BLACK ACES - Shot In The Dark
(Bad Reputation - 2016)

Not to be mistaken for an Ozzy covers album - Oz (the country) have always been famed for bawdy, bar-room-trashing, boogie-ridden hard rock since the birth of the genre... and latest national discoveries Black Aces are certainly no exception. While opener 'Shot...' sounds like a recycled AC/DC number, this dangerous band's debut album sets about without messing. Cranked-up rhythms and catchy choruses, shouted more than sung by frontman Tyler Kinder, rip up the surface as they roar along.

Guitars that sound set for blues, metal and punk mode all in one flick of the switch, and fast, short solos stop anyone having too long a wait for the closing chorus to come up behind. With a two -week UK tour recently in their wake, songs like 'Girl Like You', 'Back On The Chain', 'Sick As A Dog', 'I'm Your Nightmare', 'Let It Roll', 'Rough Touch' and '(Take it To) The Wire' have been getting the reception - and reputation - they evidently deserve.

Fair-effing-dinkum to this one!!!

9/10

By Dave Attrill

VERY RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: AC/DC, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo, The Darkness & Girlschool.

NET: www blackacesrock.com

BLACK HOLE RAVEN - S/T
(CMP - 2016)

9/10 

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:  Led Zeppelin, Free, Rainbow & Mott The Hoople.

NET: blackholeraven.com

BLACK NEON NIGHTS - Rise Up
(S/R - 2016)

The British created it, the British can play it - the motto should read.

Liverpudlian quarter, Black Neon Knights show where their sticks lie, that being right in the sandpit marked no-messing-about traditional classic hard rock. Driving guitars from frontman Paul Naylor rattle and rumble every song of the ten on this album at you in all their olde English seventies rawness, which his punkish snake-like vocal range seems created to accompany.

Sweeping from infectious choruses into slick lead solos, tracks in the shape of 'Into The Lake', 'Fires of Oblivion', 'Necromancer', 'Season Of The Damned' and the Iggy Pop like 'Go To Hell' lick up the tarmac and spit it back over the top of the microphone at you. Wild, angry and attitude-packed all the way, Black Neon Nights rise up to reap the sword for this undying subgenre, and wave it dangerously in your face while doing.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:  Free, The Answer, Bad Company, Deep Purple & Led Zeppelin.

NET: www.facebook.com/therealBNK

AVAILABLE VIA:  Blackneonknightsmusic.bandcamp.com, Amazon.co.uk, iTunes.apple.com & play.spotify.com

BREAD OVER BOMBS - S/T
(S/R - 2016)

Named inspired by lead singer Bradford Mitchell's charity work for food banks in the US, this LA lot are mistakenly labelled as AOR on the promo.

A willowing alternative sound welcomes you into opening number 'Under' with a grindy guitar intervention at the chorus stage. Setting a rough template for the rest of the course, cuts such as 'Mom', 'Live', 'Runaway', 'Revolution Now' (the only title containing more than one word) and ''Please' are pretty appetising  and included some startling Ozzy Osbourne-like vocal turns.

Going over to the flip side, the synthesiser fills irritate on more than their fair share of spots, sadly overcooking a sweet seventies progressive edge that is already in there as a natural element. Definitely not one to avoid however, and all done in a good cause, Bread Over Bombs bring some fair old potential to the table in their material.  

Look out for it where possible.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: ELO, The Beatles & Procul Harum.

NET: breadoverbombs.org

BREAK THE SENSES - Perfect Nature
(Rock CD Records - 2016)

Break the Senses are a young Spanish outfit whose debut album begins promisingly....and ends promisingly - and some.

Meaty grunge guitars greet you at the door and escort you along quite a tour. Alternative, prog, power pop and plenty more little items show up on display in both dirty and delicate ways as suits. Most importantly, singer Ana Rocio owns a range that suits any direction taken across the course of the twelve numbers, which are all based around her own vast and versatile guitar arrangements.

Soft in many places, sharp and driving in others, 'Perfect Nature' is a fine opening performance from this young outfit, and very preferably not the last.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Nickelback, Cranberries, Coheed and Cambria & The Cure.

BAREKNUCKLE BULLSEYE - Extra Extra
(S/R - 2015)

Bareknuckle Bullseye - sounding like Jim Bowen's binned the dartboard in favour of a boxing ring. That said, he might be a bit old to keep up with this Illnois quintet.

Terrifying - but not terrible - testosterone-drilled punk metal with muscle and massive stone balls smashes its knuckles straight at your face in twelve straight blows. From the Sick Of It All -esque Speed punk fury of the opening title cut, 'No Same', 'Shut Up and Smile' and 'Thrones Of War'  to the  prog metal bound of 'Bored' and even ballad-oriented offerings such as 'The Bridge', chance to calm down is strictly not granted.

Tight on solos, yet tightly performed, 'Extra Extra' scores a pretty scary one hundred-and-eighty equipped with a fearsome hybrid that is helped by singer Aaron's Staley-meets-Hetfield snarl, along the lethal twin guitar wall lying below that also boasts an occasional Maiden-ness to it.

Just take a look at what you could be hearing.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.bareknucklebullseye.com

Graham Bonnet – Line Up
(HNE Recordings/Cherry Red – 2016)

A re-release of a classic Graham Bonnet album that originally came out back in 1981 before joining MSG.

It’s one to get excited about actually since it features two of his finest solo moments that are next to each – the milestones that are ‘Night Games’ and ‘S.O.S’ that are staple parts of the legends live set list!

The band line-up is impressive too with Micky Moody (Guitar), Jon Lord (Organ), Cozy Powell (Drums) and Gary Twigg (Bass) with even Status Quo’s Francis Rossi lending a helping hand too.

Love Graham’s cover of the Phil Spector fave ‘Be My Baby’; the electro-Quo’ness of ‘Liar’ that’s sounds like it comes from an American B-Movie or the closing slow-rocker ‘Set Me free’ with steel drums that are rarely heard in this genre at all making this very much close to a one-off.

We are even spoilt with 4 bonus tracks with the B-Side ‘Bad Days Are Gone’ being strong enough to be an album track. A release that’s good for it’s time.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

The Boyscout – My Route 66 (Special Edition)
(Sonic Revolution – 2015)

As a bonus we get his album ‘Blood Red Roses – A Rock Fantasy’ which has 12 great AOR based tracks – many of which are about losing love and not being too happy about what live throws at us. Highlights of it include the opening ‘Sexy Taxi Driver’; a cover of White Lion’s ‘When The Children Cry’ and a knockout duet with Robin Beck that is ‘Hey, I Love You’.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

BROKEN DOWN - The Other Shore
(Altsphere Production - 2016)

Broken down into different parts, we can pull out prog, grunge, pop, industrial, thrash, punk and sludge metal at first grapple here.

This highly unusual amalgam of experimental noises appeals slowly but sitting through it, deciding after each track whether to stop or spin onward to the next is shockingly difficult. Trippy samples and straggly beats soak up each track close to saturating any appraisable hook Broken Down even began trying to make.

Crunchier cuts such as the title cut with its aggressive chorus shout do the album justice, as does some swish piano propelling instrumental number 'Rearview Mirror' yet a lot is swallowed up in the other sadly overcooked elements. Some things are best in small measures, applied stood from a distance...the other shore almost ends up being advisable for listening from in this case. 

5.5/10

By Dave Attrill

The Bullhounds – To Rock & To Serve
(Rock Bastard Records – 2016)

Bar room rock that sounds great if you can get past the gratey drunk sounding vocals of frontman, Erling Dale – though it didn’t do Shane McGowan any harm did it? LOL! At other points he sounds great!

To cut a long story short Mr. Dale is a long term friend of The Georgia Satellites and Rick Richards of the said band said he always wanted to be the guitarist if he made an album. Bassist, Keith Christopher is a pre-GS member, while Drummer, Mauro Magellan is also in Dan Baird’s own band (the original GS frontman if you did not know already).

Funnily enough, they comes across like The Georgia Satellites with highlights being the 12 bar slide guitar filled ‘Everybody For Themselves’; the humorously titled rock ‘Eff That’ and the travelling hell of ‘Jack & No Spare’. Then later there’s ‘No Control’ and the hatred to an old girlfriend that closes the album called ‘Woman’.

Entertaining.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Berry Quincy – Tuesday
(S/R – 2015)

One of those quirky outfits that you can’t really stick into any category at all – well they are from Belgium – nuff said right?

There’s rock, pop blues, soul and its all pretty good to say the least with standouts being the blues-rock of ‘Wrong’; the retro-folky-jazz of ‘Subtle World’ that reminds me of Curtis Eller or the atmospheric Pink Floyd like closer ‘End Of The Line’.

Interesting stuff right here.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Big Rolling Wheel – S/T
(S/R – 2015)

A blues trio from Lisbon Portugal who have got great chops musically but the accent from the Louis Armstrong meets Joe Cocker vocalist (J. Cordeiro) sadly spoils it for me since I much prefer the authentic American voice.

Highlights though on here though include the harmonica starting ‘All The Mystery’; the slow ‘n’ funky ‘I Miss You’. Apart from that its unremarkably cheesey and very skippable.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Babylon A.D. – Live @ XXV
(Apocalypse Records – 2015)

Captured live in Newark and Concord, CA, Denver, CO and Nottingham Rock City and released on the 25th anniversary of bands.

Fill your speakers with the sounds of Derek Davis and the boys rocking up venues with the likes of ‘Back In Babylon’; ‘Hammer Swings Down’; the acoustic starting ‘Sally Danced’ or the ballsy ‘Kid Goes Wild’ that has an MC5 feel about it.

Good Stuff!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Micke Bjorkof & Blue Strip – Ain’t Bad Yet
(Hokahey! Records – 2015)

A fabulous blues band from Finland who can absolutely deliver the goods like they are from the good ole US of A.

Little wonder that this album was recorded at the world famous Rockfield Studios in Wales – these guys deserve no less and blow you away with a heavy slab of authenticity with cuts like the opening ‘Last Train To Memphis’ with it’s gutsy slide-work; ‘Troublemaker’ with beautiful country edges; ‘It Ain’t Bad Yet’with killer echoeing dobro sounds and the deep New Orleans like Gri-Gris’ness of the closer ‘In Chains’.

Outstanding!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Black Sand – Stand Up
(S/R – 2015)

Rock band from Austra with a dude called Walter on vocals who has old man, deep sound to him on this 9 tracker.

An album with a few highlights but those vocals utterly ruin overall. It’s rather skippable though it has few good cuts like the opening Stoner blues of ‘Don’t Tell Me’; the gutsy ‘Wolf Song’ but its killed off by bad sound in songs like ‘Mama’ or the dire ‘Black 7’.

Nevermind!

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

BLACK SUNDAY - A Ghost In The City
(S/R -2015)

Norwegian  rockers Black Sunday  are a boisterous  machine from the beginning of their  forty minute aggro rock assault  to the end. 

Dirty punk metal anthems are delivered  with  power and panache  and plenty  of substance.  Soloing for a whole  minute  at the start of an opening track  is  not  often the done thing  but 'Are You Ready'  is  answered  with  a 'yes'  for us, as they  then unleash their  adrenaline-coated vegeance. Short, lethal,  low-slung guitar  anthems such  A Friend From The Dead', 'A Ghost In the City', 'Master In Disguise', 'Black Sunday Morning'  and  'King Of Desire' are cursed by the  heard-one-heard-them-all treatment  but  I'd  soon sit through the full eleven when they are this frightening..

With a vocal leaning  halfway between  big Hollywood  names but retaining a few British punk moments , notably 'Hey  Bitch', Black Sunday's  sound  is  one to  beware of ignoring.    Gritty, no-nonsense punk n'roll gifted by another great Nordic musical  horse. 

Sweet stuff.   

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:   Hellacopters & The Almighty.

NET:   www.facebook.com/blacksundaynorway

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Bush, Alice In Chains, Velvet Revolver & Puddle Of Mudd.

NET: www.facebook.com/theblindcatproject

Burnerhead – A Wild Ride
(Hoopymusic – 2015)

Ooh yeah – I like the sound of these German boys who rock it up but the lead vocals are a bit weak sounding and don’t grab you enough.

There’s the humourous and horny ‘Atlanta F*ck’ but the opening of ‘I Got No Title For This Song’ just sounds like G’N’R’s ‘It’s so easy’ whilst ‘Sex, Drugs And Rock Roll’ rips of Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’. ‘Ready To Drink’ – the albums closer is a killer track though.

Okay.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Backyard Babies, Adam Bomb & Hellacopters.

NET: www.beatthedrag.com

The Blues Mystery – Diesel Rock
(PBR Record – 2015)

Blues, Rock and Funk that has a kind of twist of the old and dare I say newer sound from Switzerland with a lead vocalist in Willy Matt who sounds like he is trying to take of Mick Jagger if he was a black dude.

It’s an overall splendid album and outstanding cuts on here in my humble opinion are the opening ‘Grimaces On The Bad Moon’ that starts with a raw tastly slab of slide guitar work; the deep ‘n’ slow bluesing ‘Half A Man’ that comes complete with some marvellous raspy wailing harp.Then there’s the stomping ZZ Top like ‘I’m Coming Back’; the funky almost disco vibe of‘With Just One Look’ that would fit well on a late 70’s or early 80’s Stones album and the great bluesy title track ‘Diesel Rock’.

Very addictive.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Burn Cycle – Ignition (E.P.)
(S/R – 2015)

A brand new outfit from L.A. that feature Boads booming the Bass; Eggers & Sampson cranking up Guitar; Torrey taking care of Drums and Wreck insanely vocalising this Metal melting pot of chaos that’s been fantastically Produced by Alex Kane (of Life, Sex, Death, Ant-Product and now Richie Ramone).

They blast right at ya on this 4-track that goes at a million miles an hour in a short length of time. Opener ‘Married To The Fist’ immediately grabs your attention with Wrecks wild vocals and heavy ‘n’ fat sounds from rest of the guys.‘LOB’ crushes you with it’s racing ‘n’ pulverising arrangement and I dig ‘Killigan’s Island that has Faith No More quirkiness meets Ozzy Osbourne (Wylde era) about it while ‘Elbow Room’ is a killer bit of brutality with a medieval classical guitar intro that fools you that it’s gonna be a gentle an relaxing ride. Overall these songs are extremely addictive – just set your CD player to repeat!

Look out for these guys in California and beyond as they are truly firing it up on full heat.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bend Sinister – Animals
(File Under Music – 2014)

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Brittney’s Rage – S/T
(S/R – 2015)

Excellent female fronted band from El Paso, Texas who deserved to go far and I expect will do one day.

They have some excellent songs on this demo disc, my personal fave being the rocking and staying in your head ‘Set Me Free’ – a sure-fine hit. Then there’s ‘Falling’ with Tony Muela’s monstrous sounding guitar solo and Brittney’s multi-tracked vocals or the dark ‘n’ bowl trembling pummelling ‘Cutting Deeper’.

A professionally recorded album would be phenomenal from these Texans for sure but this is great as a taster so far.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Reto Burrell – Lucky Charm
(Blue Rose Records – 2014)

Great release.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

BACKJUMPER - H.A.Z.E.
(Southern Brigade Records - 2014)

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Vision Of Disorder, Sick Of It All, Madball & Rage Against The Machine.

NET: facebook.com/backjumper

BEN COTE BAND - Wax & Plastic
(S/R - 2015)

Metallica, circa Black Album/Re-load comes to mind at first chord but a couple of songs in and the description is forgiven.
Mainman Ben Cote possesses a pleasantly Tyler-esque throat while his solos bring yet another locally bred act, Extreme to mind. Tripping on a few alternative logs on his way, Mr C and his two merry mates seldom stumble to the floor, running almost all the way across these thirteen tracks. Set hard in suss and angst at a nod to the power pop happenings of the rock scene in recent years, so many numbers like She's A Rocker, Ain't That Love, Without You, Fortune And Flame, Hollywood Angel and Horseshoes And Handgrenades sound like you may have met them before but then again that's because you might have this magnificent debut album already. And if not, why not?

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Nickelback & Led Zeppelin

PAUL BIBBY - Invocations, Bliss & Lullabies
(Dead Fly Recordings - 2014)

British multi-instrumentalist/composer Paul Bibby seems obviously proficient at his art. Unfortunately while he knows his way round his instruments, guitars and keyboards in particular, goes without saying, getting a full lap round one of even just five tracks seems hard going. This mini-album sometimes feels like something he recorded for his industry friends to assess his output as I can't see it otherwise appealing to a great deal other than true die-hards. Steve Vai vibes start to emit with the solos of second track 'Bartok's Lullaby' so things start to read more as 'ok', yet that is where the needle firmly decides it will stay.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

BLUEMINDED - S/T (E.P)
(S/R - 2014)

Dutch fivesome BlueMinded might have taken nine months to reach our letterbox with this luscious little four-tracker but its fun once it comes up through the speakers. Smoothly vocalled pop-rock cuts with a keyboard sound that initially irritates but slowly dissolves amongst its better elements, BlueMinded's material is evocative of modern day melodic rock outfits such as Brit act Vega.Applying a little indie gel to your style is way less the crime that hardcore rock followers cite it to be, and if they were to give these boys a chance they would be converted where they lie. Electric and acoustic styles sit together like neighbours on a nippy little taster of the Netherlands next hottest product. Ni-ice.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: www.blueminded.nl

BOTTOM - Hug Myself... All The Time
(Volume Addict Wreckords - 2014)

Nothing of any relation to Rik and Ade, this laughably titled US outfit are almost laughably bad to begin with. Frontwoman, Sina gargles opening tunes in a way not dissimilar to dreadful Brit act Defenestration. Three tracks into the run, however, as if someone had had a word in their ear, they begin to apply a more palatable demeanor but one that dodges back and forth between brisk, prog- edged metal and a bad female -fronted Bring Me The Horizon again. I might actually rephrase that as a somewhat-well-off man's version as this band do hoard a few hearable numbers herein along with some nice,speedy and also nearly blues-esque soloing. Giving them a few more marks than I otherwise might have, I hope it's more on the subtle side of their product that they continue hereonin to trade.

6/10

By Dave Attrill

The French outfit's beyond-bizarre, cyber-crusted punk-metal-death throw-together deserves the points I give it just for its audacity and originality. That said, the tunes they pen are miles from terrible but having two covers in a seven track disc does tend to be a liberty. Of their best, 'I'm On A Roll' and 'A Hard Pill To Swallow' are the swiftest numbers to gel but its a slow one overall to get into if you're even a slight bit unused to this innovative mixture of styles.

7/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: www.broken-down.net

BAD DC – Ashes
(S/R - 2014)

"This goes out to all the chumps that say rock is dying...not on our watch." Well I knew Casio built some sturdy designs but that would still leave a stick mess if it were to happen. Naff jokes to one side, Bad DC are about as bad as one gets but so banal in doing so that at least half a dose of respect is due. Wiring together the topside elements of Twisted Sister and Dio and little of the Aussie band referenced in their name, mostly it's enjoyable stuff but for a bloke who can barely sing for his existence. Scarce Dickinson-esque attempts show through, notably on third track 'Ashes' and there are hooks sticking up through the earth to pull at along with some nice NWOBHM chugging but that's where the fun lasts before it becomes more like fungus. Sad as I have to speak ill of the music I grew up with, there are attempts less successful than others. Still the solos and production don't let the side down, so not leaving 'Ashes' to become an overall smouldering ruin.

6/10

By Dave Attrill

BERLIN BREAKS - S/T (E.P.)
(S/R - 2014)

No, the wall hasn't just been awkwardly resembled. This is an alt rock outfit from Utah...erm utilising grindy rhythms slightly more fashionable in 1990s Seattle, though still hugely welcome in 2014. These six tracks seem to pack a lot more into their confines, the more you plough into their sound. Despite singer Richard Dean's scarily Chris Cornell range dominating the songs, sounds of prog, metal and pop-rock creak in through most to all open crevices. Staggery beats and a good swing on 'Wasting Away's chorus section nudge it along just as it looks to let go of momentum. A pleasant debut from these lads - lets get a longer serving of it soon.

7.5/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: soundcloud.com/berlin-breaks

BETRAYER - Full Blast
(Born Of Chaos Records - 2014)

Opening with a riff set to have Black Sabbath suing the eff out of them, Betrayer only betray themselves in their banal shortage of originality. Yet, outweighing such innocent liberties taken, these Colombian thrash crunchers speed along with pride and punishing precision worthy of their own seat in thrash's sacred temple. Leering between Tom Araya and James Hetfield, guitarist/frontman Jimmy Acevedo also delivers a distinctive Dickinson moment on second track 'Evil Hounds'. Sat alongside old school gems like 'City Hell', Thunder In The Sky', 'Snake Eyes', 'Filthy Sam', 'Green Fire' and ' Turn Your Head Around', telling such tunes apart is of course a tall order but Betrayer appear to know a tip or two about the art of hooks. Sliding in some mouthwatering Maiden-esque stringwork on 'Filthy Sam' makes for a palatable platter whichever metal direction you drive in from. Full blast on from that old engine once again. Nice work, boys.

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Anthrax, Exodus, Vio-lence & Forbidden.

NET: facebook.com/betrayerftm

BETWEEN FALLS - Intimate Getaway
(S/R - 2014)

People could be puckering up to picture an Israeli grunge band as the big find of 2014. Would that remain accurate if the word was slipped that they started up together some ten years ago, only adopting the name Between Falls since the incarnation of their more recent guise, from 2012 onwards? Soundgarden and Pearl Jam do indeed play true from the promo comparisons but taking on a dual male/female vocal lead drives them totally into a second dimension. Normally a vocal formulae associated with the symphonic and both metal genres, soon enough the styles start to gel into one but the Seattle vibe stays impossible to escape. Powerful flowing chords, steeped in the as-standard early nineties drive fill out each song and export the same feel across as they had twenty years only fuller and more durable, and do enough to defeat (un)due accusations of cloning the aforementioned era. A worthwhile stunt if they did all the same. Muchly recommended.

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Evanescence, Skunk Anansie & Nickelback.

NET: www.betweenfalls.com

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

9/10

By Dave Attrill

BLOCK OF FLATS – Ashes
(S/R - 2014)

I put it to you...who in their right mind would form a rock band called Block of Flats? Well this Finnish alternative combo for firsts. Sounding disappointingly less-than-unusual for their tag, these four lads still shoot up a delivery of dynamic pop punk with substance, and also some keyboard. Distinctive hardcore vibes vibrate through their output, not least frontman, Jonne Nikkila's scratchy-voiced rasp. Pity we're on only five tunes for this one as there is an aroma of freshness and consistence in cuts like 'Erase Me', 'We're Gonna Send You Down with Ashes' and 'Raise The Party' you might not have heard since the Wildhearts first doffed their caps to the world. Definetely the warning shot for a whopper of a debut full length disc to come.

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: sound cloud.com/block-of-flats

BURN THE REZ - S/T
(S/R - 2014)

Two piece bands seem to spell genius all over. Rhode Island's Burn The Rez's sound is not unfamiliar at first but treading deeper into their idyllic alternative rock style and you'll route out deviations that sound made almost on purpose. Soft-like-towel lines of guitars and ambiences slide in and around the tunes, touching them with the littlest possible abrasion and allowing the vocals to sail across. Strong enchanting accent along with a modern touch with a few expletives shoved in where suitable lets the mix come together totally as it pleases. One for relaxed nights spent indoors, with a cup of mint tea at your side...if that's allowed within the rock doctrine.

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Pearl Jam & Porcupine Tree.

AVAILABLE VIA: Amazon, Spotify, iTunes & Pandora.

