Manny Charlton – Solo
(Atom Records – 2016)

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Jim Crean – Insatiable
(Rocker Records – 2016)

The second release from Mr. Crean who fires up a fine dozen numbers of both original and covers on this ‘Isatiable’ CD. An extra touch outside of his day jobs that are being frontman of 80’s tribute ‘Hair Nation’ & singer for the Appice Brothers (Carmine and Vinny of course).

He’s got the said drummers enlisted on many of the numbers on here as well as an array of stars like Phil Lewis, who guests as backing vocalist on his own LA Guns penned song ‘Over The Edge’. ‘Caught In The Middle’ goes down as a milestone since it’s the last ever recording to feature the late bass legend, Jimmy Bain on this not heard as much Dio cut with Vinny Appice on drums and also Angel’s Frank Dimino on guitar.

His own songs are great touch like the powerful AOR corker ‘Touch’; the ballsy ‘Follow Your Heart’ with Rowan Robinson on lead guitar or ‘Shut Your Mouth’ that has an interesting introduction due to the drums increasing in volume in the first few seconds.

Kiss’s Magic touch is the bonus track closer that is a fantastic cut to end on – I nearly said touch then with Phil Naro on backing vocals! So who else is featured on the album? Buy it and find out!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

JORDI CASTILLA & CARTA MAGNA – Mirate
(Rock CD Records - 2016)

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

CIRCULINE - Counter Point
(Inner Nova Records - 2016)

7/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.circulinemusic.com

July

CHIZEL – Mission
(S/R - 2007/2015)

Having recently reviewed the reissued debut by these impressive Americans, a closer examination of my promo pile unveiled their 2007 follow-up as a freebie.  

Retaining most of the line-up from its rollicking predecessor, 'Set In Stone' I am under the impression they intended this as a mini-album, going by its meagre 8-song, 29-minute run time. Moving in from.a quality-over-quantity perspective, they evidently kept their act sharp and their sound largely the same. Brutal, grunge infested metal chords and meaty twin guitar muscle pump powerful ditties such as 'Burn', 'No Reaction', 'All That Pain', and 'Only Time' at you, to the highest P.S.I. possible while letting trad metal faithful lap up the old fashioned pounding of  'Inside' and 'Break U Down'.

Things become even more scary for the last couple of numbers, seeing them move heavily into Machine Head mode for Nevermore'. Although with vocals setting more into a  Bruce Dickinson mould than a Rob Flynn one at many spots on the album, mixed with a raw American rasp, putting things back in places after a four year hiatus didn't take Chizel too much labour. Rivetting stuff that while difficult to compare against 'S.I.S.' still demonstrated they had great fistfuls more in the way of substance.

A third album sometime please?

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.myspace.com/Chizelwizdom

CHIZEL - Set In Stone
(S/R - 2003/2015)

Never mind 'set in...' - Kentucky six-piece hard rock act Chizel would likely drive through stone itself with their delivery and definitely as so their style.

Listen to every decent eighties metal/HR act ever created, directly back to back and you can perhaps piece together what's coming forth. This twelve-track iron-fisted punch, originally released in 2003, sheds nothing while neglecting anything other than pure trad metal class. So indeed cloned, tracks like 'Bloodshed', 'Dreams', 'Fury', 'Blindman', 'Times Flying' and 'That's Life' might sound, but at least it is carried off with an innocent modesty.

Influence takes over in many an uncontrollable way, yet Chizel lick on the right side of the lolly and don't throw the stick away. Huge solos and sharp, fast old school rhythms soar through the sky, sending all before them flying, coming back in with a belting last chorus each time. Tried and tested Chizel's sound might be - like a few million times before them - but when they know they're doing it, there's not quite the same need to be ashamed.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:  Judas Priest, Scorpions, Megadeth, Dokken & Accept.

NET: www.myspace.com/chizelwisdom

CRUEL SEASON - Rise
(Dark Star Records - 2015)

Formerly part of defunct US band Fuel,  newly-founded foursome Cruel Season come of quite a remarkable pedigree, not least  singer Mike Manamon once held the mic for Noise Addiction whilst even more remarkably, bassist Doug Odell previously plucked strings for Danger Danger legend Ted Poley.

Nothing much in the vein of 'Monkey Business' or 'Bang Bang' is to be made out here, although a lot is made up for with these ten fiercely held together hard rock numbers. Sliding a notable way in the Seattle-ular direction, the silky combination of Soundgarden and Alice in Chains plus a considerable Metallica crust does a lot of damage to floorboards whichever way it appeals to you.

Entries like 'Rise', 'Heard It All Before', 'Heavy Clouds', 'Moan Mother Earth' and 'Obscure Notion' work on McManamon's emotive gruffness,  plus the grouchy chord drives guitarist Justin Jurman (ex-Autumn Hour) bring to the table, both together, while a cover of Kiss's God of Thunder gets a slow but satisfying grip on your ear. Rough and ready, we hope you are ready for the rough yet addictive edge that this new musical machine are set to cut.

Delicious lads.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Audioslave, Nickelback & Bush.

NET: www.cruelseason.com

CLIDESFIELD - Dotted Legs
(S/R - 2015)

The long running invention of Minneapolis multi-instrumentalist Brandon Sullivan, Clidesfield turns out to be less exciting than the album's unusual name might have predicted but is still entertainment.

Driving electric guitar rhythm and massive upbeat paces seemingly stick repetitively styled outfits in your head just the same. Maybe its listening out for the melodic riffs like you hear at the start of second track 'More' - that you maybe heard   about fifteen years before on a Foo Fighters or Green Day album somewhere - yet those very same components still light up a record today in 2015. Knitted together with some wacky sounding lyrics and somehow this gentlemans sonic compositions then come closer with their hands cupped out to let you try the water.

Rough, rickety a lot of the way and with its occasional samey moments as already stated but still a sweet introduction to what Mr Sullivan is brewing upstairs. 

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.clidesfield.com

Bret Coats – Music For The People
(S/R – 2015)

Now here’s a cat who currently lives in Austin, Texas that sounds like a mixture of Iggy Pop, Lou Reed with the slutziness of The Rolling Stones and packed with plenty of blues, rock, funk and Americana for you to foam over.

There’s no crappy effects to be found on here and I get the impression that these songs were cut while Bret and the band (The Midnight Marathon Men) were hot and in the pocket of music magicalness. Love the opening ‘Listen For The Bass Line’ that lies parallel to a cut from ‘Exile On Main Street’; the waling raw harp filled blues of ‘Hey Now’ or the Dr. John meets James Brown like ‘Magic Man’

‘On The Mountain’ is mind-blowing – a beautiful story-telling song done acoustically about two brothers from North Carolina or the Santana meets funk of ‘Sexy Song’. Definitely an artist that deserves to go gold as long as the A&R don’t go chasing the dollars and ruin the special grooves that Bret has created.

So many styles of coolness right here!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Crying Thunder – S/T
(Great Wheel Records – 2015)

Retro Rock that could have been released in the late 60’s/early 70’s from this trio who come all the way from Switzerland.

Imagine Led Zeppelin elements meets a dude in Bigeye Marcy on vocals who reminds me of Jon Andersn at times from Yes with loads of highlights on here including the AC/DC meets Stoneiness of ‘Howlin’ Wolfman’; the ‘Battle Of Evermore’ meets ‘No Quarter’ like ‘Driving Rain’; the beautiful ‘Am I Dreaming’ or the romantic late 60’s like ‘Someone Who Loves You’.

Needed!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

ERIC CHARLES BAND - S/T
(SoCan - 2015)

Eric Charles is a Canadian singer/guitarist/songwriter, seemingly obsessed with writing the sort of rock songs you'd enjoy on a lazy summer afternoon in a bar with the windows open.

Nice laid back guitar lines and up and ready solo bends sit on the tools alongside ditzy chorus hooks, sippnig cool budweiser after another.  Influences are lsited as including Gin Blossoms, Oasis and U2 and with it I'd just about add a plausible pinch of fellow Canucks Nickleback to the blend. 

Driving acoustics support Eric's sometime slightly Chad-like range and on cuts like 'I Never Did You Wrong ', 'The Chameleon' and 'Do It Again' you can catch out the parallells. Some of these tunes sound like they'd own their place on the credit of some cheesy US teen drama but E.C.B. are an easy listening pleasure wherever they end up.

Buy if you can.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.Eric-Charles.com

Cholane – Caution!
(Yellow Snake – 2014)

Now these guys from Hanover, Germany just remind me of Saxon and they tick all the boxes both musically and vocally in both an 80’s and recent guise as well.

Some great songs on here if you can stand the cheese factor that include the opening ‘Shake Your Bones’; ‘Wicked Man’; the beautiful balled ‘Final Curtain’ and the closing ‘One Track Mind’. Filled with fantastic hooks and spending singing throughout this platter.

Nice!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

CIRCLE II CIRCLE - Reign of Darkness
(Ear Music - 2015)

Like Zak Stevens' old muckers Savatage, Circle to Circle are an outfit that never let you forget them entirely, and another stonking studio album is here to ensure it stays that way.

With 'Reign of Darkness', our favourite melodic metal supergroup have stuck as always to their guns but still applied a fresh brand of polish to the barrel. Zak Stevens continues to drive the band down a more Scandinavian sounding road with his ever-unmistakable, operatic range that sets this act far apart from the Floridan metal giants he once fronted.

Despite the dynamic performance of the Savs Wake of Magellan album at Wacken , work has been spent on songs like 'Victim Of The Night', 'It's All Over', 'Ghost Of The Dead', 'Deep Within' 'Taken Away' and the Black Sabbath-like 'One More Day' that will stop anyone else still accusing them of being a mere side project right in their tracks.

Stunningly tight-grafted guitar work from Christian Wentz and ex-Power Quest man Bill Hudson hold the house up high, allowing Zak's soaring range to sit in the grand room above with the same majesty that has seen him reign in the game over more than three decades. Decorated by Henning Warner's delectable keyboards Circle to Circle encircle us with their spell once again. Watching how they progress from album to album, it's a certainty the standards are never set to drop.

Nice one Zak.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Savatage, Helloween & Primal Fear.

NET: www.circle2circle.net

CRIMSON CHRYASLIS – Enraptured
(Musik and Film Records - 2015)

While the chaps across the continent continue to rollout one rollicking metal act after the next, let's not forget to visit dear old South Africa once in a while,or preferably more than, for there is a fair old hive of activity hiding away therewards.

Take Crimson Chrysalis for example. Luscious, lifting female vocals sweep over the top of twelve amarous arrangements of symphonic metal that I've still not heard that many Swedish or German outfits manage to pull. Lead vocalist Rene Van de Berg gifts each song, except the two where Andrea Casanova (Rainover) and Jessica Mercy (Anaria) guest on the mic respectively, with a magnificent, moving sensation theat you only have to listen to the soaring ‘Sacred Vow' to work out why this lady has picked up some serious notice back home. Moving on a revolving door of players, pianist Elben Schutte and guitarists Maurice Lots and Elben's brother Cobus, sizzling dynamics, diverse sounds and strong native feel lay into the incredulous melodic metal performance without letting up once.

The sleek piano/vocal driven duo of ‘Virgin Death' and ‘Grace' simply bring tears to a grown Ian's eyes - serious movie soundtrack melodies executed by Miss VDB, just as if she's read the scripts already. The album storms to a fiery finale with Coops classic ‘Poison' yet not even a cover number can nullify the nauseating air of esquisteness that the last eleven songs have left hanging over you. With a 21-piece string orchestra also willowing around their already amazing sound, Crimson Chrysalis living proof that you don't have to be based on any particular piece of land to deal in the music that means the most to you.

An absolute masterpiece - more please, Rene!

10/10

By Dave Attrill

VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Epica, Mostly Autumn, Nightwi... No, make that RECOMMENDED, END OF!

NET: crimsonchrysalis.com

The Curly Wolf – Calling Your Bluff
(S/R – 2015)

Sometimes I get to hear some amazing bands due to running Metalliville Zine that I'd never heard of and am blown away - The Curly Wolf are such an example and hail from Southern California!

They are a fine trio of musicians comprising of Grant (Guitar & Lead Vocals); Matt (Bass & Vocals) & Mike (Drums) who fire in plenty of barnstomping not to mention comedy moments throughout.

Think Hayseed Dixie meets Drive By Truckers or The Dubliners in a melting pot with Mumford & Sons and what Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance may have been like if they were straight out of the deep south. Bluegrass Country Rock Outlaw Brilliance! Hank Williams would approve for sure!

There are so many great songs on here like ‘Grind It ‘Til You Find It’; the engine intro’d and closing good ole boy sound of ‘Diesel Blood’ with fiddle action too; ‘Fall Back Down’ which looks at loyalty of friendship, ‘ICU’ that with some George Jones’ing for you! and ‘Meet Me At The Gasser’ with its upright steel guitar work. In fact, it feels wrong not to list every song as a highlight since it sure is.

Absolutely love it – in fact it’s utterly impossible not to!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Bush & Boysetsfire.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Hellacopters, Sex Pistols, The Clash & Adam Bomb.

NET: www.charlesinthekitchen.com

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Kiss, Metallica & Black Stone Cherry.

NET: billythebatclements.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE VIA: CDBaby, iTunes & Reverbnation.

CARBONINE – Rebirth
(S/R - 2014)

What do you call a band, jointly influenced by Dokken, Pantera, Alice in Chains and Incubus? Apart from barmy, rather bleedin' good, I'd say.

Young Long Beach foursome, Carbonine certainly place some weight behind the use of the title 'Rebirth’. The opening hard rock assault of 'Say I Am' swings more the way of George Lynch's legendary 80s machine, than any other, with its sizzling solo break and soaring vocal chorus line. The heavier load drops a little with 'Edge Of The World's stomping pace, and although the chorus tapers a bit, the bar is already raised. 'Thoughts' introduces the still awaited Sabbath style edge to them with Singer, Mike Godoy certainly giving things a classic Ozzy muscle. 'Bury My Shame' is a so-so-ish mid paced heavy rocker while 'Winter Nights', despite almost stealing from. 'Stone Cold Crazy' at the off drives through with a hard, ragged business end protruded outward.

'Take It All The Way' is a modern, prog-titled trad metal exercise with a sweeping chorus that will steal the room, livewise, sending off a slight gas of Annihilator and Anthrax from the guitar valves. Settling into a more relaxed interlude, 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' wisps through the air from.the speakers to the window in a whirly Pink Floyd meets Black Sabbath sort of way and allows you to access an extra secret to this band's fantastic formula. Our trip  cranks up to full again for the incredible, double closing assault of out-and-out hard rockers 'Running Wild' and 'Broken' and this baby certainly needs no fixing.

Gritty, in your face solo-laden heavy metal as every eighties eighteen-year-old dreamed of playing seems to have come true again and in California, hard rock's hotbed over the pond, it's difficult to accept the last twenty years ever intervened, let all interfered. Distinctive Layne Staley moments aren't difficult to pick up from Mr Godoy's performance but then again the late Alice leader was as much brought up on this stuff as the four ultra talented individuals making up Carbonine evidently are.  

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:  Dokken, Racer X, Black Sabbath, Dio & Judas Priest.

NET: fb.com/carboninemusic

Casvadell – Bull By The Horns
(Bird Drop Records – 2015)

Imagine Black Label Society meets Pantera fronted by a dude called Casey Lowery who sounds like Metallica’s James Hetfield and you’re somewhere on the lines what you’ll hear from this band who hail from South Arkansas.

It’s heavy but at the same time very melodic and the gutsy redneck sounding vib comes through in the music with standouts being the opening‘My Eyes Are Opening’ (Very Zakk Wylde) & ‘Nothing To Take’ that has a strong Dixie touch to it in that main riff.

Later on you get the Sabbathy ‘Thunder Of God’ and closing acoustic dittie going by the name of ‘A Perfect Day’ that will please anyone south of the Mason-Dixon line. Wish we had bands as good as this in the UK. I guess I’ll keep wishing.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

CATS IN THE WELL - Bitter Song/Nothing To Say (Demo)
(S/R - 2015)

Like their over-active Scandinavian neighbours, Norway never seem to lay down when it comes to devising new rock n roll machines.

