LENA from
Worchester. They are described as a southern rockband with FLEETWOOD MAC ish harmonyvocals,
and although that might sound like a good way to appeal to as many people as
possible, THE BLUE LENA is basically a classic rock/AOR/Melodic Rockband with a
bunch of catchy tunes on their debut album Darkwood, although here and there we
can definitely trace a bluesy/southern rock influence. However, more important
is the fact that this band has an amazing soul vibe in their sound, which is
thanks to some great harmonyvocals and the performance of the top-notch
musicians, but THE BLUE LENA also has a killer vocalist (PETER YEOMANS of HIGH
TREASON) who has a real soul in his voice. The band’s lead guitarist NICK
SINGLETON (CRYWOLF, THE TATTOOED LOVE BOYS) is playing some phenomenal
guitarsolo’s and riffs throughout the album, while the rest of the band (drummer
JON CLAYTON, guitarist RICHIE YEATES, percussionist FI CHANNON, keyboardplayer
MATT RAYNOR and bassist MARTIN RAGGETT) provides the necessary rich full band perfectly.
All together we can easily say that this is another sensational band from the
UK!
12
songs are included, and opener Last Chance Saloon is a pretty good uptempo
melodic classic rocker in a somewhat laid-back WHITESNAKE style, while following
Sanctity has a great slower bluesy rock feeling like THUNDER (and WHITESNAKE
again), but this song also has a superb AOR chorus that is very memorable and
even reminding of TALISMAN / TYKETTO / VALENTINE. At times this band also has
similarities to the last couple of albums of the Liverpool hot-shot LAURENCE
JONES, yet perhaps a bit more leaning towards classic AOR/Rock, especially when
you hear a catchy AOR/Melodic Poprocker such as Only When She’s Dancing (with it’s
fantastic soaring 80s guitarsolo). Other highlights are the soulful melodic
rocker The Wrong Side Of Midnight, the melodic semi-AOR/rockballad Can You Feel
The Rain (MARK ALLEN BAND meets BILOXI), Long Way Home and the AOR ballad
Sometimes (a la BLUE RAIN/SURE CONVICTION). I just mentioned some rare melodic
rock comparisons from the 90s, so the insiders among us will understand what
THE BLUE LENA is all about, but basically this is a great melodic rocking band you
need to hear a.s.a.p. You don’t want to miss this excellent new band and their
debut album Darkwood, so go ahead and check them out at: https://thebluelena.co.uk/
(Points: 8.6 out of 10)
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