NET: www.burntherez.com

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

6/10

By Dave Attrill

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

David Barber – Tricky Situation
(S/R – 2011)

A quirky sounding dude from the Cape Coral part of South West Florida who is rather a good player when it comes to guitar.It has a tranquil beachy vibe to it – kinda Jimmy Buffet meets Country and Blues – obviously not all at the same time of course. It’s on the okay to really good scale. Kinda reminds of my buddy T-Bone & The Houserockers at various moments.It opens up with the cracking laid back and sometimes bluesy title track ‘Tricky Situation’ and later there’s a cooking bango based tune called ‘Some Price To Pay’ – the picking by a guy called Mike Milford who needs to be checked too if he is around. ‘Do You See’ is lovely ‘n’ bouncy too with a beautiful piano line running through it. He even throws in a few covers too – the one that gets my ear the most is his version of The Doors ‘Light My Fire’. Or what about the true as hell ‘Foreclosureville’ about what is happening there and has been for a few year now – hey you even get the video thrown in too – excellent! Stick this in your fusebox US Government!This album is definitely a grower on you.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

BENESSER - The Start of Something New
(Doolittle Records - 2013)

Well they sound pretty new to me, and on top of which Sweden is more renown for its AOR and old-school metal than the fusion these three young men specialise in. Influenced by Coldplay and Rush plus countless other far-apart names, Robert (bass/vox), Henric (guitar) and David (drums) sowed the first seeds before they even reached the age of ten apparently so its fair to say they have not tried to take of the big time overnight. These three boys, known collectively as Benesser deliver driving lumps of leviathan guitar noise shaped progressively but with powerful alt-rock aftertaste and angry emotion, shaped through a notably Nirvana-like mould. Despite distortion irritating on occasion, numbers like 'Where Silence Prevails', 'Babyface', 'Colors', 'Sleepless nights' and the seemingly endless 'For The Eyes Of The Lord' do however please many a prog fan's needs, significantly in the second half with samples of the best acts of the millenium stirred in and the incendiary guitar performance goes without saying. Grab yourself a cuppa and get this on for the start of something else huge and Scandinavian. Nice work lads.

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Porcupine Tree, Coheed and Cambria & Flower Kings.

NET: www.benesser.se

Tomas Bergsten’s Fantasy – Caught In The Dark
(7Chords Records – 2013)

A heavy pounding of Euro Rock from this dude from Karlskrona, Sweden who has resurrected songs from his band Fantasy who were around from 1987 to 1989 and released a vinyl single.Highlights include the opening cool hard AOR of ‘Caught In The Dark’ (feat. Janne Stark); the melodic rock of ‘Give Me Power’, ‘What Future Will Bring’ (with former Kiss member, Bruce Kulick on Guitar), and the rocker ‘Take Me Home’.Pretty Good.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Black Label Society – Blackened
(Armoury Records – 2013)

This is the 2 CD Version of the show that Zakk Wylde and his latest incarnation of Black Label Society performed at th Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California in an electric/acoustic style that showcases more of the ballad orientated material that he really shines at.There’s some cooking sounds here that include the opening ‘Losing Your Mind’, ‘Road Back Home’ that shines with the keyboard work that melts really well with the guitar and vocals; the epic ‘House Of Doom’or a personal fave of mine that is ‘In This River’ . The sound is rather echoey and boomy though which can either add or take away from the vibe of the songs making Zakk’s voice a bit hard to understand at times.The second CD features the remainder of the show with highlights like the gorgeous ‘I Thank You Child’ or the million notes a second ‘Rust’. For those of you who have the DVD as well, what makes this worth getting in CD format are the six bonus tracks which are outstanding in their own right such as Zakk’s acoustic and orchestrate versions of Bill Wither’s ‘Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone’; the stunningly beautiful ‘Lovin’ Woman’ or unplugged version of ‘Won’t Find It Here’. You’ll be playing these songs over and over. I know I did.Well worth having.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

BLACK NOTE GRAFFITI - Volume 1
(Noteborn Music - 2013)

One of those sorts of bands that seem so hard to categorise so the promo just puts 'hard rock' in the gap, Black Note Graffiti will let down Leppard, Motley Crue or Van Halen hopefuls, seconds in. Those less stuck in a rut, left behind will love the vitriolic grunge drive that these four geezers apply to their music. Nurtured from.the ashes of folded unit Krescent 4, Rick Ortiz (vocals/guitar) and Kris Keller (lead guitar) rip up an angry but long feeling assault of strings and soul. Listen to 'Revanche', 'Monkey', 'Scars', 'Stockholm Syndrome' or 'White /Right' to hear what the Seattle sound would have stayed like had it not slipped quietly away again. Ortiz's shiny clean alt-pop range just rides along the top like a kid's back end down a helterskelter whilst rhythms and chords ripple up and down without jarring with friction beneath. Thorough and modern pop metal noise made easy, BNG bring a few surprises in their bag, given the minor industrial improvisations, but keeping it simple would still hold them this same credibility. Volume 1 of many to follow, hopefully.

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Porcupine Tree & Audioslave.

NET: www.blacknotegraffiti.com

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Broken Arrow – Feel The Arrow
(S/R – 2013)

A 5-piece band who play pure 80’s AOR that wouldn’t be out of place at one of those Gods or Z-Rock weekends that used to take place a few years ago and come originally from Brezice, East Slovenia but now based in Ljubijana – the capital and largest city of Slovenia. It’s very much got Survivor, harder side of Journey, Royal Hunt, Foreigner, Ten and all the rest of it – you get the idea right? Highlights include the opener ‘Tonight We Rock ‘N’ Roll; the powerful rocking of ‘V8 Serenade’ and ‘Feels Alright’.Then there’s the cheesey but fun-lovin’ 12 bar that is ‘Give Me Your Live Tonight’ and the racing rocking closer ‘Fight Fire With Fire’.Decent.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bullet Bill – Never Enough
(Sterephonic Pistol Records – 2013)

Very loud 4-piece hard rock band that reminds me of groups like Circus Of Power in a Twisted Sister kinda way meets Dirty Rig, Zodiac Mindwarp and elements of WASP in there too who hail from London, UK.Highlights include the opening blaster ‘Another Dimension’; the pummelling ‘Letter From Wanda’ that nearly has the power of ‘Blind In Texas’ & songs of that nature; the slower almost a ballad but not quite ‘One Way Ticket’ or the cowbell starting ‘Sterophonic Gun’ and the ‘who woh’ part especially of the closer ‘Set Me Free’.

These guys are totally kick ass and like they say there is ‘Never Enough’!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Backwash – S/T
(S/R – 2013)

Switzerland offers more than mountains and goats with these guys being proof of it – a decent rock band without a hint of heidi to be heard.‘One Last Drink’ kicks in rather like ‘Gimme Shelter’ and elsewhere there are songs like ‘Something hard’ about a hot chick; the wild-west shoot-out sounds found in ‘Backwash Baby’ that has a riff itself that fires it at ya nice ‘n’ fast; the crackin’ ‘One Down One To Go’ and gutsy closer ‘You Don’t Have To Like Me’.Decent enough that’s very James Hetfield in the vocal dept.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

BADMOTORFINGER - It's Not The End
(Logic(Il)Logic - 2013)

Tell me you're not experimenting on the fastest way to have Chris Cornell and his lawyers round your door, boys - if he sniffs out this it might be the end of you. With a sound to justify naming yourself after Soundgarden’s cornerstone release, these snarly Italians may however do the name bonus honours. Slick heavy rock, grinding alternative feed and angry sludge vocal layer on top of each other in an aggressively fat sandwich. Not to make their style sound single- dimensional, 'The Fear', 'Ghost', 'Ride The Storm', 'Loser', 'Brand New Day', 'No Second Chance', 'Beginning of the End', 'Rebel' and 'Inside Insanity' come with their share of surprises, sending garage, punk, hard rock and stone coloured balls into the right holes and total a respectable score overall. Let loose as these guys do and enjoy lethal old-fashioned heavy metal, as met with a manly helping of balls.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Cathedral, Metallica & Motorhead.

NET: www.badmotorfinger.it

Bedlam – Live In Binghamton 1974
(Angel Air – 2013)

An awesome 70’s band that didn’t last too long that featured Dave Ball formerly of Procal Harum and legendary drummer Cozy Powell who needs no introduction.I know what you are thinking, it’s, “Where the hell is Binghampton?”, well after doing a slight bit of research I find it’s actually part of New York. It sounds like this is in some small club or something and the audience is witnesses a band that is totally on fire. It’s a live concert radio broadcast as well with an interview in the middle which makes it pretty cool with very authentic raggedy sound right from the monitor mix Musically, Bedlam come across like a meanstreakin’ Humble Pie with even frontman, Frank Aiello coming across like a perfect Steve Marriott soundalike and in show-style as well not to mention a drummer who sounds like Keith Moon meets John Bonham – well it is Mr. P so no surprise there. Cool stuff in the ballsy blueser called ‘The Beast’ and the dragged out with instrumental sections called ‘The Fool’ and the tiddly scotumesque ditty called ‘The Great Game’. The Interview is a cacophonous hoot too without a hint of order to it – total off the wall genius – hahaha.Pity the band got overlooked and evaporated due to a certain instrumental that went by the name of ‘Dance With The Devil’ - the rest is history as they say in showbiz…

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

BLACK DIAMOND - Last Man Standing
(On Parole - 2013)

Not a Kiss covers act, or inspired by said glam act in any way, this one sounds probably more King Diamond than anything. Subjecting my eardrums to a mercyful fate, these slovenians stir up a pleasantly approachable power metal sound. Dual guitarists Igor Manasijevic and Nejc Vidmar are the two only official members, both trading in lead, rhythm and bass elements between them and bringing in guests from the national scene to slot the rest in. Zanil Tataj Zak contributes his vocal chords to eighty percent of the package, justified in selection by a swell hybrid of Ralf Scheepers and the aforementioned Danish doomster. Riff friendly, solo-plastered progressive melodic metal guitars meanwhile slice at you from beneath - though you've hear such technical work from the Western block conjured up daily these boys still perform it very passionately. 'The Edge of Sanity', 'Power of Mind', 'Dreams of Tomorrow', 'Hold Me Tonight' and 'The Thing That Couldn't Die' are durable examples of this music made to please without pressing the mould too hard. Do us a favour and get a full band together as live material this style is destined to ring even stronger.

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Primal Fear, Iron Saviour, Megadeth & Judas Priest

NET: www.myspace.com/blackdiamondslovenia

BLACK SUCCUBI - Eye Of The Beholder
(Gateway Music - 2013)

Not some experimental hip-hop metal excuse as the name speaks aloud to us, Swedens Black Succubi do on the contrary what Sweden do a lot of very well - power metal. These noisy Nordic chappies start as they end, delivering their crunching chords straight in the middle as well. Losing the sonorous symphonic vocal approach, Jan Lundstrom comes in with a matured Bruce Dickinson demeanour as an alternative though palatable flavour. One might find it falls out of places with the thrash-oriented approach of twin guitarists Thomas and Jan but the tempos sit in a disciplined spot between slow and fast. Driving a sludgy metal machine with a fitted accelerator they use sparingly works for Black Succubi seeing as they like to supply hooks to every song instead of relying on endless solos to sell them. Moody and meaty, with an occasional awkwardly grungy nterval, 'Eye Of the Beholder' is a grower that grabs you as you play and almost refuses to let you go. Worth finding.

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Wolfsbane, Metallica, Black Sabbath

NET: www.blacksuccubi.com

5 track EP that clocks into just over 14 minutes – now that’s a quick one indeedio from a band who are guaranteed to get masses of radio play on fm with a name like that hahaha.The double B’s are an energetic sleazey rock ‘n’ roll bunch of filthers from Oslo, Norway who simply crank out some blastin’ feel good beer sluggin’ ‘n’ watching stripper music with cool *ss*d punkarama in the likes of ‘Never Alone’ and the title track itself ‘We’re The Rats In The City Streets’.Rock out to this b*st*rd!

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

An artist who has took care of all vocals and instruments himself from Kinston, North Carolina. He has a modern sound that kinda reminds me of Nickelback and Foo Fighters but without sounding over generic at all which is hard in this day and age with songs dealing with tough times and upset from parts of his life that include ‘Rest In peace (The Ballad Of Leebo)’; ‘The Mountain’ and closer ‘Miracle’.Will go far I reckon.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

The Burning Crows – Behind The Veil
(S/R – 2013)

Fabulous to see these guys unleash their debut upon the world that’s got some real beefy sounds indeed thanks to the likes of Nick Brine and Matt Goom.Great to hear songs we got rocked out to in the last year or so like ‘All The Way’ and ‘You, Me, Tonight’ that has an 80’s bombastic Kiss flavour to it. Whippz at times give the likes of Toby Jepson and Seb Bach a run for their money. You’ll find outstanding musicianship from Lance (Guitar), Will (Bass) and Chris (Drums) and of course Whippz himself on Guitar too with every member providing backing vocals as well.There’s the epic ‘n’ obligatory love ballad with some acoustic guitar and hot bv’s so get that flame in the air for ‘Here I Am’ (that isn’t to be confused with the Skid Row song of the same name). You also can’t beat gutsy rockers like the title track ‘Behind The Veil’ or ‘Slow Up, Get Down’ either as well as the outstanding throat-wrenching live staple ‘Going Down’ that originally appeared on their debut EP. This band has that full-on staying power needed in this day and age with their flawless and timeless powerful hard rock sounds.Looking forward to seeing one of the UK’s finest young Rock bands again live on stage up in our area.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

A Japanese band who are of the Power Metal genre and tick all the right boxes for it too - simple as that.Fast riffs, tons of keyboards etc etc etc and chanty vocals that go down well in the live environment but it gets really tedious from a listening point of view and extremely skippable. You gotta love this kinda stuff as there's no in-between as it's so overtly that way on without a sense of going into any other territory - well apart from the beardy weirdy folk side of things. There is a nice ballad to be found in here though in 'I'm Your Shadow' but it seems they can't help but speed it up about halfway through for a little while. Good for what it is but can't say I've ever really been one for this kinda stuff at all. Each to their own.

6.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Blacklist Union - Til Death Us Do Part
(S/R - 2012)

Ok, one that's been reviewed before but here's my turn to spin it after catching up with frontman Tony West last November. Imagine dark glam meets an industrial style at times meets a bit of gothic vibe too. Kinda what would happen if you mixed Bang Tango and Faster Pussycat with Marilyn Manson with a hit of post grunge at times but not in a bad way. Mr. West has a voice that reminds me of Joe Leste meets Ozzy Osbourne - very high ended and very effective with elaborate backing vocals and well thought out songs overall. It's one of those albums that really grows on you and it will get you after a while too - it did me. So many fine moments on this album such as the sinister opening title track 'Till Death Us Do Part'; the fast hard-hitting 'Alabama Slammer' & the fat 'n' gutsy riffed 'Diggin 4 Gold'.Then there's tongue tingling number that goes by the name of 'The Lick Kitty Split Theme Song' and the excellent closing ballad 'I Don't Love U Anymore'. Each song will have a serious impact on you and hold your attention - as does the entire album to be honest. Excellent band that need to be heard and will be massive with the right push and contacts behind them.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Broken Teeth - Devil On The Road
(S/R - 2013)

The slutzy AC/DC American like crazies are back again with Mr. McMaster leading his boys into full-on gutsy rock 'n' roll territory as ever - well personally I'd expect nothing less. I know I've heard some of these song before as well and little wonder as it's actually a piping hot compilation of songs culled from a variety of the bands releases over the years while they are busy recording new material for us. Stand outs from these raunchy racketeers in their career on here include 'Stick It In'; 'All Hail The Altar' 'Break The Spell' 'Undertaker' and 'El Diablo' that show everyone that rock ain't dead despite what year it is. One day I'll get to see these cats live.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Babarian Twins - House Of Ill Fame
(S/R - 2012)

Stupendous band from Oslo, Norway who have elements of many artists that include David Bowie, T-Rex, Elvis Costello and Enuff Znuff and are really melodic and tuneful rock n rollers indeed. Okay it's only an 8 track album with the 1st one, the title track 'House Of Ill Fame' being more of an intro thana proper song with the album properly kicking in with the very singalong chorused 'Can't Hide Your Love' before going into other territories in the rest of the CD. Other highlights include the slowly with plenty of oo-oo harmonies that is 'Running From the Cold' that reminds me of that Attractions frontman in sound and style; the bouncy light-hearted poppiness with awesome rolling drums that is 'Getaway' that has some skilled Allman Brothers like guitar-work too with retro keyboard strings too. Or what aboout the closing ballad that is ironically called 'Final Destination' that has Macca elements to it at times. Excellent and to the point release.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

The Black Marbles - Made In Concrete
(Ofelia Productions - 2013)

Now here's a band who sound like they have been grabbed from the late 60's to early 70's as this is full on meat and potatoe, blues, hard rock and then some of the highest order with some southern sounds in there too. A quartet from Sweden who really have got the sound and styles down to pat with 2 dozen cuts of pure listening joy that even includes a great rendition of 'The Stealer' by Free. Highlights include the the slide guitarin' Crowesy 'Loveshine'; the countriness of 'The Dog'; the stonking 'Chinese Jambalaya' & the hot 'n sleazy 'All Out Of Money'. With a band like this, you don't need a time machine to take you back to when bands really meant something.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Blonde Blues - Envision Nu Blues
(S/R - 2013)

A band from Southern California who have a frontwoman in Cindy Adams who sounds like Stevie Nicks at times. Highlights include the opening cover of Buddy Guy & Tom Hambridge's 'Best Damn Fool'; Cindy's self-penned 'Satisfied'; 'Hang On' sung by Ross Osteen and by him as well; 'Gingerbread Man' with inticing melody especially in the chorus and that rhodes sounding organ really putting the icing on the cake here; the beautiful 'Rain'. Okay stuff if a bit cheesy.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Babyjane - Are You Listening
(S/R - 2010)

Now these guys sound like a young 'n' fresh up-to-date version of the LA Guns but are from Australia. There's no gap in between the songs eith er and one seques into another. It's all pure sex-fueled and filled decadence in the album too from the get-go of the opening title track 'Are You Listening' with a splattering of glittery tunes throughout this voyage of just over 42 minutes of fun that's been mixed by Michael Wagener. It's all good with every number standing up in its own right such as cock rock brilliance of 'Li'l Gutters'; 'Quicksand' that has plenty of cowbell; 'Four Rusted Egos' that has an intro to a famous Queen song just about and the fast 'n' abrasive punkiness of 'Tell Me (What I Need To Know) that closes the album. This 4 piece mean business.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Babyjane - Make It Sick
(S/R - 2012)

Second album from the OZ boys and it kicks *ss like the debut as well. They start the album up with a ballerina musiocbox version of 'Greensleeves' that have obviously stolen from some kids toybox before it all goes Ape'O with 'Make It Sick' (with Jon Carobi featured on vocals too) and later there's 'Nu Sonic Plague' that reminds me of G'N'R's 'Night Train and then some... Then there's the 'Nice Boys/Reckless Life' like 'Ruby Roulette' & well riffed 'Somebody Up There Hates Me' and short but sweet closer 'Bleeding Eyes'. Hopefully these guys will follow in the footsteps of 'Dead City Ruins' and come and do a UK tour soon as well. Like 'em.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

BAD MEMORIES - Forced To Be A Stranger
(Perris Records - 2012)

Italy does deal in melodic rock as well in case you forget - Lionville being the most recent living proof of that. 'Bad Memories' is a strangely counteractive tag for an band that unashamedly mashes the best of the genre so tightly together like this. While so massively borrowed from Danger Danger, their sound may be it is a treat above treats to hear it done this well in 2012 as 'Tears of Anger' will prove. Vehemently Europe-inspired keyboards lead into an upbeat hard rocker the rules almost forbid you to write these days. 'Never Too Hard' hits as close to the Danger boys as is safe, short of being sued - a superb summertime rocker with repeatable hookline. 'Memories' is a classy ballad delivering most of the splendid same, slightly more Survivor-toned whilst 'Reach The High' and 'Crossroads' supremely ring of late nineties stars Savannah and Kick. Robbing from the riff shop once more, 'Our Love Is Dead' is almost every great piece Jim Peterik penned, pushed into four minutes of space. For once in a while the title track is a standout cut, coming at you like an 'I Still Think About You'/'I Remember You' hybrid. Delicately executed by vocalist Francesco Fagiolini and keyster Frederico Meranda in particular, it is an assured live cornerstone. 'Shadow in this Life' revisits 'Tears....' same territory, utilising a high-octane base to blast their harmonies in synchrony with. This track delivers the goods again in another daintily sealed parcel with its plush chorus and cool reminiscence to current Swede supremos Work OfArt throughout. Swish soloing from Enrico Del Canto takes brief instrumental 'Signs Of Time' by on its appetising build to album closer 'Shooting Star'. Rolling on a sound sweetly likened to the eighties act of same name, a mightier cut could hardly be suited to cap off a mightily astounding record. Done with awesome aplomb if not wad-loads of originality,the incredible musicianship on offer outweighs all such tiny gripes. Such stunning tunes do sometimes come to being by craftier roads than others, but Bad Memories craft deserves to be purchased in bulk. Crucial for anyAOR collection, new or old.

10/10 By Dave Attrill

VERY RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: That band Ted Poley fronts (...come on, what's their name again?), Night Ranger, Survivor, Robert Fleischmann, Pride Of Lions, Tyketto, Journey, The Storm & Winger.

NET: www.myspace.com/badmemoriesofficial

Band of Frequencies - Rise Like The Sun
(S/R - 2012)

A contemporary band of surfer dudes from California who try out a variety of styles on this album because they are good enough to play a mix of blues, reggae, funk, rock etc and keep you on your toes every inch of the way. There are some inspired cuts on here like the post grunge meets stoner of 'Rise Like The Sun'; the reggae of 'Down To Earth'; a second to none full electric cover of 'Freedom' by Richie Havens; the epical jam like 'I Wanna Know' and more reggaed vibes in 'Golden'. Another nice find.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

BATABEAT - Le Projet Senecal
(S/R - 2012)

Batabeat are a French Canadian experimental combo, and blow me are they experimental or what? Taking prog, rock, industrial, ambience, soul, funk and frig-knows what else, seems all is brimming with potential. Pumping bass and bolshy electronic soiundscapes seep out of each single crack to create the atmospheric sound served up here. Its somehow unfortunate that at an average song time of about eight minutes, these tracks strain without a singer in the house, starting to lose direction or excitement after over half distance in every case. Basing the tracks on works of a well-lauded Quebecian novelist is sweet homage but split into several more shorter cuts, snips like ‘Malphas’, ‘Hell.com’, ‘Aliss’ and the 11 minute-23 second ‘Le Passager’ would have proven much more patience –friendly. Not bad but not something to listen to unless fully awake for the day and appreciative of the style whatever it throws in your direction.