Cats In The Well answer quite literally to the description with this double track taste of their wares. See pages marked Stones, Joe Cocker, Fleetwood Mac and Black Crowes to catch an accurate reference of this feisty fivesome's influences. Settled beneath a male/female vocal switch, this newest Nordic device seems primed to produce the goods advertised in these two numbers, especially the gospel-friendly 'Nothing To Say'.

Nothing to say here really...nothing bad that is.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.facebook.com/catsinthewell

CIVILIAN - The Second
(S/R - 2015)

Any likelihood that this is your, erm...second album boys? Civilian, a Belgian modern hard rock act, may well intend it to double up on the meaning, given that its title track refers - literally - to its own playing duration (knocking Napalm Death officially off the spot in doing so).

As for the eleven actual tunes, most of them are absolute winners, sewing seventies rock and Anthrax - infused thrash attitude tightly together in wire. Rough and ready twin guitars take on many shapes in musical terms with a massive drive in each guise, so fans of prog power pop and stoner alike will wallow in this sweet old school noise.

Singer, Mark Van Luijk adds a Monster Magnet element to the top, turning on the raunch of the album and makes each chorus last as long as it can. Not for wimps, Civilian's sound is the suddenly rumbling of another eager European creature shuffling about not far below the musical earth. 

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Cathedral, Electric Wizard, White Zombie, Motorhead & Stone Temple Pilots.

NET:  www.civiliantheband.be

AVAILABLE VIA:  iTunes, Bandcamp & Spotify.

Cha Cha’s Cadillac – Battle Hymns
(S/R – 2014)

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Jim Crean – Velvet Crush
(Melodic Revolution Records – 2011)

The man who went on to become the lead vocalist for Vinny and Carmine Appice’s Drum Wars is caught here three years earlier in his own right on an album co-produced by Phil Naro who I remember from the band, 24K.

It’s very much an album that has AOR, Poppy material and full-on rock too with highlights including the opener ‘Taste Of Reality’; the gutsy ‘n’ ballsy ballad ‘It Couldn’t Get Any Better’ or the bluesy ‘She Goes Down’. The official closer ‘Redlight’ has a Southerrn Rock feel about it on the chorus and is easily the best song on the album. I really like the second bonus track ‘Past Tense’.

Decent enough.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Corder McCormack – Spiritual Warfare
(FnA Records – 2010)

Basically this is the Frontman of Tora Tora, Anthony Corder and Hal McCormack, Guitarist of Black Oak Arkansas/Artimus Pyle Bamd & Jimi Jameson (RIP) that has a real funk meets southern groove about it.

Hey even the likes of Jim Dandy (Black Oak Arkansas), Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd ) and Chris Hicks (Marshall Tucker Band) are featured here too!

Not unlike the first Slash’s Snakepit Vocalist, Eric Dover, Lenny Kravitz and Jellybean with sounds of The Allman Brothers Band & The Black Crowes in there too. So many outstanding highlights like the opening ‘Follow The Rain’ which goes straight to ‘Broken’ or the beautiful ballad that funnily enough is called just that – ‘Beautiful’.

Then theres the ballad ‘Rage To Live’ with amazing mandolin that is very Black Crowes like; the gospel filled ‘Heaven’s Song’; the gutsy ‘The Tide Is Gonna Turn’ or the authentic acoustic meets electric blueser closer that is ‘Delta Sun’ that could have been penned by The Robinson Brothers and extremely Southern Harmony especially with those Gospel vocal backups!

I really need to hear more from this incredible musical project since it is simply mindblowing in all things swamp! Let’s see that southern willow swing in the wind while this is playing while sat out on the porch!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX - White Light Generator
(Cool Green Recordings - 2014)

The first album by Brit septet Crippled Black Phoenix seemed to grate in parts so one hopes they might have heightened my anticipations slightly this time round.

Disappointed, I'm not quite. Despite a few draggy intervals still included, ‘White Light Generator' is a comparatively clicking work. The thirteen new tunes served up pander to most classy prog obligations but in slicker fashion than their six track, 45 minute debut. Whirling solos and strong held blues chord lines cruise and glide modestly around, taking you through the stages somewhat faster than last time and the magnificently eighties throat of new frontman Daniel Anghede does the numbers justice I struggled to witness previously.

A compelling follow up from a Phoenix no longer so much crippled as showing serious signs of rising...colour I'd say irrelevant.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Porcupine Tree, Coheed and Cambria, Pink Floyd & The Sisters Of Mercy

NET: www.crippledblackphoenix.co.uk

8/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Casablanca – Riding A Black Swan
(Gain / Sony Music – 2013)

Well it don’t seem like five minutes since the debut came out but here is the second album that falls somewhere between Buckcherry ‘n’ Thin Lizzy and a slight hint of Enuff Znuff & White Lion vocally.

It’s a cracking release as well with ten cooking songs and kick off with the raucous slow-tempo ‘The Giant Dreamless Sleep’ with other knockouts including ‘Dead End Street Revisited’; the Sweet-like bcking vocalled (think ‘Blockbuster) ‘It’s Alright’ that’s a powerful rocker of a number.

Awesome bit of cowbell on the title-track ‘Riding A Black Swan’ & ‘Heartbreak City’ that has a killer vibe to it; the fabulous ‘Some Misty Morning’ with an old school Scott Gorham type riff and a great uptempo closer in ‘Just For The Night’.

A real grower of an album with powerful riffs from this brilliant Swdeish band.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

9/10

By Dave Attrill

CORNERS OF SANCTUARY - Axe To Grind
(La Mazakuata Records 2013)

Born from the ashes of Philadelphian metallers, Seeker, three-piece C.O.S. pull off some pretty classy strokes in the collective instruments shared amidst them.

Mick Michaels handles guitars and keys superbly well whilst Sean Nelligan knocks the drums and singing switches into 'on' with good old fashioned gusto. Leaving bassist James Pera the only one with a single duty to his job description, this driving trad metal assualt aims at target with the all-equivalent force of a six-piece act and bites with the Blaze Bayley range Nelligan has to offer.

The sharp rhythm guitars get the up on the sound with a slick Megadeth edge and though we don't hear as much fast stuff as we expect across these nine tracks, it fares to be different. With well controlled solos that duel against the rest of the ractchets, this rollicking old-school hard rock machine is a likeable restoration for the genre.

Recommend with raised studded fists (or maybe indeed, grinded axes) aplenty.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Judas Priest, Wolfsbane, Dio & Stratovarius.

NET: www.cornersofsanctuary.com www.myspace.com/cornersofsanctuary

Johnny Cox – Thin Blue Line
(S/R – 2013)

Slick blues-rock,country and even reggae from this Canadian frontman and guitarist with commercial elements thrown in there too to touch the wider spectrum of audience out there too.

Highlights include the opening county tune that is ‘You Love’’ the cool ballad ‘Long Day’; the cheesey 12-bar moderate tempo closer ‘Didn’t Commit The Crime’ the rather cooking blues of ‘High To Pay’or the jazziness of ‘Something For Me’ complete with Rhodes piano.

Decent enough.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Heavy Metal that has an old school feel of early Metallica, bits of Megadeth and a slice of Anthrax too done by four guys from Castrop-Rauxel, Germany who weren’t even born when some of this stuff came out.

Their songs are well constructed in a cracking horns up kinda way with some piping ‘n’ slamming numbers in the opening ‘Kill The Oppression’ with plenty of double bass drumming to get excited or the guitar riffery of ‘Breaking Out’ that’s very ‘And Justice For All’ in parts.

Or what about ‘The Final Call’ that’s pure metal up your ass or an acoustic like ballad there that surprises the ears that goes by the name of ‘Dream Of You’ as does the electric ballad ‘Someone Who Wasn’t Me’,

Decent so get the horns in the air!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

CHRISTIAN CULAK – Essence
(S/R - 2013)

Like many other forms of rock music in later years, instrumentals are not a sole produce of pretentious prog musos scattered across the States or Blighty.

Europe thrive on it like a commodity too. Christian Culak's work is a testifying example of how vocalless and tedious certainly no not go hand in hand. Diversity does however require a double injection into the mix and this boy does not let the side down. Every track here is in a tale of its own creation, taking in thrash, metal, hard rock, ambience and pure contemporary progressive stylings without seeking the need to abuse.

If you are a fan of the furious rhythm guitar lines served up on most Metallica or Dream Theater albums alike, Christian has something in store for you. Well worth your pennies, especially if your playing needs some push, 'Essence' is an inspiring musical slice.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.christianculak.bandcamp.com

Crusher – In Heat
(S/R – 2013)

A cool hair band that look really young that have that deep earthy blues gut to them too showing they’ve done their homework and know what works to get folks attention.

Some epic stuff on here such as the gutsy ‘Turn It Up’; the excellent ‘Redline’ and the speaking from ‘Black Beauty’ about an awesome 2-wheel machine. Or what about the Kiss’ness of ‘Sweet Sugar’ or the closing power ballad ‘Hard To Say Goodbye’.

On the up and up.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Crosson - Spreading The Rock N Roll Disease (E.P.)
(Galaxy Records - 2013)

This is as cheesey as it gets and falling somewhere between Robin Black & The Intergalactic Rock Stars, Shameless and The Darkness.

These Austrian fellows and fellowesses obviously don't take things too seriously as the lyrics aren't exactly Mccartney & Dylan standard but they are having a full-on good time with knock-out songs like 'All About The Music' ; 'Take Another Shot' or the closing 'I'm Not Afraid'. They'll bring you the joys of Steel Panther and Kiss for sure.

Toxic decadence!

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

CREST OF DARKNESS - In The Presence Of Death
(My Kingdom Music - 2013)

Norway's black metal scene has long been shrouded in scandal, and also scandalously tedious acts, Crest Of Darkness amongst nominees.

Peddling more of the same substance-devoid noise on this seventh disc it's amazing how so many other thousand imitation acts have come and gone in the eighteen years this outfit have apparently scorched the Nordic surface.

Speed, speed and scream they go along nine numbingly predictable cuts that one would struggle to sit through unless your Emperor collection was stolen through your car window overnight. Typical day at the office drivel with nothing new to offer than a couple of occasional near-decent solos.

Sorry.

4/10

By Dave Attrill

Captain Crimson - Dancing Madly Backwards
(Transubstans Records - 2012)

Bluesy Stoner sounding band from Orebro - a city in Sweden. They are a 4 piece who are very late 60's and early to mid 70's in their sound.

Okay, not the most original sounding band out there - but neither did they intend to be and build their songs from retro sounding repetitive riffs with galloping 'n' snappy drums, deep bass and high but light throaty vocals on top of the deal.

it does get a bit samey to me after a while though but there are good numbers in 'Lonely Devils Club; 'Mountains Of Sheep' and the closing title track 'Dancing Madly Backwards' that has a nice guitar solo instrumental section in it.

Okay and stands up well in the genre.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

CHASING VIOLETS - Outside Heaven
(Perris Records - 2012)

Whats better than a melodic rock band fronted by a frighteningly beautiful female? What about a band fronted by two of them for beginners.

Sisters Sarah and Melissa Fontaine arent the easiest to tell apart in voice but their silky loose ranges, both awesomely esqusite dissolve into each other as one and do not lie when they claim to collaborate with the best AOR musicians in the world. Serious word must have shot around like wildfire to have Paul Sabu, Tommy Denander, Jerry Hludzik as well as Work Of Art's Robert Sall at their side but its sure warning that thesr two feisty French chanteuses are taking off before they're even begun to tax down the runway.

'I can't Love No More', 'No Margin For Error', 'When The Darkness Falls', 'Above Suspicion', 'Outside Heaven', 'Hold Back The Dawn', 'No One's Gonna Hurt Me Anymore', 'A Hole In Paradise' and 'Ceasfire' gather all the luminaries together for an AOR tour de force sat secretly in waiting for ages. With great lead vocal visits from Goran Edman plus Sabu and Hludzik plus storming solos by the Only Child chappie himself amongst others these young ladies laugh down at anyone who dares to mock their choice in musical direction.

Leaving the Lion's share of writing to esteemed countryman Frederic Slama doesn't dent their reputation for creativity - you only have time to do so many things with such magnificent pipes to perfect - and in accuracy, les madamoiselles Fontaine create the awe this album inspires alone. Nice doesnt even come close - 'Outside Heaven' is stunning, captivating, catchy, enchanting eloquent and thoughtful all in one rich, thick thirteen track slab of swish melodic rock you'd swear blind no one believed any longer in being made.

Tres bl**din' Bien, girls!

10/10

By Dave Attrill

VERY, VERY RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Heart, Vixen, Lita Ford, Robin Beck & Dante Fox.

NET: www.facebook.com/chasingvioletsofficial

CHRIST AGONY - Darkside
(Total Metal Records - 2012)

Never mind the bearded fella, it sounds like this band’s singer is in agony on a song or two here.

Relatively less painful for this listener, Christ Agony’s album serves up a strangely loveable mish-mash of all that be metal, and extreme. Enough different styles are attempted within ‘Darkside’ to convince you there could be multiple acts under the same name at work. Industrial, death, goth, thrash and hardcore all get a go on the ride, as also do both English and their native Polish lingoes, lyric-wise.

Stormy guitar work, and synth beats that make your boards shudder come and go in a well-cobbled conglomeration and it works for all initial worries. ‘The Triangle’, ‘Dark Beauty’, ‘Kingdom of Abyss’, ‘My Spirit Seal’, ‘Dark Poem’, ‘Dark Goddess’ and ‘The Key’ proud as I am to say this for once do not need repeat plays to distinguish. Each of these ten numbers tells its own deadly tale and while there are lesser favourable bits on board, most of Christ Agony’s content is well above ground.

Darth Vader might have been right about the Darkside when you think about it.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.christagony.com

Chrome Molly - Gunpowder Diplomacy
(Edel/Ear Music - 2013)

Very much old school Metal 4 piece that remind me of bands like Saxon & Waysted etc - you get the idea with a bawling old dude in Steve Hawkins on vocal that reminds me of Biff Byford at times.

Highlights include the opening speeder of 'Corporation Fear'; the cheesey Saxon-like 'Short Sharp Shock'; the bright but ironically humourous 'Clean Outta Luck'; the Beatle and Enuff Znuff like ballad 'All In My Mind'; the alarming yet funky 'Billion Dollar Heart Attack' and closing spacey harmoniser that is 'The Runner'.

An ok album with songs that grow on you.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Circle 7 - In Between
(S/R - 2012)

Circle 7 are a San Diegan hard rock act, and a very unusual sounding one at that.

Def Leppard, Motley Crue or Van Halen fans be warned to expect disappointment – meanwhile, those appreciative of all things Seattle-oriented, do stop around. Driving, downtuned rhythms and slightly progressive pace amendments secure ‘In Between’ a place in the hearts of the open-minded metal fan alike.

Captivating hooklines you can sing for ages once the song is over, reverberate over every next number provoking an easy excuse for repeat playing. Korn-a-like moments seep in along the course of succulent belters including ‘Dare’, ‘Rebel Soul’, ‘Whole’, ‘Cage’, ‘Chasing Bullets’, Vermin’ and ‘Bury Me’ yet the double guitar grind keeps it away from that department, every other way at hand.

A meaty slice of melodic grunge metal licensed to thrill listeners, ‘In Between’ is as its title goes – one of those great little grey areas that Planet Rock’s often too black-and-white surface sees from time to time.

Brill!

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Nickelback & Disturbed.

NET: www.circle7band.com

Stacie Collins - Sometimes Ya Gotta
(Blue Rose Records - 2010)

An awesome country rocker who was originally from California but now resides in Nashville, TN - Ladies and Gentleman, may I present Stacie Collins! A raunchy vocal and visual gift indeed.

