Of Perception - So Join Mr Dreams (1991)

1991 rock album, full of great ideas that didn't quite hit the mark.

Hard Rock, acid house, protest songs all mixed in with keyboards, guitars etc, hell even a sitar!

Got 2 Ks from Kerrang! mag back in the day.

 Album was produced by A. Arthurs (Neil Christian/Crushed Butler).

Download Here

ZOË - Back Into The Light (CD Review)

ZOË Back Into The Light

01.Back Into The Light

02.Voices

03.Down In A Hole

04.In Praise Of Laziness

05.Go Like A Bomb

06.By Your Side

07.White Trash

08.Wild Wild City

09.Band Of Brothers

10.Cut Class

Fred Barroit (Vocals, Guitar)

Aldo Ségard (Guitar)

Holy Capitaine (Drums)

Clem Burette (Bass)

French band 'ZOE' return after a five year break and with the addition of a new bassist.

They mix Rock N Roll with 70's hard rock and a straight forward attitude that has seen them tour all over Europe and release three albums.

What we have here is ten solid tracks of no nonsence hard rock, a couple of tracks 'Down In A Hole' and 'By Your Side' stick out as above average rockers, great guitar playing backed by solid bass and drums.

'Band Of Brothers' is a tribute to Lemmy and manages to avoid sounding like Motorhead.

Rating 7/10

For Fans Of: Viking Skull, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Monster Magnet

Weapon UK - The Rocker/Set The Stage Alight(2017) Review

Danny Hynes (Vocals)

Jeff Summers (Guitar)

Darren Lee (Drums)

Tony Forsythe (Bass)

1. The Rocker

2. Set The Stage Alight (2017)

So yes it has been awhile since the review was posted, but there are very few bands in the world that can being me out of health forced retirement and one of the most important to me is Weapon!

So let’s have a quick catch up and go back to 2014. They of course released the stunning album 'Rising from the Ashes’ this was followed by a brief UK tour. Towards the end of the year their drummer Ian Sweeting left and was replaced by Darren Lee (Ex Midnight Messiah).

The following year was another packed diary of live dates in the UK and an appearance at the Matarock festival in Barcelona, then another European tour taking in Holland, Germany and Belgium.

After the tour bassist PJ Phillips decided to leave the band.

In 2016 Angelwitch/Tytan bassist Kevin Riddles steps in to help the band out whilst they continued to search for a permanent replacement.

In August saw the re-release/repackaged '35 Anniversary Edition' of the 'Set The Stage Alight' album on Blood & Iron Records, which contains all the bands material from 1980/1 plus two live tracks from their appearance at The Headbangers-Open-Air Ball, Germany in 2005.

So at the beginning of this year a new bassist joined in the shape of the very talented Tony Forsythe, a name I knew well as he had worked with Gerry Laffy from Girl and had also played in a band with Rudi ‘The Boss’ Riviere from Sapphire.

After rehearsals they set off for a series of Swedish dates and not long afterwards entered the recording studio, which brings us right up to date.

The Rocker.

Cover versions can at times be a dangerous choice. On the one hand you have to capture the essence of the original and show total respect and at the same time you have to add your own sound and vision.

This version of The Rocker fits both those criteria; firstly they have bridged the original album version of 5 minutes and the single version of just 2 ½ minutes and created a fresh and crisp production of 3 minutes of aural perfection.

Set The Stage Alight.

This could also be considered a dangerous choice. Bands can often make the mistake of re-recording one of their own classic tracks and then manage to ruin the song’s legacy.

I confess I was a little reticent at hitting play; my original treasured vinyl copy still sits in my collection to this day and is interconnected with my love and respect for the band.

Any doubts were blown away from the intro onwards, the power of the original was not only respected but frankly updated to remind us that maturity does not mean watering down or destroying a legacy but re-nailing to the wall for all to see and hear.

Superb drumming and bass work power through the speakers, the guitar sound is alive and furious, the vocals are even, well produced and as soaring as the day the song was first conceived.

I have said this before and it still remains the case, Weapon are not a band who bask in former glories of the NWOBHM era and attempt to replicate a youthful sound, they are a band who never stood still or looked backwards, this is a relevant now to today’s rock and metal music scene as it has always been.

Let me put it this way; The Rocker is 44 years old, Set The Stage Alight (like the band) is 37 years old. Yet this release has the punch of a fresh faced teen heavy metal band! "

Rating: 10/10

The tracks will be digitally released on Thursday, 28th September 2017.

Available through CD Baby, ITunes, Amazon.

For more information go to:  http://www.weapon-uk.com/index.php

Ohrenfeindt - Motor An! (CD Review)

01.Zeit Für Rock’n’Roll
02.1910
03.Die Hoffnung Stirbt Zuletzt
04.Nimm Die Kohle Und Renn
05.Gib Mir Mein Problem Zurück
06.Früh Oder Später
07.Motor An!
08.Aus
09.Für Rock’n’Roll Gebaut
10.Reich Würde Schon Reichen


Chris Laut (Bass/Vocals)
Andi Rohde (Drums)
Pierre "Keule" Blesse (Guitar)

German rock band formed in 1994.
It’s like a well-tried recipe that never gets old: Take three or four loud riffs, a pounding rhythm section, dirty guitars and the typical sound of the producer duo Olman Viper and singer/bassplayer Chris Laut, who once again worked successfully together on this album in the Hertzwerk Nullzwei Studios in Hamburg, Germany.
This time drummer Andi Rohde and guitar player Pierre “Keule” Blesse were also involved in the song writing process and the result is better than ever!
Three guys, two words, one mission: MOTOR AN! (Which literally means “Start the engine!”)