6/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: www.batabeat.com

Big Num - From Monkey Came Man, From Man Came Me
(S/R - 2010)

A very bluesy, sleazy sounding band that fit somewhere between AC/DC and The Rolling Stones amd then some...and there's nowt up wi' that! Made up of three brothers and a buddy they are Vic (Guitar); Beau (Vocals/Bass) and Luke (Lead Guitar) who all share the surname Boston funnily enough alongside Alex Warren on Drums and even come from the UK as well - nice to know that's another good band from the native land. 2 dozen tracks in total and it's mighty fine rocking stuff from beginning to end with highlights including 'Who You Gonna Love'; 'Too Clever For Words'; 'Sinking Ships'; 'Fallout On The Radio'; 'Love Is A Complex Thing' and the closing 'Twilight Hours'. Full-on no-brainer rock 'n' roll.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bitch Queens - Suck It Up! (E.P.)
(Lux Noise - 2012)

Euro Sleaze Rock - think Backyard Babies, Hanoi Rocks and Hardcore Superstar to be exact about it. Oh and throw in some Hellacopters too. Highlights in this short and sweet sixpack include the opening 'Ain't Good Enough'; 'Burning Up' and the closing 'Wipeout Kids'. Decent but very generic. Ok. 6.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

BLACK BAY - Feeding It
(Tmina Records - 2012)

Black Bay Area more like. This Swedish four-piece are a perfect example how the San Fran metal scene with a little essence of Emperor in the mix might have emerged sounding. Stopping one from branding this a bad mix, their melodic thrash sound isn’t so precarious. Strongly old-fashioned, head-to-toe, most would ache to hear the next track hoping it would be as good as the last. Testament, Megadeth and Vio-lence all come through in B.B.’s style. Large riffs and regular-styled song structures prove that with ‘Feeding It’, ‘In your Control’, ‘Forget Myself’, ‘Fall Of Man’ and ‘Last Grasp of reality’, people still prefer they play the good old way. Exploited by another gaggle of our great Nordic innovators should only serve to up the word across European shores. Sweet.

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Slayer, Metallica, Machine Head, Exodus, Forbidden & Evile.

NET: www.myspace.com/blackbay

BLEEDING UTOPIA - Demons to Some, Gods to Others (Wormholedeath/Dreamcell11 - 2012)

Sweden…wonderful Sweden, they’ve created another one, bless them. Bleeding Utopia’s seeds were truthfully sown a decade a go by former Astral Carneval/Dead Awaken guitarist Andreas Moren. Now, finally with a full band around him including former A.C. bandmate Lawrence Dinamarca (also of one-time Metalliville reviewees Loch Vostok) the wheels have finally lifted from the runway. Booming through through ten brutal clouds of metal, the old school propellers slice pu all that soars dangerously close. Sepultura to Evile, My Dying Bride to Machine Head, dynamics of all dark, fast and angry extreme metal sounds we love find a space in their spectrum. Mighty tight twin guitar work from Moren and Joakim Bergos sting you in the eye with their sizzling progressive fat, taking the heat to the highest gas mark. Excellent, old-school thrash-de-force with balls, plus the boots to kick where you also might very likely hurt. Tickets for live visits will fly faster than copies of this album, believe me.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Vio-lence, Pro-pain, Slayer, Emperor & Entombed.

NET: www.myspace.com/bleedingutopia

Bloodloss - The Struggle
(S/R - 2012)

Bloodloss are Matt Hobbs (Vocals), Mark Browell (Guitar), Rob Ironmonger (Guitar), David Smith (Bass) and Daniel Kelly (Drums). They hail from London & ‘The Struggle’ consists of 6 tracks that stand as disturbing ideas on the struggle to come to terms with loss, grief, loneliness and desolation.‘The Struggle’ opens proceedings with sheer brutal delight. Blazing a trail of raging riffs that collide with Matt Hobbs’ guttural growls and is like an open assault to your ears, refusing to take prisoners as it escalates into a fist pumping chorus that finds Matt Hobbs melodic voice breaking through with great effect. ‘This Still Remains’ somehow manages to up the aggression ante, pummelling of riffs that fly past in a whirlwind that only relent to make way for Hobbs' gravel tinged shouts. ‘Lost’ doesn't mess about, plunging into a hammering rush of metal fused beats that will have heads banging along and mosh pits erupting wherever it is played.But there's more than just the music to Bloodloss, lyrically these guys are head and shoulders above their contemporaries brandishing lyrics that are both passionate and perceptive which brilliantly stand in stark contrast to the gritty, aggressive and brutal deliverance of their songs. From the first track ‘The Struggle’ to the final track ‘Paradise’, Bloodloss are most definitely full of talent in all ways metal, their song writing shows a very mature way of thinking, the music itself shows that every individual in the band are experts of their own craft. ‘The Struggle’ is simply already one of the best and most impressive releases from not only a new band but of any albums or EPs already on the market. Do yourself a favour and check out these guys, you will definitely not regret it.

9/10 By Andy Turner

Net: www.bloodlossuk.com www.facebook.com/bloodlossuk www.reverbnation.com/bloodlossuk www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAMF8v8p63c

BloYaTop - Why Waltz
(S/R - 2012)

Well these guys crank it out big style and have a sound and influence of that Texan trio ZZ Top in their best 70's mode - a bit like they are at the moment actually. It's their 2nd album so I really need to check out their debut if this is anything to go by. A band who i can't help liking with tons of highlights right through the 52+ minutes to be found here. Kick *ss ballsy cuts include the whisky soak vocalled opener 'Poker Joker' that sets the standard; the slick 'Transistor Sister' and the pumping 'Demolition Crush' that has elements of Stevie Ray Vaughan in the guitar lick dept too. Then there's the Blue Jean Blues like 'Make It Work' and the instrumental 'Desert Wind' that officially closes the album. If you don't get chance to see the other 'Top then be sure to see these guys as they come over just as good. Heaven, Hell Or Holland in this case!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bonfire – Fireworks…Still Alive!
(LZ Records - 2011)

Bonfire (originally called Cacumen) are a heavy metal band hailing from Ingolstadt, Germany. They were formed in 1972 as Cacumen, but changed their name in 1986 to Bonfire on the advice of their management and record company. the original founder members Hans Ziller and Claus Lessman are the only remaining founder members of the band and own the rights to the name 'Bonfire'. The current line-up is Claus Lessmann (Vocals), Hans Ziller (Lead Guitars), Chris Limburg (Guitar), Uwe Kohler (Bass) and Harry Reischmann (Drums). Bonfire are one of these bands from the eighties that have kept going all through the nu-metal days and stayed true to their genre until the current day but never seemed to make it big. In my opinion they were and still are a great band who play balls to the wall metal, but were overshadowed by Accept. 'Fireworks...Still Alive!' is Bonfire's 25th offering (2 as Cacumen, 13 Studio, 5 Live and 5 Compilation) and basically the entire 1987 album 'Fireworks' played live with some other Bonfire tracks, a studio track and the odd cover thrown in for good measure. From the start the album kicks in with a Bonfire favourite 'Ready 4 Reaction' and continues with many more from 'Never Mind', 'Fantasy' and Champion' The addition of the track 'Sword And Stone' from the Wes Craven horror film 'Shocker' and the classic cover version of 'I'm On My Way' by the great band Gotthard. As with most of the tracks on this album the band haven't played them live for over twenty years, but you wouldn't know it. They are as heavy and tight as back in 1987 and just goes to show that what this band produce in the studio translates perfectly to the live performance. Even the ballad 'You Make Me feel' from the 'Don't Touch The Light' album seems perfect and timeless. There isn't a bad thing I can say about this album, even the final track 'Let It Grow (Edited Studio Cut)' sounds like it belongs as an extra on the album. Welcome back Bonfire, its about time we had another band to give Accept a run for their money.

10/10 By Andy Turner

Net: http://www.bonfire.de/ http://www.myspace.com/bonfirebavaria
http://www.last.fm/music/Bonfire https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonfire/108017789220798

The Black Explosion - Servitors Of The Outer Gods
(Metalville Records - 2012)

A heavy psychedelic trip to the late 60's is the musical journey that the trio that is The Black Explosion will take you on. It's a bit like Hendirix and Blue Cheer - dark, loud and mysterious and leaves you wanting more and comprise of three guys who Ginger Love on basss, Andreas Lindquist on drumsa and percussion and Chris Winter on vocals, guitars, bass, organs percusssions and spacedrums. Full on it is too with some retro killer like cuts in the opening swirly Hawkwindish meets Stonery 'Two Hours Later'; the deep phasing 'n' very atmospheric 'Sun Eater'; the bluesy craziness of 'Show Me' and the mono acoustic section of 'Black Fever'. It's 1968 all over again.

9/10 By Glenn Milligan

Note - Metalville Records is not part of Metalliville in case you were thinking that - totally independent Record Label in Europe.

BLACKLIST UNION - Til Death Do Us Part
(S/R - 2012)

Hard rock supergroup Blacklist Union almost grasp the title of ‘veterans’ by now with almost a decade in the music biz under their belt. This third full length record ‘Til Death Do Us Part’ takes in all the great elements that got the previous two their due attention and adds onto it. Tony West’s whiny angst tornado of a voice suits anything that ex Love/Hate man Jon E Love and Saliva’s Wayne Swinny sling together beneath it, be it grungy prog-infested metal or melodic pop noise. Solos aren’t exactly in the strongest of abundance, ‘Til Death…’, ‘Alabama Slammer’, ‘Game Over’, ‘Same Ol’ Presure’, ‘Digging 4 Gold’, ‘Feed The Snakes’, ‘I Do’ and ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ relying on wholesome meaty attitude for delivery instead. Dragging in another two famously associated name, Ex David Bowie drummer Hunt Sales - and with Crazy Town’s ‘Trouble’ Valli hired to share the songwriting handle, the highly unorthodox hyrbrid of talent takes off through the earth and blooms into a bright and b now well-seasoned musical plant. One that doesn’t seem like stalling in growth, Blacklist Union become a bigger, more evergreen musical tree for every summer, ‘T.D.D.U.P.’ potentially the ripest apple to fall from it yet. Brilliant!

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Guns n’ Roses, Alice In Chains & Black Sabbath.

NET: www.reverbnation.com/blacklistunion

Blood God - No Brain But Balls
(S/R - 2012)

Cheesey AC/DC & Accept like songs (and in musical style too) about debauchery and all that is encountered in the deal from a multi-talented dude who goes by the name of Thomas Gurrath. Highlights include the opening 'Blowjob Barbie'; 'Womaniser'; 'This Woman Makes Me Crawl'; 'Psycho Pussy'; 'Hangover From Hell' and the closing 'Sex Kitten'. At times you'll encounter some great sleazy bv's from Juli as well. Comes in 2 versions - the other cd (Debauchery) has a cookie monster zombie voice singing the same songs - lol - with plenty of grunts - hahaha.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

LOIS BLAISCH - Through Thick and Thin
(Blaisch Publishing - 2012)

‘Who the eff is she?’ I probably hear most of you ask. Los Blaisch’s name might not show up in a great many HMV racks but in her native US of A it does litter a fair few soundtrack and song credits. Lois has written sugary AOR/pop ditties aplenty for hit Stateside shows like ‘Friends’, ‘Studio 60’, ‘Solid Gold’ plus various soft drink and pizza ads in abundance across her years as well as scoring a hit on American Idol most recently of all. ‘Through Thick and Thin’ is the culmination of her career told through the singer’s top dozen works. A versatile collection, many tunes might suffer in their appeal to the average headbanger but if you appreciate the sound of such a diverse and delectable American diva, then old favourites like ‘When It’s Right’, ‘Whatch gonna Do’, ‘look Me In The Eye’, ‘Through Thick and Thin’, ‘Can’t You See’, ‘Matter Of Time’, ‘Could’ve Been’ and ‘All The way’ are yours to enjoy. An accomplished guitarist on top, it is somewhat a shame we hear less of her stringwork than we should expect here but experiencing her on album for the first time will do most budding melodic rock historians fine for now, I’d imagine. Worth grabbing one.

8/10By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Heart & Lita Ford.

NET: www.loisblaisch.com

BONES & COMFORT - Mothersheep
(Go Down Records - 2012)

No matter what fashion says, Stoner Rock is still a popular trek for plenty to try out, Italians included. Definitely far from being a few more Europeans experimenting with a sound they don’t understand as well as their American counterparts, Bones and Comfort stage an equally transatlantic-based assault, destined to land hardest on the less appreciative listener. Rough and ready riffs, Sabbath-schooled doom and anger and purely up-down-up pumping rhythms stuck unashamedly to each other rip the plaster clean from your wall totally regardless of whichever country you may abound from. Make no mistake ,these three lads shred it and sock it to you the way ‘We Choose Who Will Stand’, ‘Tex Mex’, ‘Unbalance’, ‘Road Pizza’, ‘Take Some Pills’ and ‘My Crusade’ were designed for. Danielle Murroni (guitar/lead vocals) steals the show all over, rhythm section still of course tight and supportive to the hilt, lest we neglect and carves a clearly star-shaped name for themselves in the scene. Bones and Southern Comfort taking you closer to the point, ‘Mothersheep’ is testament to the ever-creative talent of their country …which has now gained itself another chapter.

9.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Soundgarden, Monster Magnet, Black Sabbath, Floodgate, Orange Goblin & Pantera.

NET: myspace.com/bonesofficial

BROCKMANN/ANDRADE - Airs - A Rock Opera
(Fencesound Music - 2012)

Are some bands so deliberately intent on making music guaranteed to get the piss laughed out of it. Or are they in the clear know that a certain chap at Metalliville likes little more than a grandiose melodic prog rock concept album to while away the evening. German/US project act Brockmann/Andade seriously fail to disappoint, doing in fact just the polar opposite. Taking off on a rock opera tale across the Great Salt pond and beyond, German instrumental innovator Steve Brockmann starts the story in soft, subtle Spocks Beard-meets-Marillion mode before moving the gear settings for each and every number to come. Crossing from power prog to pop rock, AOR to all-out metal interludes a la Megadeth/Anthrax, extravagant guitar lines give their own share of way to simplistic verse arrangements you wouldn’t see coming, from studying the lyric sleeve. Vivid melodies on all instruments with super technical tour de force performance by Brockmann all round as expected, a revolving door of vocalists come and go along the album, each doing his allocated cut justice. Set to a story penned by professional writer George Andrade, the album does unarguably echo Savatage favourite ‘The Wake of Magellan’ in theme but on a more musical diverse plain. Never before has such an epic album of this form made it through the player without draining my attention. I’m unsure as to if any live activity is planned for this piece but if not so, a second disc just like this will seriously appease.

10/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Dream Theater, Yes, Pink Floyd & Threshold.

NET: www.steve-brockmann.de

Johnny Bennett - Blurred Lines
(Blue Pie Records - 2012)

One of those dudes who does what the hell he wants and cannot be pigeonholed - giving lazy journalists a hard time - hahaha. He comes out of Muncie, Indiana or Middletown,USA as it's known. It's melodramaitc, mournful with plenty of deep lyrics that ask questions such as 'World On Fire'; 'Why Are You So Happy?'; 'Sister Pharmaceutical'; 'Gone Missing' and more. Johnny has a quirky voice like the guy who fronted Family as well to add to the measure as well. Complex and kinda interesting.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Beverly Killz - Gasoline & Broken Hearts
(Perris Records - 2012)

Sounding like some famous part of California in name and next door district, these Italians take ya back to the glorynezz of 80's Hard Rock and also give it a blast of up to date soundz too. They sound a bit like a mellowed down Skid Row with numbers like 'Baby You're On Target' and rock out with opener 'Never Back Down'. Then there's the yesteryearz vibez of 'Dark Lady'; the excellent more-radio friend hooky 'Ridin Alone' and an excellent take on Adamski's 'What Is Love'. Decent CD.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

BigDix - Joanna & The Devil
(FreeMood Promotion - 2012)

Cool own accented band but subng in English with a great name to boot as well unleash this onto the needy world. Straight and to the point - scuse the pun to their band mocker there's some great songs on hree like the opening 'You Make Me Crazy'; the ballad 'Time For Love'; the retro-like 'Devil's Blues' with some killer slide guitar and there's something really ironic having a cover of Leadbelly's 'Cottonfields' after one of their numbers called 'Black Man'. Talking of covers there's a wicked version of Elvis Presley's 'Burning Love'. You can't help but dig these guys at all!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Big Engine - Turn It On
(S/R - 2012)

Ballsy Classic Rock meets the South is what you get on her with no apologies - hah - and all the way from Callahan, Florida, USA. Damn fine stuff indeed and they compiled their best moves and sounds into the 8 tracks on here with the excellent ballsy opener 'Turn It On'; the Cult like 'Shake That Thing'; the cookin' slipper stompin' 'Make Your Move' that's very AC/DC with similar backing vocals and dirty sounding grooving guitar.Then there's the gorgious but sad closer 'No More Time' about reuniting with a buddy and then losing them forever. They've supported the likes of Charlie Daniels, Motorhead, Buckcherry and many more, not to mention headlining their own shows too and featured at rallies in Sturgis Daytona as well as at NASCAR all over the USA. Brilliant band and album overall.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

The Boogiemen Inc. - Rocket Surgery
(S/R - 2012)

A norwegian 4 piece who sound like the Rolling Stones in their late 60's/early 70's period with many elements of the South in their too. Valuable examples of excellence found here include the opening Jezebel; the road-worthy '49 & 61'; 'The Show Ain't Over' that's got a Faces meets Skynyrdness to it as well; the excellent countriness of 'Nobody Home' that reminds me of The Dogs D'Amour; the Hammond flowing 'Snake Oil' and the very Faces/Quireboys like 'Another Rainy Day'. Top of the game right here.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Boyjazz - Unlimited Nights & Weekends
(For Once Records - 2012)

Holy majesus, these Berkeley,CA boys have a singer that sounds like Robert Plant crossed with a young Ozzy Osbourne on part-time helium (or that dude from Wolfmother) backed by a venomistic hoard of rockmasters. Loads of tongue in cheek stuff on here from an album recorded back in 2006 that was shelved indefinitely until now that includes the ridiculously titled 'Pocket Unicorn'; 'Woman Comes To Man'; 'She's Got Gold'; the Electric Six like 'Danger, Danger' and Sabbathy like ender that is 'Booze' that is very Rob Halford in the vocal dept. They should have been huge but got dusted away by the industry.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

BLACK SPACE RIDERS - Light Is The New Black
(S/R - 2012)

Black Space Riders are a four-piece from Munster, Germany peddling a peppery line in that lovingly fabled of old metal genres… space rock! Gaining a reputation already, with a first album under their belt these four lads, known to us only by the acronyms JE, SLI, SAQ and CRIP, cook up a steaming good piece of noise second time out. Neither here nor there as far as ear is concerned, death metal, grunge and scream core elements add to the essence amidst gritty retro-metal roughness. Speeding, grindy rhythms and sharp no-nonsense chorus pieces see an hour-and-two-minute disc through twice quicker than the typical progressive rock offering anyday but then, ‘L.I.T.N.B.’ is not a typical anything. ‘Creature Of No Light’, ‘Sun Vs Moon’, ‘Digging Down’, ‘We Used To Live In Light’, ‘Night Over Qo’nos’, ‘Startrooper’ and ‘Walls Of Plasma’ amongst them house more genres than you can count in a minute, whilst the Germans can also rightly testify to being a sucker for mile-long titles - try ‘Someone Has Turned The Knob to Switch On The Light But Instead Something Strange Happened To The Warp Engine’ for starters. Something strange may also be happening to my speakers. Oh yes, that’s it, they’re smouldering from gratuitously repetitive plays, of that fantastic album by the Black Space Raiders. Set to take off high into the galaxies of rock n’ roll, this album is certainly the new black, with a nice ol’ bit of light brought to it.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Monster Magnet, Porcupine Tree & Hawkwind.

Band Of Volunteers - Divination
(S/R - 2012)

Three piece metal band from Norway who have well crafted songs of the serious side at times. Highlights can be found about halfway in the opening 'Tonight' that reminds me of latter day Hawkwind; the title track 'Divination' about tarot women and gypsys; the bass throbbing 'Distorted Eyes' and brilliant cover of AC/DC's 'Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be'. Decent.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Big Okie Doom - Oklahomegrown (The Raw Recordings)
(Lackspro - 2012)

This three piece does what it says on the title and no prizes for guessing correctly where they are based either. It's doomy, it's stonerish, it's bluesy at times and it rocks as well. Their frontman, Michael Albatross sounds like cross between Dusty and Billy from ZZ Top with a nice slab of Zakk Wylde like vocals shot in there too from the bowls of hell. Mr. A also takes care of piano and guitar too with brothers Paige and Price Vernon looking after Drums and Bass respectively. Standouts on this 7 tracker include 'Changing Verses' where they are waiting from the sounds of the Apocalypse; the opening 'Hunting In The Shadows' and 'Wartorn'. They even do a cover of 'Creep' by Radiohead as well that's got gorgious pedal steel on there - easily better than the original version. You can't help but like them as they are a grower.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Black Stone -Defying Gravity
(S/R - 2012)

Yes, there isn't a stone missing in the group title as this is a different band altogether - more the laid back type of thing with flowing female vocals and velvety sax playing on there from Ottowa, Canada who formed in 2004. It's decent all-round with highlights on here including opening title track 'Defying Gravity; 'One Way Ticket' that reminds me of Fleetwood Mac; 'Just The Other Day' and the sad but possibly true 'Is This The Future'. Nice and tranquil.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Lester B - Blindsided
(S/R - 2011)

Southern sounding Californian whose album I played several times because it's so damn good. It opens up with a cover of Jefferson Airplane's 'Somebody To Love', a song I last heard covered by W.A.S.P. - this is nothing like that and more authentic to the orginal and rockier. From thereon there are some beautiful numbers with warm baritone timbre sounds such as the deeper southerness of 'Tear Me Down' & hard edged title track 'Blindsided'; the country rock of 'She's The One' - she's a real humdinger!! Then there's the moderness of 'Can't Stop This' with it's nu-metalness; the duetted 'Save Me' or what about his take of Roxy Music's 'Love Is The Drug' - excellent.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bedlam - In Command 1973
(Angel Air - 2012)

A band that featured Cozy Powell on drums that sound like a mix of a quirky Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Humble Pie and Black Sabbath at times as well. Interesting to see where Cozy came from. Best thing on it is Powells's drum solo and a live version of 'Dancing With The Devil' from US TV Show 'Midnight Special in 1974. Though I do like the accapella song called 'Mother In Law' - excellent comedy value and the 'Dimples/Smokestack Lightnin' rip-off number entitled 'The Fool'. One for Powell completists only.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

The Burning Crows - S/T (E.P.)
(S/R - 2012)

Rockers who I first heard about since they supported X-UFO at The Yardbirds Club at Grimsby in February who set the the place alight via Norwich, UK. It's a cookin' 5 track that really turns up to top heat when we get to (2) with plenty of rauciousness and woos and then some - not to mention some kickin' cowbell action! You get some awesome ivory tinkling from The Quireboys 'Keith Wier' on 'Time' and then there's the closing ballzer of a track in 'Best Damn Everything' with vocals thatr match the likes of Toby Jepson at times. These guys are like a new-age Little Angels and Skin and then some! They've got it for certain and they will go all the way - I can't wait to hear a full album of theres if this E.P. is anything to go by. Essential British Rock at its best.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Sebastian Bach - Kicking & Screaming
(Frontiers Records - 2011)

A more up to date sounding album than his last release 'Angel Down' that has some real belting tracks amid a ballad or two. Seb has well and truly established himself as an irreplaceable solo artist with this release proving just that with new members Nick Sterling (on all stringed instruments) and Bobby Jarzombek on drums. It's an album that grows and grows and grows on you as there's some incredibly great numbers on here to get excited about that include the opening blaster 'Kicking & Screaming'; the immensely great and solid arrangement that is 'Caught In A Dream' with a delicious vocal to it especially on the chorus section of the song. Or what about the tell-it-how-it-is f*ck you-ness not to mention hard-edged ballsy track that is 'As Long As I Got The Music' - a number that matches anything he did with that famous former band that he fronted that has an Enuff Z'Nuff/Beatley bit in it that works perfect, not to mention that Slash-like solo that follows from new guitarist, Nick Sterling. Then there's the powerful and pulverising 'Dream Forever' and the gorgious closer 'Wishin'. To sum it up, this is a well crafted put together affair without a filler in sight that will please fans old and new. Seb's vocal chords are as strong as ever - many would struggle to keep this level of high intensity up and still have a voice half way through the album - let alone the entire CD.Perfection - now let's see some UK dates Bas!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Blueville - Butterfly Blues
(Tanzan Music - 2011)

Slick intoxicating blues rock from Italy that's got a mix of both male and female vocals.Highlights include the longish opener 'When I Ring The Bell'; the female and male almost contempary Gospel like 'Misery'; 'Indian Road'; 'Little Town Man'; 'Turning Blue' and closing title track 'Butterfly Blues'.It's an excellent chill-out kinda album that rocks where it needs to that I well recommend you check out.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

RIKK BEATTY BAND - No Vocals Allowed
(Song Haus - 2011)

As giveaway titles go, we do get them sometimes, but Rikk Beatty’s attempt sees p*ss-taking go to an all-new high. With oneself fresh off dishing the (non)-dirt on Steve Morses’s corking new solo elpee, I find this gentleman and his two merry rhythm men serving up a good desert of cheerfully performed musical noise with cream on top and without any real trace from band of said name in the flavour . 'Juice', 'Back To The Farm', 'Odyssey','The Journey', 'Friends', 'Hiccup', 'Lost in Boston', 'Jumping Comsic' and a brave atttempt at 'Auld Lang Syne' are still delectable ear candy. Take a blatant eighties AOR sound and add the more post-millennial melodies of modern virtuosos - I’ll let you guess names on listening - and you’ll be short of complaint. Swish and sharp with the attributes of ex-Danger Danger man Andy Timmons’s recent treats, this threesome aren’t just based on one man’s talents - messrs Shealy and Hogan, with over 60 years collective experience in the music industry, are a mighty tough and often resonant rhythm section. Rikk, himself an accomplished clinician across his native US, delivers a decent recorded lecture himself all the same. In the world where, no vocals not allowed, is more the law, we’re perfectly happy to break it this time.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE : Tony McAlpine & Steve Vai.