I was struck by her and her band when I saw the unit recently in Sheffield and this album is just as outatanding with incredible cuts such as the lively opener 'Hey Mister' with it's amazing country guitar sliding & twangs from husband Al; the boot scooting 'I Won't Do Ya Like That' and the rockin' it up at the barndance 'Tied To You'.

Then there's 'Give It Up' with Stacie's raunchy harmonica wails; the Stonesy meets Georgia Satellities 'Don't Doubt Me Now' and the closing spiced up cruncher that is 'Lend The Devil A Hand'. This album cannot be bettered.

Sensational Country Rock.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Consfearacy - S/T
(Massacre Records - 2010)

American/German band Consfearacy are a little known band with a super-group line-up consisting of vocalist Brian O'Connor (Vicious Rumours), guitarist Fabian Schwarz (The New Black), guitarist Ira Black (ex-Vicious Rumours, Lizzy Borden, Metal Church and Where Angels Suffer), bassist Guenter Auschrat (The New Black and Abandoned) and drummer Timo Weis.

Consfearacy unite East and West and this reflects upon their lyrical content of their music, writing about controversial topics surrounding conspiracy theories, end of day prophecies, the new world order, spiritualism and relationships. The band self-produced, recorded and mixed their self-titled promo CD in 2010 in their home studios and mastered it with Achim Koehler in Germany, producing a heavy power-tech-thrash metal formula, featuring heavy and soaring dynamic vocals, technical attacking melodic guitars, powerful driving bass lines and hard-core precision drumming. Together, these well-established international recording artists have created an undeniable metal force.

Collectively, these musicians have completed countless albums, singles and EP's, DVD’s, tours, radio airplay, magazine/press coverage and festival performances to thousands of fans worldwide. They have supported, headlined and toured with major acts in the U.S. and Europe such as DIO, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Blind Guardian, Twisted Sister, Scorpions, Queensryche, Motorhead, Black Sabbath and many more. Consfearacy began looking for a record deal in 2010, and eventually got a deal with the European label Massacre Records.

'Consfearacy' is a well-produced and very good metal album blending elements from typical American Power Metal and the Bay Area Thrash scene whilst containing the major influences of the European metal scene. The three songs that stand out for me on this CD are 'Forever Falling', 'Ritual Sacrifice' and 'Unbreakable'.

On 'Unbreakable' the vocals have got that typical European Power Metal edge with Brian O'Connor doing a very good Iced Earth impression. The lyrical content is very serious and adds a very dark atmosphere to the album. There is nothing light-hearted about this album, the music isn't out-dated, it isn't old school metal or Nu Metal, it’s just an awesome blend of Power and Thrash metal. Having an very established line up of professional musicians who have played in a large number of major acts over the years makes this CD a must for all metal fans, with the excellent soaring vocals of Brian O'Connor, the very talented and excellent guitarists of Ira Black and Fabian Schwarz, who complement each other with very well crafted solos and rhythm guitar sections and sound very Exodus-ish, the powerful bass lines of Guenter Auschrat and the drumming extraordinaire of Timo Weis.

It definitely produces a good sounding CD when all this talent gets together to produce a group like this. I only found out about Consfearacy when I tour managed for Where Angels Suffer in 2011 when Ira Black was in the band and he gave me a copy of this CD and I'm glad he did and I've not stopped playing this album regularly.

'Consfearacy' makes a very good addition to any metal head's CD collection.

8/10

By Andy Turner

Net: http://www.consfearacy.net/ https://www.facebook.com/consfearacyband
http://www.reverbnation.com/consfearacy http://www.last.fm/music/Consfearacy?ac=consfearacy

CONVERGENCE OF SHADOWS - The Hierophant (E.P.)
(S/R - 2012)

As other bands I’ve reviewed recently demonstrate, acquired musical tastes always serve better in lesser platefuls.

So, Convergence of Shadows aren’t he first instrumental prog act to have opted for an EP over a full length taste of their tricks but they remain considerate towards the cautious. Safety hats could be removed as the Texan trio seem wholly accessible.

Starting with the Theater-meets-Jadis swagger of ‘Tiamat’, through ‘Death Defeat’s ‘Space Odyssey' intensity trip to end with the all-round aplomb of ‘Exorcism’, many household names shoot up fro the trip. Brisk, accomplished instrumentery sits tight despite the absence of a voice. Starting to feel the urge for a full album, here.

Impressive, partners.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Flower Kings, Porcupine Tree & Transatlantic.

NET: myspace.com/convergenceofshadows

Creeper - Welcome To Room #9
(S/R - 2012)

An old school quartet of thrash metallers from Dallas, Texas who have a Slayer like sound but with way more audible vocals.

It reminds me of the times I used to go to real dark metal pubs in Sheffield back in the day like The Wapentake or Under The Boardwalk on a friday or Saturday night especially due to that deep, bassy chugging sound from the guitars. Sinister standouts include the opening 'M For Murder' that puts me in mind of Murderdolls; the expertising ballad that is 'Noone Will Hear' that bursts into a brutal 'n' burning b*st*rd of a screamer at times too and the heavy Priest like 'The Majic'. Then there's the sick but at the same time humourous 'Timmy' and blasting closing 'Screaming Demon'.

Thrashtastic and sounds like it's 1987 all over again!

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX - No Sadness or Farewell
(Cool Green Recordings - 2011)

Its not the first time lately that one has encountered an album only six racks in size, yet over 45 minutes in duration.

Unfortunately the translation in Crippled Black Phoenix’s case is three tiresomely overlong instrumentals woven amidst a trio of above-passable progressive rock cuts. So not to get me wrong, quarter-hour-long opener ‘How We Rock’ (a dodgily place title there people) isn’t the worst non-vocal cut ever committed to disc , and comes with its innovations to chose from, but the ambience thang goes better in smaller doses.

Soulfully-voiced numbers like ‘Hold On’ and the female-headed ‘Jonestown people’ go down with a great landscape outside your window . Wishfully-performed melodies with great sustains and semi-acoustic parts that provide an eerily welcome iciness. Still difficult to digest in siginifactly major areas, ‘N.S.O.F.’ is by no means a straight stinker, still it's easily the vocal-led half hoarding the attention here.

6.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.mascotlabelgroup.com

CHALCEDONY - Chapter II
(S/R - 2012)

Lured in by the manner of name broadcasting likely goth-metal delights, we are instead greeted by an equally grandiose prog album of epic proportions.

17:56 being the longest track length just to cement the point, don’t dread many tedious parp-imentary panderings from this swish multi-instrumental duo. Unflinching melodic prog rock throughout allows eloquence in together with extensiveness and they know a handsome musical trick or two when they try one. Normal commercial-length cuts such as ‘India’, ‘Blood From Stone’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’ house hard-edged complexities often reserved for the feature length machines, whilst resident long-sters ‘Regyne’, ‘Mechanical Wind’ and aforementioned eighteen minute closer ‘Final Love’ still leave plenty light and entertaining without managing to bore.

Guitar expertise from in-house shredder Chris Wilson is another technical scoop placed of course alongside eponymous frontwoman Chalcedony’s super –sharp range, herself a finely accomplished pianist and cellist to boot. Time not having been in my side of late I haven’t had quite had the minutes to muster the epic size write up I’d have liked to have given this gargantuan disc, but hey at least I have still space for the grade.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Dream Theater, Evanesnce, Yes, Magnum, Transatlantic, Spock’s Beard, Flower Kings, Jadis & Threshold.

Chillihounds - Shake Your Skull
(Transubstans Records - 2011)

Swedish Rockers who sound like a cross between Status Quo, Rival Sons and the odd element of 70's sounding ZZ Top at various interludes with a frontman in Gabriel Aadland who sounds a but like Ian Astbury.

This is good old rock and blues with some pounding numbers in 'Taking Off'; the harmonica starting 'Cain'; the blues of 'Mark Of Cain' with a shedload of harp as well, not to mention thumping bass drum & the AC/DC like 'Love Pays No Rent'.

Plenty of riffs and whisky stoked sounding stoner like vocals to get you excited right here.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Crash Street Kids - Sweet Creatures
(Hot City Recording/Vanity Music Group - 2011)

Punk, Sleaze and Glam from a well known band of the genre who present 10 super cool numbers indeed.

Highlights include the Sweet like 'Mary Queen Of Rock'; the big f*ck-offery of opener title track 'Sweet Creatures'; the serious sounding 'Sad Julia'; the acoustic Smokie meets David Bowie acoustic 'Angel' or the nicely angled 'Harlot Of The Flies' with its fine use of vocoder.Love the piccy of Sunset strip that leads up to the Roxy and Rainbow - my fave walk in the world just about - good times indeed, good times.

Nice.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Cyanide 4 - Everyday Is A Masquerade
(Perris Records - 2012)

These guys sound and look like Vain but strangely enough come from nowhere near California but in fact Greece.

Highligts on here include the opener 'Hide In The Shadow'; 'Innocent Alibi'; the Def Leppard meets LA Guns like 'Cyanide'; the ballad 'Illusions' that's got nice guitar soaring solo work in it that's rather Hanoi Rocks which can be said for the closer too that is 'Midnight Heat' that comes complete with thunder and rain sound effects.#

It's OK album.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

CHASM - They
(S/R - 2012)

Norway, known best nowadays for its AOR contributions, can crack out the odd different -sounding outfit or two as well if it likes.. And so they do seem to.In spite of being labelled alternative on the promo, overtly-thinking foursome Chasm deliver a silky progressive flavoured ten number platter that pulsates through you warmly and waves you about with its lust.

Taking the new wave vocal styles of Sting and setting them to the guitar, keyboard movements of Porcupine Tree and Asia at often their softest with female harmonies added for greater flavour, ‘Undisclosed Recipients’, ‘Puma’, ‘Tenebra (Going Home)’, ‘Reach’, ‘Shine’, ‘Garments’ and ‘Atypical’ explore all laid before them, layering lax harmonies and swish switch backing tempos along to titanium bass lines.

Superb and strongly original material from another great set of Nordic inventors, some chasms are worth falling deep down into, never reappear…. though I’d prefer if these guys did.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Advisable just to listen.

NET: www.myspace.com/officalchasm

Casablanca - Apocalyptic Youth
(Rocket Songs - 2012)

Excellent rock band from Sweden that feature Ryan Roxie of the Alice Cooper Band (ex-Slash's Snakepit) on lead guitar.

Vocally, Anders Ljung sounds a bit like Davy Vain with a gravelly, throatiness to his tone (think 70's band, Smokie) who nails some excellent songs here such as 'Downtown' which before you ask is not a cover of the Dusty Springfield classic and the almost funkiness of 'The Juggler' that reminds me of The Rolling Stones in their more disco like mode mixed in with The Cars.

Then there's the 'I Was Made For Lovin' You-esque 'Love And Desperation'; the uplifiting 'Beast Of Summer' - hey ain't there a lyric there lifted from the 60's hit 'Dancing In The Streets' - just sayin' guys! An excellent happy go luck closer in 'A Lifetime On The Run' as well.

Good album and you can tell what bands they must be into as well.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

CONAN - Monnos
(Burning World Records - 2012)

No relation to an 80’s Arnie flick, this outfit however are way less exciting entertainment.

The stoner guitar noise sets in with a promise on this six-track ep and offers some scintillating progressive moments and Metallica-bred ferocity in a few well-spaced areas. Sadly that’s as good as it gets, with the so-called vocals represented by a bloke sounding like he’s stood outside on the street vainly hailing taxi for half an hour, repeating the tunes already stiflingly limited lyrical content.

Hopefully he is eventually picked up by one and dumped in a place far away from here, or even more preferably run over on the spot, as this horrid thrown together catastrophe is experimental metal at its ugly and highly unlistenable side. Strapping Young Lad do this one off with much greater pride so do the honourable thing an leaver it to them.

Great ideas gruesomely ruined.

3/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: hailconan.com

CRUSHER - Endless Torment
(Total Metal/Metal ScrapRecords - 2012)

Young thrash metal acts seem often the speciality of UK shores nowadays but don’t let that stop Eastern Europe edging their way in on the pitch.

Rusisan Trio endless torment , reminiscent as they are of other speed metal startles making waves in the recent half decade, do it all with aplomb and a love for their inpsirations and the sound they create. A blistering take of Slayer’s ‘Jesus Saves’ on top of their self-composed shredders such as 'On The Needle', 'Den Of Inquity', 'Polititshit, S(K)atanic Ride and Living for’… brings this album into the room marked ‘must give these guys a chance’ straight away and so we unhesitant do.

Rhythm guitars and solos so tight they nearly suffocate seem to make frontman Dyatel’s range sound only more pained but thankfully not painful. Without anything lasting over its time, this debut album is thirty-five-plus minutes of top rate thrash aggression from a band who’ve already indulged in a bout of successful self-discovery. Listen endlessly and enjoy the tormenting.

Good one!

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Evile, Slayer, Forbidden, Vio-lence, Dark Angel, Anthrax

NET: mypsace.com/crusherkiev www.metalscrap.org.ua

CRYPTIC - Infinite Torment
(Metal Scrap Records - 2011)

Poland’s Cryptic torment take into their work with their tools and cut their material a lot finer than a number of other extreme metal outfits on the mingy face of the planet manage.

Though treated to predominantly predictable gut-spewing from leader Tomash, its back to the otherwise off-kilter commerciality that the twin guitar element has moulded itself into there across the Danube. Bay-area favouring rhythms and bouncy progressions sit alongside juttery chord sustains that do your skul lthe equal level of harassment.

Brilliantly balanced between over-soft and out-and-out racket, ‘Kingdom Of The Blind’, ’Salvation’, ‘On Wings Of Chaos’, ‘New Existence’, ‘Infected Soul’ and ‘Visions From The Abyss’ sell with their solos and strong consistence of pace without casting away the reins of versatility, something fellow East Europeans C-300 could have tried their hand at.

Torment well worth enduring.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE : Sepultura, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Testament, Emperor & Slayer.

C-300 - Scourge Of Angels
(Metal Scrap Records - 2011)

Another awkwardly Cyrillic-lettered sleeve leaves me suffering having to translate the background of these boys.

I’m suffering more so at having to get through a four-track cd that as a progressive work, clocks in not too surprisingly at over half an hour. Quite brutally in honesty, this mess just mostly passes me by - proficient they may be but a poor man’s death metal Dream Theater they only just avoid turning into.

Where the melodic comes into this, other than a couple of sustained solo lines one has to survive right to the middle of each tune to hear tragically eludes me - that the fourth number is only four and a half minutes is a mercy granted almost too late.

Scourge of my eardrums maybe but saviour of coaster collection.

3.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE : (Anything that sounds like) Emperor & Burzum.

NET: www.metalscrap.org.ua

CYDIA - Evil Sun
(Metal Scrap Records - 2011)

Sounding like a lethal pill of some description, this Russian outfit’s output could be as dangerous if overdosed on to gratuitous volumes.

Seemingly advertised as groove death, the style is pretty compliant and tedium -free with it, despite the vocals being penned in the act’s homeland lingo. Some pretty NWOBHM -nurtured chugging gets a place in each number with fantastic bounce and tempo variations. Solo work is handled as amiably as expected by Oleg Zoob, Pantera influences simply left to run amok on most tracks.

Adding sneaky symphonic metal deviations into this energetic eleven -track journey should not offend the elitist when all the hallmarks have their pegs set firmly enough in the holes already. Stas Nobody applies a sturdy extreme metal throat, translatable and a couple of brief Korn moments accommodate it with little need for improvisation on what are also hugely promising live numbers.

Somewhat groovy stuff indeed.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE Obituary, Cancer, Sepultura, My Dying Bride, Machine Head & Faith No More.

NET: www.myspace.com/cydia-metal_band

FRANCK CARDUCCI - Oddity
(S/R - 2011)

Italy and prog rock have not had the most visible of associations outside their own shores but seems of late it is bursting with it on top of the overloading talent capacity.