To be honest there is little i can add in terms of this review to the one i did for their previous album "Auf Die Fresse Ist Umsonst" back in july 2013.
It's an album of Ac/Dc meets Rose Tattoo with a hint of Hanoi Rocks, all sung in German (Not a problem for Rammsteins world domintaion).

This time around there doesnt appear to be any guest musicians, just the band themselves doing what they do best.

Rating 8/10
For afns of: Ac/Dc, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo

Devil's Dice - Libertarian (CD Review)

01.Feed The Flames
02.Passive Resistance
03.I Walk Alone
04.Forbidden Memory
05.Libertarian
06.Chameleon (Right About You)
07.Hour Of The Wolf
08.Destiny Calling
09.Hangin' On Too Long
10.The Grudge
11.Matter Of Faith


Matt Gore (Vocals)
David Clark (Guitar/Bass/Drum Programming)
Chris Webb (Guitar/Drum Programming)

Formed in 2005 in Birmingham by David Clark and Chris Webb; many incarnations followed in the search to complete the line-up, but with many songs written and ready to go, Dave and Chris began laying down songs at Arkham Studios in 2009 on a part time basis, with Alex Cooper producing. In summer 2013 after a long and arduous search, Matt Gore came into the picture, with a voice capable of doing the music justice. Since then the band have been recording their debut album.

'Feed The Flames' a solid classic rock song delivered in the style of a post 1981 NWOBHM band. Solid riffs, excellent vocals and a nice guitar solo.
This comes with a "But" and that is the drum programming, yes it carries the required rhythms needed to drive the song but there is no substitute for a real drummer when it comes to rock music, the tinny sound of the hi hat and the fake snare and bass drum hits just dont sit right.

Ingnoring the drum sound and 'Passive Resistence' is another great hard rock song, this one really has pace and some more excellent riffing.

Next track to really stand out is 'Libertarian', like a late night rock radio classic, this one has mood and maidenesque riffs in abundance a perfect guitar solo just gives me more to like and then that down feeling when that drum machine becomes so obvious.

The erst of the album is the same, brilliant vocals, guitar, some nice bass playing comes through the mix as well, nothing to fault or dislike here at all just that the drum sound doesnt fit the genre, that what stops this getting a 10/10 review, so get a drummer!

Rating 7/10
For fans of: The Deep, Weapon UK, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Amulet, Cavalar

Horisont - Odyssey (CD Review)

01.Odyssey
02.Break The Limit
03.Blind Leder Blind
04.Bad News
05.Light My Way
06.The Night Stalker
07.Flying
08.Back On The Streets
09.Beyond The Sun
10.Red Light
11.Städer Brinner
12.Timmarna


Axel (Vocals)
Charles (Guitar)
Tom (Guitar)
Magnus (Bass)
Pontus (Drums)

From Sweden, formed in 2006.
Their sound that harks back to the dawn of the 70s, when a new clutch of heads decided it was time to harsh the 60s hippies’ mellow and paint it black; those years when the twin spirit of hard rock and prog rose to redefine sound.

In their earlier years Horisont looked and sounded like the last guys standing at the world’s wildest and darkest party; these are the tight bro’s who laced the punch, torched the dance-floor and rode off into the night on their roaring hogs in a puff of green smoke. “Put the five soldiers of Horisont in a time machine 50 years ahead of time and we would still rock the silver socks of any future man, woman or robot,” frontman Axel once declared.


This quintet’s rock trip might be retro but their songwriting is timeless; a good melody lives forever and Horisont have songs in abundance. New album Odyssey is exactly as its title suggests: an epic journey into the known. A sonic trip. A mighty voyage of sound. You could even call their fourth full release a concept album - although they themselves prefer “space saga”. Either way it’s a brave band who open their album with a ten minute-long track, yet on the album’s title track Horisont dive straight into the deep end, delivering space-rock with all the dexterity and deftness of the very best prog rock’s finest, such as early Yes or Kansas.

In the promo pictures i was sent i noticed that their was something weird about their eyes, and then i remembered that i had seen the same thing on the Sharks album 'Jab it in your eye' from 1974.

So start an album with a ten minute retro sounding epic? Yep 'Odyssey' is pure nostalgia they re create a typical mid 70's american/canadian prog sound, think of Kansas and Neil Merryweather via Starcastle and if you dont know who i am talking about then i doubt this album will be for you.
Brilliant timing changes, nice keyboard work, epic guitarwork and soaring vocals.

'Break The Limit' this really reminds me of Yes, intricate bass playing over tight rhythms and another soaring vocal performance.

Sticking to a more mainstream rock sound with 'Blind leder Blind' the second half of which turns into a very laid back and melodic almost country rock ballad.

'Bad News' and 'Light My Way' are more upbeat heavy rock songs, again nice guitarwork and production and perhaps i should say re-production of the classic 70's rock sound.

Cant belive they stuck a ballad on this album, but then i suppose many bands did back in the old days, that said 'The Night Stalker' is well done, just not really a ballad kinda guy.

Great spanish guitar intro to 'Flying', perhaps not surprising that it has more than a hint of early period uk rock band UFO about it.