NET: www.rikkbeatty.com

BLINDEAD - Affliction XXIX II MXMVI
(Mystic Production - 2011)

Poland’s Blindead like to almost put some of us off before they start, only I can see round the misleading cracks of erstwhile Behemoth guitarist ’Havoc Smierzchalski’s works to a solid product on the inside. Translation being; unavoidable smatterings of p*ss-tedious deathcore noise mixed with un-tedious experiments in metal style turn this into a reasonably accessible beat that keeps me playing on. Dominantly progressive with good turns from guitar rhythms, slowly driving in the main to occasional fast surprises the substance comes up to greet your ears without realising it is already there in place and some sweet keyboards are not unwelcome where they are best used for the vital gothic seasonings.
Though only seven-tracks-long it feels like several more, probably thanks to the titles that also overlap into one another as one continued sentence. Recommended stuff from another deserving East-European export… one is almost to be Blindead by these shining metal lights

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Gojira, Cavalera Conpsiracy & Killswitch Engage.

NET:www.blinded.net

Tim Bertulli – The Rest Of Them Days
(S/R – 2011)

Canadian dude with a voice that reminds me a laid back James Hetfield who has brought out a really great CD of songs that sound southern and without him losing his roots either. There's just him on just about everything which is all guitars including Bass as well as piano, harmonica and of course vocals) and his buddy Big Frankie DiGeorgio who takes care of drums and
percussion. Highlights include the opening 'A Day'; 'The Rest Of Them Days'; 'Newbie Waltz'; and 'Make Another Day' (basically all the songs with the word day in them but this one especially) with its acoustic and slide guitar work. Then there's the almost born near a swamp at times but beatifullyness of the instrumental 'In My Arms' and the closing 'In Fidelity'.Decent release.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Black Country Communion – 2
(Mascot Records – 2011)

Yes it’s time for round two from the so-called ‘Supergroup’ who have produced an epic follow-up to their exceptional debut, thus proving it was no fluke!66+ minutes of rock solid excellence is what you’ll find here with gems including the fast and furious opener ‘The Outsider’; the bluesy ‘Smokestack Woman’ & the Led Zep light acoustic/electric like ‘The Battle For Hadrian’s Wall’. Then there’s balladeerish ‘The Faithless’; the bluesy ‘Little Secret’ and ‘Crossfire’ with its incredible choral harmonies and the killer closer ‘Cold’. Hughes, Bonamassa, Bonham and Sherinian have struck gold again with this excellent album.Top grade album indeed.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

BOY OF THE AFTERTHOUGHT – Lupa
(Code 7 - 2011)

Londoners, Boy Of The Afterthought are fronted by talented multi-instrumentalist Aaron John, who appears almost young enough to be addressed by the ‘B’ word’ himself.

Handling all bar drums himself, his talent comes to us in only seven tunes strength but it is strong well-conglomerated alternative rock that bops and bounces and leaves a breezy aftertaste. While matching the advertised mention of Smashing Pumpkins and Melvins amongst style likenesses, there is some old -school metal flavour amongst the solos and riff lines, playing welcome havoc with the purists. Afterthought weighted out by considerable before-thought, these two boys.. and one girl make another vibrant shake on the modern British rock scene’s surface.

8.5/10By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana & Hawkwind.
NET: www.boyoftheafterthought.com

BLACK MARKET SEROTONIN - Deadbyfiveoclock (EP)
(Superstardestroyer Records - 2011)

With the mighty European mainland spawning another *of new rock n’roll innovations on us for good ol’ twenty-eleven, it still pays to remain alerted to our own nation’s hot new contributions in coming.BMS’s five track debut is a mix of all alternative modes on the menu, dominantly of the Therapy? and Nirvana peg with added prog galvanisation. Combining electric, acoustic lines largely routed through the eighties and early nineties channel along with an authentically deep pop vocal from frontman Andrew Pimblott, plus some pretty beautiful piano hooks these guys are great at pretending to have been around about twenty two years longer than they have in actuality. With the integrity and melody they manage into this short spinner its is hoped they stop around for something close to that span of time. Watch out for them.

7.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Porcupine Tree, Radiohead & Spock’s Beard.
NET: www.myspace.com/blackmarketserotonin

BLOODWRATH - The Hate Affect
(Rising Records - 2011)

Good as it is to finally see some fresh Geordie blood on the British metal scene, it is still important than the city of origin to weight the quality of their sound on its own scales, though this outfit’s debut destructively brings its own side right to the floor.

Possibly desperate not to disappear into the dusty shelf end labelled predictable or more likely because they have their musical heard slap in the right place, Bloodwrath crash out a fabulously solid hard old-school sound that brings onetime fellow local thrashers Tysondog to mind. In keeping with the spirit one obviously considers a quick trip of the old prog thang pretty justified, ergo the lads set about adding a sizeable selection of tempo changes on old fashioned death metal beauts like ’Hyperchrist’, ’Served In Silence’, ’Organise Genocide’, ’Against The Tide‘, ’Persecution’ and ’Devil’s Look’. Their guitarring is a mix of old and modern with Machine Head twangs at clear intervals, twin stringers Davey and Adam attacking with an unrelenting display of force. Excellent first time out for another homebred metal beast, ‘The Hate Affect’ is seasoned hate metal with gratuitous live devastation due in its support. A mighty Why-ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!-Man for this lot indeed. Recommended.

8.5/10By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Morbid Angel, Autopsy, Slayer, Obituary, Usurper & Venom.
NET: www.myspace.com/bloodwrathmetal

BY BLOOD ALONE - Thunderbirds(S/R - 2011)

Hailing from Stephen King’s US homeland Maine, suitably dark sounding fivesome By Blood Alone‘s seven track mini-album treats us to a sweet taste of another of the countless many girl-fronted acts currently making their mark on metal’s endless crust. Crossing over the wires marked, thrash, alternative, power metal and goth as always, the style of this machine, actually in function since 2004, is pretty electrifying though possibly with the earth wire left in situ. Most of the tracks are strongly assembled workouts with occasional down to-par deviations while keyboards get a particularly credible display at the fore.These kb's are duelling with the usual technical guitar rhythms for a wholesome end product. Coming along with slightly more angst tinted tonsils than we’ve been used to lately, the result is more wonderfully diverse work from yet another promising name. These Thunderbirds are pretty much go methinks.

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Lacuna Coil, Dream Theater, Paradise Lost

NET: myspace.com/bybloodalone

BLACK EYED BETTY - Take It All
(S/R - 2010)

Yes, that’s not Peas it says at the end there - why do decent bands have to have almost the same name as one of these dreadful pop outfits undeservedly hijacking the music industry today. This girl-fronted Ohio troupe have only been around for about three years but with a sound like they’ve been here thirty. Raw punk n’ roll assaults of the finest order with unintentional suss supplied by front woman Amee’s shouty seventies vocals come at you in eleven noisy slabs guaranteed never to let you get sleep till you’ve had seven listens. Instant hooks, and actual singing- this gal can surely push it up through ol’ the pipes when she tries - cap the commonly basic chord lines but the whole pairing is perfectly straight and unrelenting with interesting metal diversions every so often. Definitely worth having .

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Siouxie And the Banshees, The Sex Pistols & NY Loose.
NET: www.mypsace.com/blackeyedbetty

BAD SIGN - Exit
(S/R - 2010)

Bad sign are an interesting young Brit trio with one of the most instant sound fusions yet. Amalgamating Prog, metal and grunge into a neatly proportioned arrangement, they layer it with a unexpectedly good Tears For Fears sound especially frontman Joe apple ford’s voice with added angst to keep everything metal. Amidst their experimental venturing ‘Unknown’’,’Existence ’ and ’Inertia’’ are still obedient on hook requirements, ’Eclipse’ also capping off towards the end with a welcome little visit of old-school Sabbath speed, while the solos though sounding irritatingly akin to a helicopter refusing to take off are fast-fingered and fitting with the style. Intriguing and strongly assembled material, these lads deserve some attention in 2011.

8.5/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: www.facebook.com/badsigntv

ROBIN BECK - The Great Escape
(Her Majesty’s Music Room - 2010)

One of AOR ‘s most prolific female throats, and not just because she’s’ married to one of the scenes most prolific male ones, Miss Beck is never short of a song … or ten of true melodic rock class to shovel towards our deserving chutes. The rockin’ Robin rocks out and off from the off, even though the opening track’s intro sounds like some RnB album‘s accidentally got into the machine for five uncomfortable seconds. ’You’re the One’ is one of eleven superbly sweet cuts that also most favourably includes Unruly Child-like ‘Got Me Feelin’ Sexy’, the piano -driven ballad power of ‘Baby I’m Not A Bitch’’ plus no -nonsense rock numbers ‘Inside Of Me’ ‘Everything Is Alright’, ’Great Escape’ and ‘Cross My Heart’. Robin’s pipes are as sharp and soul -seeking as the day she first sung though without disrespect to her performance, the two real treats are ‘Til The End Of time ‘ where hubby, House of Lords legend James Christian hijacks the mike and ’That All Depends on What You Do Tonight’ where no other than Joe Lynn Turner’ takes centre stage alongside the Beck-ster. Excellent melodies with powerfully resonant harmonies and solos straight from one end to the other, from an artist with a Top of the Pops history, lest we forget her talents live on even if the show didn’t live to see them again. Robin’s reputation proceeds her and succeeds most others with another strong collection. A truly great escape indeed - Steve McQueen might be even brought back from the dead by this beauty.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Pat Benetar, Journey, Lita Ford, Unruly Child & Harem Scarem.

NET: myspace.com/robin beck www.robinbeckrocks.com

BLOODY MARY - Party Music For Graveyards
(Valery Records - 2010)

Those crafty Italians are at it again aren’t they! Always lying in wait to spring another lively musical surprise, and this time they’ve something else different for us. Bloody Mary specialise in some kind of weird goth/cyber punk that initially sounds initially off-putting but becomes pretty dangerously the opposite, one chorus into opener. PMFG provides music you can dance to and the title is rendered adequately descriptive - fun is what these five young men from Milan sound about and myself for at one least, find myself having some too bopping my head up and down at my seat to their lively tempos. There are no lavish prog - pandering epics to sit down and savour , all gone to make way for pure guitar driven noise with solos and straight ahead rock numbers that speed you from one end to the other and back, the skip button hardly needing to be touched. Sweet and often short ditties like 'Velvet', 'Better Dewey', 'Sobibor', 'Somebody to Love', 'Before You Fade', 'Dreamer', 'Pet Semetary' and 'Deathly Grave' do the rounds circling metal, hard rock and goth as one solid tall pile of wood, sending a glorious fire roaring up the stake amidst it to burn the doubters. Not ever considered partying in a place of burial myself as such but just great fun to listen to anywhere other, Bloody Mary will go down a treat after their cocktail namesake.

8/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: www.myspace.com/bloodymary

BACK FROM ASHES - 261
(S/R - 2010)

BFA are a melodic hardcore /metal act from Phoenix who before you ask are exactly as described on the promo producing some very familiar sounds but at least do it in a listener friendly manner. So yes some elements of screamcore, and emo do find their way into the mixture here but while every genre these guys draw from has spawned a few billion irritating imitations at least some groups remember opt add substance to style. The result doesn’t exactly bring any bad songs to the table here. Most of their debut album’s eleven cuts are largely melodic offerings, in a largely Alter Bridge, sense albeit with attacks of demented anger scatted to scare you as if they are hiding in holes. The choruses jump out sooner than you expect however and after a while you totally ignore the outfit’s extreme metal tendencies that you are introduced to them by. Impressive work which gives me more inclination to ponder why so few bands of BFA’s line out there are doing it this way too.

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Alter Bridge, Bullet For My Valentine

NET: myspace.com/backfromashesmusic

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bang Tango - Psycho Cafe (Reissue)
(Metal Mind Productions - 2011)

Their outstanding debut album that features brilliant numbers that sometimes still make it in rock clubs. Brings back memories as I remember getting a taped copy of this back in the late 90's and lovin' it. So many kickin' soundz to choose from such as that excellent cowboybooter cut 'Someone Like You'; the bouncy 'Wrap My Wings' or the opening 'Attack Of Life'. This release at times comes close to matching up to the 1st Love/Hate or if I really push the boat out, the 1st one from Skid Row album especially with the gorgious acoustic ballad 'Just For You' or 'Breaking Up A Heart Of Stone'. Some bootskootin' needs to be done!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bang Tango - Dancin' On Coals
(Metal Mind Productions - 2011)

That second album (the came out originally in 1991) where LeSte and the lads went down another path slightly away from sleaze and glam and onto the funk route which works at times and gets tiresome after a while. Opener 'Soul To Soul' is one that works real well especially when those female backing vocalists add icing to the cake. 'Untied & True' is one hell of a cooking fat rocker of a number and is very Billy Idol - surprised he never covered it. 'Midnight Struck' is pure excellence - a heartfelt ballad with outstanding gospel voices, the next to last, 'Last Kiss' and the blues out official finisher. I reckon this could have been a great album if they'd had it more like the debut. Some tracks are sadly skippable - most of the irritating funk stuff to be honest such as 'Big Line' or 'I'm In Love' - though 'My Saltine' actually works ok. Did they do this because they were told to, liked it really or simply wanted to jump on the bandwagon - you never can tell. It's a mixed kinda album to be honest with ya - some I really like, whereas some of it is trying on you.An a better note, it's good to see some bonus material - the best of which being the live '20th Century Boy', though it's good to hear LA being thanked in the live version of 'Futurama' as well.Not the best, not the worst.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bang Tango - Ain't No Jive...Live! (Reissue)
(Metal Mind Productions - 2011)

The Californian bands Live Mini-Album E.P (that originally came out in 1992 on MCA) reissued as a limited digipack Gold CD edition of 2000 - this is copy number 224 if you are wondering. 5 tracks of Glam madness from Joe LeSte and his gang that include highlights such as a swell cover version of T-Rex's '20th Century Boy'; the title track of the 1st album 'Dancin' On Coals' and the excellent very extended 'Attack Of Life'. It's a band that should have made it bigger like Guns N Roses and Skid Row, but alas, it didn't happen for one label reason or another. But you get to relive it with the crowd in the comfort of your own room - I bet you wish you could have been there at The Marquee - not the one in London, I may add but a venue ith the same name in Westminster, CA.You get all the inlay shrunken down that was the original release in '92 and some insight to the band featuring interview snippets from various members of the band that appeared on webzines in the last few years, making the purchase all that more buyable.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

DENISE BARBARITA - A Beautiful Mess
(S/R - 2010)

Denise is an American singer songwriter, and hell does she write them. On her fourth long player already with a large-swelling reputation behind her, she should inevitably be building on it here. The material incorporates a swishy mixture of melodic indie pop, alt rock, prog, soul and occasional metal and grunge vibes scattered into every possible crevice small and large throughout the eleven numbers. Not someone to leave anything inexperienced, some interesting African sounds get in on later tracks, making for an even more diverse trip than we are having time to explore. Effeminately lush melodies and acoustic lines back up her powerfully young rich vocal range and most of the tunes on this album are sworn to become repeats first time around. A beautiful record, though more brilliant than messy.

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Avril Lavigne & Sheryl Crow.

NET: myspace.com/denisebarbarita www.myshytune.com

THE BARSTOOL PHILOSOPHERS - Sparrows
(S/R - 2010)

At the risk of having to harp on about funny band names again… here’ another unorthodox moniker for the style The Barstool Philosophers peddle. This Dutch quintet trade across a highly rich if not repetitive brand of prog rock with a velvety smoothness seldom heard in today’s other acts. While TBP’s tunes are bereft of the complex multi-rhythmical instrument breaks fans of a certain New York outfit would come to expect, the of their melodies is suitably atmospheric - you can paint along to these guys playing and come up with some great pictures. Having to delve across to the frank side, ’Sparrows’ isn’t known for its versatility by a long stretch as all nine tracks soon enough sound to dissolve into a single 58-minute long number but the solid guitars and singer Leon Brouwer’s not infrequently Ozzy-esque pipes keep ‘Afterglow‘, ‘Silence‘, 'Dreamscape', ’Descendents Of The Fall’ and ’Endless Seasons’ substantial and strong. Impressive in general, the flaws are almost ignorable and these chaps will expectedly be zero short of incredible onstage. Sparrows that will come over if we leave the crumbs, hopefully. Good.

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Enchant, Queensryche, Dream Theater & Threshhold.
NET: myspace.com/thebarstoolphilosophers

Black Country Communion - S/T
(Mascot Records - 2010)

There's little wonder after hearing this album that it got many high acclaimed awards last year - it's a no brainer when you have the vocal and or musical talents of Glenn Hughes (Vocals/Bass), Joe Bonamassa (Vocals/Guitar), Jason Bonham (Drums) and Derek Sherinian making up the band. Because you have 2 vocalists in Glenn & Joe, you are left wondering who will be singing each track as it starts. There's some incredible songs on this 12-track retro blue-rock album that include highlights such as 'One Last Soul' & 'Beggarman' with the take no prisoners, lighting up the larynx vocal somersaults of Glenn Hughes. How about the beautiful to epic proportional extremes of the Joe Bonamassa lead vocalled 'Song Of Yesterday' that has some BV's from Glenn too with an 'ooo ooo ooo' vocal section that reminded me of 'I Know (I'm Losing You) by Rod Stewart in his Faces days. Or for instance, the excellent rocker 'Sista Jane' that reminds me of Airbourne, AC/DC and Snew with its guitar riffery and powerfully combined chorus and then theres the real long closer in 'Too Late For The Sun' that clocks in at over 11 minutes! After a handful of gigs, word is out that album number 2 is in the making.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Michael Bruce - Be Your Lover - The Anthology
(Floating World - 2011)

I guess for those in the know, the name and title gives it away as Michael was the guitarist in the original Alice Cooper band. It's all very 70's on the album which is where the recordings actually come from on this 2 cd set.CD1 is sesion material from his 'In My Own Way' album that at times reminds me of solo Harrison & Starkey, Barry Manilow - proving that Bruce was very diverse in his style - though don't panic there's some rock on their too. Love the song 'King Of America' that makes an appearance later as 'If I was King' & the cool poppy cover of 'Friday On My Mind' that was done by The Easybeats originally. Then there's a cool lost Alice Cooper sounding song that features the man himself entitled 'As Rock Rolls On'; the Harrison like light-hearted ballad 'If The Sky Should Fall' and then sounds like Ringo Starr on 'Someone Like You' or the beautiful 'Oh My Life'CD2 is where it's at though - there's a live concert featuring plenty of Alice Cooper classics - proving that Michael can nail any of those songs both musically and vocally in his own right. These include favourites such as 'Under My Wheels'; 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' & 'Billion Dollar Babies' and later on the original demo for 'Muscle Of Love' and 'Forever 18' - a rock n roll take of '18' coming complete with 'shoobopping and doowooping' like in The Beatles album version of 'Revolution'. The closing ballad 'Do you Want To Know' is purely incredible and on the Journey level with its high ended tenor vocals.A very interesting insight of a collection.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

BURDEN OF FIRE - In The Wake of My Demise
(S/R - 2010)

German metallers Burden of Fire are probably the most anticipatable band I’ve had out of their country this last year, so it’s all the more pity this disc only shares four numbers. Combining Christian Kotterl’s old-school extreme metal snarls alongside sweetly Maiden -like guitar duels, BOF are heavy without the holes and have the hooks. Starting off dark and desperately angry but ending high-spirited and songful, ’Your Ruin, My Relief’ ‘Beating The Soil’….. and ‘In the Wake …’ are innocently classy heavy metal cuts that Manowar fans will also find plenty to relish even with the inclusion of regular keyboards. Very good stuff , a first block of more brutal European musical perfection is taking its shape in the mould. Recommended.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

NET:myspace.com/burdenoflifemetal

Burning Kingdom - Down To The Road
(Santo Grial Records - 2011)

Melodic Rock, Hard Rock and Sleaze from the capital of Spain which is Madrid. A nice mixed bag of material so you can't pigeon-hole them too much really. Love the gospel female vocals in 'Freedom'; the opening cock rock of the title track 'Down To The Road' and the instrumental 'Devilish Dream' that's got some killer flamenco guitar over the top of some seep growling rhythm work. At times you hear some Malmsteen licks in the song which ain't a bad thing at all in my eyes - ya can't beat Yngwie!Then there's the excellent AOR/Hard Rock of 'Shot In The Dark' - definately not a cover of the famous 'Double O' song if you are wondering and the cool booming at ya 'Hoochie'. Good band for sure.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Ross Byron -S/T
(S/R - 2010)

Nice 6 track CD of the rock nature from a dude who lives up in New York, New York, USA. The highlights iclude the opener 'White Trash' and Don't Say Goodbye with Ross's shout to Elmer (Johnson) about giving him some bass so I guess it could have been recorded live with the full band going for it at once that has awesome female backing vocals on there too from Pam Dixon. The closer is an interesting controversial track too entitled 'Story Of Job. A very pleasant CD indeed from an artist who is well worth checking out. Looking forward to hearing a full album or maybe a gig from this guy some time.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

BLAST FROM THE PAST - Happy 40th Anniversary
BLACK SABBATH - Paranoid

It had to happen didn’t it. The first of metal’s most iconic landmarks to reach that illustrious of landmark birthdays descends. When four sprightly young Brummie gentlemen called Ozzy Tony, Geezer and Bill grouped together in the back of a van to lay down eight numbers, could they ever predict they’d become rock n’ roll’s biggest Frankenstein. Back in the day when an electric guitar production sounded like a trumpet being played underwater, could Black Sabbath even then have predicted that they were about to in one fell blow become single-handedly responsible for the birth of an entire musical genre, (the very one for whom this site would have not existed) Its title song is a monument in metal history which goes without saying but we can’t go without delivering the due homage to the LP itself, can we children. The album is opened by the two probably most covered metal numbers in human living knowledge. Starting an album with a tune eight minutes long is a liberty to take for a debut album in 1970 itself but for the millions of guitarists who’ve cleared ‘War Pigs’ at least once in even -near note-perfect format sometime in their lives, hearing the real thing is now almost an excuse to see grown men to get a little puffy-eyed. The second track has eight letters in its name and begins with ‘P’ and invented heavy metal single-handedly though makes probably more money from royalties forward by the many other acts who’ve since gone on to record their version. The one thing that will stay distinctively Sabbath about this tune is Tony Iommi’s solo line which has been impossible to replicate from that day by other than the bloke himself - regardless of its fuzzy sound production typical of the day, other outfits opting to layer their more updated version in its place. ’Planet Caravan’ proved the Sabs’ already primed capacity for also penning quieter tunes and even with Ozzy’s voice practically unrecognisable on this pulsating ballad, its one of many, both a loyal, and casual fan’s personal favourites to this day. Going without saying, the third of the B.S. big three follows next , ’Iron Man’ housing the most hummed riff line in the metal’s standings til Tallica’s ’Enter Sandman’ arrived 21 years on. The stomping groove of the ’Da, Da-a-a…da,da,da-a-a-a’ section is so inescapable that its almost possible to accidentally bypass the tune’s accelerated closing stint, thus prompting many repeat plays. ‘Electric Funeral’ is like its slightly younger twin brother though an awkward beast to get into beyond its again memorable intro and is more enjoyed for Mr Iommi’s complex progressions as they develop later along in the tune. 'Hand of Doom' was their most progressive offering for that moment, with a structure that combined the tempos of he two previous numbers but in a handsome relay that slowed back down as you came round to the start of the following verse line. Listen to any drum solo by an eighties or seventies metal act onstage today and you will hear something it somewhere that reminds you of ’Rat Salad’ .Bill Ward’s rippling snare assault is often followed by cover bands with Tony’s outtro just to remind the ignorant. Another live cornerstone ’Fairies Wear Boots’ is the only tune to open with a solo from one of the rock universes’ most revered axe grinders and also the only tune to feature a straight verse-chorus-verse structure … and a hook. With its exquisite display of guitar and drum alternation between Tony and Bill again ,later on while Geezer gets his best moment to shine behind Ozzy’s near funk like vocal suss here, the seeds of diversity may have been sown prematurely in some peoples opinion but can that be possible, this album was the birth of metal. Even forty years down the line, failure to own a copy of this disc in your collection, , should be about as major a crime as missing Maiden’s ‘Number of the Beast’ or Metallica’s Black album’, ’Master of Puppets’ or ’Ride the Lightning’ from your racks. After four decades of inspiring the planet’s millions, this is one album it is always understandable to remain paranoid about.