Coming amidst the coolest names lately is os Mr Franck Carducci whose brand of classy 70s art rock swish instantly wins me over. That said, starting with a fifteen minute tune is still almost naughty but even so, some might say is ripping off a David Bowie classic and almost trying to pass it off as one’s own work. Yet both ‘Achilles’ and ‘The Last Oddity’ are fine tunes for their duration and amazingly instant with their approach, delivering surprisingly hooky harmony lines right at the in door.

Franck’s approach, both vocally and down the instrumental channel are suited to the swish blues-driven rock vibe he pumps through the valves of vitriolic retro-groover ‘Alice’s Eerie Dream’. Attacking with a raunchy Hendrix bend, this album is guaranteed not to become boring and Carducci’s sharpened brilliance and straightforward take on the prog genre is praise enough to place him high on the genres’ global map.

Brilliant stuff.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Porcupine Tree, Genesis, Asia & Deep Purple.

NET: www.franckcarducci.com

CELTACHOR - In the Halls Of Our Ancient Fathers
(S/R - 2011)

Concept albums sound often wasted in extreme metal circles, seemingly normally as you struggle to understand the lyrical content through the sickening growls and gargles.

Celtachor look to make a one-off waive to the rulebook with an impressive seven-part story told to a black metal backdrop where if you listen carefully you can get a bit of the tale. If you still obviously strain, then the lyric pages are certainly worth reading as they take you through an interesting medieval tale as if it were real without the pretence of Manowar. Guitar work is good as you hope for with some bouncing grooves making for a jovial within the piece and pleasant woodwind additions also elbow slide in at every welcoming time.

Quite interesting.

7.5/10

By Dave Atttrill

NET: www.myspaxce.com/celtachor

STEVE CICHON - Heavy Sleeper
(S/R - 2011)

The twenty one-o’s are barely over two years young yet shoved enough new instrumental faces at us to last the next lifetime.

Amidst them 7 a veteran undiscovered to us at camp Metalliville comes roaring on by for a call. Having dug up stuff from his previous disc ‘Cranial Feedback’ its disturbing to see why we’ve been denied the privilege to access the world of guitar swishster Steve Cichon till now. Steve’s music has many faces to its shape, moving along from technical solo metal to prog, to silky instrumental AOR and round again, adding a little extra each time.

Bending only when its right and slapping strictly for bite, this clever gent crunches the rhythm lines into a shape that’s as good as any bottom string harmony itself, the handmade distortions bringing an occasional blues and on one instance Celtic overtone to the proceedings. Less of Vai and Yngwie’s overblown flamboyancy in favour of freshly straight song writing and evident exploration of all that’s offered to him in the way of influence, Steve Cichon’s name adds in black ink alongside the best, nonethless.

Sound music, sounding great for it as well.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.nightmarerecords.com

CRIMSON RIVERS - Sorrowful Hell
(S/R - 2011)

Crimson Rivers are a girl-fronted metal act from Greece with a line in melodic goth metal finesse of only the finest order.

From the opening piano chords of ‘ ‘Cursed Riddle’ to the finishing harmonies of ‘Funeral’ ‘S.H’ is a majestic listen and the one of the most impressive ¾ hour of music this scene has gifted in the last twelve months. Stunning pictures play into your mind with the solos and melodies, Stellas’ voice makes as a universal treat for music in general though ‘Obscure Soul’, ‘Path To The Death’ , ‘In Life‘s Silence’, ‘Lights Of Reflection’ and ‘Inner Suffering - Hollow Suffering’ are the essential starting point to see and hear what you’re getting.

Fotis V’s solos are versatile and class in competing turns with a likeness to Testament shredder Alex Skolnick - opening lick to ’Obscure….’ notably in particular while keyster Thano Piachas generates into a growing nucleus of every number of the ten as the album progresses on. Blinding beginning to end, with barely a rough bit to flatten, ‘Sorrowfull Hell’ is a solidly shaped goth metal disc cut with only the finest instruments and played by evidently finest instrument-ists.

Steal it now and be amazed.

10/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Mostly Autumn, Anathema & Evanescence.

NET: www.myspace.com/crimsonrivers/gr

Captain Black Beard - S/T
(S/R - 2011)

Great Rock band from Sweden who formed in 2009 who have unleashed this energetic electric debut onto the world.

'Rock Is My Life' has a riff that reminds me off a famous song by Rush runnijng through it going by the name of Spirit Of Radio'; where elsewhere there are echoes of the likes of Buckcherry such as on the opening number 'Hey Man'.

I have only one think about it that spoils it for me - their just isn't enough roughness in the singers voice at times and makes it sounds too weak and poppy. Nice ballad in 'Summer Nights' - no it's not the song from Grease before you ask - lol. Closer 'Rockin' Body is great powerful song with a killer guitar riff to it.

An OK release.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

CHRIST AGONY - Nocturn
(Mystic Production - 2011)

Supergroups… oh how the metal scene would do without them….. Very well thankyou sometimes but this get together from two of black metals biggest names isn’t as tedious as most turn out to be.

Behemoth’s Inferno Prominski and ex-Vader man, Reyash could have put something a lot more disappointing than this eight-track platter of finely progressive extreme noise and I for a rarity am hooked right from opener ’Reign of Chaos’. Reyash’s lead vocals shared with guitarist Cezar while needless to elaborate on any further themselves sit on top of some beautifully Paradise Lost meets Testament rhythm lines riddled heavily across the conglomeration and a healthy mix of slow and fast tempos.

'Frozen Path', 'The Stigma Of Hell', 'Silent Gods Of Darkness' and 'Black Star Falling' aren’t going to alienate anyone from the scene but offer some rarely utilised guitar dynamics in their set and the live substance fills the glass here to reach the highest line on the measure. One worth chasing after especially by the new extreme metal believer this is less agony than one expects whilst retaining its full un-Christ-ly evil.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Emperor, Vader, Nile, Cradle of Filth, Slayer & My Dying Bride.

NET: www.myspace.com/mysticpl

CORNERSTONE - Somewhere In America
(Atom - 2011)

Cornerstone are a young four piece from Austria who need a look at the promo for us to believe that itself… that other country beginning and ending ‘A’ - yes, that one mentioned in the title - would have otherwise sprung instantly up.

Two album-young outfit to be truthful, this second long player is a powerful and emotive platter of melodic rock, alternative and retro-edged rock 'n'roll testosterone, delivered in an incredible tour de force of musical dynamics. Mostly favouring the Journey-flavoured side of their craft, the bands female-led lushness is brought to a mesmerising fore by in-band chanteuse Patricia Hillinger who shines strongly in particular on numbers like 'Stay', 'Rise and Shine', 'Right or Wrong', 'Like A Stranger', 'Follow You, Follow Me' and 'High And Low'. Steve Wachelhover has a style for every sound they explore, lifting off with many a tasty rhythm and travelling along the air along with her harmonies, soloing his way across the mountains on his way back down to the end.

Ably adopting a pleasing Police-esque sound into 'Oblivious' after sending it reggae-wards with 'Being Unaware' before rocking hard straight ahead onto the final two cuts. Am I grateful that its over after only 39 minutes? Yes and that’s because it’s placed generous time aside to play this stunning record over and over til my sound system bleeds. These three lads and one lady have laid a massive egg of melodic rock in our nest and have us beg that some live dates are upcoming.

Cornerstone indeed.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Heart, Journey & Evanescence.

NET: www.cornerstone.at

JC Cinel – The Light Of A New Sun
(Andromedarelix – 2011)

The 2nd album from JC, an Italian who cuts it with some slick southern rock that you’d think he was from the Deep South just about.

Beautifully recorded it is too with everything mightily standing out in its full glory right from the exceptional opener ‘Think Of Myself’ with some killer harmonica playing to the closing acoustic ‘A Place In The Sun’ that should have crickets singing in the background as its so nice and relaxing.

In between are some real feelgood numbers in the form of the slight Skynrydy ‘Sweet And Wild’; the amazingly Harrison gone countriness of ‘Islands’ with the lovely guitar solo and sound overall; the bluesines brilliance of ‘White Soldier’ and the incredible ‘Fallen Angel’ that is an epic track in need of recognition.

You need this in your collection.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

CALIGULA - Not Too Short to be Great
(S/R - 2011)

The commonly revered art of crossing styles has visibly shed all its remaining limitations up to here, in 2011.

Stoner metal and ska, as close an interpretation of Caligula’s output as I can muster is sailing as dangerously near to the wind as is now safe unless the clouds have backed off themselves. Switching their direction unevenly throughout the eight track album, between fast brutal metal and bop-along brass-laden sections, this Belgian five piece suddenly become hugely entertaining and certainly in a non-derogatory sense.

Purists are set to be very selective when faced with ‘Everyone Sucks But Us’, ‘Rackham The Red’, ‘Thrashing Puppies’, ‘Hard Rock N’ Roll’ and ‘The Great Supervillain’ but behind some blatantly corny titles of the kind you’d have come across on a Lawnmower Deth album or two in the past, lie some lovely fast speed metal rhythms and while the symphonic keyboard samples are trying to dig it in fine, the whole album remains fun.

Not too short to be great but short enough to perhaps ask for further.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: myspace.com/CaligulaBelgium

CONFINED WITHIN - Ashes Of A Fallen Kingdom
(Rising Records - 2011)

Aptly the name for the kind of noise I find myself listening to here, Confined Within they are that amidst a colossal noise wall though the substance turns out does exist, escaping to us through the cracks.

Peddling pretty Killswitch Engage-tutored fare, thes Stafford newcomers alternate the growling and singing modes the same way and the more subtle parts throw up some sweet harmonies, though the real ear opener comes with an unexpected eighties metal break in the middle of one particular track - I’ll leave you to hear it for yourself. Still brutal elsewhere as you’d expect throughout, most of these twelve menacing ditties impress, and also with solos you seldom get treated to on contemporary-oriented metal cuts.

Confine yourself within your quarters and crank up the woofers may be worth it with these boys.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Trigger The Bloodshed (but better)
NET: www.myspace.com/confinedwithinuk

CRIMSON FALLS - Fragments of Awareness
(Rising Records - 2011)

Belgium has become a molten hotbed for metalcore talent in recent times and Crimson Falls, now apparently in their ninth year of existence on planet metal’s heated crust don’t look like allowing the reputation to wither.

Their own, for being a band ‘for moshers, metal heads and hardcore kids’ certainly stands robust, ripping lungs apart over eleven well produced lumps of progressive extreme noise assault. ‘Forsaken’, ‘If I’d Become A Father’, ‘With All Due Respect’, ‘Sworn Persistence’, ‘Cauterize Havoc’, ‘Cordoba’ and ‘A Period of consequences’ aren’t all about speed and growls every second of each song, as guitar solos amid added substance gel some much advised accessibility into things.

Formulaic still, in considerable size from start to end, the more mature side of the metalcore criteria is displayed in Crimson Falls’ sound. Lyrics centred on the well trodden HC topics of respect and unity have proven to work together with technical instrumentation and although I’ve heard bands of far more versatile pace per song, these lads know they’re looking at a good thing.

And I think I have found myself listening to one.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: myspace.com/crimson falls

Mark Clarke - Moving To The Moon
(It's All About Music - 2010)

Reminds me vocally of somewhere between Roger Daltrey, John Parr and Paul McCartney with styles to match musically.

He is a man who has played in Uriah Heep, Colosseum & Natural Gas (with Joey Molland of Badfinger) as well as with Billy Squier and this is his 1st ever solo album. 10 cracking songs that rock you and lieft your spirits through the album with highlights include the cracking opener 'One Of These Days'; the sad but enchanting 'Without You'; the beautiful sounding, bizarre lyriced but also bright 'n' positive 'Heaven & Hell' that's very George Harrison; the countryesque 'Then Tomorrow Comes'.

Nice CD from this very talented man.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

COMMON SWIFT - These Safe Homes
(S/R - 2010)

Winsconsin's Common Swift conglomerate an interesting paring -of styles obviously into their lacy pop guitar based approach.

Placing prog, indie, grunge and sixties sounds into their pot bodes well for attention though today but these lads make the stunt looking convincing for success every time. Light peppery semi acoustic guitar lines, alternating into Britpop chordage and back all underneath frontman Brian Strutt’s fairly often near- McCartney/Lennon -like range give it a familiar shape in its ways but an unusually clean lead solo break in several of these numbers is a rare feature.

The thirteen track debut does take its time to get * off the runway but with later tunes such as ‘Shadow Boxers‘, ‘’Lakes Of Pristine Glass‘, ‘Sunbursts‘, ‘Clouded Glass’ ’Everyday‘ and ‘Separate Sighs‘ ,’ they’re soon cruising at a satisfactory rate of knots. If you’re after music to sit outside your caravan one hot summers evening with an acoustic guitar on your lap, let these lads be a useful strum-along subject.

Pleasant.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Flower Kings, Stereophonics, Sonic Youth & The Beatles.
NET: www.myspace.com/commonswift

CHAOS CALLING - Beyond Illusion
(S/R - 2010)

Good British groups have been a little scarce on the ground of late but as always one has to hit back loudly as to awake the slumber. Chaos are a young four-piece so hell-bent on leaping aboard the versatility carriage they nearly forget their ticket.

Fusing inspirations as far adrift as rage Against the machine, Dream Theater and James Brown, the promo info proves to be no mere gimmick - , a rarity these days - as all these and many hundred more various musical beasts bygone echo across these eight meatly crafted slices of prog -accented modern metal.

’Thin Ice’, ’Ritual Misery’, ’Conflict Control’, ’Rules of Engagement’ and ‘Fruit of Life And Energy’ re all instant hard-hitters with substance and strong intent, showing good feeling for it through their classy , sometime Maiden solo lines plus catchy lyrics and hooks. A ballsy and brutal experimental metal album, if ever I’ve had to apply that combination in writing, these guys have performed beyond illusions to shape it to this audacious extent but it paid.

Tasty chaos I’d call for any day.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE Rage Against the Machine, Metallica, Nirvana & Porcupine Tree.

www.myspace.com/chaoscallingmusic www.chaos callingmusic.co.uk

ALESSANDRO COSSU -Pensieri
(S/R - 2010)

As the queue of European guitar talent seems not to get any shorter, some are prepared to push in to the front, or in Alessandro Cossu’s case just picked out as they stand out a little bit.

This young gent from Udine is a distinguishable pedigree, his cues coming from not only Yngwie and the rest but also from various jazz luminaries down the line who are all instantly evident in his sound, by the first track into the eight. No endless speed soloing ventures for this chappie as he sits down and strums to sweetly laid bass lines by his friend Dennis Baselli plus welcome additions of sax that create instrumental pieces also perfect for listening to in restaurants.

Strong sixties vibes fill the air during title number ‘Pensieri‘, ’Direct Crash’’ and ’While Looking Outside’ and the feelgood level is set unusually high for an instrumental rock disc. Delicately performed with little pretence and all-out profession, Alessandro Cossu’s name is one soon likely to appear in the same sentence as Steve Vai’s on regular occasions.

Beautiful work.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: myspace.com/alessandrocossu

CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE - We Haven’t Been properly Introduced (E.P.)
(Mannequin Phono - 2010)

Haven’t we? Well these four pleasant young men come from Toronto, Canada’s hotbed of rock talent and peddle a friendly brand of pop rock/alternative material you might have heard umpteen bleeding hundred items before but do all bands do it as catchy as this.

While thankfully not sounding like the next biggest bunch of Green Day wannabes on the planet, frontman------#s range is Billie Joe like in his angst whine but never irritating and there are nice melodies in abundance on vocals and strings alike.

For those who’d like it laid back instead of lairy and fast, ’Young Love’, ’Fastest of The Losers’ and the excellent ’Desdemona’ are beautifully penned North American guitar pop numbers that sound fun in the summer and stay with you through Christmas though you’ll find no turkeys on this menu here.

Lovely, lads.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: myspace.com/chargeband

Circle Of Bards - Tales
(Electrum Production - 2010)

Out in the woods medieval kinda stuff that you'll love if you like Blackmore's Night. It's relaxing material and works so well when you stick the light off and listen away to this magnificent music.