Sorry if this review is lacking in lots of things to say about the band, its just each track just takes you back to remembering other bands from the great days of rock, so with that said 'Back On The Streets' could be Lynyrd Skynyrds style of southern rock, even the dual guitar sound.

'Beyond The Sun' has that space rock feel even though there is no twirling synths on offer.

'Städer Brinner' may be the nearest song so far to have an original sound about it, even though you can detect the obvious influences, this one has a more up to date sounding production and construction its a shame that the final song does not carry this idea onwards, instead it returns to the 70's.

So yes its retro, but its so well done, a band who clearly understand their music and there are not too many of those around these days.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Saturn, UFO, Rush, Kansas, Pyogenesis, Lucifer, Witchcraft

Simulacrum - Sky Divided (CD Review)

01.Timelapse
02.Behind The Belt Of Orion
03.Broken
04.Embrace The Animal Within
05.Deep In The Trenches
06.The Abomination
07.Sky Divided
08.Enter Hyperion
09.A New Beginning


Niklas (Vocals)
Chrism (Keyboards)
Solomon (Guitar)
Petri (Guitar)
Olli (Bass)
Henri (Drums)

Progressive metal band formed in 2000 from Finland.
Their latest album has the story and visual style of the interests of composer/keyboardist Chrism and lyricist/singer Niklas.

The band say "We have grown-up in a world of Sci-Fi literature, computer games and movies and we wanted to create a package that pays homage to these childhood influences. Mad Max, War of the Worlds, Fahrenheit 451, the Fallout game series and Alien are all titles that are concidered classics and have influenced the album's thematics."

It may have a symphonic almost movie sountrack intro but 'Timelapse' builds up the agression with some soild technical drum patterns which continue into 'Behind The Belt Of Orion'. This has some superb keyboard work blended with the post industrial metal sounds of bands like Fear Factory. As this song progresses it manages to blend speed metal with neo-prog and classic power metal riffs, all this is rounded by a huge vocal presence.


Slow pounding riffs on 'Broken' create a menacing backing to a dark vocal performance.
What you dont expect, but works really well is the saxaphone that appears during the song giving this a great jazzy edge.

'Embrace The Animal Within' is pretty straight forward, except for the keyboards which remain the star once again.

Some of those thrash/speed metal moments on 'Deep In The Trenches', also some outstanding orchestration on the synth.

Up next a ten minute epic called 'The Abomination', this one has everything in it, some clever timing and mood changes. Again, sorry but it has to be said, the keyboard playing is just amazing.

This time it's the guitarwork and drumming that takes centre stage on 'Sky Divided'. Endless technical riffs, but with passion and some very heavy and agressive drumming.

'Enter Hyperion' is another full on prog monster that edges towards speed metal at times, some great effects on the production and on this one the bass playing plays havoc with the speakers.
Some great technical interaction between keyboards and drums and another soaring vocal performance.

As if all that wasn't enough we get 'A New Beginning' coming in at fourteen minutes.
Some old school keyboards that ahrken back to 1970's prog and the band match the vibe to perfection, its only the drum style that lets you know this is not 1975!

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Pyogenesis, Yes, Asia, Solstice Coil, TesseracT, Fear Factory

Luna Rise - Dark Days And Bright Nights (CD Review)

01.Demons Inside
02.RZRKT
03.Valentine
04.Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
05.For A Reason
06.The Secret In You
07.Silent Screams
08.Worshippin’ Shadows
09.Until The Stars Have Come
10.In Your Arms
11.The Storm
12.The Anthem Of The Night

Chris Divine (Vocals/Guitar)
L.X. (Keyboards)
Andy Earth (Guitar)
Rob Rocket (Bass)
Loup Garou (Drums)

Guests:
Bernie Pfeiffer (Exit To Eden) - Screams on Track 1
Tanja Ilic - Backing Vocals Track 2
Lisa Untersmayr - Backing Vocals Track 4
Melanie Hirner - Vocals Track 9

A Melodic-Rock band from Enns in Upper Austria, formed in 2011.
They like to move the boundaries between heavy and emotional musical moments and catchy but mighty melodies.
Their sound strikes one in a hell-for-leather manner while simultaneously revealing influences ranging from Hardrock to Progressive Metal, incorporating traces of mysterious Doom and Gothic Rock.

Right so having just listened to the album, what the bio should have read was HIM tribute band do Ultravox cover on new album to an okay standard of average music that acts as a reminder that you dont have to be original to get an album released these days if you look right and have a nice easy to listen too sound that will appeal to readers of Kerrang!

So to be fair to the album, it does the job quite well, the HIM style was a winner and these guys do it justice, think its a shame that they couldnt find an element of their own to throw in, but its not the worse thing i have heard this year by a long shot and that Ultravox cover is pretty good.

Rating 7/10
For fans of: HIM, Rasmus, Velvet Six, 69 Eyes

Against Evil - Fatal Assault (CD Review)

01.Battle Call
02.The Enemy Within
03.Speedbreaker
04.Wings Of Steel
05.Bulletproof
06.War Hero


Siri Sri (Vocals/Bass)
Sravan (Vocals/Guitar)
Shasank (Guitar)
Noble John (Drums)

Against Evil is a heavy metal band from the Steel City , Visakhapatnam. Formed in late 2014, the band members are also part of a successful hard rock cover band called Echo.

Influenced by the early heavy metal bands such as Judas Priest, Accept, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, etc, the band intends to unleash its own breed of heavy metal - Old School Heavy Metal Sound with Modern Age Production and Quality!