10/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: <Not applicable. >

Bullet - The Entrance To Hell
(Angel Air - 2010)

This is the band that formed after the splitting up of Atomic Rooster who come across more like Humble Pie throughout the CD. They feature a line-up of John Du Cann on Vocal/ Fender Guitar, Paul Hammond on Gretch Guuitar and Haymer Drums and John Gustafson on Fender Bass and Vocals completing the outfit and really do surprise me to how good and entertaining they are on this album. Highlights on here include meat and potatoe rockers like 'Millionaire'; 'Taken Alive'; 'Fortunes Told'; 'Sinister Minster' and the closing Jam (The Taker) with the far away vocals. Then there's proggytomic weirdness like 'Monster In Paradise'; 'Jay Time'; 'Mr. Longevity' to add some flavour to the whole thing.Check them out as I'm sure you'll like it.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

BLACK HORIZON - The Choice
(Pervade/Gofannon (via Inferno) - 2010)

Inferno did not actually release this one themselves but I’d like to thank them for being the people to bring this unexpected metal gem to my attention. French quartet Black Horizon are another outfit to have recently resorted to playing heavy metal just the way it should be - neither one thing or the other… just its good old hard rocking’ old school headbanging self. If you are after ten tunes to make you grab the air with your great studded arms or grab an air guitar, stop right by and lend this one your undivided time. Incredible pulsating pounding trad metal rhythms fast middle and occasionally slow , slaughter you all the way and leave you calling this album way too short. A spoken intro, not unlike ‘Ryche’s Operation Mindcrime’ heralds hard edged opener ’B*st*rd’ which just unashamedly rocks out loud and fast, and its business for true metal as of that moment. 'Time' is a poundy headbanger with strong hook part and fantastic swinging lead line breaking out at the right place. The gears go back and forth so fast from here on its amazing their engine gets cut. ’The Choice’, ’Reagis’ and ’The First Door’ enter with crunch before cranking it up verse-chorus or occasionally vice versa, with very Irons-friendly soloing from axe fella Seb. Speedier numbers ’Did You See it’ , ’On The Battlefield’, ‘Tower’ and ’Aurora’ also work just as hard on their hooks though its on slow beat prog cut ‘Silence’ that frontman Bruno gets his top break with one of the albums far strongest chorus lines. At the end of the day, and my first listen of many before I eventually got the review written, I already find nothing to seriously fault this record over, (though Kerrang would dispute bitterly) If you ever wondered what an album co-written by Metallica, Maiden and Helloween sounded like, this may be your answer - well you already know its going to be good. Fact is this one isn’t good, its very good and gives a kick up the arse from the continent once again to remind our British metal believers today a lesson on how it should still be done.

9.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Iron -you -know-who, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Iron Saviour, Judas Priest, Saxon, Megadeth, Savatage, Anvil & Rage

NET: myspace.com/blackhorizonmetal

Ransom Briggs - The Sky's The Limit
(S/R)

A great guitarist, lyricist and vocalist who doesn't pigeonhole himself into one set style making him adaptable to a variety of musical supports & situations. 'Just Say Go' heads off into Santana like territory while 'Medicine Man' flies into freaky 'n' earthy ZZ Topness (think 'Ten Foot Pole' meets 'Just Got Paid'); 'Threshold' is echoey pschedeldic with touches of Carlos in there and the titel track is a gorgious contempary ballad complete with backing vocals. Other hightlights here include 'Come Down' has a warm deep folkiness to it; 'Change' could have been done by CSN or Simon & Garfunkel that even gets Floydy on us toards the end while 'Farewell Song' hits the oceans of acousticic and beautiful balladry.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

DEC BURKE - Destroy all Monsters
(ProgRock Records - 2010)

Dec Burke is a Brit multi-instrumentalist and multi- just-about- everything- else -ist as well at that.
Nevertheless, unlike a lot of other experimentally types out on the scene to impress, Mr B sticks to just two cutters for his musical biscuits. His being metal and synth shape, the fella does add some tasty variations where the icing on top is concerned, with White Zombie, Faith No More and Gravity Kills coming amongst the colours. You never can tell which out of guitar or keyboard is going to dominate any one track until halfway in when the other takes a total disappearance for near minutes on end but comes back most for the time in time to defeat throes of monotony that math rock is known to threaten.We get vague splashes of the Foo Fighters essence but not in the scale I was told by the promo to expect, and to be fair ’The Last Time’, ’Winter to Summer’, ’ Sometimes’, ’ Secret Lives’, ’Promised’ and ’Small Hours’ are tight enough as they are in telling us how Dec does it - definitely his way. And it definitely does it for me

8/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: Myspace.com/decburke

BUTCHER - Welcome to The Night
(Inferno - 2010)

I was about to brace myself in dread of predictable death metal bores on seeing the sleeve as well as name of this US foursome but still it was a good job I gave it a play before passing it along- I may have missed out on something actually quite different and also a treat at that. Girl fronted LA-sters, Butcher do meat with all the trimmings, musically even though a few of the seasonings are a little oversprinkled. Between opener ‘The Dark’ and ‘King of The Hill’ we are subjected to an endless string of recorded random ads and broadcasting clips that almost spoil the momentum already. Primal trad metal punchers like ’Silence’, ’Wreck n’ Ball’, ’Gates of Hell’, ’Halloween’ and ’Your Own Enemy’ thankfully follow to restrain it form disappearing up its own rear-most end and do more than the basic necessary, bringing home the bacon in well sealed old-school bags. You may have heard guitar work like this more times than you can care to catalogue but at least its not doomed to lose its integrity in such a high-demanding format and the solos are never made too long to try and sound that extra bit great.. A little too peppered with inter-song ad-lib segments, ‘WTTN’ gets through it all with rough gusto and is good fun indeed when you finally get to hearing the songs. Butcher beat the baker and the candlestick maker any day.

7.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Kittie, Doro, Iron Maiden

NET: www.myspace.com/butcherusa

BUTTERFLY FAN THE INFERNO - Brassneck (Single)
(BFTI Records - 2010)

If you think their name is crazy, well BFTI’s sound isn’t far from unorthodox itself either. Sounding suspiciously like Eddie Grant on first entry , an above half-decent alternative number comes along just as I was enjoying a surprisingly more pleasant… er, surprise from these chaps. Still in the end it impresses with strong guitar style mix and a chorus that comes through eventually with seventies retro suss. B-side ’Fanatic’ sadly brings a distinctively inferior half to the disc, sounding promising with its lead lines but its stuttery pace just irritates its way along towards a skeletal hookline. Pity after such a good start but still there’s possibly more good stuff to be heard.

6/10 By Dave Attrill

NET: www.myspace.com/butterflyfantheinferno

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

THE BLUE HEARTS - Jukebox of Maladies
(Big Cactus - 2010)

Chasing the train of bizarrely fused outfits of planet rock’s creation, we catch up with the wagon where Blue Hearts are riding. One very much derailed or at least sent along a line to a remote siding this outfits’ sound is about as removed fro m hard rock or metal as it could get while still retaining guitars. Blue Hearts are a middle -aged nine-piece outfit from London/Brighton who play a sound combining quite a few of the key rock n’ roll icons that most people now their age would have religiously spun in their teens. Place together Elvis and Iggy in a lift and add Hank Marvin in the corner and you’re somewhere near but with a sweet female backing voice and good use of violins as a bonus on reaching the top floor. ‘Silver Dollar Girl’, ‘’Velvet Prison’, ‘You Shine Down’, ‘The One Who Loves’, ‘’the Wagon Rolls’, ‘Snake Oil Sam’, and ‘Ballad of a Bad Boy’ are about as likely to find as much popularity with headbangers as a Nazi with a race relations group but some people will actually be more broad minded. Enough to give crazy, inventive and committed outfits like this a try perhaps at least, I hope some others of you reading will try this outfit out and enjoy some true American class out from a band hard to believe actually originate from our own end of the water.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

BLACK RIVER - Black n’ Roll
(Armoury Records - 2010)

They come from Poland, they’re a five piece and they’re heavy. Black River summed up in 11 words even though their name goaded me into anticipating a grunge oriented machine. Needing to remain grateful for what we do get instead, BR’s stoner metal assault is pleasing right to the max with not a poor tune to ensue. ‘Barf Bag‘, ‘Lucky In Hell‘, ‘Black n‘ Roll‘, ‘Breaking The Wall‘, ‘Loaded Weapon‘, ‘Morphine‘ and ’Like A Bitch’ are both mighty and melodic, equipped with hooks intended for damage while shrill solos also make for the one of the main flavours. Alt rock aficionados will find a bit of tasteful gristle remaining on the bone with one or two tracks, especially ’Young and Drunk’ but Black River are not specifically out to please anyone, just those ready to hear a roary slab of old fashioned dirt metal and savour its power. Excellent and a warring to anyone who thinks the only proper metal act to come from Poland so far is Vader… be very afraid.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE (*not in order of closest match):
Pantera, Trouble, Electric Wizard, Orange Goblin, Face Down, Paradise Lost

NET: Myspace.com/blackriver

Brutal Deluxe - Wall Of Damage
(Chimercial Recordings Ltd – 2010)

Brutal Deluxe have been going since 2000 but misfortunes and lack of publicity failed to get the band the recognition they deserve.

Wall Of Damage is their third release and what a tornado of thrash, speed and metal we have here, from the start of Low Rider, Brutal Deluxe hit the ears with so much force and passion you don’t know if you have been hit by a train or a feather, as the sound drifts from gentle stroke to a raging bull. Brutal Damage excite the ear drums with ‘Drop the Bomb’, ‘Blind Love’ and ‘Break My Bones’ to end the 14 track CD with ‘Crime & Punishment’. Wall Of Damage is a an ecstasy of sound that needs to be heard.

9/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

David Byron Band – On The Rocks
(Angel Air – 2010)

This is the solo album from the ex-Uriah Heep vocalist which was originally released in 1981 and now re-released on Angel Air on CD with 3 bonus cuts and it’s all good stuff.These guys are a solid band with some solid numbers such as the standout ‘Bad Girl’ that Mr. Byron wanted; the funky almost disco ‘Never Say Die’ and the with the outstanding long intro ‘Piece Of My Love’ that sounds like its been recorded in a maasive room with a high ceiling.The last 3 cuts on here were recorded in 1985 shortly before he passed away with the best of them being ‘Fool For A Pretty Face’.Decent Release.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Broken Teeth – Viva La Rock, Fantastico!
(Perris Records – 2010)

Blastin’ at ya is Jason McMaster and the ‘Teeth in their good ole powerful rockin’ way. It don’t let up for a second – not that you’d want it to of course.Highlights of the album include the opener ‘Blackheart’; ‘Dressin’ Up In Flames’; ‘Break The Spell’; ‘Back On The Road’; ‘Bullet’ and the closing ‘Ride Upon Glory’. It’s rather bass heavy at times but I’ll let them off for that as the tunes are so damn good. You can’t help but groove away to these numbers.Just wish these guys would visit the UK shores as they are the guys who influenced the likes of big-name bands like Airbourne.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Bare Infinity - After Forever
(Emotion Art Music Ltd – 2009)

Sometimes you have a band with a female vocalist that enters the metal scene that literally blows you away. Unlike Avith and Dimansion, Bare Infinity from Greece have produced a sound that suites the vocal content with their power metal style music.On the realms of Evanescence, Bare Infinity have grabbed their balls and given them a good squeeze to release their pain, anger and musical ability that is portrayed throughout the CD.After Forever is a 1 hour 12 track explosion of good power metal at its best. From the intro of ‘Initium’ through ‘Lost Again’ to ‘Serenity’ that could be a massive single due to its catchy chorus. After Forever responds to what is happening in the market at this moment in time and ends with a dark powerful track ‘Thrill Neverending’, which sums up the CD very well.Not a big fan of female vocalists in the metal music industry, but Angel is an exception not only is she beautiful but also has a voice of an angel.

9/10

By Tony Watson

Battalion - Underdogs
(Silverwolf Production – 2010)

Battalion hit the airwaves with good thrash metal at its best. The fast and furious riffs hit the ears with a force greater than that of a missile.Underdogs is a CD that has so much energy and passion, you will find it difficult to put down. The catchy riffs, pounding drums and crunching guitars send the body into a state of shock as you have an epileptic fit with the ferocious beats.Underdogs release a new lease of life through ‘Thrash Maniacs’, ‘Headbangers’, ‘Wings Of A Demon’ to finish with ‘Defender’ that rounds of their metal passion.Refreshing, violent and fun.

9/10

By Tony Watson

BLACK THOUGHTS BLEEDING - Stomachion
(TSM -2010)

Finest Modern Metal/Thrash/Hardcore, eh? The promo headline makes this release sound like a box of chocolates ,though with this German quintet, you’re not quite sure what you’re getting on the inside, out of the above listed sub-genres.The answer for once - the whole effing lot of them BLB try out each and out every extreme metal format relevant… and perhaps not so. Acoustic intro ‘Namaste’ is just one of those curtain-raisers to something unpredictable and when ’Bloodred Struggle’ pounds through behind you know its going to be a tough night of deciding what to call this outfit. A brutal sounding HC number, it proves the point already made with a magnificent 3-stage vocal progression of scream- shout-sing and round again.Almost as the like, is ‘My Past, Your Fault’ which might probably be the 80s’s with that unexpected trad-metal style chorus - this I just did not see coming, lads, while Testament -like rhythms of ’Beloved Vampire’ s keep me pounding the floor to breaking; Coming back from a basic Emo/HC break with ’Escape’ , ’Set To Kill’ is fearsomely similar to Anthrax’s ’Madhouse’ at the kick-off but diverts off into a graceful slow-beat line throughout the verse-chorus segments before speeding up again and then back down for a great but criminally short stomping part in the middle eight. Title number ’Stomachion’ is built on a so-so hardcore base but saved from the sidlines by an-above-decent hook just before I’m about to push my finger that little far enough against the ‘skip’ button. A lull in momentum is evident here as Instrumental ‘Tragedy Of Evolution’ travels past acceptably but doesn’t try hard enough to be different from a vocal track and is frankly easily amongst the least inspiring moments. Happily, the following two cuts make up lost patience again, ’Hearts got Broken’ launching via a mainstream-oriented alt rock intro to subsequently revisit that addictive three-way vocal cycle once more with nerve-nobbling effect before ’Fade to Light’ tricks us with a nice swingy ballad-like sound at start t o turn its heavy side while sustaining the pace. ’Nothing Changes’ and ‘Icarus’ close the proceedings in satisfactory style, two classy thrashers that even though using seriously borrowed lead lines, apply them onto the top of a good regular progression, the latter fading out to a sweet acoustic departure. Many would say that they’ve overcooked things by stirring such wide a spectrum of metal formulae into one pan as Black Thoughts Bleeding have opted to, but when you cook with the gas as high up as these boys, the dish is going to come out pretty more than crisp. Their debut disc, ‘Stomachion’ is the first I hope of many as brutal yet as interesting to come. Highly recommended.

9/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Sepultura, Slayer, Emperor, Cradle Of Filth, Trivium, Trigger The Bloodshed, Machine Head, Soulfly & Morbid Angel.

However on disc, it kinda ….well, something else-es the hell out of oneself.

5.5/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Bring Me The Horizon, Trigger The Bloodshed.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Encountering hidden talent from beyond the Iron Curtain seems so hard nowadays that when they do appear one feels inclined to give them star treatment. Bulgarian quartet Big Mama Scandal have been hidden - some 19 years in truth - and this could be either …like their tenth album or something, or a very long awaited debut. Either way, they chuck a sizeable brace of pleasant melodic rock tunes at us and I savour most of them right from the initial spin. Talked about as being a glam act, the sound is more aptly matchable to Tyketto and Mitch Malloy with an acoustic topped throwaway electric guitar sound so beloved of such stateside gems. There is not a tremendous deal for innovation -seekers to talk about but those hungry for great straight ahead rock numbers with instant hooks and slick melodies have fourteen pretty appetising morsels for their plates here. Occasional Van Halen-schooled keyboard moments from vocalist Ibo Gochev seem unnecessary on the end of one or two tunes but nothing gets ruined and the CD remains recommendable to anyone who likes poppy guitar-driven rock that doesn’t try to be anything other than what its made to. Fabulous stuff and a great advert for both their earlier and future catalogue.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Leo Biollo - From The Depths Of Hell To The Gates of Heaven
(S/R – 2009)

What a remarkable man Leo Biollo not only wrote the tracks, but performed solely coving Guitars, Brums, Bass and Vocals and to finish off by mixing, and producing the CD.This progressive thrash metal enters a world of its own with a hint of Kreator, Venom, Megadeth and Possessed to bring the blood to boiling point as the CD pounds and rips your soul out as 'Demonic Abduction' enters the body and leaves 'The Depths of Hell, 'Return of Will' and the 'Desire to Rise' fighting for supremacy as 'Killing The Demon' wins the battle to leave you with the keys to 'The Gates of Heaven'. Leo Biollo is a committed individual who knows where his heart lies and his head rests and full on thrash metal is where it all meets. This guy is a genius.

9/10

By Tony Watson

Black Label Society - Reissues
(Armoury Records – 2009)

Armoury records have released in July all Zakk Wylde CDs which include solo stuff and Pride and Glory, but the CDs that are being reviewed were released in August 1919 Eternal, The Blessed Hellride, Hangover Music Vol. VI, Kings of damnation and Mafia. Zakk Wylde/Black Label Society are like Marmite, you either love him or you really despise the style of metal he plays with his continuous guitar licks, whammy bar crunching and whaling.The problem with Black label Society is that no matter what CD you put on, there is no defined change from year to year, style to style or even tone to tone. The same hard hitting aggressive metal music disperses through the air waves like a blanket of fog that engulfs the deaf in his mellow tone drone. You can't disagree that Zakk can be a cleaver and talented guitar player, but we can all agree it's the same thing over and over and over and over again, which become a bit repetitive and boring.Throughout the CD's excluding Kings of damnation, which is a compilation, I found it difficult to separate the albums to give them a true feel to the style of that time, but the only thing i would say is that Dead Meadow on Blessed Hellride made a marvellous change with its melodic piano intro and soft undertones throughout, which didn't release any foreseen guitar wanging.Overall the collection is worth having but be prepared to leave the CDs on the shelf for a long time as repetition becomes boring.

6/10

By Tony Watson

Blazing Clash - Blazing Clash (Princess of Rock)
(S/R – 2008)

As a five track demo you get the raw feel of the band as they pound their way through good solid heavy metal.Princes of Rock was the original title to the demo from the four piece Italian guys, who have a passion of old style metal such as Priest or Maiden or even early Accept.Blazing Clash have the passion and the enthusiasm to push the band forward with their metal style and commitment to each other. The Demo has 'Prelude' (instrumental), 'Back From The War', 'Made Up To Be A Monster', 'The Hammer' and 'Princess Of Rock' to finish off a flash back to the eighties.Very enjoyable and as a demo a must have.

7/10

By Tony Watson

Before jumping to the conclusion that this is a new album….it is kind of ….more technically speaking an old new album. Has been kicking round on this veteran Brit AOR outfit’s dusty shelves since the company due to release it went t*ts up in the mid 80s, (there is a give away to this in the band pic), the eleven tunes have matured like sacred whiskey hops to be tasted by those still with the loyalest of musical tongues in 2010. Ballsy throughout with an unexpectedly American sound, the London 5 piece deliver a comparatively raw style with classic era-associable production. The instant raunch vibes of numbers like ‘Can’t live Without Your Love’, ’Carried….’, ’There’s A Reason’, ’When The Lights Die Down’, ’One More Time’, ’Tell Her’ and ’Two Silhouettes’ got the disc onto its second run without me needing to touch the play button. Short no -nonsense solo licks and welcome appearances by sax add the completing blocks to a towering musical structure that kindly stands up after over two and a half decades awaiting completion. With live work and possible reformation for a brand new disc circling the rumour mill, these chaps may be about to enjoy a second coming of immensely sudden and successful proportions. Awesome!

9.5/10By Dave Attrill

RECOMMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Statetrooper, Autograph, Lion, UFO* & Magnum.

* Former UFO drummer Clive Edwards was amongst the line-up that recorded this album.