It's done acoustic with percussive backing as well and like going back in time a few hundred years. This album from the one-man lyrical writer and composer, Mariusz Migalka from Poland, who plays and sings beautifully throughout the duration of the 9 main songs that have a 'Welcome' introduction and a closing 'Farewell'.

It's pure joy throughout with highlights including the gorgiously harmonied 'My Magic Song'; the folky and very celtic bounciness of 'Our Own Land'; the own languaged 'Czarne Smoti' with the exquisite guitarwork; 'Bridges We Shall Pass' with the amazing pipe-playing or the bright brilliance of 'When The Bard Sings'.

Atmospheric and aesthetically perfect.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

COMA - Excess
(Mystic Productions - 2010)

Polish prog kings Coma name themselves after something bout 51% of the genre’s bands are guilty of putting its less appreciative listeners into.

Yet they are not part of the offending half, no way. Much as I love the mighty Dream Theater, this foursome come across as a change more refreshing than a pool of ice cold lemon squash, with energy and drive for a true heavy rock feel and serious downtime for overladen keyboard patterns. Instead of that, their totally natural edge is generated totally by honest well educated guitar handling with a friendly peppering of INXs strums on occasion and none of the usual predictably grandiose multi instrumental meanderings.

Here, you get songs, simple as, ‘Excess’, ‘Transfusion’, ‘Poisonous Plants’, ‘T.B.T.R.’, ‘Afternoons In The Colour Of Lemon’ and ‘Silence Of Fire’ among the instant hitters, with potentially searing live prowess. Headbanger- friendly math rock is the closest I can extend my descriptive finger to what Coma trade in though there is a healthy likeness with Brit outfit Awake. ’Excess’ is excellent example from a normally very take and leave scene Coma are certainly a group worth taking note of fast, before they leave.

Excess- llent.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.coma.art.pl

CORNFLUX - Spark
(S/R 2010)

Jazz, prog rock and punk is the newest thing to try all thrown together, at least seemingly according to Illnois foursome Cornflux, which is, let’s say…interesting. Possibly in an additional move to get us warmed to this one vocals have been sacrificed in favour of a saxohpone.

The idea’s good, with Dan Burke’s electrifying show on the instrument but the music almost isn’t in many places with irritating over-changing rhythms that don’t settle often enough into a pace. Leaving poor Dan as often the only one actually playing something recognisable as a tune, it takes until third number ‘Fire Garden’ to get it off to an enjoyable tee and then still wobbles between so-so unlistenable for the rest of the trek.

Marks for trying new first time round but the prog element has been dangerously over-pumped into this mix of musical oxygen.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

CHICKENHAWK - Modern Bodies
(Brew Records - 2010)

Not only the name that’s crazy here but the sound… and the vocalist seems a bit south of his straitjacket as well come to think of it.

Sadly its not one I ended up being too crazy about either. The tunes often come flying in with riveting garage rock rhythms but seems to only act as a slide down to the mess awaiting at the bottom. I know and respect as always the importance a band seeks in being different and original but CH seem to need reminding that leaving actual tunes out for the sake of it lies over the line - the choruses are also totally lost here amongst a pile of badly aligned vocal layers and clumsy middle sections.

For the still desperately curious, the style is something that attempts to be prog combined with something that attempts to sound like Devin Townsend with a dodgy ticker but makes a sadly indigestible mix wrecks everything this disc appears to have going for it at first entry and struggle as I do to just get my way through all eleven tunes, struggling to it… seems one almost not worth risking.

It may be advisable to chicken out of this one.

3.75/10

By Dave Attrill

CITY WEEZLE - Taboo
(S/R -2010)

Weird name had unfortunately meant dodgy cd on more occasions that comfortable of late and now its dropped to another low. City Weezle seem to have honest enough intentions but not organized ones.

Hence a twelve track racket of prog, alternative and psychedelic jumble that exhibit little sing of any actual tune. To worsen the already sub-palatable platter, a sped up screaming vocal attack that sounds like a hyena being repeatedly screwed by his swingers whilst at the rest of the time we get someone that sounds like he got the wrong room for a cartoon voice over. Add horrendously patched together guitar lines and murdered saxophone harmonies - using the term very riskily - and you have an album that becomes unlistenable after only two songs .

Two? That’s a coincidental number.

2/10

By Dave Attrill

CRUSHING BLOW - Cease Fire
(Inferno - 2010)

The French metal scene rears its far from ugly head once again - been a while you guys over there - with one of Europe’s best and tightest melodic metal outfits for quite some time.

Girl fronted fivesome Crushing Blow deal exactly the meaning of their name ten times over with gritty trad metal testosterone, served with a healthy does of modern day medicine. Frontwoman Valene’s Doro-alike pipes do every of the town songs most of the justice left behind by the fantastic twin guitar melodies to take care of. Ben and Guillaume (first names only here it seems) may have possibly or not stepped straight out of an Iron Maiden tribute gig into this outfit but they kill with every lick, brining on a catchy thrash assault halfway down the disc.

English may not be this band’s first language but they exhibit zero difficulty in the lyrical field. ’Wizard’s Tale’, ’Redemption’, ’Dreams’ , ‘Tears of Heart‘, ‘Rise Your Soul’, and perky power ballad ’My Venom’’ don’t come without choruses and do well in the instantness stakes along the way, transforming themselves into instant live nuggets in the process.

A wholesome slab of old-school power with only the casual of modern essences, CB will never cease fire as long as they fire lethal musical bullets of the kind loaded in this deadly metal weapon.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Warlock, Lana Lane, Doro, Iron Maiden & Helloween

NET: www.myspace.com/crushingblowmusic

CYCLAMEN - Senjyu
(S/R - 2010)

Cyclamen are a London-based Japanese fronted metal act. Interesting. We all hope, and wish as well.
Sadly again great hype goes to the dogs as soon as this bleeder gets playing…although its frankly more my ears that do the bleeding.

Frontman Hayato Imanishi has a pleasant enough voice when you actually hear it being used especially with his native lingo doing the lines, but that’s only when he’s not spending the rest of the time gargling his intestines all over the speakers.

The western instrument section of messrs Newman, Sigo, Steele and Orbin are pretty versatile as you venture on further in with prog and even vague Latino interludes getting in, but the overall format is a general letdown. Screamcore is bad in English; in Japanese it’s well…. lets say interesting but sadly fails to divert this one from the pile marked ’beer mats’.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU TOLERATE:

Bring Me the Horizon

Control The Chaos – Pendulum – The Instrumentals (E.P.)
(Itchy Metal Entertainment – 2010)

7 tracks of dark instrumentation of the metal kind that are great to have on as background music for that deep moment – pure lullabies we got here.

The 2nd number ‘Genocide’ got my attention especially for its people killing people spoken word intro and the pacey ‘Heavy Reign’ that’s like Judas Priest meets Iron Maiden or something of that ilk.

It does have a tendency to get a bit samey though after a while.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

Control The Chaos – Blackened Sunrise (EP)
(Itchy Metal Entertainment – 2009)

Las Vegas Metal Merchants crank it up on this ‘ere 5 track E.P. that even includes a cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘N.I.B.’ alongside their own numbers such as the Intro ‘The Oligarchis’ and ‘Execute Order 66’ that starts with a spoken word that sounds like Fozzy Bear from The Muppet Show.

Ok.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

Mike Campese - Electric City
(S/R – 2010)

Electric City is the 7th solo release from the electrical wizard Mike Campese.

If you are not familiar with Mike well don’t worry, all you have to do is play some Joe Satriani and you will feel at home.

This 14 track CD has some of the finest guitar work you will ever hear and throughout Electric City this is done very tastefully with the added harmonies, drums and bass beats. There are a couple of tracks where he does give his vocal talents a go such as ‘Cruisin Across The Mojave’ which is a very entertaining song.

Mike is a very talented guy who has worked his way up through GIT school musicians institute and being a member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

5/10

By Tony Watson

7/10

By Dave Attrill

GEORGE CASEY - Get It On
(Prism Music/Fontana North - 2010)

Toronto is one of melodic rock’s senior contributors across the pond, with Honeymoon Suite, Harem Scarem and Von Groove being but three just to show it hasn’t gone quiet of late, our latest newcomer George Casey breezes in with a bright take on the sound.

Reverting from the arena metal edge of the aforementioned Canuck gems to a seventies blues layered twist, with southern vibes swarming all round it. Inevitably, on occasion, Mr C slips a brief indie deviation in but its all in good measure and keeps the musical balance smooth and consistent.

Check out the sweet acoustic-led rhythm lines holding up the classic old fashioned ~American soloing and George’s soul-ly sweet harmonies and you’ll have the titles ‘Let’s Go Out’, ‘Moonless Nights’, ‘Butterfly’, ‘All Your Fears’, ‘City Lights’, ‘’Right The First Time’ and ‘No Control’ on your mind as you return for your repeat play. Just right for the summer months we’re sitting in at the moment, though obviously suited to year around listening, ‘Get it on ‘ is advice in itself.

Recommended stuff.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE :
Lynryd Skynrd, Black Crowes, Pride and Glory, Soul Asylum & Cream.

Charlotte – Medusa Groove
(Eonian Records – 2010)

When I 1st put this one, I thought, ‘Holy Sh*t – these guys sound like they have devoured the 80’s and brought it into their own’ – then I realised it was a collection of songs by a band from that era – no wonder it sounds so damn good and completely look the part too.

The songs were recorded between 1988 and 1992 in LA and have that big hair flair about them with Robert Plant like vocals and big sound all round on all things musically. Highlights include he opening title track ‘Medusa Groove’; ‘Siren’; ‘Miss Necrophilia’; ‘Changes’; ‘Roadhouse Of Love’ and the closing ‘All Tied Up’.

A pure pleasure of a listen.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

COMBAT NOISE - Frontline Offensive Force
(Brutal Beatdown Records - 2010)

Cuban metallers Combat Noise make themselves know in a very noisy way indeed with their debut album.

Namely half an hour of fearsome thrash/deathcore anger and though it is also fearsome in its familiarity, that isn’t always a negative thing but cant be walking on the borderline. . ‘Paratroopers’ and ‘Sniper In Position’ are standard extreme metal by numbers assaults , playing on speed and some discernible substances, the later the albums longest tune at 4:39 allowing for a progressive middle eight but still seems unfinished. The Stop-go guitar rhythm of ‘Into The Killing Zone’ makes things interesting that reason alone but as does as the previous track , we get things to slow a little later on for the solo to breath its own air.

Hiding in wait behind a Latin guitar prelude, ‘AK47’ guns down with an occasional Anthrax angle, but is the as-standard thrash -out afterwards, ‘Psichobelic’ and ‘Storming The Gates’ doing the same and offering the same nothing different or exciting either. A friendly old-school twist gets it way in on the chorus to ‘Platoon’, ’Cuba Death Metal’ subsequently being more of the usual style before ’The Empire Strikes First’ closes with the strongest track, hitting along the ol’ skulls with a classic speed metal swing. Pity they don’t have more of these numbers available for our attention today but they’ve been kinda fun in places and very few fans of true brutality will want to blatantly ignore this cd.

Not that bad in the end, Combat Noise could try to be a bit more original with their approach but com near these guys when they’re live and the album will seem much more exciting after.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Sepultura, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy, Dark Angel, Slayer & Testament.

NET: www.combatnoise.co.nr

Castrovalva - We Are A Unit
(Brew – 2010)

An experimental weirdo rock/metal band from Leeds, who have released a sound of brutality, base dumps and a f*ck*ng headache.

Castrovalva isn’t what you expect and are what you may hear in a garage somewhere. ‘We Are A Unit’ hits the parts of the brain that other music fails to reach. As the band pounds their way through the 12 tracks, you know the live gigs are going to be something.

As we hit the decks with the self titled intro, ‘Pump Pump’ jumps into your lap and slaps you in the face with a big wet fish, to leave you with that ‘you’ve been tangoed’ look on your mug.

The CD goes through some weird shit mixed with some intelligent riffs but overall after a few listens, very entertaining with a pleasant after taste.

7/10

By Tony Watson

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Alice Cooper – Brutal Planet/Dirty Diamonds/Dragon Town/The Eyes of Alice Cooper
(Armoury Records – 2010)

Alice Cooper! What can you say? He is an absolute legend in the world of rock. Armoury Records have re-released 4 classic CD that were originally released in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005.

‘Brutal Planet’ was the first release for six years after ‘The Last Temptation’. Alice changed direction to keep with the new music styles that were around at that time, as he entered an industrial rock direction. ‘Brutal Planet’ is an 11 track CD that’s full of brutality, heavyness and an industrial feel from ‘Wicked Young Man’, ‘It’s the Little Things’ to the melodic ‘Take It Like a Woman’ that would have you in tears. An exceptional CD.

‘Dragontown’ entered the realms a year after and was described as the worst place on brutal Planet, with several of the characters featured throughout the CD. Still with the industrial feel, ‘Dragontown’ finishes what ‘Brutal Planet’ started with the dark feel, chaos and violence. From the beginning of ‘Triggerman’ through ‘Sister Sara’ to the Ballad of ‘Every Woman Has a Name’, Alice shows why he is still in the lime light. Excellent.

‘The Eyes of Alice Cooper’ saw him return to good solid rock music with a back to basics style writing. To me a bit of a let down from the previous two, but others would disagree. This 13 track CD has a Guns ‘N’ Roses attitude that riffs its way through ‘What Do You Want From Me’ to ‘The Song That didn’t Rhyme’ through the ballad of ‘Be With You A While’ to finish with ‘Backyard Brawl’.

Last in the collection is ‘Dirty Diamonds’ and was the 24th release for Alice. As per ‘The Eyes of Alice Cooper’ the same style, layout and cooperation were enforced. ‘Dirty Diamonds’ is another 13 track collaboration that riffs its way ‘Woman Of Mass Distraction’, ‘Run Down The Devil’ the awful ballad of ‘Pretty Ballerina’ to ‘Stand’ which also features the rapper Xzibit.

Overall this collection of CD’s is a must for Alice fans, which show a part of him that is willing to move with the times.

9/10

By Tony Watson

8/10

By Dave Attrill

A Supergroup that feature 2 ex-members of Van Halen (Michael Anthony – Bass & Sammy Hagar – Vocals) coupled together with Guitar God, Joe Satriani & Chad Smith (Drummer of ‘Red Hot Chilli Peppers).

It’s a stupid name that even they’ve admitted to that. More importantly what do they sound like? Well to me, it’s very like Hagar Era Van Halen with Satch in the place of Eddie (no doubt I could get either hailed or stoned for saying that!)– though there’s more than that at times. I even hear a bit of Led Zeppelin creeping in there and a wee bit of Extreme.

Highlights include the funky rock bluesness of ‘Soap On A Rope’; the arena 80’s rockin’ ‘Sexy Little Thing’; ‘Oh Yeah’ where Sammy wants to be your hoochie coochie man; the great stompinly riffed ‘Down The Drain’ – love the bit where Sammy calls to Joe at the start of the number; the Satch driven ‘Turnin’ Left’ and the excellent ballad come funker ‘Future In Ihe Past’ as an epic closer.

The DVD (that accompanies athe album) is a song by song guide to every number on the album that’s intercut with live footage from the Montreux Jazz Festival as well as candid shots in rehearsal and during the recording of the album. Feast your eyes on the 12 days of Chickenfoot where the guys introduce a song each by singing the title – this is pure fun.

It shows the madcap personalities of the band members and how well they get on not to mention stories behind how the songs came to be and what influenced each one just about – it’s all about e-harmony baby !!!

The sound is absolutely bombastically in-your-facially incredible and there are plenty of cool angles – love the close-ups of Satch attacking the axe !! If you already bought the album previously, it’s worth buying again for this DVD alone because it’s the best part of an hour long and is rockin’ rollin’ excellence from this fantastic foursome from beginning to end !!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Tony Watson

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NOTE OF INTEREST:
Guest keyboards on the track ‘Closure’ performed by Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

You can’t really knock anyone for trying, but Carnal Rapture I think have rushed into this one.