So forget the sodding intro, pointless as ever, but 'The Enemy Within' is a surprisng slice of good old fashioned heavy metal, no grunty vocals or noise or blast beats, just straight forward metal.

'Speedbreaker' is by far the best here, solid, powerfull drum driven, full of agressive but clean vocals, nice guitar work and a perfect headbanging song.

'Bulletproof' also stands out thanks mainly to the melodic breakdown with harmony vocals and then finally 'War Hero' with its touches of classic early european power metal.

Rating 7/10
For fans of: Chainsheart, Soldier, The Deep, Hamerex, Hellion Rising

Armageddon - Eternal Mystery Rediscovered (CD Review)

01.Appearing
02.No Advice
03.Curse of Black Swan
04.Black Swan Rider
05.Magic Star
06.Sarabanda
07.Heavy Metal Symphony
08.No Advice  (Short Version)
09.Funeral March (Sarabanda 2015)
10.Heavy Metal Symphony (Short Version)
11.Mordor (Live)

Milos Krsmanovic (Lead Vocal)
Vanda Marijanski (Mecosopran)
Marko Skendzic (Tenor)
Zeljko Andric (Bass-Bariton)
Vladimir Zorijan (Bass Vocal)
Djordje Letic (Guitars/Keyboards/Vocals/Narration)
Zoran Drazic (Electric & Acoustic Guitar)
Nebojsa Bjeletic (Bass)
Milos Marceta (keyboards)
Tara Kerac (Drums/Growls)

ARMAGEDDON is a band from Novi Sad and are among the veterans of the local Heavy Metal scene in Serbia. The band was formed in 1987, and it is the creation of the solo artist Djordje Letich, who is also active in other bands on the scene, with the band Tornado being the most significant among them. ARMAGEDDON has existed for many years as a one-man band, while Djordje Letich, in the manner of true virtuoso, was combining elements of Heavy Metal sound with other similar and not so similar musical streams, examining the possibilities of complex styles and incorporating them together.
In its long history, until recently, ARMAGEDDON never set foot on the concert stage! Their performance at Exit 2012 was the exclusive live appearance of the band. Later, in December2012, the band held its "Doomsday Concert" which live recordings are the backbone for this new, currently issued album.

"Eternal Mystery - Rediscovered" is truly a "Heavy Metal Symphony" featuring Opera singers from the Serbian National Theatre of Novi Sad and a full string quartet that guide the listener through a musical journey, about the Secret of Life and Death. A highlight of the album is the live bonus track "Mordor" with which displays the full power of this now 11 musician outfit called ARMAGEDDON.
ARMAGEDDON's "Eternal Mystery" was originally recorded 25 years ago and this upgraded album entitled "Eternal Mystery - Rediscovered" is a special anniversary edition. ARMAGEDDON are considered to be one of the first Sympho Power/Prog Metal groups in the region of Europe. The original album was recorded in very poor conditions, on only 8 channels, by analog equipment. This new modern "Rediscovered" version of the album was rerecorded and remixed with additional recordings on 128 channels!

After the spoken introduction we move into the melodic almost iron maiden-esque style of power metal with 'No Advice' and just a single male vocal.

'Curse Of Black swan' is just another spoken piece, but with added f/x, this goes into 'Black Swan Rider' which turns out to be a rather good 70's sounding pomp rock song, a sort of proto power metal.

If the last one was 70's then this one seems to be late 60's, 'Magic Star' has the right vibe for classic hard rock, good vocal backing and some great guitarwork are only slightly spolied by a pretty poor drum sound.

'Sarabanda' is a full on classical symphonic piece and then comes 'Heavy Metal Symphony' a totally stunning 27 minutes of pure rock opera.
From the spoken intro into its speed metal riffs it just soars through the speakers, then come the numerous timing changes, seemingly throwing in every style of rock and metal it can, even some dark and doomy parts. Later we get some folk and pure classical as well.Fantastic!

After the edits and other extra tracks we finally get 'Mordor' another stunning and all too short symphonic rock masterpiece.

Rating 9/10
For fans of: Rainbow, Therion, Dream Theater, Lucifer, Saturn

Deadhand - Storm Of Demiurge (CD Review)

01.Resign To Complacency
02.Ground To Ash
03.Trailed By Wolves
04.Storm Of Demiurge
05.1-13-12
06.The Last King



Matt (Guitar/Vocals)
Clifton (Guitar/Vocals)
Stephen (Bass)
Shannon (Keyboards/Vocals)
J.R. (Drums)

American doom band who formed in 2013 dont seem to have any sort of bio just some blurb that reads: "Deadhand collective is The creation of self without the acknowledgement of hidden hands. No homage needs to be paid for the labor of dead men. We are not the traveled path nor the heavy wood ahead.We are still, settled into the present. Our altars are our own two feet and the tops are scattered words and actions that make up our present form".

A good mix of psychedelic/space rock sounds over vocal samples introduce 'Resign To Complacency', progression of the song brings dark vocal growls all mixed in with keyboards and a solid doom influenced backing.

Funeral Doom is the basis for'Ground To Ash', simple and uncompromised until we get near the end for some melodic and laid back guitarwork.

Next is the epic 14 minutes of 'Trailed By Wolves', this is a surprisngly laid back and highly melodic piece full of beautiful guitar playing.