Bruno Rock - War Maniacs
(7Hart – 2009)

Brunorock is a solo project from Bruno Kraler of Dark Sky and Nightpride with the help of Bobby Altvater (Affair), Dominik Huelshorst (Bonfire) John Billings (Lancia) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Eden's Curse) that have developed a masterpiece of a rock album.Although released in 2009, this classic 80's rock CD releases so much power, rhythm and rock even Bon Jovi would be proud to put his name on it.This 11 track CD cuts through butter quicker than a hot knife as we get a steady balance of guitars, drums, bass and synthesiser, which is topped of nicely with a power and strong vocal. As the CD releases 'Breakthrough', 'Liar' and 'Julia' the ears are then hit by their rendition of the AC/DC classic Touch To Much, which isn't too bad. I must admit some covers are shocking but this one isn't too bad.Overall a very pleasant CD that will get any big wig banging

8/10

By Tony Watson

8/10By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad, Ocean Machine

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Tony Watson

2/10

By Tony Watson

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Tony Watson

7/10

By Tony Watson

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

‘If You Want To Fly’ EP is a four-track sample demonstrating what the band is about, an acoustic version of the title song also throws a different spin in to their talents. ‘Face The World’ is a nine track CD that opens up the true capabilities of the band, with the guitar riffs, power cords and melodic interludes. With these guys being from Europe you know what to expect, although the CD was pleasant to listen too, I feel there is something missing, which reduces the continual playing and the admiration that it may deserve.

7/10

By Tony Watson

Randall Bramblett - Now it’s Tomorrow
(New West Record - 2008)

What a refreshing change, don’t let the name or the cover of the CD put you off. If the softer rock is more your choice and the likes of Cold Play, Travis, U2 or even REM are the dominant bands in your CD collection then I would recommend this one to be placed there with them. From the start of ‘Sun Runs’ to ‘Lets Go’, through ‘Some Mean God’ to the last track ‘Where a Life Goes’ fills the air with such calm it will relax even the hardest of men with an ambient trance of love and joy. It’s not often you can turn round to people and say I have got a wonderful relaxing CD for those evenings next to an open fire with a nice glass of Chianti, nibbles and an evening chat amongst the nearest and dearest. P.S. my wife has never stopped playing it and she is giving it 10/10

8/10 from me, Enjoy!

By Tony Watson

Sebastian Bach - Angel Down
(DR2/Demolition Records - 2008)

A brilliant brand new album from Canada's finest Rock Voice, Sebastian Bach who proves he certainly don't need the name of his former band anymore to score any points.

This sees's Bach, 'Back In the Saddle' (again) alongside his buddy Axl Rose for this and 2 other songs - making the album worth having for this song alone - even though it's an Aerosmith cover. '(Love Is) a Bitchslap' and 'Stuck Inside' are f*ck*n killer numbers too - perfect duo if you ask me as the voices blend perfect.

There's so much power and energy on here that it could fry the sh*t out of you if were measured in electric volts, take for example the ferocious title track 'Angel Down' or the crunchy moderate speeder that is 'American Metalhead'.

He's still able to deliver driving 'stop you in your tracks' emotional ballads with 'By Your Side' being on the same quality of songs of his yesteryears like 'I Remember You' or '18 & Life' that show the dynamism of his vocals from beatiful angel sweetness to the bawling screech he is also famous for.

Other major songs on the album include 'Our Love Is A Lie' that wouldn't be out of place on one of the GNR Illusion albums; the excellent 'Stabbing Daggers' that is like Pearl Jam meets Metal; the aired previously in-concert 'You Bring Me Down' and the epical balladeering closer 'Falling Into You' where Seb is at his finest vocally, not to mention a gorgious arrangement that is vocal & piano led with the rest filling in the gaps.

The UK release features an exclusive DVD entitled 'Roadrage' where you see what you are letting yourself in for on a live basis - it's all good I tell thee as well as a look around the recording studio, rehearsal studio not mention an insight into band members like Metal Mike!

There's something on these here discs for all lovers and likers of Seb.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

9/10

By Dave Attrill

1/10

By Tony Watson

6/10

By Tom Brumpton

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE - Scream Aim Fire
(Sony/BMG)

An outfit of the rare breed prepared to name an album after their vocal style, Bullet For My Valentine are a much more integrally formed produce than even I was first led to assume. As I noted during my first encounter with them, that being their GNR support slot in 06 which in turn led me to give their debut disc a rizz - a not unto-mentioned eighties edge to their product did indeed transcend, and with this new’un, this is even more evident just one tune’s duration inward. The opening title number itself leads me to believe that frontman/guitarist Matt Tuck has been taking a few stints of axe tuition from Kai Hansen of German metal goliaths Gamma Ray - that intro riff the chief incriminator. Fond as I am of all things European and loud, which being British this lot are of course, ‘Eye Of The Storm’ offers more of the same trad metal aggression coupled with their contemporary take on the seemingly again popular genre before mellowing affairs a bit for ‘Hearts Burst Into Fire’. Yes, these lads do soft stuff as well and we hear a bit more of it through the remainder of the platter though for every tactful interval, we sustain about five times as many skull-unfriendly shred attacks from messrs Tuck and Padge, and the result is one delightful ratio, ‘Waking The Demon’, ‘Disappear’, ‘Deliver Us From Evil’,’ Say Goodnight’ and ‘Last To Know’ being several potential favourites themselves. Inevitably destined to shift about four-five times the million or so units they have done to date with ‘The Poison’, B.F.M.V’s road is still a rapidly upward route but a long way from encountering the hole they like every band, hope to avoid falling down. While most of the other punters, mostly of the ageing purist-ey variety, headed for the bar that night at Sheffield Arena, I stood my ground, and gave them the chance. Shame on all those who didn’t, as you’ve turned away from a treat here.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

BASS INVADERS - Hellbassbeaters (Frontiers Records - 2007)

An act that features Markus Grosskopf, Tom Angelripper, Schmier, & Peavy Wagner. When I learned some time earlier in 2007 of Helloween legend Markus Grosskopf’s current spare-time escapade, one reacted in the natural way i.e. “What the f$#%?” Only a man of his talent could take this brave liberty, with only ELP being the other guitar-less rock/metal act of any significance to date. I had only one word – well two - to say on listening to this first effort, - NOT BAD. Raking in other famous names of the four-string trade, with Billy Sheehan, DD Verni and Rudy Sarzo being just three, MG has concocted a fresh and diverse collection of metal tunes from styles right across the board (well with members of Whitesnake and Mr Big involved it had to be expected) and most of them impress. You get the effective equivalent of lead bass and rhythm bass as supposed to their absent six-string counterparts, with solos included and after a while spent listening to catchy cuts like ‘Armageddon’, ‘Godless Gods’, ‘Empty Memories’ and ‘Razorblade Romance’, the instrumental abnormality of this album seems less of hindrance or note. While Mr G has obviously got the commitments with Weikath and co on his shoulders at present with latest album ‘Gambling With The Devil’ to promote globally, hopefully a dip in activities for Germany’s finest will result in a second serving of power metal’s best experimental venture in years. Do not let Kerrang’s 2-K review deter you from judging for yourself, there is decent material available under this sleeve even if the sound may take a little getting used to.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

BEGGARS BALL – 1321
(SR – 2007)

Noisy US quartet Beggars Ball’s collective moniker is quite fast to light up the little red bulb above the plate that reads ‘glammy sleaze/cock rock act’ but a little way in and I detect a false alarm. Their quite stoner metal –tinted sound owes a fair few tads to all things LA/Sunset strip associated but is barged aside by a grindy guitar edge landing potentially much too far of the guide line for the comfort hair-rock purists. No bad thing fro fans of the uncategorisable, it is not though ‘til the second (vocal) cut that the intended hooks establish some presence and the live potential follows for most of the other three. It’s only a disappointing fact that on a couple of tracks, the vocal melody of the chorus doesn’t move about enough to distinguish itself from the verse, but the worse crime committed is the other five numbers turning out to be mere rehashes of what’s just gone over the preceding twenty minutes. As a well known British saying goes ....cheeky beggars!

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Frankie Banali & Friends - 24/7/365 The Tribute To Led Zeppelin
(Red Samurai Music/Evangeline Music – 2007)

One of those classic ‘get a load of rock names together and produce an outstanding tribute album to one of the UK’s best loved and hugely successful groups – that one that features Bonham, Jones, Plant and Page – yes, I mean those rock icons who were originally called ‘The New Yardbirds’ who need no introduction.Some albums of this nature fall flat – but not this one since you have knockout performances from guys like Mark Boals & Bruce Kulick (The Ocean); Jeff Scott Soto & Gilby Clarke (Royal Orleans); Don Dokken, Michael Lardie & Steve Fister (Kashmir) and 8 other killer tracks that see peeps as high calibre as Glenn Hughes, Bobby Kimball Reb Beach & Doug Aldrich get involved in.Each track features Frankie Banali on Drums (with John Bonham’s Snare kindly loaned for the album) and Tony Franklin on his customised fretless bass. It beautifully ties in with the Led Zep reformation and the Mothership album as well being released.There’s been a few Led Zep tributes CDs around, but even so, this one is well worth having. Wot No ‘Stairway To Heaven’ – only kidding!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

9/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10 By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE Damned Nation, Eclipse, Honeymoon Suite, Prisoner, Alfonzetti, Talisman

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

A solid and ruthless affair with a bluesier edge on one or two songs, having been on ice (tee, hee, ,hee, Dave) for so long has only strengthened their musical muscles six-fold. Body Count - a band you refer to as has-beens at your own risk entirely.

8.5/10By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Stuck Mojo, Rage Against The Machine, Biohazard

8/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

3.5/10

By Dave Attrill

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

BIRDS OF PARADISE/CHARGER - Split single
‘For All Intents And Purposes’/’Ornine Utopia Anthem’
(Calculated Risk Records)

Charger’s contribution to this double A-side, is subtitled ‘You Are already Dead’, which may work as a tactical description of their fortunes if they fail to produce anything more listenable than this twelve minute lump of totally directionless industrial dirge which I just manage to sit through in its entirety. Repeating the same riff for two thirds of the duration tests me as it is.

The latter act are better but no more than acceptably so, same sort of vocals though very badly affected by the mixing, but to more a tuneful musical trek, adding in pin-prick pinches of pop and blues twang but still nothing to get too excited about overall. Still, they’ve got more than just one song - I hope - of their making so maybe next time..

5.5/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Boy Sets Fire, Boy Hits Car, Vision of Disorder, Shadows Fall

5.5/10

By Dave Attrill

A neat comilation of the triple B's - that old cult glam band that famed glittered silver highlighted hair guitar hero came from - or in other words the genious that is Keri Kelli. It just shows you where Pretty Boy Floyd and Shameless got it all from - sh*t both Steve Summers and Alexx 'Skunk Michael' will kill me for saying that - oh well - ne' mind - check out 'Stop the world' and 'Hero' for perfect examples. Love the acoustic ballad about a guys girlfriend with the line 'Everybody loves my baby' with the Tyla like style. Then there's an a la Malmsteen instrumental as well and of course a ton of sleaze spilled all over the CD. Hey, if you fancy a Christmas classic then go for 'Winter Wonderland' - makes me laugh.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

I'm not sure of their exact nationality, though from the sleeve details I'm at least guessing there's Scandinavian dealings afoot here, but B.T. are a worthy addition to the scene to watch out for, this year.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

I have encountered it before but when it comes to one or two chords - or should I say notes played continuously at 100mph along with growls indecipherable enough to condradict the presence of lyrics, the end of thirty-five minutes of this racket can't come quickly enough. A case of extreme metal's main ingredients rather overcooked and unfortunately burning the veg too. Oops.

4/10

By Dave Attrill

Live in 2004, for a radio broadcast - not that you wouldn’t have guessed that from the title. Hereby find 15 electric ditties culled form their 2 studio albums ‘Broken Teeth’ and ‘Guilty Pleasure’ (must get that sometime).Can’t go wrong this album at all. Just full on squawkin, rawkin’ ecstasy with renditions of songs like ‘Pull the plug’; ‘Stick it in’; ‘Undertaker’; ‘El Diablo’ and many more.Crank this up.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

He's got it right there - Jean can change his musical skin like the reptile itself and compose, perform and arrange any musical style single-handedly - I'm sure that Jean is short for Jeanius.It's moving 'n' emotional 'n' grabbing with opener 'I wanna know' concreting that statement from the start - it's very Terence Trent D'Arby. Just don't expect 'Crown of Thorns like material or it'll disappoint but if you want a varied album then it's one for you. It's poppy at time and takes an African flavour aboard on 'When the river runs deep' that's about partying with friends.The girls are gonna like this release as well as the lovers of romance out there who'll lap up tales of happiness like 'Even More'; 'Something to believe in'; 'Angel'; 'Amazing' or the Anastasia like 'Addicted to Us'.Every track is 100% beautiful and worth 100% of your attention.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

So what exactly happened to Part 1, may I ask... never mind, we can't have everything, can we? Not actually a solo act but the joint name of two of their three members, the Brit newcomers help see the burgeoning trend of melodic rock/alternative crossover style cultivated on our side of the pond as well. Think Blink 182 and Green Day, watered down and add elements of Def Leppard and The Police on the melody side and there's certainly no crime in trying this sweet little six-tracker out for size. Subject of a fair whack of stonking reviews from various zines across the nation, David R. Black can add another one to that collection.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Wham bam, Italian Glam. They have the elements of Pretty Boy Floyd, Poison, Love/Hate and Skid Row.Find humour in 'Granma Glam' with it's 'I wanna f*ck you' line; the mono come stereo ballad 'Strange Days' or the slammin' 'Give me my money back'.Glam doesn't get much better than this!!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

A 4 piece band from San Francisco who are groovin' and laid back with a Hendrix-like vibe especially on 'Who burned my building down?''Live to Ride' is a chilled out cut about being on two wheels on the freeway and is kinda Eagles'ish while 'Light of the morning sun' is very much like The Outlaws getting together with The Beatles, Ry Cooder and Tom Petty.Looking forward to hearing the full album when it's ready for release. 100% proof that you don't have to come from way down south to have that rebel sound.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

They could be called a supergroup as opposed to a project as they've been at it for 10 years now. They feature the following - Albert and Joe Bouchard of Blue Oyster Club; Deborah Frost of 'Flaming Youth' plus David Hirshberg and Ross the Boss of Dictators and … wait for it … Manowar.So what's on offer - blues rock and good old fashioned rock as well with both male and female vocals. It's a compilation of previous album material (not that I've heard any of it before but they must be great releases by the sound of these tracks with highlights being the stompin' 'Swamp Thing' (1999); a dirty bass thing called 'Gun' (1996) that's like Blondie meets AC/DC and Bubble; the rock 'n' roll of 'Victory Boulevard' and the 'No more Hero's' like (as in The Clash) 'Sally' (1995) about a chick whose been up to a bit more than blackberry pickin' in the hedges. If you fancy a bit humour then you gotta go for '(666) Devil Got your mother' (1994) about Satan getting your mom up the duff and ending up with Beelzebub as your brother who looks like John Denver.Beats me why they have remained underground for all this time.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Though they may be led by the hap who lends his name to the band, Bonrud are similar in more ways than one to someone else whose last name begins with that syllable. Then again whilst Paul Bonrud's line in tune-penning fails to differ totally from that New Jersey chappie's recent produce, his own combination commercially scores the goals for him. Throw in a healthy dose of Mitch Malloy, a mastering of Nelson and a good few juices off some of those Artenzia-signed nu-breed types on top of the initial ingredients as supplied by Jon you-know-who and this recipe is quickly completed. Tuck in if you drool at the sound of hook-soaked pop rock with melody and diversity blended in over a mixture of tempos plus a hint of punk/alt flavouring to trick the taste buds a bit but there'll be little room for any pudding afterwards though. Already a major sighting in most independent record stores, this debut by one of the label's best signings this year should not be missed. Buy, if only to finance a visit by this chap to British stages in the near future.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Whether or not they have taken their name from Roy Scheider's 'Jaws' alter-ego, these young men pack quite a bite in their material. Generally it's pretty typical run-of-the-mill contemporary metal but in most parts not without its hooks buried in. As most who've logged onto this site more than twice in their life previously are likely to be aware, this end of rock n' roll is not often something I'm that quick to sink my teeth into, (you done with the s**te jokes yet, Attrill?) but this definitely rates as a grower after three or four listens. Just when I thought it was safe to diss nu-metal off again…..

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Stan Bush's last minute slot-switch with Dare at last year's Gods was almost as much a bad thing as a good thing - the one major down-heartening point for most being that his 65-minute set had to follow Wharton and co's 90-minute one. Another was not having any material from this latest powerhouse of an album ready to be aired on that night. The opening treble-barrelled attack of 'Shine', 'Falling' and 'I Will Be There' are laced with Stan's trademark latterday sound that accounted for the quality of his last two discs before 'I Turn To You' comes across as almost total Two Fires fare. Current drummer Kenny Aronoff actually played on the Ramos/Chalfant-fronted project's first outing, four years back. In other places we have rockers like 'Say It Ain't Love', 'Have You Ever Believed' and the disc's numero uno 'The Chance You Take', amongst the most memorable tunes he's penned since that one he did for a certain kiddies cartoon flick, nearly two decades ago. With a voice still showing but not one iota of faltering, and ripping guitar work from new man Tim Pierce, S.B. has nothing to worry about for a long time. Pity that not as many take to this Bush as they do to a certain other one.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

So the smart arses are gonna say, "So where's Volumes 1 to 5?" but of course the vol.6 refers to the fact that it's the sixth album release from BLS. It's a record that like many out there I have been waiting for Zakk and his pack to put together for a few years. They've shown us briefly what they can do on other albums when it comers to ballads and softer melodic numbers but this release is full of 'em.Every single song and I mean every single single song is a complete f*ck*n' masterpiece. All the album grabs your attention and there's a mix of genres covered like blues, rock, metal and country - all at once at times to create what can only be described as the sound of 'Black Label Society' in a vibrant and positive mode.You can't pick one song above another so I'll randomly pick a few out to tell you about. 'Steppin' Stone' looks like it's a stab at the music industry - people being used as a way to get higher up the ladder no matter what may happen. 'Takillya (estayabon)' is a compkicated Spanish instrumental ditty that is a perfect introduction to 'Won't find I here' about someone who doesn't know what he wants and has the exceptional lyric, 'No need for tomorrow when you can't find today. A stand-out fave for me is 'House of Doom' where no-one as Zakk puts it 'gets out alive'. Despite the straining in the vocal department in his piano version of Procal Harum's 'Whiter Shade of Pale', you can't help but like it. 'Crazy or High' the albums opener is awesome as is the swayful 'Fear'. The contemporary 'No other' could be mistaken to be a Lynryd Skynyrd.This is easily the best album I've heard so far that's been released this year.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

A new version of the Track Records company have re-released the 1st two Blue Cheer on 1 single CD and good on 'em too. Vincebus Eruptum (meaning 'Control of Chaos) is legendary as the band blew up the control room the first time the engineer tried recording them (he did say to set up and play like they were doing a gig - fatal!! they did warn him previous but so be it. Second time around and it came together in a few days flat. The finished article is loud and pushes blues and rock to its distortive limit especially the volume of the drums and guitar. With their big hit of Eddie Cochran's 'Summertime Blues' as well as other album tracks like Mose Allison's 'Parchment Farm' with the classic lines 'all I did was shoot my wife, I guess I'll be here for the rest of my life' it's a milestone of an album.InsideOutside is very much a psychedelic affair and melts what you'd expect to hear from early Pink Floyd mixed in with The Yardbirds. It's a far more polished release than 'Vincebus Eruptum' take for instance the charged 'Sun Cycle'; the bass 'n' drum driven 'Just a little bit'; covers of The Rolling Stone's 'Satisfaction' (Otis Redding Style) with a from left to right pan throughout and Booker T. Jones' 'The Hunter' and then their own funky blues number 'Babylon'.Be good to see all the others re-released on Compact disc as well.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Familiar surnames? - they should be because it's two of those guys from Thunder 'Danny 'n' Luke' who are soulin' and funkin' it up with their other musical outing performing material that at times wouldn't completely work in a Thunder set.This is more Otis redding and Stevie Wonder with plenty of oomph. A few covers are aboard like Wonder's 'Living for the City'; 'I can't stand the Rain' and 'Come together in the morning' by Free - songs that are given 100% and just as good as the original versions - in fact Danny always wanted to be Paul Rodger's (as he personally told me last year).The originals easily match up nicely as well like the piano/bass led funk of 'Desire'; 'Why did you do it?'; and 'Waiting for the sky to fall'. There's enough zest to grab the rock entourage and plenty of passion for the soul 'n' funk fanatics.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Brooklyn Boys who sound like rednecks cranking up rock 'n' roll that's all the vibe, flavours amd elements of some of the best in the biz. There's the swagger of Zodiac Mindwarp, the thrilling boogie stomp of AC/DC; the early attitude of G 'n' R and the electricity of The Sex Pistols.Recorded all in one day (September, 9th 2003 to be exact), Butchers Bill keep it flowing throughout with simplistic upbeat rock that includes knockout songs like 'No good' about not being right for some chick; 'Going Home' because it was a crap party and 'Gun For Fun' (no explanation needed there!!).These boys put the enjoyment back into rock 'n' roll and prove that good albums don't take forever to record.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Is their any member of Night Ranger still yet to release a solo disc on this label? As frontman for the San Fran legends, you'd expect Jack Blades to be the first in line, but everyone has already got in before him on that one, Kelly Keagy's 'Time Passes' being the best of the rest so far. Jack's material is however as furthest away as any of the Ranger boys have got from that they created together. The first five or so are the expected AOR product though towards the end of the first half of the album, you can notice the differences starting to dissolve in. By the end of the disc, you're wondering if another band got recorded on to the disc by accident, because the material couldn't aim in a more Beatles-esque direction if Jack sat up all night thinking about it. While enough bands round the planet make livings out of pilfering ideas from McCartney et al, to J.B it probably seems just a matter of over-influence because this is smashing stuff from the vocalist/bassist who has reeled in a star studded cast for the guitar parts including Ranger colleagues Brad Gillis, Jeff Watson, Ratt's Warren DeMartini, Journey's Neal Schon, ex-Brother Caine man Damon Johnson and even himself. With the question of another Night Ranger CD ever being recorded bugging the minds of many, at least the personnel are busy in other ways, and Jack Blades knows there is no excuse for him to just sit at home either.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Quite what someone of my mullet rock magnitude is doing reviewing this release by one of alt rock's biggest names is beyond me. I know exactly what to expect from this lot ... Or do I now? Initial play of opener 'Feeling This' is quite promising, housing a noticeably multi-way structure. 'Obvious' is of similar complexity, and hey, I'm liking this album already. So you see it's not all 'In, three chords and out again' in this business. These three lads make the effort to put a bit more creativity into their writing and through the first seven numbers, 'The Fallen Interlude' ( which is as prog as a punk-pop band dare get, in particular ),they tell this like it is. 'Go', 'Asthensia', 'Always', 'Here's Your Letter', 'Not New', and Anthem Pt 2 (Live) are about the only formulaic throughout cuts that of the sixteen-strong album but the material is still kept a tad higher above the water by Messrs Hoppus and deLonge's occasional dual vocal alternations. Strong material from one of America's currently biggest bands and which deserves more to keep them on top than most of their scene counterparts.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Late 60's noise-mongers caught live 'n' loud in the land of the dragon - well Air West Tokyo and Osaka Club in Osaka to be exact.. It's bluesy, it's ferocious - kind of like Mountain meets Rory Gallagher with the demolition effects of Hendrix. There's a mass of OTT distortion fuzz and wailing gruff vocals that work well with the arrangements like the great riffing 'Big Trouble in Paradise' and the slow paced blues of 'Blue Steel Dues' that frontman, Dickie Peterson says was inspired by his brother - a fine musician but a bad, bad, man. You can't help but love the Motorbikin' Hell's Angelness of 'Ride with me' and yes, before you ask they do their squawkin' mad take of 'Summertime Blues' and the dirgin' 'Out of Focus and 'Doctor Please'.It's vibrant and climaxing rock 'n' roll.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Sonic Boulevard is the latest instrumental release from Swedish prog-rocker Tomas Bodin (Flower Kings). This album doesn't just reflect Bodin as a keyboard player but as a skilful composer, bringing together an array of instruments to create his own clear vision of this album. Slipping from deep and moody to stylish and bright with skilled production. Certainly Sonic Boulevard is reflective and can be compared with the Flower Kings and other explorative bands. But with this Bodin explores areas of jazz and soundtrack music to create something that stands out in the crowd.