This 5 track promo fails to excite the dead never mind the living, from ‘Precious Time’, through ‘Caught Off Guard’, ‘Hate You and Adore You’, ‘Poison my Soul’ to finish with ‘Arms Tied Back’ Carnal Rapture beat away at their drums in a complicated manner that isn’t necessary singing in a rough and tough vocal content that drones on with the bass guitar to be swallowed up by the Primus style guitar work.

Overall I think Carnal Rapture should sit back and say to themselves, do we need to sound like The Dillinger Escape Plan with a mix of Primus or should we just learn to play and put music together in a fashion that doesn’t over complicate matters.

Personally I think they should give up. Very poor

2/10

By Tony Watson

7/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Tony Watson

5/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Overall as underground punk goes, if it’s your stuff you will enjoy it, but if not keep clear.

5/10

By Tony Watson

7/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Cornerstone - Head Over Heels
(Atom Records - 2008)

Cornerstone is a four-piece melodic rock band from Austria. On first impressions I thought of The Cranberries but without the Irish feel.

This thirteen track CD provides a very pleasant and atmospheric feel throughout the whole album, with the gentle vocals of Anja Schirmers that sets the melodic scene.
This who CD is inoffensive to any listening ear from track one ‘Something to Say’ to ‘I Can’t Even Say’ through ‘Fade Away’ to finish with ‘Stefania’, every song is played and sung as if it’s their last.

A very exciting CD that puts you in a state of calm from stat to finish, very easy to listen too and very easy to understand. This is melodic rock at it’s best.

9/10

By Tony Watson

9/10

By Tony Watson

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Tony Watson

8/10

By Al Hoath

Cold….now look laddie, I know Britain isn’t known for its lovely weather in August but there’s no need to rub it in like….. Oh, it’s all well, they’re Swedish (YES!!!) and a melodic rock act (YES again!!!) so we know there’s plenty in just a name.

’Fade Away’ is Rainbow and Y&T colliding on a narrow road at alarming force with a guitar rhythm fender-bendingly close to the former’s classic ’Stargazer’. This vibe continues slightly into a brief moment in 'Keep On Believing' with the vocalist himself exposing his Joe Lynn Turner -esque range and yes we do keep on believing what’s to come with the five remaining tunes.

Guitars aren’t a weakness for these chaps and this track pleases with its solos while the bluesier lines of the following two, ’Ravin Mad’ and ’All In Want’, gives away the many 70’s bred acts sitting amongst their influence list. ’Surrounded’ brill song that it is as well isn’t a million miles distant in sound from one or two songs by fellow Swedes, Talisman, I might just let slip and the solos are kept classy in fitting this impression.

With enough tricks up their sleeves already, they turn on the style a la Simple Minds a bit for ‘Solid Ground’ but there’s stil that strong Scandi air drifting amongst the Scottish one there. ’Greed’ Is more Rainbow flavoured fun with a dash of UFO from the key section and track eight….oops I forgot there’s not that many. Well its’ nice been hearing you, chaps. Very nice.

A solid rock hard lump of classic traditional hard rock that turns the clocks firmly back 25 years and hopefully not to come forward again. Fabulous stuff. Glenn would’ve loved this one….too late mate, I’ve done it now.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Alice Cooper - Along Came A Spider
(SPV - 2008)

A brand new concept album from the master of rock n roll sickness, Alice Cooper who presents us with the story about a serial killer called 'The Spider' - so why's he called that - buy the album and find out!

Eleven ditties of wrongness await in this cd - it ain't for the faint hearted but definately for ones who want something that's a cross between 'Brutal Planet' and the age-old classic 'Welcome To My Nightmare'.

Songs that really stood out for me personally were the opening too close for comfort 'I Know Where you Live'; 'Vengeance Is Mine' the harmonica featured 'Wake The Dead' the ballsy partvillianesque '(In Touch With)Your Feminine Side'; the ballad 'Killed By Love' where Spider wants to be forgiven and the excellent macabreness of 'I'm Hungry' that reminds me of 'Is It My Body?'.

Alice Hits all the right spots yet again.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

5/10

By Dave Attrill

7/10

By Tom Brumpton

9/10

By Tom Brumpton

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

CRY FOR SILENCE – The Glorious Dead
(Visible Noise – 2008)

Since forming in 2000, Watford's Cry For Silence have made quite the impression. They've opened for the likes of Sepultura and My Chemical Romance, played the prestigious Give it A Name festival, and inked a deal with Visible Noise. Now with the pressure firmly on for the boys to deliver on record, will CFS's debut outing, ‘The Glorious Dead’, offer the opening shot needed for the band to rise through the sanctimonious ranks of metaldom?

Exploding into the blistering salvo of ‘Nightmare’, a vicious slab of Carcass-buggering-Meshuggah-esque extremity, the band deliver a thrashier approach to the Metalcore formula than that of the “twidly-bit-breakdown-scream-repeat-formula” of their peers. While the insane guitar work of ‘A World Benign’ and the slow burning ‘Into The Sun’ echo the sounds of a band that, over time, have become masters of their craft.

The only problem is, CFS aren't touching on any new ground and unlike their acclaimed label-mates, the band aren't leading, nor starting a trend, they're simply following. And it isn't long before Adam Pettit's weak vocals begin nagging unbearably, as his piercing wail resounds throughout the title track like a tortured scream in a subway tunnel. While lacklustre instrumental ‘Beneath The Storm’ is a blasé exercise in laziness, leaving the impression that Pettit was probably just sick that day.

While they're not the most original bunch, Cry for Silence are still a relatively good band and ‘The Glorious Dead’ is still a relatively strong opening statement, but as to whether it'll open any doors for the band in the long term is yet to be seen. As sounding like the b*st*rd child of Unearth and As I Lay Dying leaves them running the precarious risk of disappearing into obscurity once the trend dies out.

If CFS wish to gain any sense of longevity, they'll have to work a lot harder on album number 2 in order to win over the broader minded audience.

7/10

By Tom Brumpton

One of the most interesting major signings in years who remind me of a mixture of Faith No More & Skunk Anansie and even the deepness of Pink Floyd & Iron Maiden at times.

They were at Download last year and I missed them – dammit – missed out there big style if this album is anything to go by. A very eclectic mix of rock, metal and pop all rolled into one making it impossible for lazy journalists out there to pigeon them in any single genre making it a score of 1-0 to C&C.

Each number drags you in with highlights being the title track ‘No World For Tomorrow’; ‘The Running Free’; ‘Mother Superior’; ‘Gravemakers & Gunslingers’ and then there’s the epic 5-song strong ‘The End Complete’ with the fabulous orchestral like ‘The Road & The Damned’ – what a build up to a chorus section and my, what a gorgeous chorus it is too.

I gotta sat that albums don’t get any better than this.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

9/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Dave Attrill

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

5.5/10

By Al Hoath

By Death8699 (MethylinInfo@aol.com)

"Blast from the Past"

Cradle Of Filth - Dusk And Her Embrace
(Music For Nations - 1996)

The intro to this album is quite dreary and solemn which describes the mood
or aura to this release. Segueing into "Heaven Torn Asunder" the opening guitar sounds awesome with a great tone to it. It's still up in the air as to whether Cradle Of Filth is Gothic Metal or Black Metal. I think that there's a touch of both on this release.

I think Dani's vocals are the highest pitched on this release never again to be duplicated in the entire Cradle Of Filth discography. For some people it's a little too extreme but I think the vocals are phenomenal. It's not just the screams there are lower pitched vocals as well just not as prevalent as the high-pitched screams.

This album is anything but boring. Very intense I'd say with an array of blast beats, tremolo picked guitar frenzies, well mixed in bass guitar and of course Dani's onslaught. Production wise this isn't their best I'd have to say that their latest "Thornography" is one of the best productions they've ever had on a full-length release.

Dusk And Her Embrace packs with it many different things such as the variety in the vocal department, a mixture of guitar both at fast paced onslaughts as well as slower melodic sections, and the drum department displaying an wide array of different time signatures. This remains to be my favorite COF release although "Thornography" is up there as well.

I'd have to say that if you are not a big fan of high-pitched screams from Dani then this release is not for you. There are also British women speaking on some tracks adding a little bit more of variety to the vocal department. Best to try out some tracks to see if this release is something worth getting. Of course I'm biased because it's my favorite but you can hear for yourself "Heaven Torn Asunder", "Haunted Shores", and "Funeral In
Carpathia" for starters.

Track listing:

1. Humana Inspired To Nightmare
2. Heaven Torn Asunder
3. Funeral In Carpathia
4. A Gothic Romance (Red Roses For The Devil's Whore)
5. Malice Through The Looking Glass
6. Dusk And Her Embrace
7. The Graveyard By Moonlight
8. Beauty Slept In Sodom
9. Haunted Shores

9.5/10

By Death8699 (MethylinInfo@aol.com)

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

9/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE Fear Factory, Shadows Fall & Anthrax

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

9.5/10

By T.Xjort

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

(** Just gone to press at time of writing, Al Barrow and Irvine Pratt will not play on the UK tour – they will be replaced by Gavin Cooper (Bass) Oliver Wakeman (Keys.) respectively.

CHARGER/BIRDS OF PARADISE - 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

7.5/10

By Al Hoath

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Hardcore legends Clutch were one of the scene’s top bands that I never managed to get a good full length spin of when I was into it, full on. This latest offering, despite being an odds n’ sods affair, throws a little light on what I’ve probably been missin’. I HAVE caught the odd tune or two of theirs over the years so am not speaking from total lack of knowledge.

Sporting melodic guitar lines for a band at the heavier end of the HC. spectrum, the Madball-esque range of frontman Neil Fallon therefore seems to stand out as the solely fulfilled regular obligation but it obviously forms distinctively more accessible material that way. Might decent in the main and like I mentioned earlier, I have actually heard a little bit of their stuff before, so I should be safe in saying this more or less meets expectations but I’d still suggest you give it a listen first if you can.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

LAST TRIBE Witchdance (Frontiers 2002)
Incredible second album from Swedish symph’ metal kings with more than a little Dream Theater in their sound, especially vocally. Check out 10/10 review on our site for the full picture.

PAN RAM - Rats (Event Records 1996)
Pleasant dose of melodic prog metal in Queensryche-meets-Balance of Power vein. If their name sounds vaguely familiar to anyone, they supported Deep Purple in the UK on the 1996 Purpendicular tour. The album may probably be only available on order now and it is advised that you mail their distributor label, SPV for help on how to trace info on this unknown group.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

CATFISH - The Teaser (7 - track Demo)
(Unsigned - 2005)

This 'ere fangled idea of blending psychedelic fuzz and alt rock sounds together seems to be catching on, doesn't it. Unlike full use of such technique to write SONGS.

Sadly committing almost the same crime as Tronin but not quite as seriously, the first half of this mini-album sounds like and is just muddled pieces of strange dark noise, lasting from 1-and-a-half to three minutes while the final four tracks just about sound like this band have actual tunes to speak of.

Sadly, it still all gets lost in the mess and a case of all image and no content looks quite inevitable.

3.5/10

By Dave Attrill

ALSO AVOID
Tronin - Alienofilia (Unsigned 2004) 2.5/10

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Very like their label mates, Broken Teeth., the music is a staple diet of AC/DC, AC/DC and a bit more AC/DC -.

Slutty sounding songs splattered at you in less than half an hour.

It's all good stuff, making it hard to pull out stand outs - I'll give it a go tho. OK, notebooks at the ready - be sure to crank up 'Luv Junkie'; 'Red Devil'; and the 'beatin' around the bush' like 'Whiskey' - oh f*ck it, it's all a big highlight, so who am I tryin' to kid.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

4/10

By Dave Attrill

A tad tricky to categorise as almost anyone who listens to just one or two tracks of this platter will grasp, some smart young hooked up on the hint that throwing together Thrash, Hardcore and Goth into the same jar and shutting the lid firmly fro a few hours makes fro sweet listening. 'Inertia' seems to have it proven in almost its own way. If you enjoy In Flames or a less industrialised Fear Factory and with no less than three different lead vocal styles alternating shifts throughout, this band might meet with most of those preferences.

A combination of styles that hasn't totally eluded me before, and on most attempts to work it succeeds. Well, for these lads it does, anyway.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

The dreaded old story again, ladies and gentlemen. Name I've never come across this side of my birth, meets music I have, more than my share of times necessary. This Swiss fivesome's typically tedious deathly seethings ride atop predictable and quite often recycled-sounding 200mph guitar rhythms, with occasional surprises but little else.

As always, recommended with no hesitation for fans of all things 'Grrrrr..' but for those seeking anything to go 'ooooo!!!' at, you're probably only likely to end up going bo-o-o-o at this instead.

Another too average day on the job.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

Just to warn those of you in the habit of judging books - or CDs for that matter by their cover, this is another of this label's belly-dives into more deeply diversified waters in order to stretch the parameters as wide of the more common sounds associated with the metal genre as is acceptable to most.

If you like a blend of orchestral-based sounds with a dark brooding overtone, however, and more than a few well-accommodated gospel-esque moments to boot, then you should not have too much against trying this one out. The tunes are pretty well varied in their directions and the gothic feel remains in effect throughout, a bit like those magic images of dolphins that are supposed to show up when you look at those collage pictures of oranges or bananas laid out on city street pavements, for half-an-hour or so, though this album is still a lot less patience testing than those things.

Absorbing stuff by the end of the day but I recommend most of the even slightly doubting give it at least a second spin before making judgement either way.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Another lot latched by the growing craze of coupling alternative rock rhythms with Hard Rock/AOR - influenced harmonies, 'Standing Waiting' picks me up from the start and more or less keeps me with it all the way. The hooks are not at times the biggest I've heard but after three listens it's proved quite absorbing,

If you like the recent albums from top Canadian melodic rock act Harem Scarem (as I do), this proves quite recommendable.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Crimson Altar - The Ghost Ship Sails
(S/R - 2004)

A darkish UK based metal outfit with a straight sounding female lead vocalist who give us 8 songs of majesticism - it's cheesey and I think that it would be betterly suited to the European and Japanese market rather than to the UK.

The vocal harmonies aren't brilliant but it's sound enough musically - although it's rather heard it before a million times. Crimson Altar have plenty of enthusiasm though.

Check it out yourself and make your own mind up.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Doing the 'DC the AC' way in good old LA. Tom Mathers (of Perris) has his band rippin' at us with plenty of full-frontal rock 'n' roll with killer cookin' cuts.

It reminds me of a cross between Strongheart (ther song 'Dogtown' especially) and splatterings of Rhinobucket. There's tons of partyin' highlights such as 'Heart of Stone'; 'Me against the world' and 'Black 'n' Blue' and enough dirt and grit to fill a highway maintenance skip.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

No it ain't nothing to do with paint or a type of car but 'Crown 10' are in fact a Californian trio that features 'Joel Maitoza' who was the drummer for '24-7 Spyz' who were a kind of Hendrixy 'Living Colour' mixed in with elements of 'The Dan Reed Network'. This band is more like 'Alice In Chains'.

Many of the songs sound very similar and have a kind of downward spiral feel to them but I do recommend the track 'Innocent' if nothing else. The album is tedious and not what dreams are made of - unless they are dismal ones.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Hailing from Oxford, Mississippi, The Cooters are a highly entertaining bag o' 'billies who I'm sure must have changed their names sometime in the past and were actually members of some crazy 80's grindcore bands. They go by the names of Judas Cooter (Drums, Vocals and Alto Sax), Raw (Guitar, Vocals, Tenor Sax) and Neuter Cooter (Bass, Vocals, Moog, art and design)

It's metal and completely nuts - take the hectic 'Purge' for instance and 'Purge Reprise', strangely enough, straight after it - bizarre or the cracking 'Punch yer neighbor'. 'Unclaimed Furniture' is an absolute hoot - a 'cooter hoot', I add which is actually a phone call to audition to become a singer in a band - it's OTT and well worth checkin' out. These guys even have there own 'Cooter Theme' that a bangin' bit of country that's perfect for a barndance.