'Storm Of Demiurge' is another well executed song which then leads into a nice litle instrumental '1-13-12'
Finally 'The Last King' another great mix of psychedelia/doom and prog, lots of clever and well thought out timing chnages, solid drumwork and just generally a brilliant song!

Rating 9/10
For fans of: Saturn, Pohjoinen, Hela, Cathedral, Albez Duz, Witchcraft

Wasted Puppets - Puppet Show (CD Review)

01.My Sweetest Poison
02.Lousianna's Son
03.Lovestruck
04.Just Disapppear
05.Black Tar Medicine
06.Brothers
07.Your Mother Knew I Was Bad News
08.Don't Save Me
09.Outlaw Story


Anssi Tuomikoski (Vocals/Harmonica)
Jani Klemetti (Guitar)
Samuli Visuri (Bass)
Mikko "Hyrski" Hyyryläinen (Drums)

Wasted Puppets is a rock group formed in 2011 from Lapland playing music based upon the foundation which was built by such heroes as Zeppelin, Hendrix, Purple, G N' R, Kiss, Whitesnake and many others that came after them, with their own twist.

Fairly straight forward classic rock stuff here, nothing to get over excited about, more of a small club band than one that would ever get near a stadium.

Its melodic and well played, would suit a drive radio playlist, so to pick a couple out i will go with 'Black Tar Medicine' a slow and anthemic song with huge riffs and a good vocal performance, this one has that Audioslave vibe.

Another stand out is 'Your Mother Knew I Was Bad News', its got that American post glam swagger of G'N'R with some rock n roll thrown in as well.

As i said this is an okay album, just dont expect it to leap out at you.

Rating 7/10
For fans of: King Lizard, Mercy House, Wasted Sinners, Bad Son

Soldier - Defiant (CD Review)

01.Conquistador
02.Leaving
03.Kill Or Cure
04.Concrete Wilderness
05.Fight Or Fall
06.Dead Man's Curve
07.Bullet Belt Blues
08.Six Hundred
09.A Light To See The Darkness
10.Dont Come Crying To Me Defiant

Ian Alan Dick (Guitars)
Miles Goodman (Guitar)
Steve Barlow (Bass)
Richard Frost (vocals)
Tim Churchman (Drums)

Formed by Ian Dick in Northampton in 1979, the band soon built up a strong following, after releasing a demo early in 1982 they were signed to Heavy Metal Records and release the single 'Sheralee, a year later after a live album the band split.

Returning in 2003 with a new Ep titled 'Infantrycide' followed by a compilation album 'Heavy Metal Force' in 2004 and a single 'Murderess Night'.A year later they released a new album 'Sins Of The warrior'.

We now jump to their 30th anniversary of the single 'Sheralee' and live appearences at the British Steel and Hard Rock Hell festivals, this lead to a determination to return to the scene and the band set about recording a new album.
The result was 2013's 'Dogs Of War', following year drummer Alex Smith was replaced by ex IQ man Tim Churchman and the band released a 2-cd compilation of mainly unreleased tracks from 1980 to 2007 and a bonus disc covering more recent recordings.

Opening with a seven minute epic called 'Conquistador' this sounds like a young progressive metal band creating clever layers and throwing in timing changes to make one helluva statement, add to this the experience of the musicians and what we have here is a stunning piece of music, full of melody, controlled agression and multi instrumental passages.

Next up is 'Leaving' a solid drum driven mid paced rocker, melodic vocals soar through the riffs, the next one 'Kill Or Cure' is more of the same, good quality hard driving music and some nice bass playing coming through my speakers as well.

Now 'Concrete Wilderness', a song i have played 3 times in a row, why? well first time i wasn't sure about it, second time i started to get used to its style and third time (now) whilst i'm writing this.So starts with a simple guitar riff then suddenly gets all "Judas Priest" riff wise, just as you start to get used to that, it slows down and gets all serious, then goes even slower with just a bit of guitar and a passionate vocal, then (keep up with me here) it bursts into life again all heavy and anthemic, nice guitar solo and crashing drums, speeds up again keeps a steady pace, then slows down again, then gets all epic towards the end.Right then by far the most intresting multi layered song so far and one of the best rock songs i have heard this year!

'Fight Or Fall' and 'Dead Mans Curve' are both solid rock songs, great riffs, great drums, pounding bass and excellent vocal delivery, nuff sed.

I wonder if 'Bullet Belt Blues' will be a blues song? No its not its another anthemic rocker and its not lyrically what i expected either, i thought it may be a homage to heavy metal fans, but instead its about the politics of war.

Love the phase effect on the drum intro to 'Six Hundred' which turns into another riff lead driving rocker, yes i know i've said that before in this review, but hey this music just drives along at such a great pace, its the best way i can describe it.

Please dont let 'A Light To See The Darkness' be a ballad, coz it sure as hell sounds like one so far, slow and moody guitar riff and nice vocals, but wait the tempo increases, there is life here (and some nice acoustic sounding guitar in the mix), so yes okay its a kinda ballad but there is enough structure here to avoid the cliche.

Finally wild riffs and frantic drumming introduces us to 'Dont Come Cring To Me Defiant', the vocal is at a different pace to the music, this works really well and it all comes together during the chorus, after which it goes crazy full speed on the drums again.