8/10

By Steve Windle

Barrelscraper, I was going to rename this lot when the first three, and probably only three, chords struck but no, these American din-dealers seems to have been taught better than that. Producing some sort of semi-commercialised hardcore thrash noise would amount largely to their credit and I can see a sizeable amount of interest from old(er) school followers with this, especially if Pro Pain, Pantera and Machine Head.Featuring the two-way vocal style of singing and growling on alternating rosters, piled on top of classic-style chugging rhythms a la Metallica, this material should garner loyalty from right across the extreme metal fraternity.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Now you'd be forgiven for thinking that these guys were full on USA, Southern State Red-necks with a taste for the heavy feel if Black Label Society but are in fact they are from Sweden.Excellent stuff - ballsy, strong Rock 'n' Metal Blues in the style of Lynyrd Skynyrd meets The Cult (especially the track 'Angels High').Among the album there's a kick in the testicles to townies on 'See you burn'; a ZZ Toppy-type number called 'El Rancho'; a ditty that's pure Sabbath named 'Original Sin and a slammin' maestro piece titled 'Hillybilly Blues' that has that enthusiastically addictive country blues guitar solo.More like this please is needed for these ears. "The South's gonna rise again tonight" as Donnie Van Zant will put it. Get your arses over ere soon.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Vocally, think Metallica, White Zombie and Paradise Lost and musically their own thing supporting it. Melodic, subtle and brooding, I'd appreciate another taste from this lot as I still haven't got the clearest picture of their intentions but I'm interested so far. Keep it up.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Another Swedish band, who appear to be going places - aren't they all!! It so happens that Blind Dog are on their second album here, their first disc, the equally ludicrous -sounding 'Last Adventures of Captain Dog' apparently having gone down quite a treat in their native land's metal market. If you've either heard the Divine Propaganda CD or read the review, you should be a degree clued up on this offering's resident tones. Guitars deeper than the ocean and their frontman, whatever his name is, sporting a good Flynn/Anselmo range which he tames down suitably for the more sixties oriented parts of the album. An approachable collection of tunes -one or two numbers may takes some getting into but if you like the old-fashioned-meets-new-fashioned thing, I'd suggest trying if, for definite.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Metallica, Pantera, Sabbath and the Beatles all rolled into one.

Bulgarian born 'Nikolo Kotzer' is a multi-talented instrumentalist whose released an album of high class rock and metal that you won't tire of because it's very varied in styles - be it melodic rock (One life to life); Symphonic Power Metal (Eyes of the Horizon), AOR balladeering (I'll be ever free) or the late 80's Malmsteen majesticness of 'Slip Away'. There's even Yngwie connections here too as the as the album features the vocal talents of the ex-Malmsteen frontmen Joe Lynn Turner, Goran Edman, Jorn Lande and current wailer, Doogie White.There's even hints of Richie Blackmore also as 'Mr. Earthman' is as 'Purple as possible and the track 'A whole lotta woman' rocks you out with attitude - just hope Led Zeppelin don't throw a benny at the title.Can't fault this album one bit !! The band is even made up of ex-members of Europe - Ian Haughland (Drums); John Leven (Bass) and Mi Michaeli (Keyboards). Just imagine if Joey Tempest wanted a dive into a ditty as well - now there's a thought.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Ok, so it came out 2 years in the USA but now we've finally heard them here in the UK and boy, do these girls have b*ll*cks.Stickin' it to ya from Detroit City that gave birth to the MC5, Iggy Pop and The Stooges and Alice Cooper, Broadzilla are Girlschool for the new millennium. They even play around with a bit of Slayer in the outro of the opener 'Ecstasy'. They don't take a liking to slimy guys either according to kick it where it hurts feel of 'Y did U have 2B Psycho' that always seem to be at their gigs. The title track 'Lady Luck' (that reminds me of Warlock) and their powerful take of The Supreme's 'Love Child' are real impressive, in fact the whole god-damn album is. You won't be able to take these broads of the CD player.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Anticipation is a very unhealthy habit. You see a considerable level of hype over a new release as indication that the disc in concern is worth hearing. And when you put it in the deck and press play. oh, dearie me. Boot 50 look to be guilty. I had high expectations for something remotely innovative from this new act, only to be greeted by three tired treks through mediocre pop punk that quite to some degree justifies this EP's rather fittingly selected moniker, because ROCK stars, this falls somewhat short of making them. 'Cops' isn't a particularly bad number but the opening guitar line heralded what I thought would be a better tune. Disappointing.

4/10

By Dave Attrill

Amongst the very first batch of discs I reviewed for this site was the debut by US melodic metalcore hotshots Boysetsfire. Two years along the line and after hearing very little of them in the latter half of that period, the Californian five-piece give us a hefty poke in the ribs to remind us their career hasn't lasted that short. As some previous visitors to this site might have already taken on board, yours truly and nu metal don't quite always go together as well as a dog and a bone, but I'm happy to say - though I already know - that there is practically sod-all Slipknotular about BSF's brand of ballsy vocal-friendly punk metal. I would be fair in stating that although it wears a total contemporary rock tag, the band have stuck to just getting on with their own thing and let the vibes speak for themselves rather than just jump out into the road to wave down the approaching bandwagon. As before there are the obligatory growly bits on the vocal channel of most tracks but the cheery and catch pop-aimed range of frontman, Nathan Gray takes songs like 'Last Year's Nest', 'Full Colour Guilt', 'Release The Dogs', 'Foundations 2 Burn', and 'High Wire Escape Artist' to the top of the mountain, supported all the way once again by messrs Istvan and Laitshaw's basic but ballistic guitar lines. Another strong offering, 'Tommorrow Come Today' contains songs which should double their live shows in strength as well as length. oh, and by the way, how close to Sick Of It All's 'Step Down' does that intro off 'Management Vs Labor' sound to you? (tut, tut, tut). If you're quick enough to snap one up, they've been very kind as to also have put a free DVD into the limited gatefold copies. This contains a blistering 40-minute live set (excusing my earlier judgment about doubling length) which though containing only about three or four tunes off this latest long-player amongst the many from their previous belter, is worth catching as it shows, aside from their live musical prowess, their political motivations and morals beyond their songs which Gray shares with the crowd on stage, between tunes and, accompanied by his bandmates, with us, song by song, which is a lot more interesting to even younger fans no than just a torrent of effing and blinding not unknown of most metal and hard rock bands on the planet.There's an entertaining little slab of behind-scenes material too including a visit to the shared house that they live and rehearse in and a good goggle at the rather decent equipment which aids them one way or another through every day of their musical life. Altogether, an interesting and need I say essential package, delivered surprisingly early in this excellent young band's two album-old career.

9.5 - for both album and DVD

By Dave Attrill

Exploring the wild and not always wonderful world of nu-metal for the umpteenth time in the seemingly bottomless latest stack of promo discs, I cross another ubiquitous name from the scene - Breed 77. Sparing any sad and unfunny jokes about my birth year mentioned in band's moniker, and getting straight to the point this Spanish outfit have opted to dig up the roots of alt metal, their spade being made from early Pearl Jam wood for the handle, but with a heavier, darker metal bit on the business end. The three tracks did not support my quest of discovery to a great extent but enough's here to show me the path that this band's footprints have been left on. '77 are a pretty rare but potentially fighting breed, indeed.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Absolutely zilch to do with any John Travolta blockbuster of same name -on the agenda today is an impressive piece of power metal from this Italian fivesome, carrying a familiar name in their carriage. Guitarist Nick Savio already has his work beknownst to us by way of his currently Frontiers-signed acts, White Skull and the already Metalliville-approved Vicious Mary. A man of varied talents it seems, Savio's native land has had a healthy melodic metal scene developing for some time now, and while this doesn't quite rattle the cage of Swedish genre gurus Last Tribe, you should still lend an open ear, all the same. The melodies are pretty trademark European matter but the thrash and Prog riffing interlacing the tunes is pure fruit of Savio's capability as a composer as well as a player. A solid enough offering to warn Robin Hood that if he fancies a few shots at this particular target, he might not get his arrows back quite in one piece.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

When Vinny Burns left Brit melodic rock megadogs Ten at the back end of '01, the split, though totally amicable did not go down quite a million quid with their assembled followers. So-o, it appears Mr B has some debts to pay to rock n' roll society on these grounds. Meeting back up with his ol' mucker Sam Blue from pop legends Ultravox, whom Vinny played with during their twilight period, they wallowed in past times that partially accounts for the styles utilized on this resulting offering. Not to mention probably giving him a spin through current day Brit labelmates like Lost Weekend, Bailey's Comet and Pulse of which this album smells very sweetly. The good news for the doubting ~Ten-ites gathered in their numbers is that opening track 'Cool Me Down' is effectively the best of the slower-tempo numbers off the 'Spellbound' and 'Babylon' CDs - obviously Vin looking back at his old pals with a smile one last time as he shuts the gate. From then on, the road lies ahead though down a few already trodden as the previous comparisons describe plus hints of Rainbow and Magnum at places. 'Deadly Sin', 'Lover's Game', 'She Wrote', 'Tomorrow Never Comes', 'Hung Out to Dry' and 'Where Are You Now' plus sax-led belter 'Don't Want To Know' dominate the dynamics covered by Vinny and Sam to prosperous effect and the resulting 51 minutes of power surging through my audio system defines another winning combination. The Vinster may have to be a bit more patient with his followers on this one as it has almost sweet sod-all to do with the symphonic hard rock that has kept his erstwhile act in business over the last 7-8 years. For the open-minded, the only real complaint I can register is that it did not reach me before the Gods 2003 gig. Sterling performance from Vinny Burns once more with a superb lush 80's touch to a lot of the numbers that clearly exhibits Blue's influences as well and before I forget to mention it, another talented voice deserving more notice.. and I hope this album gives him some.

8/10 By Dave Attrill

dattrill39@hotmail.com

Blindman are a gutsy stoner outfit - what more can I say and sound like a lot of other bands on the scene like Solace, Solorize, Monster Magnet and Atomic Bitchwax etc.. the list goes on. What makes them different though is the vocal style which is like James Hetfield meets Layne Stayley.It's good stuff especially the negative and well riffing 'The edge of the world'; the quiet instrumental 'Calm pond in the moonlight'; the Metallican meets Black Sabbath dirging 'Would you give up' and the mammoth epic 'Human Pawn'Stoner fans will lap this up.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Once a typical party hair band but their new release sees 'em stride into different directions, leaving a lot of the Ozone Killing spray at home.There's blunter and brutaller cuts here like 'Pain' and 'Freaktown' but Britny Fox still keeps all those high shrill vocal harmonies in place - their trademark Joe Elliott meets Tom Keifer meets Lemmy squawks.It's not all brash sounds though as they've gone a bit Journey on 'LA'; wonderfully acoustic on 'Is it real?'; brought the blues solos back on 'Coup D'etat'; given us a gorgeous balled like 'Lonely' and perfected an incredible epic with 'Sri Lanka' that's kinda like Extreme meets Led Zeppelin and clocks in at 8 ½ minutes.Wanna see these guys in the UK.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Solo project turned band 'Before the Dawn' conjure up a mind-blowing 40-odd minutes of dark, gothic doomology that's extremely more-ish. They are gonna be the support act for Medication (that features 'Whitfield Crane' of 'Life of Agony/Ugly Kid Joe' fame) in Europe, Scandinavia and the UK in 2003 (or were depending when you read this) They've been together since 2000 and this album features impressionable cuts like the pacey crystal vocalled 'Seraphim'; the sombre 'Father and Son' with the Type O Negative sounding rhythm section; the Buffy the Vampire Slayerish 'Human, Hatred' or the sinister closer, '4.16am'. They will be appreciated highly by fans of Type O Negative, early Anathema and In the Woods.Pursue 'em.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

BLACKBIRD - Last Of the Rockstars (EP) (Self-Released - 2003)

Another band it seems impossible to fit into a single channel of genre but then so many bl**din' bands are like that, aren't they. Blackbird's brand of alternative-bridged lightweight mainstream rock n' roll is pretty much a digestible product. Drawing influences from either side of the eighties but without touching that most fashion-loathed of decades itself, they combine elements of young pop-punk outfits of this day with melodies of the type you'd once hear every time you put on a Slade or T-Rex record (unless you still do). Another aspiring group of lads deserving high fortunes in the future and at the moment unsigned, getting these five pleasant little tunes about should cement them a contract before the end of the year.

8/10 By Dave AttrillBlackbird - The Last of the Rock Stars
(Self-Released - 2003)

Looking like a glam band but sounding more like an impressive British-tinged Indie pack - you'd never guess they came from Hollywood.

It's simplistic lyrically and catchy in the musical department and they grow on you with repeated listens like the opening 'Unstoppable' with its pumping drums and scratchings up the fretboard.

The UK students will nest well into Blackbird if they get to hear 'em over here'. The song 'Never Enough' may do well as a single if released.

6.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Is it really a year since 1919:Eternal was released - surely not. It can only be a fair few months when this latest BLS'er lands on the doormat. Overall it's an OK album but it doesn't have as much appeal as its predecessor and those Sabbathy riffs are getting completely tedious and regurgitated - how many urrps and chugs can you take before it gets boring - in this case, not many.Thank god for 'Stillborn' a number that definitely raises the interest level a few rungs with its spacey robotic riff and it's killer chorus that features guest-vocals from his boss 'Ozzy Osbourne'. The title-track itself 'The Blessed Hellride' is another gem which sees Zakk in acoustic mode with a bluesy Alice In Chains vibe and has a brilliant line in,'Oh you can never get too low when you're so high'Why are Zakk's ballads far more captivating than his supercharged blisterers as I fully recommend 'Blackened Water' and the piano-led closer 'Dead Meadow'. Now this is musical beauty.

6.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

A classic band from the days of the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal'. If you aint heard of 'em then you may have heard the song itself 'Blitzkrieg' that was covered by Metallica on the 'Garage Re-Revisited' E.P.The album itself should have been recorded in '81 but the band broke up due to financial difficulty. In 1985 they re-grouped and recorded mighty metal riffages like 'Blitzkrieg'; and 'Inferno'. It sounds like it was released in the early 80's because of the echoey mushy sound but the songs make up for it such as the excellent 'Take a look around'. Imagine a Thin Lizzyish band built up with the aggressive power of Judas Priest and at times the gutsiness of early 'n' raw Def Leppard - that's the band 'Blitzkrieg'.Coming with bonus unreleased cuts, the original live cassette as well as the single 'Inferno/Blitzkrieg' it's well worth the purchase.An excellent 2-CD set from a band that should have been massive.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

There are few things less trouser browningly embarrassing for a critic than approaching what is initially though to be a newly-formed hard rock act, and commencing with the evaluation of what one assumes is their debut album, only to find that they've been around on the scene for more years than I've been into it. Yours truly realized, thankfully JUST before putting pen to paper I was about to make this certifiable balls-up with US veterans Biloxi. Well, just to ease of any oncoming resentment from fans, I think I may have just become one myself. 'Out On The Streets' is typical West Coast melodic hard rock that races along at tempo with the roof down and is there to be enjoyed for what it is, and 'Listen' continues partially as the like but slows it to a Survivor-ish sort of pace and style. 'Lay' and 'Ocean' share a sound that sits spread-eagled between Burning Rain and 'Pull' - era Winger, the former vibe particularly aided by Clyde Holly's vocal range. 'Far From Home' is a mix of the previous two tracks but with a distinguishable progressive injection and 'Have You Seen The Rain comes equipped with a chorus harmony of the sort, Mitch Malloy and Hardline have vended automatically on more than one or two occasions past.'Someone' is very much the same sort of thing as 'O.O.T.S' but a vague Euro-Metal overtone does exist throughout. 'Do Ya' is probably amongst the best tunes with a chorus that very few have dared to even think about, this side of 1979. 'Vampire' is the one I struggled the most to enjoy - an acceptable enough song but the big bang never came at the end of its fuse. 'Digging Up Bones' is not the easiest one to get excited about either, a laid-back sort of Extreme-styled number in ways that accounts for diversity but not a terrific amount else. 'Starting Over' ends the album back on the rails with some very Canadian-sounding melody, in fact more to the point, very Von Groove- sounding which leaves oneself far from disappointed with this record. Another group I'd wished I'd discovered about ten years earlier than I did, but at least I know them now, that's what counts. Now, about those other albums, they've done….

9/10

By Dave Attrill

After two years from the silent screams of hard core death metal fans, Bloodbath hit the streets with another terrifying epidemic called 'Resurrection through carnage', just when you thought death metal had faded like the spilt blood on the streets and the unearthly T-shirts that reeked of death, it appears once again through the form of Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth), Andres Nystrom and Jonas Renske (Katatonia) and Dan Swano (Edge Of Sanity).Bloodbath enter our souls with a ten-track plague that will sweep the continents faster than the explosion of a nuclear bomb, in fact a nuclear bomb has nothing on the overall outcome of what Bloodbath will leave. From the start of 'Ways to the grave' through to the last track 'Cry my name' Bloodbath leave a curse of sickness and carnage firmly imprinted in your mind with an overall feeling of it's a fine day to die.

7/10

By Tony Watson

Never before have I reviewed an album that does not include guitar amongst the instruments involved in its recording, but with a keyboardsman of the phenomenal talents of Tomas Bodin, best known for his day role in Swedish prog rock giants The Flower Kings, you can only respect what the bloke does. I should like to see how this guy should fare in a duet with Dream Theater's Jordan Rudess and then even Purple's Jon Lord should like a bit of such action, I'd reckon. Bodin leaves practically no single stone unturned as he runs the roster of styles several times over, in mixed arrangements as to purge some of the predictability of the material, a good move when you've got tunes lasting up to almost quarter-of-an-hourlong to wade through. Some do wear themselves a little thin after a while, as if the direction signs require the odd repeat glance but Tomas tries every road he drive past and his vehicle seldom splutters in exhaustion. I actually discovered the true depth of Tomas Bodin's music when I studied the accompanying promo papers which explain amongst things, how the songs and the emotions implied by each piece were inspired by events of his personal life during the period of the disc's construction and by the variety of different people cultures surrounding the area he currently lives in. The result is matched by his wide range of rhythms, styles and influences packed into one single disc of instrumental wizardry which comes as proof of the pudding as to what prog musicians get up to when left alone with their own toys. Tomas Bodin is genuine testimony to the theory that, with talent and the inspiration, a rock album without guitars (or vocals) still goes the distance.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Stupid name but a memorable one especially with the kids. In fact, it's a dead set that you'll see at least one lad in a Bowling for Soup Top in the middle of a mass of Slipknot, Sum 41, Offspring and Green Day fans.Their material if you didn't know already is totally unsophisticated rah-rah punk-pop/rock that's extremely commercial and real effective on the dance floor.Much of the stuff on the same sounds like you've got the repeat button on the same song - so it's all very much similar to the single, 'Girl all the bad guys want' which after 3 or 4 songs gets very boring indeed - Fast chug-chug guitar rhythm riffage that's too long in the tooth so thank god for the appearance of the ballad 'Where to begin' another the new-wavish 'Runnin' from your dad' and the secret untitled song that is number 28 on the cd which for the mo' I'll refer to as 'Halfway round the world' - another nice acoustic ditty.So the schoolies dig 'em but they need far more variety to succeed with a more mature varied aged audience.

5.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

This six track EP contains 4 new songs plus two live tracks recorded live in July at Club Krome in South Amboy NJ.The Delaware band have released the first of the new tracks for over two years, with their original style of punk rock and metal. From the furious beginning of 'Release the dogs' to 'Bathory's sainthood' and 'Curtain call', Boysetsfire really live up to their name, as these boys do set fires with in the society you live.With their originality I can only say that 'I look forward to hearing the new studio album'.

8/10

By Tony Watson

We've waited a good year or two for this release to finally hit the UK and now it's here and well worth the wait.An impeccable performance where Seb's on top form with a backing band of friends in front of an ecstatic crowd in Tokyo. They present a bunch of Skid Row classics including '18 and Life' that has a nice extended intro, 'Riot Act', 'Monkey Business' and the emotional 'I remember you' as well as the ultimate climax, 'Youth Gone Wild'. There's even the newer number from 'The Last Hard Men' called 'The Most Powerful man in the world' which is good to hear in with the oldies.Seb's not copped out though he's even included 4 brand new spankers as well which see him touch on Nu-metal with 'Done Bleeding' or the ballad 'Superjerk, Superstar, Superteen' (that falls into the realms of Alice In Chains.Ignore any bad reviews that slag off his past songs and refer to him as being stuck in the 80's- get it bought - it's a crackin' release. If you get the chance, go and see him on Broadway as he's currently playing the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar - who'd have thought it - a Rock 'n' Roll bad boy becomes the 'Son of God' - talk about a big contrast.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Not that long ago did I review this chap's last offering, 'The Oracle' so it's quite easy to pick up where I left off really, isn't it. Where I did leave off was a decent enough if not absolutely great melodic rock album that had plenty of punchin' moments but some shakily average ones too. He also decided to put it out as a full band called 'Ring Of Fire' named after his 2000 solo release, but come on folks, you think there's that much difference given he's very much the main geezer in either case. The musicianship meanwhile stays glued to its high standards as always - in fact Mr Boals seems to have stocked up on the herbal tea supplies in recent months - and this outing sees the songwriting take a further shove uphill too. Now come on, it wasn't that bad on the last one but add the Dream Theater vibes that seem to be channelling endlessly through to me on this disc, especially in Boals's magnificently fresher sounding voice, you see where the room for improvement has taken some occupying. Tunes like 'World On Fire', 'Lady Babylon', 'Between Two Mirrors', 'Up To You' and 'Hold On' give Mark the battleground to demonstrate his talent's and I'm really wondering now as why this bloke's singing's been slated by quite I few with whom I've spoken. Although I have no sleeve notes or accompanying paperwork with this release, I can only assume that he has used musicians of considerable calibre - is that one Mr Vitalij Kuprij you've got on the keyboards again, old boy? 'Edge….' is a polished album that gives Mark Boals his licence to distribute in this market and should quell the doubts of some within one listen. Good one M.B., keep 'em coming.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Up and coming 100% rock band the way it should be who lean into the stoner sound. I was put onto them from a fan of the zine who wanted me to review the album and interview the band. Brash 'n' ballsy they are too and getting' a fair bit of press - no wonder either. They aren't too dissimilar to Zakk ' 'Black Label Society' kickin' out songs like 'Broken Soul', 'Sad Wings' and 'Judgement Day' which all have that deep metal spark. Best track has got to be the slide guitar number 'Missing You' that adds extra character to what would otherwise be a straight-up stoner affair.These could be the next big thing after Nickleback, POD and Puddle of Mudd.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Well, the signs are a little better for Aussies The Bezerker from first listen but marginally so. The vocal style is as you'd guess but switches more often than I can keep track of between high and deep pitched grumblings, and the instrument gear-sticks are moved about a bit more this time as well. The songs are shorter which makes for a better experience as it means frequent though brief moments for regaining of breath - and eardrums - before the first groove of the next number meets the lens. So, summed up, it goes a little further in my favour than the other two aforementioned albums of matching type, I've reviewed this evening. Still though, nothing I'd quite go berserk over, and I still say I've heard plenty other better bands from this scene. Check 'em out live though - a very recommended racket.