This is zany, southern humoured and a 100% grower. File in between your 'Lawnmower Death' records and your Emmerdale 'Woolpackers' album that you stole off your mum.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Acoustic and Electro-Acoustic instrumental pieces from the CGT - 19 in all that are intricate, relaxing and perfected exceptionally well such as the sharp 'Melrose Avenie'; the powerful almost Pink Floydy meets John Williams 'Kan-non Power'; the Led Zeppy calm and energetic trilogy called 'Train to Lammy Suit (parts 1-3) and the Spanishy 'Great Divide'.

One for the musical lovers of the wooden guitar.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Chastain, the man behind Leviathan Records throws another instrumental album at us. There's Rock, there's Blues, Rock-Blues (Dancing with Devils Mistress), Stripper likened slutty blues (Getting a little crazy), Jazz in 'Keeper of Tomorrow' and even a salute to AC/DC's Young Brothers in 'Hats Off to Angus and Malcolm'

This guy can basically play any style of music and proves that fact here - OK, there's no country but no doubt he's an expert at that too.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

There are some things that instantly work miracles within a music scene for a
new act hoping to attract its initial base of appeal. Such is the case in the
ever ingenuity-propelled industry of progressive rock where just mentioning the
magic word Yes anywhere on the sleeve is as good a substitute for a
'recommended' sticker as you can find. Though the names Wakeman and Anderson are nowhere to be seen on the sleeve, Chris Squire has stepped into the light to show that other members of the legendary act have their equal share of
extra-curricular talents too. Most would predict this as being either almost
identical or as far away as one could run from the dealings of the Brit
supergroup, but Mr Squire seems content to play the happy-in-between game in
this room.

Mixing elements of his day act with slices of stripped down, smoothed
out AOR in the Newman vein, and assisted ably in the process by Billy Sherwood,
also a former member of Yes and once Bruce Gowdy's pre-Unruly Child band World Trade, this chap is another taking the advantage of his musical and
compositional skills to the max. The disc has its draggy bits though little of
them and as a whole the nine-tune offering serves as a wholesome addition to any
prog rock library.

Recommended.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Detroit's famous make-up wearer has now ditched his nu-metal dirgy style of the last two albums 'Brutal Planet' and 'Dragontown' and gone back to the roots for a good old rock 'n' roll garage like get it down on tape album - it's easily the best he's released since 'Trash' and recorded by the guy who goes by the name of Mudrock (Godsmack's Producer).

Alice's gutsy rock 'n' roll and sick 'n' twisted lyrics have hit an all-time high and especially on 'Man of the Year' about a guy who's perfect but bored and then blows his head off - there's even a gun click to give the impression he's pulled the trigger - followed by a verse about his funeral being perfect as well. Then there's 'Novocaine' about a feeling no pain or a jump back to the style of 'Welcome to My Nightmare' where 'This House is Haunted' scares the sh*t out of the faint hearted and concerns a man who sits in his house with the ghost of his girl who has committed suicide.

'The Song that didn't rhyme' is pure Cooper humour about precisely that. Mr. Furnier also salutes his birthplace and artists like the MC5 in 'Detroit City' - oh and while I'm on the subject of Detroit 'Wayne Kramer' of the MC5 plays additional guitar on the opener 'What do you want from me?'. Alice even admits that he felt or feels like an outcast who's trapped 'Between High School and Old School'.

This is an outstanding album and he hope he continues like this until he's hung, electrocuted, guillotined or buried alive. Sh*t, things like that happen at every show - but I've heard the current tour is completely back to basics without all the theatrical props - with songs like this as good as this you can get by without 'em.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Having only one song to assess a band on the account of is quite often annoyingly hard, but when the band is of that most predictable of all genres - pop-punk, hearing one tune is like hearing all of them as the ancient proverb says. On the brighter side, Cauterize aren't the worst I've picked up recently and although little originality exists herein, 'Something Beautiful' is still a bit of fun for the three minutes that it's playing for, and a likely chart success on this isles. Not all that bad, this stuff really, is it.

7/10

By DaveAttrill

No, it's not a renaming of Ginger's short-lived project with Life Sex & Death/Anti Product man Alex Kane that fell so flat on its arse a few years ago but a new band who just happen to have a similar name, that's all (I hope).

Frankly though, while a totally different bed of roses, this sampler, whilst not particularly abysmal is little other than particularly so-so in its average-y industro-garnished alternative rock content, although the acoustic instrumental at the end batted an eyelid. As always a possible case, they could have some great songs on offer and I just happened to have been landed with the less advisable selections.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

When you then consider his political angst, social awareness and environmental issues you realise that this is gonna stand out from many releases out this year - unless Korey brings another album out in the next few months.

He's out on tour in the UK soon with support coming from the excellent Sheffield outfit, 'Induce'.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

I've often seen this lot's last CD filed under melodic rock in specialist rock store shelves but on the enclosed print for this, their 2nd album, the style description of San Diego's 'Cage' makes them out to be more of an extreme metal act. So who's bluff do we call here then. Cage sit moored between both ports or to cut to the facts - this is a very good melodic power metal album.

Opening cut 'Kill The Devil' - as the title incriminates - may be more clichéd than is worth thinking about - but the Judas Priest-educated chirpings of frontman Sean Peck, with deviations at appropriate intervals into goth and death-ular tones work in distracting one from the album's sole flaw.

The strumming and the drumming sustain excellent momentum throughout though solos are quite limited in both length and quantity - not the seemingly endless shred-fests that Messrs Tipton and Downing made the trademark of herein mentioned Brit metal legends over the last two or three decades.

'Wings Of Destruction', 'Kill The Devil', (yes I still sort of liked it despite its title and lyrical content) 'White Magic', 'Chupacabra' and 'Door To The Unknown' are songs on an album that will to this genre of metal do little either in the way of increasing commercial credibility (sadly) or furthering disrepute.

As regarding the faithful, it's a wet dream for the majority of Priest fans walking the planet. Own it.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

When Bob Catley released 'Middle Earth' two years back, most including myself were speechless at its power. Aided again by Ten motivator Gary Hughes, it was a giant amongst melodic rock albums of the new millennium. And then the way of the world rendered Gary unable to ink a fourth contract but Catley was left in a very short-lived limbo if any at all. Bob's Hard Rain/solo touring keyboardsman Paul Hodson saw the vacancy straight away and took it with both hands and on account of the standards excelled here, a third one was possibly involved too.

An orchestral intro could not seem more appropriate for such a masterpiece as this and guitarist Vince O'Regan's equally drilling intro into 'Children Of The Circle' is immediate testimony of his musical prowess that's licensed also his first studio outing with the great man. (I take it Bob was impressed with the Pulse album then).

'Children' is almost immediately established as a Hodson-brand number, despite sounding like any of the best tunes off Ten's 'Babylon' and 'Far Beyond The World' albums, the latter Paul's debut with the Mancunian goliaths. An incredible tune not only for such obvious reasons, neither does 'Gonna Live Forever' deviate from such description in the slightest, armed with one of the most memorably choruses Bob has ever sung and bring to mind one or two tunes from 'Storyteller's Night'.

'The Prophecy' and 'I'll Be Your Fool' uphold such standards with absolutely no bullsh*t and bring to mind melodies from the 'Tower' and 'Middle Earth' discs. 'Every Beat Of My Heart' and Meaning Of Love' are two mind-numbing lumps of AOR that distance themselves from Catley's past associations as far as the fence allows - Catley stretching his soul as far as it can go without ripping it. The title track and 'This Is The Day' arc back to 'Robe'/'Spellbound' ear Ten with '.Day' led off by a clean snippet of Hodson's talents on the playing front, which align with those of his in penning.

'Someday Utopia' is one of the fastest tunes Bob has ever fronted and alongside Hodson's hitherto mentioned day acts also sports a vague Royal Hunt inspiration. 'My America' begins with a few bagpipes. Yeah, right .. that makes sense and so it ends though is a superior tune to the Magnum number of similar name and is the only really 'Legends' -esque number on the disc.

Coming on to the two bonus tracks finally, 'Heaven Can Wait', while being the second Iron Maiden title Bob's stolen, is very much in the same mould as 'I'll Be Your Fool' but with surprising as it seems even better vocal melodies and demo 'When The Earth Lies Still' - which I HOPE will be kept for the next album is a modern day 'Les Morts Dansant'. A piano/vocal only number from Paul and Bob, it allows these two men to showcase the strong musical relationship they've forged through the recent years from when they first worked together in Hard Rain, to the present day via this PHENOMENON of a melodic rock album. This is practically the very, very, very, Ve-Ry best work to bear the Bob Catley name, ever -absolutely no buts about it. Only outweighed if at all by Magnum's 85-88 material and perhaps nearly 'Middle Earth' too, the melodies created by Catley himself, the mega-gifted Mr Hodson, O'Regan, and let's mention Al Barrow (Hard Rain/Magnum) and new drummer Jamie Little (Saracen) too, made it all possible. This my friends is one album that will make Tony Clarkin quake in his boots.

10/10

By Dave Attrill

They are British. They are heavy. They are.. Well other straight descriptions of Staffordshire-based sludgecore metal arrivals are a bit tricky although they would hold quite an appeal to fans of Iron Monkey with their sound. Putting some though into how to back up their sometimes Devin-moulded mouthery, they have an interesting amalgam of guitar arrangements that know when to stand and when to kick.

Supported also by drumming from a chap who seems to be frightened of claming down, and production handled by Billy Anderson, behind releases by Neurosis and Eyehategod, the addition of another UK act like this to the scene should do plenty to balance the credibility in the contemporary metal market.

One point itself is practically deserved alone for the titles of some of these tracks - I'll let you see them for yourself when you buy this album that I suggest you consider doing. Material with little cause for complaint, apart from, from the neighbours.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

A Racin' Rockin' full on fifth gear overdrive - let's go that features the vocalist of Hardline (Gioeli) and Japanese guitar dude Jun.

The songs are similarly styled redlining 200+ mile an hour melodic rock gems that they obviously had a good time putting together.

Highlights include 'Revvin' up'; 'All the way' and the tasty 'Escape from the city' that features Ted Poley (original 'Danger Danger' vocalist).

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Another recently conceived rock act this time opting for the big break via the big screen and it would have to be this oh-so -slightly much talked about blockbuster, wouldn't it. Accounting for themselves musically, the solitary tune on offer here is a pleasantly mellow-sounding post-grunge number combined with that sort of new design melodic rock fell on behalf of its soulful implication.

I would have appreciated more than just one song, but this taste is just about enough to convince me there's something appetising round the corner. For me? Hmmm.. Probably.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

CHOLERIC - Weed Out The Weak

(Cholericmusic - 2003)

Y'know, there are those bands who just love to make a racket. But they like to write songs too, by the way. Choleric are doing that highly approved of styles in relentless death-core mixed with alternating-mode vocals, changing from growling to graceful and back on a well laid out synchrony we have seen perfected by Shadows Fall amongst recent others.

The guitars get in on the action and go through the styles, dominated by wisely influenced Sepultura-meets-Testament brute, notably on 'Colder', 'Mind Like Mine', 'Frieds Like You' and 'Kolobos' and there are moments that could have belonged to Usurper, Dearly Beheaded and even Extreme Noise Terror, to be traced.

In absolute contrast, 'My Angel', is an almost total departure from the sledgehammer brutality of the other ten tracks, going for a totally melodic dirge that accounts for an absolutely unexpected blast of versatility and has a vaguely noticeable grunge vibe. 'When The Sun Goes Down' then closes the album in style by compiling every idea from the rest of the disc onto one track and adding a smidgen of industrial vocal layering on the top for good measure.

At only half-an-hour or so long, it doesn't stop around long enough but extreme metal acts are long trained in the art of keeping it short and keeping it on top. Choleric know how it is.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

COMA STAR - Headroom Of Conscience

(Locomotive Music - 2003)

Like Spain, Switzerland have played a relatively minor role of profile in the rock/metal industry they've got less to be ashamed of, especially when bands of the Coma Star caliber show their face round the door. Either someone is trying to say that grunge is still big in 2003 or they are trying to reinvent an old machine, by replacing about 70% of its parts and polishing the others so thoroughly, you'd think they'd just rolled it off the belt, this morning.

Mixing the vital components of Cold, Soundgarden, Bush, and taking quite a few hints down the corridor from Brit hotshots Cortizone, and as the flyer quite rightly states, U2, intended trajectory of this band's musical craft is almost but not entirely known. The licks, the passion and the angst soaked melodies are all present and correct, and on listening a second time, I'm actually thinking suddenly of a more lightweight Disturbed - sod all the other comparisons.

Moving stuff by Coma Star there, a vital passenger on the modern day metal wagon. Worth hearing.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Ok, for the record, it ain't rock or metal but it's far to good not to review and simply throw to one side.

3 Classical guitarists playing Christmas ditties - the members being Bert Lambs (Brussels), Hideyo Moriya (Tokyo Native) and Paul Richards (Salt Lake City, Utah). They play up and down the West Coast of the USA.

I don't usually go near Christmas albums but when you get mind blowing performances of John and Yoko's 'Happy Xmas (War is over'; 'Greensleeves' - (the theme from the kids tv show 'Lassie') and 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence it's just got to be set spinning near the laser.

Here's to another great Christmas.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

These Swedish thrashers hit the stereo with a full on assault and battery of European thrash metal at its best 'Perfection in Pain' is the second CD to be released from the brutality that lurks in the depths of Swedish hell.

Corporation 187 started out being a Slayer cover band so you have a rough idea what is about to enter into the sorry lives you lead. 'Religious Connection' starts off this ten track CD as any thrash metal CD is suppose to start, with extreme whirlwind guitar playing that rips the roof of any house to the intense pounding of the pneumatic drilling of the drums to the torturous screaming of the vocals that can and will bring the dead awake. Corporation 187 start as they mean to go on, but with a mission to put full on thrash/death metal to the forefront of the metal scene.

Although the CD lasts just over 30 minutes, it's tight, it's clear and it's worth a place in anyone's thrash metal collection along side your 'IN-Flames', 'Bathory' and 'Slayer' collection.

9/10

By Tony Watson

A blues-rock album featuring famed guitarist David T. Chastain that's got a vocalist called Stephen Frederick who sounds like a 70 year old heavy smoker who's constantly trying to removing sticky green stuff from his throat.

It's ok for a while but it doesn't break any new ground at all as the bulk of the album is a tedious task top get through and falls well short of David's other blues outing 'Southern Gentlemen'.

Highlights though include 'Crying through another heartbreak' with Chastain's metallic extended blues solo and 'Shoot 'em up (Drop 'em dead) about distressing a murder and nearly being killed in the process.

For hardcore blues-rock fans and David T. Chastain completions only.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

This trio from the outer limits of a rocky unpopulated environment of Norway hit the stereo with desperation, bought forward with genuine passion for authentic rock, Camaros are not your typical kick ass rock 'n' roll band with an attitude bigger than America, these guys know how to combine coherent riffs with fusion of fuzz and mantra like addictive grooves, which takes hold of you from the start of 'Babe, You Got Me Down'.

This Mixture of style could have you thinking is it 'Led Zeppelin', 'Hendrix' or even 'Oblivians' or even the alternative hardcore bands like 'Nomeansno', 'Butthole Surfers' and 'Lard' but you will make your own mind up when it's been played endlessly as their style grabs you by the balls, which leaves you with a sense of self satisfaction.

This 11 track 56 minute CD is a lot more interesting and fascinating than the camp cover they have used (don't let this put you off). If you are that sort of person how purchases a CD for it's cover then you will miss out on one of the greatest authentic rock albums of the year.

9/10
(-1 for the cover)

By Tony Watson

Warm, passionate, powerful rock that's extremely melodic with a large abundence of beautiful harmonies and hard edge featuring elements of Firehouse, Def Leppard, Danger Danger and a tad bit of Bon Jovi. The Californian vocalist and leader, Jean Beauvoir with his rich sweet vocals guides the band into musical splendour with some bright moments like the opening 'I believe' (and before you ask, no it's not that Bon Jovi song that starts off their 'Keep the Faith' album) with the news that it's be a scorcher of a day in LA, California.

So many highlights placed neatly together in a album lasting around 41 minutes such as rockin' 'Til you've had enough' with its crashing and gunshot sound effects; the realism of the ballad with Doro Pesch - 'Shed No Tears' - these two were born to sing together because their voices blend perfect; the sadness of another ballad 'Alone Again' with deep atmospheric keyboards. 'Keep on Survivin' seems to be an ode to staying in the music biz - which Crown of Thorns have managed to do for nearly a decade.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Gilby Clarke (that some of Joe Public will remember as the riff-meister who replaced Izzy Stradlin' in G 'n' R) is back with his latest studio album 'Swag' of which Gilby told me recently was a year in the making and the title means nothing - it's just a rock album.

Guests galore appear, most notably, guitarist Tracii Guns (LA Guns) and Kiss/Alice Cooper Drummer, Eric Singer who add that extra bit of spice 'n' kick to it. There's an amass of up-tempo original material and even a fresh 'n' lively cover of David Bowies 12-bar boogie epic, 'Diamond Dogs'.

'Swag' is modern, punky, pop, rock and metal all under the same banner. There's enough varied material to keep every listener entertained and coming back for more lavish helpings. 'Broken Down Car' is a 50's styled boss nova rocker that'll have you twistin' and smashin' up those seats and after which you'll need time to recover - so relax to 'Margarita' (a nice little song about a bar bird). How about the ballsy G 'n' R'ish, 'Beware of the Dog' with some awesome NIN vocal effects. One of the stand-out's though in my humble opinion is the blues harmonica squealer 'Warm Country Sun' where it seems AC/DC's Angus Young is paid tribute to because it's jam packed with crangin' riffery and dirty swagger.

Ok, it took Gilby a year to get this out onto the street - but there's a fair tunes that make it worth the wait.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

After their splendid amass of gigs throughout the UK in the last year or so - it's really great to see this collective force of ex-Whitesnake and ex-Rainbow members plus the ex-vocalist from Snakes in Paradise Stefan Berggren bring out their first all-new material studio album.

Quite frankly, if you loved early Whitesnake before Coverdale jumped over the pond then just it bought. It's got everything - blues-rock, throbbing 'snakey riffs thanks to ex-Whitesnakers Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden and even Rainbow come 'snake styles, courtesy of bassist Neil Murray and Keyboard extraordinaire, Don Airey. Splendid drumming comes from ex-Manfred Man's Earthband member, John Lingwood - who salutes Cozy Powell proudly - God Rest and Bless his Soul !!!

If you cast your mind back to the early 70's you may remember a band going by the name of Jo Jo Gunne - well C.O.S have adopted their rock classic 'Run, Run, Run' and mixed it in with one of their own 'Ride, Ride, Ride'- turning it into 'Ride Ride Ride (Run, Run, Run)'. It works a treat - god these boys are good.

I'm real pleased that they didn't stop as a parody of themselves - their new material may not completely over-ride standards like 'Slide it in' or 'Fool for your loving' but they have a damn good go. There's plenty of classy hard rock, like the title track itself, 'Burst the bubble' with it's big fat bluesy riffs, that reminds me of a cross between ZZ Top's 'Cheap Sunglasses' and 'Manic Mechanic' (from 79's 'Deguello album) - then there's the amazingly atmospheric whispering of the year '1984' from female backing vocalists.

Produced by Nikolo Kotzel who's worked with 'Accept' and has only recently stopped twiddling the knobs for Saxon (the awesome 'Killing Ground' album). 'Burst the Bubble' has a full-on raw energy rock production that captures them the way they come across in the live surrounding - the way it should be - REAL !!!

Sell-wise, the album is bound to do well - if moves as well as gig tickets then that'll be grand. I can see it being a future classic album with tracks like the ballsy 12-bar 'Little Miss Happiness' or the Whitesnake meets AC/DC with loads of harmony ditty called 'Kinda wish you would' about wanting a real nice bird to return the favour. 'Back to the Blues' is a stand-outer as well.

To sum it up, 'Burst the Bubble' is pure early 'snake written and recorded in the new millennium. The album comes complete with an into and outtro - the acoustic 'Ayresome Park' that'd fit snugly on Led Zeppelin Zep 3 or 4.

This is the nearest you'll get to a classic Whitesnake album !!! Now I wonder what Mr. Coverdale thinks to it ?!?!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

CLAWFINGER - A WHOLE LOT OF NOTHING
(2001 - SUPERSONIC 080 - 74321 87033 2)

If you are not familiar with Clawfinger Then let me remind you of what they have released in the past. 'Nigger', 'Warfare', 'Pin Me Down', Do What I Say', 'Two Sides' and 'The Biggest And The Best' to name but a few popular tracks that have given Clawfinger the credit and a loyal fan base throughout the world.

Clawfinger have released their best CD to date with their techno metal, thrash guitars, sampling and rapping vocal content. With it's thirteen high tempo beats 'A Whole Lot Of Nothing' doesn't and won't give you time to settle down.

This is the forth-amazing CD from the Swedish techno metallers that contains the two hit singles 'Out To Get Me' and 'Nothing Going On', it also contains a wonderful surprise at track thirteen, 'Vienna' yes the same 'Vienna' from Ultravox, If you wonder whether they have made an abortion of it, then you will be pleasantly pleased with the out come. 'Vienna' is their version it is not a direct copy, it is Clawfinger at their best doing their best, it's a song that should be a single and given massive air play if it isn't already.

Clawfinger over the years have progressed with their style of music and every CD has that little bit extra to keep you interested. Songs like 'Burn In Hell', 'Evolution', 'Two Steps Away' and 'Paradise' have that hidden quality, which creeps out with every play.

This forty-eight minute CD is one that needs to be played load to really appreciate everything going off in the tracks, as a lot can be missed.

10/10

By Tony Watson

About a year ago, I was talking about the first full-lengther from Liverpudlian sextet Contagious, and how that year flew, despite me always thinking 'wish they'd hurry up with the new album.' They did at least have most of the material ready for its live airing at the 2001 Z-Rock show, and how I enjoyed it, so.

'Hear It Calling' is the I best remember from that day, although my favourite up to then had always been 'Muscle', a song originally recorded by Treat and appeared on Contagious 'Red White and Slightly Blue' four-tracker (which is worth getting). 'Time And Again', 'Lost And Lonely' and 'Suzi Ann' (trust there to be one, titled after a lady's name) rule the roost as well here, and there is actually in fact, a song called 'Lady' on the album.

The style continues very much as it did on the EP with all the bite you'd expect from eighties old-school heavy metal, with UFO and also hints of Paul Di'Anno-era Maiden. This is more or less purely everything today's trendies take pleasure in ridiculing to the ground- leather, denim, long hair and musical talent too. None of that ridicule comes from Metalliville quarters though, (you listening, Kerrang?) as quality not fashion is as always the strict principle us rockers - who still have a life - live by. It may be the very form of hard rock often associated with torn-jean-clad thirty somethings but 24-year olds are allowed to like it too.

Superb.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Cradle of Filth - Midian
(Music For Nations/Koch - 2001)

Here's yet another batch of hammeristic, atmospheric keyboard driven ditties which turn into the usual predictable Black Metal musical routine that Mr. D. Filth, Esquire and the rest of the Cradle have become known for. These guys really are the Status Quo equivalivent of this dark noisy genre - but since Quo are still so immensely popular, I guess it's not a bad thing !!

On this album you basically get more of the same sort of stuff that you heard on their last few releases - deep and frighteningly sinister tales about Hell, Raping, Vampires, Dead Bodies and the rest..... Lyrically, this is pure excellence but he simply wastes these well-out thought out verses by sqawking and screeching through them so they make no sense whatsoever - unless you are a cave bat that can understand the sounds of it's own language when it's been coded up with inaudible English - 'nough said. At least there's an inclusion of all the lyrics so you can sing-a-long at your own leisure - Cradle Karaoke what a night that'd be at the local pub !!!

The vocals are simply pressed too close to the 200 m.p.h. instrumentation at the best of times - it's a wall of similar sound frequencies which does not help matters at all - these guys are loaded - so why have such a crap vocal mix !!! Musically speaking it's O.K. - a sort of Slayer meets Iron Maiden that's being played in the midle of a creepy graveyard that has the ambience of Donington race track.

Cradle of Filth appear to sell albums by the truckload and then there's the t-shirts, although Slipknot seem to have taken over the reigns in this department.

I'd really like to hear an album by these guys where you can make out the vocals - but I guess it'll never happen. It's great artwork - but the album is spoilt by its total lack of orginality and singing that might as well come from the throat of a strangulated cat, bat or squirrel.

Very disappointing.


5/10

P.S. Current keyboardist, Martin Powell is from my neck of the woods, in fact he went to the same high school (Wales, nr Sheffield, U.K. and even hung out with a band I also urge you to check out - Bal-Sagoth (featuring Chris 'n' Johnny Maudling and Lord Byron).

'Weathered' the long awaited new CD for over two years. Creed have definitely developed themselves mentally as well as musically, they have looked deep and hard within each other to bring the best out into their style of music, with a mixture of hard rock and ballads that reaches out to the depths of your heart.

'Weathered' probably starts off with the heaviest track to date for the band. 'Bullets' hits you harder than any Machine Head track, which comes as a bit of a surprise. Have Creed turned thrash? May be not, as you will soon find out if you haven't already.

Creed have hit the market with another wonderful masterpiece that again will give them worldwide credibility. 'Weathered' is an eleven track CD that contains the massively acclaimed single 'My Sacrifice', but this definitely isn't the best track on the CD, track three 'Who's Got My Back?' is a wonderful ballad that starts off for a minute or so with a faded solo Indian chanting as he gradually fades away a dark and eerie sound comes across, which reminds you of a still mornings fog, an extremely heart felt track.
These three tracks are not the only excellent tracks on the CD, there is 'Stand Here With Me', 'Weathered', 'Hide' and 'Lullaby', which all have a different effect on you.

Creed have again risen above their expectation and the expectations of their fan base, with another CD that will be left in the Player for years to come.

9/10

By Tony Watson

Alice Cooper - Dragontown
(Eagle-Rock Records - 2001)

Mr Furnier's latest release sounds very much like an echo if his 'Brutal Planet' album - in fact 'Deeper' (about a plummeting lift) is more or less the title track with different words, whereas the chorus from 'Dragontown' sounds just like 'Pick up the bones' (again from 'Brutal Planet). I guess these tracks are leftovers from the Brutal Planet sessions or he's simply got this album out too quick to be different. It's a bit like Metallica's 'Load/Re-load syndrome'.

Lyrically 'Dragontown' is as sick and twisted as ever, but the album, in my opinion is spoilt by the over use of bland nu-metal sounding chug-chug guitar playing (which the Brutal Planet suffers from on a large scale!!!). I can't understand why Alice has done this - the kids have got the likes of Coal Chamber, Slipknot and Soulfly etc etc to beat out their frustrations to. I think I'm probably speaking to the real fans on this point when I say 'I'd sooner hear a real Alice Cooper album - not a nu-metal replica of what's been mainstream for the last few years.

Don't get me wrong, there are some great songs on the album though, like 'Triggerman' which wouldn't be out of place on the 'Buffy the Vampire' series with it's catchy chorus and pacey drum work. Alice has include one of the coolest tributes or should I say 'Diss-tributes' to the King of Burger Eating - Elvis Presley, where Mr. C performs a great impersonation of
the Graceland God - I hope it's released as a single, because the video would be killer!!!

The dark 'n' grooving 'Somewhere' is pure sickly spread decapitation fun about dead bodies, tribal warfare un-merciful killing and other happy stuff like that - it's one that granny will love mixed in with her tape featuring Des O' Connor and Val Doonican, hmmmmm!!!

Like Brutal Planet, Alice has included a gorgeous ballad about the fairer sex called 'Every woman has a name', which stands in line with 'Only woman bleed' from 75's 'Welcome to my Nightmare' - Brilliant stuff - again about a female (or any female) who gets treat badly by her man. If only the majority of the album was as good as this track or better, then it would have been a definite 10/10.

Come on Alice - you can do miles better than this - here's to a future album that can match 'Billion Dollar Babies', 'Welcome to My Nightmare', 'Trash', or 'Killer' because this one definitely doesn't.

'Dragontown' is an album that's overall very disappointing and incredibly average sounding for Alice Cooper.

6.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

This is Creed's 1st single 'My Sacrifice' taken from the new album 'Weathered' out 20th November 2001.

If you are a big fan of 'Creed' you won't be disappointed with the new release, I don't think it's the best track to come off for promoting the new album, but it's one of those songs that grow on you the more you hear it and one that will get the air play.

8/10

By Tony Watson

Getting things off to a good start for my first decent listen to death metal, this US act's six tracker rages into action with the somewhat slightly over complex 'Sackcloth and Ashes', which practically uses up all the many musical ideas on this 32-minute CD in just around 6. It's actually about three-quarters of the way through 'The Defeated' by the time I realise we're onto another song. When you're dealing with tunes that distinguishable from one another by little more than their titles, you really ought to have a bigger or recognisable gap in between.

The guitar work is actually quite melodic when it feels like being, and the vocalist - as do quite a few (thousand) in this field of metal, probably takes his cues from a chap called Dani (Filth) plus more than likely, our Norwegian friends too. Death and Black metal have moved on though a bit since I was a lad even if virtually all the recommended ingredients are still being used.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Basic punky-pop, which isn't far removed from the post-punk/new-wave bands of
the late 70s. Elvis Costello meets 90s grunge perhaps ?. No seriously the
vocalist does sound like Elvis Costello at times.
Standout tracks are sadly few and far between. None of the tracks hook you in
at all. It sounds dated. A little sturged, uninvolving, and feels like it goes
on forever, even though theirs only 10 tracks in total.
A disappointing effort from a band with such an interesting name. I guess you
can't judge a book by its cover. Damn, I even liked the title of the album too.

3/10

By David Roberts, BA Hons FS

I've heard the name before but this is my first hearing of Crowbar's music. I have to say I am impressed with some of the songs on offer.

Opener, 'The Lasting Dose' comes across as very much a Pist-On/Type O Negative/Black Sabbath blast where you hear vocalist/guitarist, Kirk Windstein rawping his throat out about pain.

If you like heavy deep attitude metal caked in dark thick sludge and down-tuned doom complete with Roaring vocals then you'll f**kin' love Crowbar. Many of the songs have a similar kind of feel, but don't be put off by that - it's all done excellently - and hats off to 'em for it. Check out 'Thru the Ashes (I've watched you burn)', 'Counting Daze', 'Suffering Brings Wisdom' or the hardcore assault of 'Failure to delay gratification' for top-notch examples of this. If you fancy a quiet 'n' mellow instrumental moment then lay back and relax to 'In Times Of Sorrow' - you just won't believe that it's the same band - it's from one extreme right to the other!!!

Crowbar's 'Sonic Excess…' album is gonna do well and I imagine it'll receive high ratings in many rock and metal publications throughout the world.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

After seven years of silence, The Cult hit the market with a new CD, that's Produced and Engineered by Bob Rock.

If you love The Cult then you will go out and purchase it anyway - but if you aren't - then it is well worth getting a copy. Don't expect it to have tracks like 'She Sells Sanctuary'; 'Firewoman'; 'Wild Flower'; 'Li'l Devil' or even 'Edie (Ciao Baby)'. This CD is a lot harder and heavier. If you have heard the single 'Rise ' or even 'War (The Process) then expect the rest of the album to be of a similar nature. There are some excellent tracks like 'Take The Power'; 'Breath'; 'American Gothic' and 'My Bridges Burn' as well as a couple of semi-acoustic tracks (these being 'Nico' and 'True Believers' - which I can see being the next single).

'Beyond Good and Evil' is very much a typical Cult CD - an album that keeps growing on you the more you play it. It's such a shame that it's not had much publicity - Give it a blast.

8/10

By Tony Watson