This is an album by a band who have clearly moved forward from the retro sounds of many a NWOBHM band, its a modern heavy rock album, well thought out, executed and produced.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Neon Fly, Amulet, Saxon, Judas Priest, The Deep, Weapon (UK)

Valentine Wolfe - The Nightingale- A Gothic Fairytale (CD Review)

01.Black Feathers
02.Dark Desire
03.The Place Where Evil Grows
04.Inside My Nightmare
05.Devil's Bane
06.Darkling, Listen
07.Twisted Melody
08.Precious Moments
09.Moonlight Prayer
10.Belladonna, Deadly Nightshade
11.You Could Never Have My Heart
12.Ghost Of Her Self


Sarah Black (Vocals/Piano/Harpsichord/keyboards)
Braxton Ballew (Bass/Programming/Electronics)

Hailing from South Carolina, Braxton Ballew and Sarah Black have been composing and performing music together as Valentine Wolfe since 2006.
Both coming from a classical background, with qualifications to back it up and hold graduate degrees from the University of Georgia, where they studied electronic composition, Ballew is also the Education Director of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.

Perhaps it is no surprise that their scores have been heard in theatre productions of The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, The Winter’s Tale and Twelfth Night.What may be a surprise is their love of Metal, Goth and Industrial music and the very clever way that they put all their influences and styles together.

What surprised me after the first listen was how they put their music together to sound like a full band complete with drums and guitar, when in fact neither are on the album!
As they said when i aksed them; "Just us, Sarah and Braxton, no guitars all the distortion parts are double bass and we program the drum loops ourselves."

Time now i think to hit play and listen to some of this self styled 'Victorian Chamber Metal'.

'Black Feathers' has a moody and atmospheric
 opening before turning into a solid commercial sounding symphonic rock song, really love the live sounding drum sound that drives this piece, great distortion riffs and harmonic keyboards, now over this is a
beautiful operatic soprano vocal and as the song progresses we are treated to some amazing double bass playing, sounds more like a cello to me (but what do i know?).

Now 'Dark Desire' is a hybrid of gothic rock and classical, but this one has a rock opera feel as well, reminiscent of Sarah Brightman's songs in the film Repo! The Genetic Opera, again driving drum patterns and that double bass make for a perfect mix to both move you emotionally and in a bang your head kinda way.

Moving into slightly different territory with 'The Place Where Evil Grows' as this uses more electronic samples and effects on the vocals, this time the double bass sounds like a violin as well.

Somehow on the song 'Inside My Nightmare' Braxton manages to get that double bass to sound like Simon House circa 1974, dont know how he can create so many amazing sounds from guitar to violin on it, but he does!


'Devils Bane' may have a solid rock sound but the vocal style whilst still operatic has a neo-folk feel to it, this helps create an intresting blend, the same can be said of 'Darkling, Listen' though this track has some more of that awesome drum and double bass playing set into some timing changes.

By far the heaviest song so far is 'Twisted Melody' for underneath that harmonic vocal lurks some evil heavy metal riffs.

After more of the same with 'Precious Moments' complete with some frantic drumming towards the end (yes i know its not real, but they have nailed the sound to perfection).

Heavy Metal meets Industrial on 'Moonlight Prayer' and once again it is that double bass playing that continues to astound me, so many different sounds!
This song has a lot going on it, different timing changes and lots of backing vocals and for some reason parts of this remind me of Rocket From The Crypt's 'On A Rope'.


So can Industrial influenced metal, operatic singing and Harpsicord go together?
'Belladonna, Deadly Nightshade' proves that the answer is "yes" and clearly anything is possible with these two talented and inventive musicians.

More drum driven power with 'You Could Never Have My Heart' and more outstanding double bass playing.

Finally 'Ghost Of Her Self', a slow and dark goth/opera piece, great vocal double tracking, solid as ever musical backing, more great distorted riffs and (yes i'm gonna say this again) the drum and double bass playing is just perfect.


Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Epica, Emilie Autumn, Rasputina, Angtoria, Mr Doctor's Devil Doll , Apocalyptica

Facebook: Valentine Wolfe

Chainsheart - Leaving Planet Hell (CD Review)

01.Soul Kingdom
02.Breeze
03.Flames That Rise
04.Mystery
05.Final Destination
06.Return To The Stage
07.Points Of You
08.Never Stand Still
09.Dangerous Drop
10.Journey
11.The Spell



Yiannis Savva (Vocals)
Kikis Apostolou (Guitar)
Alex Chamberlain (Guitar)
Paris Lambrou (Guitar)
M.G. (Drums)

Guests:
Bob Katsionis (Keyboards)
Nicholas Leptos (Vocals)

Classic hard rock/heavy metal band from Cyprus comprised of seasoned musicians, all of whom are extremely passionate rockers and this is clearly evident throughout their music and performances. The band began in 2011 as the solo project of vocalist Yiannis Savva who soon after decided to form a band, thus CHAINSHEART were born.

In late 2012 the band self released their first album “Just Another Day”, a purely hard rock album, it received positive feedback from press and media. The band however underwent several line-up changes and has finally found its true sound and style - classic heavy metal.


First three songs, really do fit that classic heavy metal style from the 1980's, full of melody and powerful vocals, nice guitar solos etc, then comes 'Mystery' which reminds me a bit of that bloody awful Scorpions ballad.

We get back on track with 'Final Destination', pounding drums, great riffs, it all moves along at a great pace, as do all the rest of the songs, see the thing here is that its all sounding nice and "Retro" but this is 2015, it doesn't seem to have any modern elements, in all fairness this is an 80's euro metal album and if you look back with fondness at those days and have everything ever released and want to add something new to the collection i suggest you rush out and grab a copy.

Rating 7/10
For Fans Of: Scorpions, Dio, Dokken

Lucifer - Lucifer I (CD Review)

01.Abracadabra
02.Purple Pyramid
03.Izrael
04.Sabbath
05.White Mountain
06.Morning Star
07.Total Eclipse
08.A Grave For Each One Of Us



Johanna Sadonis (Vocals)
The Wizard (Guitars)
Dino Gollnick (Bass)
Andrew Prestidge (Drums)

Following the premature demise of The Oath, Johanna Sadonis formed Lucifer.  Whilst The Oath was a much-celebrated band, she wasted no time in creating a new beast to go beyond previous limitations.That beast is Lucifer and this is their stunning debut album titled Lucifer I.
Having released their debut single, Anubis earlier in 2015, there has been a significant buzz generating around Lucifer. The anticipation for Lucifer I is high and it will not disappoint.

With the addition of Garry Jennings (ex-Cathedral/Death Penalty) as co-songwriter and studio guitarist, Lucifer have moved forward into a realm of rock music which is very rare and very special in this time. Genuine, classic, heavy, studied and passionate are just a few words that instantly spring to mind upon first listen. Lucifer's instinctive take on the very soul of early heavy metal is the electrified essence of rock’n’roll at its nascent purest. This is Magic Rock – heartfelt and holistic.

Eschewing the now well-worn clichés of the ‘occult-rock explosion’ in favour of a truthful and tempestuous re-imagining of classic 70s proto-metal and turbocharged blues, the eight songs on this band’s debut album crackle and fizz with burgeoning energy and the compelling conviction of music made for all the right reasons.

Although still firmly rooted in the fertile soil first cultivated by Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Blue Oyster Cult, Lucifer exist in a proudly liberated and limitless sonic realm, where the heaviest blues rock is a mere starting point for the band’s skyward creative trajectory.

So 'Abracadabra' is not quite the breathtaking start i was expecting, seems more like a continuation of The Oath, which was good mid seventies hard rock but pretty mainstream.

Again with 'Purple Pyramid' its just The Oath with a slightly heavier guitar sound, really not what i was expecting at all, look im not saying this is bad, far from it, this is great stuff with awesome vocals, but, ahh wait towards the end of this track im starting to get a different sound come through, more doomy, so maybe.....

'Izrael' quite a Sabbath like intro into some great bass and drum rhythms, nice harmonic vocal over it all, then it all comes together, this is more like what i was expecting, like Heart jamming with Sabbath.

And now a song called 'Sabbath', bells, slow pounding music, pure old school proto doom, stunning vocal ringing out through the speakers, oh yes this is the stuff!

This style does not last as we return with 'White Mountain' classic hard rock all the way and a killer solo at the end.

Really like the slow and slightly psychedelic/doom of 'Morning Star', half way through this one picks up the pace with a speeded up riff akin to 'Children Of The Grave' and more killer guitar work.

The doom returns with a vengeance on 'Total Eclipse', slow, pounding and pure, that vocal once again really sings through the speakers, love it when it goes all quiet and just a simple guitar riff is playing, then the drums start up and all of a sudden the pace picks up, creating happy doom sounds!!

Having finally got into this album i find myself at the last song, 'A Grave For Each One Of Us' nice acoustic start then a doom pattern appears, but just as it gathers pace they bring it down with the acoustic again, so its up and down all the way to the end.

So i may have had some doubts, writing this review as i go along, track by track for the first time, i then went back and listend to the whole thing again and it was even better.

Rating 10/10
For Fans Of: The Oath, Cathedral, Death Penalty, Bloody Hammers, Jex Thoth

Galley Beggar - Silence & Tears (CD Review)

01.Adam And Eve
02.Pay My Body Home
03.Empty Sky
04.Jack Orion
05.Geordie
06.Silence And Tears
07.Sanctuary Song
08.Deliver Him

Paul Dadswell (Drums/Vocals)
David Ellis (Guitar/Mandolin)
Mat Fowler (Guitar/Mandolin/Vocals)
Bill Lynn (Bass)
Celine Marshall (Violin)
Maria O’Donnell (Vocals)

Hailing from Kent and London, Galley Beggar formed circa 2009 and are a band of six musicians that grew up obsessed with an old sound from Fairport Convention to Led Zeppelin.

The name derives from an old English ghost, often reported in the North of England and mentioned as far back as 1584, in Reginald Scot's The Discovery of Witchcraft. This fearsome ghost is described as being almost without flesh and bearing its head under its arm and emitting a deathly scream. The name is derived from the word 'Gallery', meaning to terrify. This ghost is likely to be encountered on country roads and deserted lanes.

Starting with the soft acoustic 'Adam And Eve' the band quickly nail their influences to the wall for all to see, this is as perfect and authentic psychedelic/acid folk as you will ever be lucky enough to hear, from the stunning vocals to the beautiful mandolin and violin.

Up next is a 9 minute epic called 'Pay My Body Home', again its very laid back with some psychedelic guitar work in the mix, even when the pace picks up and the drums increase to match the solo it somehow remains "chilled" as if on a sunny riverbank drinking ice cold cider whilst watching the river flow by.

Phased acoustic guitar and vocal and 'Empty Sky' has a slightly more modern feel, still follows the same patterns of classic folk but this one is more "All About Eve" than "The Trees".

Highly reminiscent of "Steely Span" comes 'Jack Orion' an upbeat multi vocal song, complete with a catchy violin riff, and you dont get to say that very often.

Now 'Geordie' returns to a slightly darker sound, laid back drum beat drives this along and then comes a short guitar solo that just lifts the piece to a higher level.

The title track 'Silence & Tears' is another great acoustic workout with stunning vocals, this is followed by 'Sanctuary Song' which is more of the same only with harmony backing vocals.

The final track is 'Deliver Him' which is mainly a multi tracked vocal (reminded me a bit of Karen Carpenter) a little violin and what sounds like a bit of synth in the background, towards the end the acoustic guitar picks up the pace and then, all too soon, the album is over.

Rating 10/10
For fans Of: Circulus, The Trees, Pentangle, Led Zeppelin, All About Eve

Desert - Never Regret (CD Review)

01.Chasing The Prey
02.Assassins Fate
03.Son Of A Star
04.The Wolfs Attack
05.Never Regret
06.The Road To You
07.1812
08.Flying Dutchman
09.Final Journey
10.Imperial Eagle
11.Invincible

Alexei Raymar (Vocals)
Sergei Metalheart (Guitar)
Max Shafranski (Guitar)
Sergei Dmitrik (Bass)
Oleg Aryutkin (Keyboards)
Assaf Markowitz (Drums)

Guests
Ralf Scheepers (Vocals)
Infy Snow (Vocals)
Alex Zvulun (Guitar)
Merry Ann Genin (Violin)

Desert are a Dark Epic Metal band from Israel formed in 2002, since then they have expanded their musical palette mixing in some darker colors to go with power and epic metal.
During those years were released 2 EP’s: “The Way To Honor” 2004, “Prophecy Of The Madman” 2006 and one full length studio album "Star Of Delusive Hopes which was released in early 2011 by the Greek label Sleaszy Rider Records .
The album was recorded and produced by Nick Savio (Hollow Haze, White Skull) at Remaster Studio in Vicenza (Italy). Mix and mastering were done by Andy La Roque – a legendary guitarist of King Diamond at Sonic Train Studio in Varberg (Sweden). The internet single "Lament for Soldier's Glory", featuring a guest performance by Joakim Broden, the lead singer of 'Sabaton'.
On the waves of successful “Star Of Delusive Hopes” on 2012 the band started the pre-production work of the second full length album, later named as “Never Regret”. The album was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Alex Zvulun at A.G. Studio in Tel-Aviv. As for previous album the cover artwork was done by a great Brazilian artist Jobert Mello – well known by his work with numerous bands including 'Primal Fear' and 'Grave Digger'.
Ralf Scheepers, a legendary voice of 'Primal Fear' has also contributed his voice to one of the tracks on the album alongside some other guests.

It may be well played but an intro is an intro and as with most intros it goes right into the first song 'Assassins Fate' so why not just have it at the beginning of the song?
Right so onto the song, its Power Metal, but with a difference, this one has more layers to it, a strong drum driven track, great harmony with both keyboards and backing vocals, clever little timing changes and a proper guitar solo.
The lead vocal style reminds me of Snowy Shaw, big, powerfull with plenty of range.

'Son Of A Star' is a slow and pounding anthemic piece, another superb vocal delivery, some Maidenesque guitar work and a great little keyboard hook.

A dark and moody start with church organ starts up and then 'The Wolfs Attack' builds into a full on metal attack, such is the style of this one that at times it has more than a touch of the legendary Crazy World Of Arthur Brown about it, add to this some shout it out loud backing vocals, a real stand out song.

Has to be said that 'Never Regret' is a very commercial sounding song, another stunning vocal delivery with a harmony line reminiscent of Lacuna Coils version of Depeche Modes 'Enjoy The Silence'and brilliant keyboard work all making for an intresting mix of symphonic rock and Rammstein.

A near ballad next with 'The Road To You' this one is quite operatic thanks in part to a stunning female vocal performance half way through, the music itself sounds almost cinematic in its execution.

I was wondering if '1812' may be a take on the classical masterpiece, but this is another symphonic/power metal song, hyper drumming over laid back keyboard and atmospheric guitar work, oh and lets forget that evil sounding bassline.Yet again we are treated to another passionate and powerfull vocal that hits every high note with perfect pitch.

Time for some folk rock as the violin starts off 'Flying Dutchman' and this one fits the genre "Battle Metal" with its high octane mix of epic sing-a-long vocals and solid riffs, this one "Sails" along and then gets into that classic folk rock rhythm with a stunning mix of violin and guitar.

Another cinematic intro and 'Final Journey' bursts into life before going all quiet with a simple vocal over piano which then picks up into a faster paced piece, more of that solid basswork is present here as well as that epic vocal performance.

A military trumpet (well keyboard to sound like one) and a snare rhythm to match leads us into 'Imperial Eagle' a few seconds shy of eight minutes this one really fits the term "Epic", i've said it before and i will say it again this one has some killer basswork going on and that Snowy Shaw/Till Lindermann style of singing is just to die for.Thrown into the mix are some sound samples of swords, i mention this because for some reason they really stick out as a way of underlining the theme of the piece.

Finally 'Invincible' the same way as we started, a style of music played with total precision and understanding.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Snowy Shaw, Tristania, Therion, Dream Evil, Orpheus Blade, Synkvervet, Rammstein

Guest Vocalist Infy Snow