6/10

By Dave Attrill

Heard the name of the band - but never actually heard the band - but when I did I was very impressed. I expected yet another Green Day but instead I got a tuneful single that is virtually melodic rock in fact one of the guys is even wearing a Loverboy t-shirt in the inside photo. It's punky but it's US style that flows into Enuff Znuff territory with Beatle-felt harmonies and instrumentally extremely catchy. Bowling For Soup have been around since '94 and were the first band to take out out the now well-known punk brats, Sum 41.The song has humour wriiten all over it about the kid who wants the girl who likes 'Rap Metal', 'Tough Guys' and 'Drives Transams' whereas this kid rides a moped and can't even grow a moustache. Pure Realism - why do we place people on pedestals when it should be the other way round at times.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Zakk Wylde's 'Black Label Society' - Stronger Than Death
(Spitfire Records - 2000)

Black Label's second album sees the band go through the Sabbath/Ozzy territory in 10 glorious moments. Starting with the stunning 'All For You' you are thrown in for a bumpy hard ride and bassed out and with both fast 'n' slow stoner rock with the heavy hard 'n' gruesome 'Phoney Smiles and Fake Hello's'. You just can't help singing along to the chorus with its tell-it-how-it-is lyric 'Go F*ck yourself, for all I f*ckin' care' - I smile when I heard Mr. Wylde come out with the line anyway.It isn't all bombastic rock either because 'Rust' is a pretty neat ballad that's very Alice in Chains. I can't recommend the epic, piano led 'Just Killing Time' high enough either, (the other ballad on the album - that could be direct competition for artists like Elton John or Paul McCartney). Zakk has the versatile knack of pulling of various kinds of moods with his throaty, driving voice - be it p*ssed of or the feelings of love without sounding one bit wimpy. He's vastly under-rated as a songwriter by the mainstream and is forever placed under the wing of Ozzy Osbourne. It's about time that many woke up to how talented this guy is in his own right - I'd like to see what'd happen if he broke away from the Sabbath/Ozzy mould and aimed at the Contemporary Adult Market - maybe it could take place a few years from now.Great album that leads an indication of where Black Label Society were heading to next.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Brave were formed out of the band 'Arise from Thorns' who started in '97 by Guitarist, Scott Loose and Drummer, Trvor Schrotz. When Scott's sister, Michelle joined for vocal purposes they eventually became known as 'Brave'. Hailing from Virginia, Brave play progressive folky rock with well shaped and on occasions complex arrangements. They come across a bit like 'The Corrs' going for a relaxed, mellowed-out, Marillion feel. I have to admit they are rather different to the usual thing and needless to say, incredibly melodically dramatic - a good example being the heart-warming ballad 'Falling into Bliss', coming complete with beautiful acoustic guitar playing and delightful vocals. A nice highlight is the eastern sounding 'Trapped Inside'. 'Dream Again' is another sticky-out number also that begins with the ticking of a clock.An album that needs to be listened to a few times to be fully appreciated. It's a grower and not your average Rock or Metal release. It's interesting at times but does it have the X factor - I'll let you decide upon this.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

I was put onto Tom Bryant by one of his colleagues who e-mailed my recently - thanks Nate. Bryant is an all-round Rocker who's masterful unique vocal qualities equally match those of two famous Rock Rogers - these being Daltrey of the Who and Chapman (the ex-vocalist of Family). Despite the title, it was recorded before September 11th and is an album that has a lot of character and electricity as well as deep honest lyrics. Thank god somebody has had the guts to write a song called 'Pay to Play' - one of the obscene workings of the Music Industry and society in general. Here what Tom has to say about a fallen releationship in the acoustic ballad 'Last Goodbye' (coming complete with a horn section). The first song on Cd is pretty awesome - 'Man's Plight' - a stabbing coming at you mid-paced rock number that concerns how the human race is ruining the planet. In contrast, the closing opener, 'Death of a friend' is completely different and I must give a big thumbs up to the Cock-Rocker 'Bad Girls' reminding one very much of Spinal Tap.I'd like to see this guy some time grace old blighty.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Share 'n' Bams Bubble are back with their follow-up release debut, 'How 'bout this'. Gone are the ex-Faster Pussycat members, Brent Muscat and Eric Stacy and in the band now is Tad on Bass.It's a more together release comprising of 11 tracks that are tight nuggets of glam-edged grunge rock that kids'll love if they get the chance to hear 'em. From the punky-pop of 'Days like these' to the mellowed-out 'Dream Sick' it's a solid CD that keeps you entertained throughout with highlights such as the Stonesy 'Exile...' styled 'Idle feel of fame' that even has a Beatle touch to it or the slipper stompin' 'Artificial Schizophrenia' with deep guitar thrust and tight dirty drumwork - then consider what greets you in the new wave wave pop for the new millennium flavoured number that is 'By and By'.Share's dry throaty vocals will do it for you - move over Courtney Love - you've now met your match and what an excellent back-up team Bam is on drums and Tad on Bass. Nearly forgot to inform you on this - Share plays all the guitar as well - if you didn't already know.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

With a lot of bands hitting the UK market from Sweden, Blackshine are one of these bands but who have that slight difference within their style of music. As with a lot of bands from around that area can we characterise them as metal? Or are they rock? Or is it goth? Or shall we call it the New Wave Of Swedish Heavy Metal (NWOSHM)? Who cares! I don't.Blackshine have the influence of Motorhead and Venom with their raw taste and the heaviness of Kyuss and Ministry minus the samples. The CD title 'Soulless and Proud' gives you the sense of this CD being dark and gloomy and yes it is, with over 41 minutes and 11 tracks of solid raw attitude Blackshine have released a CD that cannot be played full blast on the Sabbath day while you are still suffering from a massive hangover from the Saturday nights binge, as tracks like 'Love Our Hell', 'Sacrifice', 'Light the Fuse' and 'Shadowman' would rattle the bones of the dead.With no disrespect to Blackshine I feel that it's nothing new, if it suppose to be part of the NWOBHM then I would have expected something slightly different, something new and not a replica of what happened in the mid eighties early nineties.

7/10

By Tony Watson

From the same label as 'Creed' you wonder what to expect, well, Breaking Point are a harder version of 'Creed', but don't let this put you off. Breaking Point have probable got their breaking point into the industry with a fine CD that you won't find disappointing. These four talented guys come across in some ways original with the way they express themselves through their music, with good hard rock and wonderful ballads, this CD has a lot of variety throughout, from the wonderful 'Coming Of Age' to the rapping vocals in 'Brother', through to the heart felt tracks of 'Angry Side' and 'Live for Today'. But saying this, I think Breaking Point have been influenced a lot by the likes of 'Creed', if you put the two bands together in one room behind a screen, know one would know who was playing, but apart from the similarities and likeness in their music, it is still a very exceptionally brilliant CD that isn't boring to the eardrums.Like a lot of copycat bands, Breaking point will probably find it difficult to ignore this type of criticism, but if they developed themselves towards the tracks of 'Brother' and 'Angry Side' they would make one brilliant original band. 'Coming of Age' is by no way a few listens and left on the shelf CD, it is a CD that's full of excitement, which will still bring much enjoyment in years to come.

8/10

By Tony Watson

'One Of A Kind' is a track that was recorded as a possible theme song for the WWF mega-star Rob Van Dam. The enormous response to the song prompted Wind-up to release it as a single and to add it to the play list on all new pressings of the CD 'Coming Of Age'.Breaking Point have adapted a more intense and heavier style to this single, using heavy guitars and industrial electronics to bring out a fuller sound that will get any avid fan whipping up a frenzy.

9/10

By Tony Watson

Bad Religion are one of the first ever hardcore punk bands that have influenced groups of today like Offspring and Greenday.This five track sampler which contains extracts from 'Supersonic', 'Sorrow', 'Can't stop It', 'Broken' and 'Epiphany' has been taken off the new CD 'The Process Of Belief' that is released 21st January 02.Bad Religion have probably, with listening to the sampler released their best material to date, through their distinctive punk sound.

8/10
(So far)

By Tony Watson

'Brother' is the exciting new single taken from the their debut 'Coming Of Age'. This track is definitely one of those wonderful hard searing metal tracks powered by enormous riffs and rapping chorus that is loved the more you hear it. 'Brother' will be a biggie throughout the clubs and still will be thoroughly enjoyed in years to come.

10/10

By Tony Watson

The media masses thought that 80's Thrash Metal was dead - well their thoughts have been smashed to eternity because 'Byfist' are proof that the vibrant electricity of it all is back (and so are they after over 9 years).The vocal talents are that, that you'd associate with Joey Belladonna (like the whoah shouty screams on 'Eternal Damnation' - there's even have a fair old hint of King Diamond in them this).When you listen to the musicianship bands like Anthrax, Judas Priest and Exciter come to mind straight away - good old thrashin' chugga riffs that are played properly that can suddenly slow down and shoot back up to rocket speed again witha killer guitar solo taking the limelight - like the second song says, it's a 'Meltdown'.'Left To Die' has that shouting backing vocal made famous by Anthrax, SOD and MOD completed with more of the above. On 'Mary Celeste' you hear the sound of what seems like a crypt.Classy interstellar vocalic thrash metal.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

What a massive surprise to find Bathory land on my doorstep and still breathing, I thought that this legendary black metal band who hit the market in the mid eighties with the legendary albums like 'Bathory', 'The Return', 'Under the Sign' and 'Blood Fire Death' had died and gone into the depths of hell. I was also surprised to find out that Bathory have a back catalogue of twelve CD's, which are available through Black Mark Records.This unlucky for some thirteenth CD with thirteen tracks is probable with no question of doubt one of the finest CD's (that I have heard) from Bathory. The Nordic intro to 'Lake of Fire' sends me back to the days of 'Blood Fire Death' with 'Odens Ride Over Nordland / A Fine Day To Die', which give you that feeling of you know what is coming next, and yes, you would be right.Bathory have lived up to their name of being evil and sounding evil, the norlandic ambience and the pounding drums that rattle the heavens, have you cringing in a corner as every track takes it's toll on your life. From the start of 'Lake of Fire' to the evil sound of 'Destroyer of Worlds', through the melodic intro of 'Ode' to 'Liberty and Justice' and the last track 'Day of Wrath', Bathory have once again proved why they are still going strong.The only thing that you will probably notice, is that the vocal content on this CD are really clear, you can hear every word, it's not the usual screaming low vocals you can get with a lot of death/thrash metal bands, but with saying this, Bathory used to be one of these bands! This vocal content did put me off at first but after more than a good few listens, I wouldn't want to here this CD any other way. Brilliant!!!

Well done Quorthorn.9/10

By Tony Watson

Still around are they? Or rather him, assuming that it is still Quorthon's one-man musical army making what I'd call the best death metal album I've heard of all 2001. The legendary act has managed to evolve its sound through nearly twenty years whilst still maintaining faith of followers old and new. The guy has some difficulty in the make your mind up department as regarding vocal styles with everything angry-and-nice and in between being used in one song or the other.

The CD is practically a chequered affair, switch non-stop between high-speed hate-metal and smooth, mid-paced gothic harmonies, beginning with a track of the latter kind. A third style invites itself in on a reasonable helping of occasions which borders on the contemporary with industrial-influenced vocals. Quorthon's not forgotten how to pen some blistering guitar work either, and even if it is pretty much old school intensity, it sits comfortably alongside newer acts of the genre such as Nile. Forty-something years and now thirteen albums old, he shows no signs of giving up with an ever-likely revival for metal's fortunes hiding round the corner. A recommended return for one of Death Metal's finest.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Her new album 'The Old Hyde' features many guest appearances including drummers Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac) and son of John, Jason Bonham plus Guitarist, Robbie McIntosh (from Paul McCartney's band).

There is a mass of tributes present on 'The Old Hyde' such as one to Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood in the form of the late 60's blues classic, 'Need your love so bad' which Deborah so brilliantly delivers. 'Black Coffee' is another notable tribute, this time for the Humble Pie/Small Faces front-man 'Steve Marriott' who Deborah thought was a seven foot black guy - with a remarkable voice like that - she hasn't done a bad job either.With regard to her own material - you can't go wrong chilling on out to 'The Devil in New Orleans' - a classy dirty blues rocker (a la Rolling Stones at their finest) with a corkin' harmonica solo from John Dominic.Worth a mention also is the contemporary folk-blues thang called 'Open up your heart' with terrific back-up vocals during the chorus and delightful mandolin playing throughout from Julian Littman. Then there's the acoustic almost Zeppelinesque number entitled 'Ten Steps' about the love of her late brother, Michael.You're completely spoilt with album which also includes a bonus 3-track CD, with the main highlight being a duet between Deborah and Jason on live radio of the Led Zeppelin classic 'The Battle of Evermore'. This is an incredibly emotional happening especially when there's a giant poster of Robert Plant looking down on them. There also happens to be a corking cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Superstitious' that Deborah refers to as 'Michael's moment of fame (who plays percussion on the number). The
conclusive track is a mouth-wateringly gorgeous rendition of Fleetwood Mac's 'Songbird'.Boy, the Bonham's really are a talented bunch - is there any end to what this family is capable of producing.A fantastic 2-CD set.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Typical American new age punk band, if you are familiar with 'The Offspring', 'Green day' and 'Blink 182' then you have heard 'The Bouncingsouls'. When you have heard the hundredth American new age punk band then you start to get a little bit bored with it all, can't the Americans come out with something slightly different and not an exact copy of what's already out there on the streets.Thirteen tracks and thirty-four minutes of the same old sh*t with the exception of a couple of songs that grew on me like 'That Song', 'Lifetime', 'Manthem' and 'Late bloomer'. If it weren't for the reason of 'I've heard it all before' I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more. Although I haven't thoroughly enjoyed it doesn't mean that the CD is full of sh*t, it's the sort of stuff that's doing the rounds at the moment so all the young kids and students will love it.

5/10
for being the same old sh*t

By Tony Watson

From the same label as 'Creed' you wonder what to expect, well, Breaking Point are a harder version of 'Creed', but don't let this put you off. Breaking Point have probable got their breaking point into the industry with a fine CD that you won't find disappointing.These four talented guys come across in some ways original with the way they express themselves through their music, with good hard rock and wonderful ballads, this CD has a lot of variety throughout, from the wonderful 'Coming Of Age' to the rapping vocals in 'Brother', through to the heart felt tracks of 'Angry Side' and 'Live for Today'. But saying this, I think Breaking Point have been influenced a lot by the likes of 'Creed', if you put the two bands together in one room behind a screen, know one would know who was playing, but apart from the similarities and likeness in their music, it is still a very exceptionally brilliant CD that isn't boring to the eardrums.Like a lot of copycat bands, Breaking point will probably find it difficult to ignore this type of criticism, but if they developed themselves towards the tracks of 'Brother' and 'Angry Side' they would make one brilliant original band.'Coming of Age' is by no way a few listens and left on the shelf CD, it is a CD that's full of excitement, which will still bring much enjoyment in years to come.

8/10

By Tony Watson

Britny Fox - Long Way to Live
(Spitfire Records - 2001 - Cat no. SPIT CD 111)

A live spectacle of 14 blistering tracks from a top class cock-rock hair band 'Britny Fox'. Having never heard Tommy Paris as the bands lead vocalist before, I must say I'm really impressed and getting hold of a copy of the studio album 'Bite down hard' is a dead set.

Throughout this gig, the four guys (Tommy Paris - Lead Guitar/Vocals; Billy Childs - Bass/Vocals; Johnny Dee - Drums/Vocals and Michael Kelly Smith -Lead Guitar,Vocals) bust their balls on some of the best live efforts I've had the joy to hear - take the classics 'Long way to love' which comes early on in the set (track number 2 in fact) and later on 'Girlschool' (with it's Twisted Sister 'Shoot 'em down' riff) from the 'Fox's self titled debut plus the magnificent 'lit ciggy lighters in the air' type ballad called 'Dream On' (which not to be confused with the Aerosmith song of the same name) from the 'Boys in Heat' album.

The bulk of the songs come from the 'Bite down hard' album like the kick-ass 'Close to your love' which comes complete with a momentous sing-a-long chorus or the dirty 'Shot from my gun' that gives rock legends AC/DC and Cinderella a run for their money.

Scream 'F*ck Yeah' on cue for Tommy Paris and become part of the action.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Around 10 years on, many friends and fellow admirers have joined hands in this incredible tribute (brought together by famed Rock Music Journalist, Nicky Baldrian and Lasse at Lion Music).'Warmth in the Wilderness' is where you'll discover 31 tracks including overs like 'A little ain't enough', performed by Stormwind; 'A jam for Jason' featuring Vinnie Moore, Jeff Watson, Steve Morse, Chris Poland, Jeff Kollman as 'The Wicked Guitar Quartet'.There are contributions from artists like Marty Friedman (Black Stallion Jam) who says,'I admired Jason's absolutely flawless technique, and he seemed to like my warped sense of melody'This tribute really is a fine masterpiece and all the artists concerned have place an immense amount of passion into their performances. The list of artists is literally outstanding especially when you consider that it includes big names like James Kottak (Scorpions), Alex Masi, Ron Keel (Keel), Ted Poley (Melodica (+ ex-Danger Danger)) and Josephine from Phantom Blue, James Byrd and Rolf Munkes. There are staggering performances from artists like 'Hit the ground runnin' (with their Jazzy 'Jason Street' complete with sampled vinyl crackles).The 2-CD set is a collection that will delight lovers of class rock
everywhere. After purchasing this, purchasing all the Jason Becker related albums if you don't have them already - then be sure to check out albums by all of the guests involved.I really mean it from the heart when I say that this is one of the best tribute albums I have ever heard.We all love ya Jason!!!

10/10by Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Like most people, I've heard their first album, 'Shake Your Money Maker' and love the songs 'Hard To Handle'; 'Twice As Hard'; 'Jealous Again' and 'She Talks To Angels' and expect every album after that to have wonderful songs like these that you hear when clubbing.So where have all the other wonderful songs gone? They are on this new CD entitled 'Lions' which isn't commercial at all like the previous platter 'By Your Side' but instead sees the band express themselves through tracks like 'Midnight From The Inside Out'; 'Lickin'; 'No Use Lying'; 'Losing My Mind'; 'Greasy Grass River'; 'Cosmic Friend' and 'Lay It All On Me'.This 13 track CD has you feeling full of life, then brings you back down to earth feeling tearful - because you know how hard life can be. 'Lions' is worth purchasing by anyone with an open mind - there's over 55 minutes of pure bliss. If Hendrix were alive today - he'd more than probably be releasing a collection of tracks like this!!!

9/10

By Tony Watson

This band very much falls into the nu-metal category but even have their moments of leaning vaguely towards the melodic rock field. Think along the lines of Antiproduct a tad, you'll soon get the picture - mainly Offspring influenced American Punk Metal but allowing for a few general power-pop rock grooves and smatterings of that endlessly vital ingredient…. Attitude.

We also get the odd one or two laughable song-titles along the way, the best of which being 'As I watch The Sun F*** The Ocean'. I don't know who I can recommend this album to, most people I suppose, but especially if you are into punk, hardcore or power-pop. A lot of this album's material stands slap bang in the middle of that triangle. So put the Cd in the player, turn up the vol' and enjoy, is the best suggestion I can really make.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

I ain't reviewed an HC album in a long time. So long in fact it was on my ill-fated first attempt at Metalliville way back in 1997, the CD in discussion being Strife's 'In This Defiance'. I am initially prompted to assume I have stumbled across more of the same when this disc kicks into action. However, I'm made to go red in the face again when I find it isn't all it first seems, and we have one of the best melodic punk metal albums EVER on our hands here, ladies 'n' gentlemen. It is in a nutshell akin to old school HC at its b*llock pulverisin' best, coupled with the sort of tuneful aggression that first got Offspring some eyes - I mean ears - batted at. As with the 'Boy Hits Car' CD, there are quite a few chortleworthy monickers tagged onto some of the tracks, but it's the MUSIC we're in this room for. Huge hooks and riffs go without saying and for once (in this rock genre) it lasts a decent duration, at over fifty minutes in length. It's not quite as easy to get me to like this quickly as it was once with Hard Rock and AOR being my main field nowadays but once I heard what this lot sounded like it was even less easier NOT to get quickly into this album. Hopefully it is hard for you to ignore as well.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

On offer here is great contemporary rock (the track 'Don't), attitude filled blues-rock ('I'm doing fine without you' and 'Godess of Rock 'n' Roll'), some ballsy sounding soft rock ('I surrender' - and before you ask it is not a cover of the Rainbow favourite) and a bit of country rock as well (After the Storm). There really is something for everyone here - well apart from the thrashers and punks!!
It's released on 24th September - Place your order with a mail order
melodic rock CD Company now.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Jack Bruce - the legendary bassist of Cream will be coming your way soon and you're more than guaranteed to hear tracks from this band spanking new album, 'Shadows in the Air' (in fact the U.K. dates appear in the Artist/Tour info section of the website).The album 'Shadows in the Air' sees Jack rubbing shoulders again with cream of the crop (scuse the pun) guitar-god Eric Clapton who guests on laid back percussion heavy re-workings of 'Sunshine Of Your Love' and 'White Room', which need no introduction. Other guests include the New Orleans Piano playing giant talents of Dr. John who adds his ebony and ivory touch to the mellowed out 'This Anger's a Liar' and the bluesy 'Windowless Rooms'. Living Colour guitarist, Vernon Reid is featured also who throws in some nice touches during the Jazzyish 'Mr. Fresh'Elsewhere Mr. B. embarks on some spectacular tight-but-loose arrangements found in the numbers 'Dark Heart' (featuring Blues-Rock Extraordinaire, Gary Moore) who you may remember was part of the line-up BBM (alongside Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker) who released the stunning 'Around the next dream' album in 1994. Check out the Jazz-Rock fusion of 'Dancing on Air' with its almost weightless vocal duties during the chorus.Overall, 'Shadows in the Air' is a very enlightening album where you get to hear Jack Bruce like you've never heard him before.

8/10By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Stan Bush is the man who brought us the title-theme tune for the film 'Transformers - The Movie- but he's done a lot more besides that includes releasing numerous albums as a solo artist, like his self-titled debut in 1983 and with the band 'Barrage' - a good example being 1987's 'Stan Bush and Barrage' which magazines like Kerrang and Metal Hammer rated highly. He's even toured with supporting 'Survivor' and written for bands like Quiot Riot and House of Lords. Now he's back with his brand new solo album 'Language of the Heart'.The album has a stellar cast of muso's that include Rod Stewart's guitarist, Don Kirkpatrick (who's also worked with Don Henley and John Waite) and Boston's 'Tommy Thunderbuck' on backing vocals. This release is pure AOR pleasure and fine examples are 'A little thing' and 'What I've Got Is Real. Stan even delves into the blues with 'Don't let them down' and Gospel-flavoured styled backing singing on 'Love Someone' that throws in a brightly brilliant vocal bridge before the guitar solo kicks in.'Don't tell me' is very fresh, sweet moderate tempo number with great funky wah-wah guitar playing and you just can't help nodding the old head to it. 'Lonely won't leave me alone' is very impressive with its John 'Cougar' Mellencamp country vibe - man, that harmonica hits you straight away - it really is the canine's testicles!! I guess this is what Bad Company's 'Shooting Star' would be like if it ever went American Country-Folk.It's a good AOR album, which is bound to do well all over Europe.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS