Lazy Bonez – Alive
(E.X.R Metal Records – 2015)

A brilliant AOR heavy rock band from Finland and not to be confused with the 80’s Rock cover band from Miami, Florida.

Lazey Bonez are a sextet who have some really polished songs on this album with vocalist Tommo ‘Tuple’ Salmela sound like a pristine Biff Byford without the gruffness and a supreme set of musicians here too.

Highlights on here include ‘Sweet Girl’; an amazing cover of ‘Jesus He Knows Me’ by Genesis album ; ‘Devils Dice’ which features former AC/DC & Dio Drummer, Simon Wright that starts very orchestral and carries on with a dramatic arrangement.

It’s outstanding and like me you’ll play it again and again!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Levee Dwellers – Levelling Up
(Blueshine Records – 2015)

Blues band from Rotterdam who are female fronted in the shape of Daniella Eerhart who has a truly splendid warm and strong voice indeed.

The majority of the album is covers but what makes it cool is that they aren’t the usual blues by numbers cuts since you get tracks like ‘Lovin’ Cup’ by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band or T. Bone Walker’s funky ‘Treat Me Lowdown’ plus a couple of originals like ‘Boogie You Down’ or the closing ‘The Empress Of Big Willy’s’.

Okay.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

Paola Pellegrini Lexrock – Dreams Come True
(Qua Rock Records – 2015)

A 31+ minute punkfest from Italian chick, Paola Pellegrini (based in Florence to be exact) that the likes of The Ramones would be proud of hearing for sure.

Highlights include the blistrering opener, ‘Love My Game’; the 2,3,4 ness of title track ‘Dreams Come True’ the cool riffed ‘Until You Drop’ or the closing ‘Love Is Near’.

Great if you like Punk!

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Livin Garden - S/T
(S/R – 2015)

A band who I bumped into on my way out of Lucky Strike, Hollywood on a Wednesday night of July 2015 while I was with some buddies of mine. They come from Critiba, Brazil and are now based in Los Angeles, California, USA!

The ‘Garden have elements of new and old sound combined with a definite 80’s look about them. They have a bawly Metallica like vocal sound to them at times and appear to be trying hard to appeal to the kids on this give-away compilation of their first two albums ‘Where Can I Breathe’ (2009) & ‘Bring It On’ (2014) plus a live cut from their DVD ‘Tales From The Livin’ Beast’.

Highlightsd include the gutsy opener ‘Rock N’ Roll State Electric’; ‘Exile# the acoustic starting ‘Bring It On’ the ballad that is ‘Age Of Lies’ and the crunchy head-boppin’ riffery of ‘Let It Bleed’ that is not a cover of that Stones album classic.

Overall Livin Garden are an okay outfit but I can’t decide if it’s an honest sound from them or if they are simply trying to appeal to the masses.

6.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Midori (Longo) & Ezra Boy – S/T
(S/R – 2015)

A brand new female force to be reckon in Midori Longo with who comes from the Bay Area of California and making quite a stir over in the USA already by all accounts of her bio.

It’s fresh, excitable and what a voice – high spangly sweet and powerful with multracking when needed from her on this self-titled fantastic album that’s a real joy to crank up in any room with songs like ‘So What’; ‘Born Lucky’; ‘Not Waiting Here’ or Killing Me’.

I can just see her being a perfect touring match to Diamante!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

LAST ONE STANDING - The Die Is Cast
(S/R - 2015)

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET:  www.lastonestandingrocks.com

Le Zets – Deadweight
(Bad Reputation – 2015)

A two-some who immediately remind me of The White Stripes and come from Los Angeles, California (Richard Romero) & Phoenix, Arizona (Margo Swann).

It’s riveting, quirky, rocky and at the same time kinda unsettling which I get the impression is what they wanna be. Highlights on here include the opening almost bluesness of ‘Favor For a Favor’; ‘Burning Bridges’ (not cover of the Status Quo song before you get any ideas) that has very late 60’s ness about it. In fact the entire album is very garage orientated or ‘Lovely Eyes’ about someone who takes too long to get ready to go out.

This’ll coming slamming at ya for certain.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Loaded Gun – S/T
(S/T – 2015)

A glam band from Mullica Hill, New Jersey who although have some fun-packed lively songs between them they are rather sloppy at times with vocal and guitar notes that clash badly or drumming that goes out of time and to be honest these guys need a click track.

In my opinion re-do many of the songs because it comes across rushed although the sound quality is exceptional. Openre ‘Addicted’ shows the problem straight away – a great song but flawed for the above reasons. ‘You Were Mine’ is a beautiful ballad – all the class 80’s band always seemed to have at least one on an album after the success of that Poison song! ‘She Likes Thunder And Lightning’ is classic cock rock too – all in the name of… and the blues intro’d ‘Slow Love’ with the big bv’s on the chorus.

Needs a bit of work but I look forward to see what the second album is like.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

The Legendary - Kissin Kate
(S/R – 2015)

Groovin’ stoner rock that has a late 60’s retro style to it and blues thrown in as well from this trio hailing from Munich, Germany. In fact the ‘Kissin Kate’s main riff is virtually a direct rip off of Led Zeppelin’s ‘How Many More Times?’.

What would have been know as the B-side ‘Feel Some’ has a nice singalong chorus to it as well. Whether this band will become like their name suggests is debatable in this tough to survive business but we will watch what happens.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

The Legendary - Pirates (E.P.)
(S/R – 2014)

This band sounds like Muse meets Queens Of The Stone Age with the opening number ‘Last Of Our Days’ being a perfect example to go on.

The EP is okay for what it is but rather generic in my opinion but I can see The Legendary being darlings in the media regardless and playing all those obvious commercial festivals. ISaying that do like the traditionally sounding ‘Hardrock Hotel’ though about playing this legendary venue and the old school 12-bar ‘If I Was A Girl’ with the line ‘I like the way you shake your tits’ – LOL.

Okay but nothing that special.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Lionel Lodge – The Agitator
(S/R – 2014)

White Scottish Guy who sounds a times like a whisky soaked black dude from some part of the USA. He was born in Scotland, moved to Canada and then later lived all over Europe.

It’s quirky and at times drives you crazy and you can’t work out if he is serious or simply taking the piss in this 36 minute CD from ‘The Resurrection Of NV’ right through to the title track itself – well traffic does on ‘Occupied Anyway’. It’s a bizarre collection to say the least.

Strange.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

LOTTA LENI - Smoke And Mirrors
(S/R - 2015)

Lotta is a Finnish vocalist with a voice that could stop clouds moving. Growing up on a diet of the great eighties names in melodic hard rock, she at some stage had the good luck to cross paths with guitar maestro Jake Makela and in the process make this eight track mastercraft of AOR enchantment .

From the Marcie Free inspired smoothness of opener 'What I Want' and the uptempo Survivor-esque pop of 'Seven Days' across to the driving, modern AOR you hear in 'Here And Now', we are absolutely mesmerised by the magnitude of Lotta's silky range; just watch how she sustains it as tightly while Makela's style takes a sharply bluesier twist on 'Promises' and 'I Don't Mind'.

Deep harmonies and held onto passions are what produce an AOR album at best and in 'Smoke and Mirrors' Lotta Lene has unexpectedly raised the bar all over again.  Not one to miss out on!

10/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Journey, Heart, Vixen, Survivor, Foreigner, Work Of Heart, Unruly Child & Winger.

NET: www.lottalene.com

LITTLEFISH - The Gordian Knot
(S/R - 2014)

Twenty years to release an album. I think it was worth the wait.

Danish DIY threesome LittleFish smack of a sound that's been around since then so these twelve ripply alternative rock numbers were evidently not  written over a few months beforehand. Touching them up over the years obviously pays and the strength is there to see.

Angular melodies and muddy grinding grunge guitar lines send each song past with a door open to dive in and try the ride for yourself. Filler-bereft yet filled with barn-sized hooklines that last behind sunset, 'The Gordian Knot' will leave you tied to your speakers for a week to come. Maybe the reception LittleFish get will hopefully mean no twenty years wait for the follow-up.

Play this little beauty while waiting just in case.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Net: www.facebook.com/littlefish.dk

LIQUID SHADES - S/T
(S/R - 2014)

A Prog cd that lasts only 21 minutes? Somehow there's only one country clever enough right now to pull that off - why of course that'll be Italy.

Then again this is only a four track ep, but a fantastically smooth one at that. Typical late sixties/seventies woodwind elements stand side by side with the avant garde guitar and drum acrobatics but in welcome smaller shots and showcase just enough at a time to satisfy without tedium. Made by seven lads who claim to have entered through rooms of dusty furniture and junk, its little surprise that they came out like this through the other door.

Ripply prog patterns of the sort Porcupine Tree and Flower Kings specialise majestically in are not long in coming but behind Marco Gemetto's silky whine, they work as an undamageble team. Mixing flutes, sax, synths, trumpets and even a French horn or two into proceedings sets their bar respectably high, making them a potential act one day to copy.

You've done it again, Italy.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Jethro Tull & Pink Floyd.

NET: www.soundcloud.com/liquid-shades

LOSE CONTROL - Let It Be Known
(S/R - 2014)

California, that once fabled hard rock capital of Earth has come up on the radar again as it does time on time.

Lose Control are the creation of schoolmates/guitarists Jeff Nisen and AJ Bartholomew and based on the huge testosterone-rammed explosion that is their debut album they don't call themselves Lose Control for nothing. Grouchy blues-tinged twin guitar rock greets us at the beginning of 'Bulletproof' and guides us effortlessly though belters like 'Dive', King Of It All', 'Let It Be Known', 'The Weight Of The Sea', 'Overboard', onto 'When Love Becomes Natural' and 'Hope', pumping the passion out with their feet held hard to the ground.

Jeff's husky throat, plus the soloing sass that could have have easily found home on a Free or Bad Company record drive each others wheel as well as the tunes themselves and the hooks sit in a seat of their own smiling down.

Nice work from another North American rock engine oiled and up for tearing off up the highway.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Soundgarden, Puddle Of Mud, Nickleback & Skin.

NET: www.losecontrolrock.com

LUNA SOPOR - Cobalt
(S/R - 2014)

8/10

Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Girlschool, Siouxie And The Banshees & Blondie.

NET: www.lunasopor.com

LANDMARQ - Origins - A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014
(Landmarq/Synergy Records - 2014)

The bands we turn our back on are always the ones to tiptoe up behind and bite us hard on the ol' rusty sheriffs badge.

Brit prog vets Landmarq manage that merrily with this bumper double disc best-of flying right through the door. Routed right from their early nineties beginnings when Threshold man Damian Wilson donned the mic through to the present day formation fronted by the female talent of Tracy Hitchings, selecting the right year to start your collection from might take some deliberation.

The nucleus of guitarist Uwe De Rose and bassist Steve Gee stay with you as the never -severable thread, delivering delectable melody and rhythm behind and alongside every sung tune. Nice it also is to hear some live versions amongst the collection although with this bands degree of precision, sticking crowds either end of a studio cut would have seen them get away with it.

Despite the hyperactivity from keyboard players past and present, Landmarq's sound is one to keep them on the upper perch of the UK prog podium for another two decades to come.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Dream Theater, Threshold & Asia

NET: landmarq.net

5/10

By Dave Attrill

Tyson Leslie – Train Wrecks, Havoc & Heartbreak
(S/R – 2014)

Power-pop and much more from the midwest of the USA that’s of a real high standard to say the very least.

He’s placed some excellent songs on here such as the opening coolness of ‘Little Green Honda’; the new age country sounds of ‘Selective Amnesia’; the bouncy duet with Jacklyn Uhruh that is ‘Suckerfish’; the Southern Rock styled ballad that is ‘Blanket For Your Soul’.

Outstanding album.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

4/10

By Dave Attrill

7/10

By Dave Attrill

9/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Dave Attrill

net: www.lowercasegods.com

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Lahannya – Save Me (Single)
(Kabuki Records – 2013)

Industrial Gothic Sounds from an English-German quartet with the frontess herself reminding me of Dilana gone Lacuna Coil or something.

This is a vibrant song that is fueled and filled with crunchy guitars, that soaring voice and celestial echoey keyboards that is a sure-fine club hit – well the underground clubs anyway and all those of an S&M nature too. It never lets up showing that there’s life in this genre yet.

Think I’ll check them out live when they hit Sheffield soon.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Justin Lerner – 18th Avenue (E.P.)
(S/R – 2013)

As soon as I put this on I thought bright Springsteen and commercial Bon Jovi and that’s just the opening number, ‘Summer Days Ain’t Over’ but he is from New Providence, New Jersey.

It’s a real joyous loving listen when you have momentous high hoping songs like ‘Drive You Home’ or the almost Southern like ‘Shore Song’. Justin vocally reminds me of Elvis Costello with way more quality with the man himself also taking care of lead and rhythm guitar too. The sound mix is amazing and extremely warm and you can’t help but like it a lot.

An emerging artist that deserves to make a big impact.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

LIZARD - Master & M
(Lynx Music - 2013)

Five tracks to an album means a quick trip through a disc. Except of course when the five tracks have playing times spanning between 7 minutes and 14.

Painful also to sit through these poles singing in their own lingo without the ability to translate, Lizard do still musicall make up for it a fair bit. Taking the best of Magellan, Porcupine Tree and Flower Kings, without taking liberties, they sound undoubtedly passionate about what they play and do good to keep it regularly vocalled despite some solar shredding from lead guitarist/vocalist Damian Bydlinski.

Interesting in most parts, aside from the titles - simply known as Chapters 1-5 respectively - Lizard adopt the right atmospheric niche even if they need to pump up the substance sometimes to prevent momentum slipping.

Good.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.lizard-band.com

Los B*st*rdos Finlandeses – Day of The Dead
(Ranka Kustannus – 2013)

A finnish based band who sound like a mix of Thunder, Little Caesar, AC/DC & ZZ Top with a hint of Motorhead & Hawkwind too.

Ballsy southernish biker like rock that’s a joyous listen with awesome opener ‘Smokin’ Dynamite’; the almost Zodiac Mindwarp gone slightly delta sounding ‘Goddess Of The Valley’; the Thin Lizzy-like ‘You Can’t’; the purely driving ‘Old Dog In the Rain’ and the excellent closer ‘Last Day For Rock ‘n’ Roll!

These guys have got it.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

LAST DAY HERE - A New Beginning
(Graviton Music Services - 2013)

Slovenian fivesome Last Day Here already appear to have their reputation cemented before I started spinning this baby: touring with Black Stone Cherry and Il Nino hardly doing badly for starters really.

Yes the title is decieving, given that it's grunge- laden powerpop within but as the promo promised they stick their own stamp on a formula tried thousands of times ahead of them. Massive guitar chemistry between twin stringsters Uros and Jure rips the glory away from the rest on every song of the fourteen, their lead styles showing promising innovation against familiar grooves. Marko Duplisak's voice doesn't disappoint in its own right here, reaching over with the grip of a gutturally-charged Chad Kroeger.

The result is the riveting edge sharpening itself throughout favourites like 'A Road to Nowhere', 'Simply Divine', 'Fly Away', 'Everything You Need', 'Material Attraction', 'All I Need', 'Slow Down', 'Make it Right' and 'Without You ' till it cuts like an impeccably- maintained saw rim. More metal brilliance from the eastern bloc, Last Day Here are enjoying their first with us.

So did we, I might likely add.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.myspace.com/lastdayhereband

LOCUS CONTROL - Attavita
(Hangar 18 Productions - 2013)

Locus Control are a fiery sounding four-piece from Belgium, peddling a healthily fiery old-school thrash-meets product around the houses.

Set alongside a melodic sky, they use the aggressive elements of early Metallica and Anthrax together with PorcupineTree and pinches of Dream Theater to mix the musical sun with the rain, and that this lot do it all instrumentally adds to the adopted smoothness of each track.

Catchy rhytms and sharp guitar bends in and out don't come easily with this format but Babak, Koen, Stefaan and Ben help set the cumbersome qualities aside with these five experimentally energetic lumps of music.

Quite likely one to wash over your doubts about vocal-less fare.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.locuscontrol.be

LOCUS TITANIC FUNUS - Castus Lacrima
(Another Side Records - 2013)

Try pronouncing that properly with a blocked nose - seems that this lot picked one up whilst recording too.

A lucious female vocalled intro yeilds way to a track of torturous slow extreme metal dirge that destroys my own will to live, save for the swish piano interludes in- between. Nice it would be for the band to try sounding like that all the way as I massively savour the melodic element dominating the following four, either side of the tedious growls. Some things work together but when particular side steals the upper hand, it does fare go keep them seperate.

Try it out at least.

6.5/10

By Dave Attrill

LORD - Digital Lies
(Dominus Records - 2013)

Not the Finnish metal act who were slightly successful at a past Eurovision song contest, this veteran Aussie foursome, formerly known as Dungeon are from a similar scene but at the more melodic and wholesome end of the subgenre-al spectrum.

Melodic metal is not a massive musical commodity down-under so these boys have a delicate burden but one they duly carry without dropping. Gritty, fast twin guitars and silky European-schooled vocals are as always the successfully inserted elements and their songwriting equipment does not seem to be at fault.

'Digital Lies', 'Point Of View' ,'2D Person In a 3D World', 'Final Seconds', 'The Last Encore' and 'Chalkboard Project' diversify more than first expected with vocalist/guitarist Tim moving some death shaped pawns around the old pipes as well as his sonorous symphonic tones. Sweet noise from Neighbours country coming at you hard, Lord's name has, safe to say not been taken in vain this time.

Put it this way, they have supported giants including Iced Earth, Saxon and Gamma Ray in the past.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Rhapsody, Kamelot & Nightwish.

NET: www. Lord.net.au

LYS - Go Your Own Way
(M & O Music - 2013)

I've very luckily heard stuff of or rather by French four-piece Lys previously so they are less set to disappoint,and they certainly do not.

Twin guitars set beneath Nicolas Veron's sliding gravelly voice shoot every song through your head, helping you to taste the centre right away and also amaze yourself at how English they actually sound ( well they do hail from, erm... BRITTANy). Although there are bigger fans than me of this fuzzed up alternative style, the appeal roots in the raucously rhythmic hooks and vocal that tie you to your bed and bounce on you.

'New Way Home', 'This Morning', 'Insane', 'You Make Me Feel', 'Around You', 'Up To The Clouds' and Wide Awake' come equipped with the expected indie friendliness so will expect a pop appeal but strong is itself the operable term with these lads..and girl.

Luscious and lethal...look out for Lys coming across the channel.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www. m-o-music.com

Lady Beast - S/T
(Inferno Records - 2013)

Heavy Metal female fronted band from Pittsburgh, PA that sound like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and all those cool old 70's and 80's pioneers of the genre.

Plenty of thramming fast riffage that you associate with classic bands of that era plus some supersoonic double bass drum work too (especially in the song 'Birthrite) with Deborah Levine cooking up some excellent crystal clear vocals throughout. In fact the entire album's clarity is exceptional for every single instrument as well with many a highlight including 'When Desire Is Stronger Than Fear'; the self-titled opener 'Lady Beast'; 'Metal Rules' and one hell of a cover of Priest's 'Ram It Down' which make the album worth buying for that alone.

Metal the way it's meant to be.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Little Caesar - American Dream
(S/R - 2012)

Well after seeing these guys live twice recently, this new album of theirs was a joy to recieve on my knee since it features some of the songs I've witnessed in the flesh.

So many great songs on this album and it's almost like a greatest hits release as it's of such high quality. As though the guys have written a few over a number of years and picked all the gems out and treated us with this exceptional biker rock brilliance. Little Caesar are on form and you can totally tell they had real fun recording and writing it too.

Highlights include the title track the uptempo rockers 'American Dream' that comes clean and destroys the myth; 'Hard Rock Hell' that tells the tale of life in the music biz; the outstanding ballad 'Only A Memory Away'; the moderately paced 'Own Worst Enemy' and the closing 'Dirty Water' that starts up like it's a mono crackly record and is a killer bluesy romper of a ditty.

Very well recommended release indeed.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

LOGIC MESS - Element Of The Grid
(Lynx Music - 2012)

Still continuing Poland's prowess for promising metal.acts, Logic Mess manage to hide their nationality through all bar the promo info.

Assembling prog elements of every great transatlantic act (hows that for wording?) Krzysztof Owsiak's sleek vocal leads this brilliant outfit through seven superbly piece tunes - it is murder to believe this guy doesnt actually descend from English-speaking shores. Striving to take in all elements sat under the arc and connect for a musical surge that shames most big names outside of their very best days, the strong musicianship and singing of this fivesome follows the album's 'Operation Mindcrime' style concept in atmosphere as well as the dodgy American accents they attempt.

Tantalising guitars and keyboards from our friends Marcin and Piotr respectively, also using a faint alternative side to their psychedelic turns on 'Arcadia' in particular rub more yeast into the dough. Rising fast from the dish, 'Element Of The Grid' is East Europeans showing another side to their ultra-diversified talents. Certainly built on logic but strictly no mess left on this here deck.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Threshold, Magellan, Enchant, Jadis & Fates Warning.
NET: www.myspace.com/logicmess

Lacuna Coil – Dark Adrenaline
(Century Media - 2012)

Lacuna Coil are Cristina Scabbia (Vocals), Andrea Ferro (Vocals), Cristiano Migliore (Guitar), Marco ‘Maus’ Biazzi (Guitar), Marco Coti Zelati (Bass) and Cristiano Mozzati (Drums).

What later became Lacuna Coil started in 1994 as Sleep Of Right in Milan, Italy. When Cristina Scabbia joined the band as a vocalist they changed their name to Ethereal. After getting a record deal they discovered another band was using that name. They changed names again to Lacuna Coil, which means "empty spiral." ‘Dark Adrenaline’ is Lacuna Coil’s eleventh offering including EP’s and Live albums.

I was already very familiar with the band and the album’s first single ‘Trip The Darkness’ that was released a few weeks prior to the release of this album. Dark Adrenaline is slightly heavier than the previous album ‘Shallow Life’ was and is a more consistent album. The band has found themselves musically with this album. There is a real flow to it and the next logical progression from their previous musical stance. They have incorporated the heavier aspects of their music and added the melodies and song writing of the last album to create one amazing album. The vocals of Cristina and Andrea have never sounded so good. Their voices work very well together and suit the music perfectly.

The band is tight, and has a real good sound and mix. Noting is buried or muddled in production. A great sounding album. There are 12 songs on ‘Dark Adrenaline’ and all of them are killer tracks. There are no filler tracks on here at all. Even the cover of R.E.M.’s ‘Losing My Religion’ is fantastic and I am not usually one for cover songs. They kicked the song up a notch and gave it that boost it needed. It hasn’t been changed too drastically but enough to give it that little boost that was lacking in the original version.

‘Dark Adrenaline’ is the album that sets the standard to which all other new releases will be compared to. Lacuna Coil have outdone themselves with this album. A heavy dose of ‘Dark Adrenaline’ is what your system needs.

10/10

By Andy Turner

Net: www.lacunacoil.it www.myspace.com/lacunacoil
www.facebook.com/lacunacoil www.last.fm/music/Lacuna+Coil

Hans Van Leer & The Sidekicks - Blues And More Than Blues
(S/R - 20120

As it says in the album title that is just what it is from the ex-Focus member.

Stand-outs for me are the opening very traditional horn blowing 'One More Drink'; 'One More Love' that is a total take of the very famous 'Venus' with the organ riff that hints at the Doors as well; the rhythmic kinda southernish with female backing vocals at times that is 'No Man's Land' & the chilled out whistling 'Happy Song' with honky tonk piano.

Then there's the hot-riffed 'Blue City'; the country guitar meets jazzy-blues of 'No Rolling Stone' and the slowy that is 'I'm Sorry'. Decent enough but rather generic most of the way through give and take a few numbers.

Perfect album for the older guys who love them blues clubs the world over.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

LE REVERIE - Dark Symphony
(S/R - 2012)

I previously encountered La Reverie with the pleasure of hearing their 2011 ep 'Truth & Lies' and believe me when I say they haven't let up since then, soldiering on fire to their full-length debut at our adoring earlobes.

Adorable still hugely the word to sum up swish chanteuse Allie Jorgen, they have managed not to take umbrage at being described as a girl-fronted Dream Theater (as a quote from my last review on the promo verifies). Sole axeman Jeff Mallow still makes John Petrucci look over his shoulder with one or two of his tight-hitting solos, injecting a classier metal/hard rock fluid into their battery.

Beautiful piano from the Mysterious O.G. blends in stuuningly huge and helps 'La Naissance', 'Dark Symphpony', 'Ghost Of You', ''La Reverie', 'Hall Of Mirrors', 'Dark Secrets', 'Pleasure and Pain' and 'Hold Me Down' to be the best amongst these twelve boldly- painted musical pictures. Shows that they do call musicials artists for a purpose - stunning atmospheric harmonies solidly load this cd start to end with amiable alternative contours streamlined into the shape.

Buy 'Dark Symphony' today and take aboard their delights. Su-u-uperrrrrb!

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

VERY RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Evansecence, Nightwish & Mostly Autumn.

NET: www.myspace.com/lereverie

Le Reverie - Dark Symphony
(S/R - 2012)

Here it is, the 2nd album from Le Reverie and it doesn't seem that long ago since we checked out their debut.

Le Reverie fly under the similar banner as bands like Epica, Leaves Eyes and Evanescence. So as you can imagine it's dark, gothic and heavy and light sounds and on the odd occasion even some orchestral stuff floating in and out of this album. Majestic melodies and soaring female vocals from Allie Jorgen are a guarantee on this release with highlights including the orchestral instrumental opener 'La Naissance'; the piano led ballad 'Ghost Of You' (that comes asa reprise as well).

Then there's the uplifting 'Dark Secrets' with string sounds and kick ass crunchy guitar sounds as well as 'Truth & Lies' that'll be a real show stopper live when it comes to the chorus section. The album also comes with a video of the single 'Hold Me Down' as well that's set in a creepy looking house full of candles- nice touch!

Well worth checking out.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

LOVE STRICKEN DEMISE - Psychotrip (E.P.)
(Downboys Records - 2012)

Half female, half male Texan quartet Love Stricken Demise shoot from the hip from the first track of these four and don’t make any attempt to stick their six-shooter back in the holster til their lesson is over.

Raw, raucous rock, attacking with attitude and dirt-powered panache seems the musical norm for a girl-fronted metal act today and why not. Nikki McKibbin may own a husk commonly boasted by big eighties names like Lee Aaron and Pat Benetar in particular but the punked-up pop metal spit of their content doesn’t stick itself to an association with all things big –haired and skin-tight, (difficult we might appreciate when the label to which they are signed is helmed by two members of Warrant). Yet, if you still of course like both rock and balls to be presented in the same package, open the one labelled ‘love Stricken demise’ for a first class delivery and a style plus songs to level.

Looking seriously forward to an album here, lads... and ladesses.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.headfirstentertainment.com

POINT OF INTEREST : Bassist Holly Wood is the former stylist for the Bush family during his term at the White House.

LUMUS - Bacchus Cave
(S/R - 2012)

Reviewing an album ahead of its release date is an infrequently experienced treat these days. Especially Lumus’s.

While this Oregon quintet don’t dangle their bucket too deeply into the originality well on all scores, they do succeed in one particular distinctiveness stake by having a violinist in place of a keyboardsman to carry the majesty of their melodic metal high above the hills. Add an uber-talented lead shredder with a largely Maiden –influenced hand plus a woman with a voice so powerful it could lift daisies into space and Lumus leave little more to ask.

Twelve fantastic tracks, instrumentals of course included, delve into all the usual pages concerning the writing and playing parts but there’s no cheating to be done in the tent. Rippling, effervescent rhythms and solos, set to stretch or fit round every solitary melody that Charlotte Van Camp moves with her highly operating throat, make guitarist Dustin Behm and violinist Jon Lumus out as equal frontmen in their own right as well as potentially sizzling solo artists for the future.

‘Burning Plain’, ‘Scales Of Justice’, ‘Lost Child’, ‘No Trace to Remain’, ‘Maenad’ and ‘Spiders’ might not stand the test of time 200 years from now but Lumus ethereal elegance should keep this genre existent well up till that time.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Mostly Autumn, Stratovarious & Nightwish.

NET: www.lumusmusic.com

LOADASMOON - Heroes In The Sand
(S/R - 2012)

Not to be confused with a classic Harry Enfield catchphrase, Loadasmoon is the venture of Irish-based Brit stringster Kevin Stanbury who unlike many instrumental-minded musos decides instead on a full meat-and-potatoes melodic hard rock album – yes that’s one with vocals.

Shawn Allen certainly has them and raunches his range throughout ten raw –as-heck heavy rockers. Shredding and grooving back and forth between bouncing rhythms and melodies, trad metal songwriting at its most basic has rarely been this bold and ultimately consistent with substance in sodding ages, especially on this side of the alternative/nu-metal regime.

Move ‘Heroes…’, ‘Granite Balls’, ‘Don’t Look At Yourself’, ‘New Year’s Eve’, ‘The Towers’, ‘Big Guns’ and ‘Take My Hand’ around the ol’ spinner for a superhuman thrust to the era of rock sound as most commonly remembered. Dirty, blues-soaked driving guitar power from Stanbury with Allen’s Coverdale-cum-Tyla vocal pedigree doesn’t come this way as often as it did 25 years ago, believe me.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: UFO, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Skin, Y&T & Thunder.

LA BLANCHE ALCHIMIE - Galactic Boredom
(Ponderosa Music & Art - 2011)

Italian two-piece La Blanche Alchimie unleash on us another of those cds that you struggle all day to justify describing as a rock album yet delay little in labelling it as a damning fine piece of music all the same.

With very little of this ten tracker involving an electric guitar, this second full-lengther from the Milan act does above the same justice with electric pianos, xylophones, acoustic guitars and just about every instrument you can thrown in that makes a sweet harmonic tingle throughout every tune. And that’s before you are introduced to Jessica Einaudi’s scintillating range which would suit and pop, rnb or soul act going.

Do not mistake the previous comment as there is no one slight ounce of wannabe chart drivel anywhere amongst ‘Black Girl’ ‘Galactic Boredom’ ‘Blackberry Lips’, ‘Cellar Disco Club’, ‘My Ear Is a Shell’, ‘Spell On The Hill’ or ‘The Sound Of Marbles’. Sweet performances all the way from multi-instrumental discovery Federico Albanese unearth Jessica’s magical melodies set you up for a superbly relaxing listen by help of ten patiently crafted tunes - by the way, that does not that we want the next one to take a whole eighteen months from release to reaching Metalliville’s letterbox.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Sonic Youth & Cranberries.

NET: lablanchealchimie.com

LOWER THE VEIL - The 100th Monkey
(S/R - 2012)

I’d never known a band to release a 3-song album –mistype on promo possibly to blame?

Lower the Veil nonetheless satisfy for a start with the first* triple taster of their rust-proof post grunge genteel. Laid back rather than lairy in vogue with their Seattle predecessors, New Jersey musical mastermind Damien Baldwin knows the importance of substance over style and lays the higher importance elements in together with clear and catchy vocal lines, as well as almost prog-cut chord explorations.

Superbly natural arrangements that fall in from influence, rather than force of compliances set LV aside as another ambitious machine as opposed to cheap bandwagon ride. A rolling start indeed.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

*this is the artist’s first release as Lower The Veil – band were previously known as Friends of Bill Wilson

LACE WEEPER - One Man Jury (E.P.)
(S/R - 2011)

The Emerald Isle has been quiet on the hard rock front for a little while, the last we had of their treasures having been established favourites The Answer and Glyder.

Dublin foursome Lace Weeper do the honours of getting their proud country back in profile As with the band beginning ‘G’, these guys get it on big weight with drilling seventies- sweetened rhythms and blues angst that saturates ‘Get In Line’, ‘Sunblecached’, ‘Escape’ and their briskly rendition of ‘Come Together’ to the core. The seeker of all things Seattle-grown wont be too deterred by Sebastien Florek’s inoffensively nasal range even though it is suited in time to this constrasting sound.

Guitarist Matt Hayward doesn’t leave anything out of his influence sheet, either with Alter Bridge, Metallica, Nickelback and even occasionally Slayer sneaking in for a quick tingle, all taped together by his powerful long-bending harmonies that sit pleasantly over every riff. First you had Thin Lizzy, then we had U2 - now see Ireland’s potential next big thing right in front …Lace Weeper is how it is spelt.

Excellent.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Free, Glyder, Nivana, Stone Temple Pilots & Metallica.

NET: www.myspace.com./laceweeper

Laing, Hunter, Ronson, Pappalardi - The Secret Sessions
(Floating World - 2011)

One of those supergroups that never actually existed apart from in the studio that also features peeps like Leslie West, Dickie Betts & Eric Clapton.

It's very much an album of Ian Hunter & Corky Laing taking control of the lead vocals and having famous peeps on it. It's one that never got released and if truth be known it's very much one of those many albums where the line-up is more impressive than the songs to be found within, with the excepetion of songs such as the 70's Pink Floyd like 'The Outsider' which is worth hearing for the music alone or a cover of 'Just When I Needed You Most' - a major hit for Dolly Parton.

OK but not essential.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

LOTUS PEDAL - Pedal To The Metal
(S/R - 2011)

Now, given the name and graphic, an electro-indie effort appears strongly advertised.

Such distortion does mange to get its elbow in through the door but over the head of some catchy and well varied hard rock styles. Solo-oriented instrumental 'Evil Plague' even fails to deter as an opener. In serious Motley Crue mode - that of the totally ‘Live Wire’ riff-robbing variety - ‘Show No Mercy’ shifts up through the gears withy a sturdy old-school metal number and the vocals arrive though in a strangely appetising stoner direction.

This threesome upkeep a predilection for plush classy soloing throughout, with the main leanings shimmering in punk and blues coloured lights, the whole lot delivered in an overall ‘Reload’ era Metallica attack on the senses. Storming rockers like 'Dark Trance', 'Social Butterfly' and 'Rock Generation' are the new and old hitting headlong I the craziest way possible though from three chaps who name themselves Race, JB and Machine Gun, the conglomeration is hardly guaranteed to be sane.

Two bonus tracks make this min-disc into as good as a full lengther at eight numbers strong, 'Karma Soldier' being a deserving regular with strong garage rock attitude and succulent Sabbath -like crust for afters. Superb sample of an inventive new metal act making waves it is hoped this lot don‘t wash up too soon.

For the meantime, this particular Lotus’s pedal is stuck firmly in acceleration.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Nickelback, Monster Magnet, Orange Goblin & Metallica.

NET: www.lotuspedal.com

GEORGE LYNCH - Kill All Control
(EAR Music/Edel Records- 2011)

I will do my best to deal with this without bias, extremely hard as it is with said artist being one of my all time favourite musicians not to mention once being the integral force of a certain outfit whose name begins with ‘D’.

While George Lynch’s rap-metal experimentations on his third ‘Mob release admittedly went down about as well as a blow-off in a space suit the geezer still continues to deliver in an immensely wide palate of styles that we have seen begin with his final Dokken days. The name of the game is largely modern day melodic rock with a variety of frontmen and also musical diversions tailored pretty coincidentally to suit. A three way mix of the best from the first two LM discs plus interesting grunge workouts played more Nickelback than glam-outfit-gone-different is complemented by a remainder made up of various other exploits George peddles with style and sound like he’s worked on for some considerable years.

‘Kill All Control’, ‘Done’, ‘Fly On The Wall’, ‘Wicked Witch’, 'Voices In My head', 'Resurrect Your Soul', 'Rattlesnake', 'Man On Fire' and 'Go It alone' make up nine of this largely mighty thirteen-tracker and 'Son Of Scary' a follow up to his clasic 'Back For The Attack' instrumental is a welcome treat connecting the glorious past to Sir George’s still formidably genius present. Packed with the traditional Lynch widdling, compulsory still after thirty-plus years in the industry and topped with a host of guest voices including London Le Grand and Marq Torien, the legend roars and riffs on atop the great pillar of his temple. In my dreams its still the same… but also different where he can get away with being.

Recommended.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.ear-music.net www.myspace.com/georgelynch

The Lonely H – Concrete Glass
(The Control Group – 2009)

They have plenty of southern roots to them with an Allman Brothers meets The Black Crowes and Grateful Dead feel to these guys crossed with The Band and a bit of Drive by Truckers as well – hmm – right up my street – and that’s all in the 1st song ‘Right Down To Me’

This 4-piece actually come from Port Angeles, WA., USA believe it or not and have known each other since the tender age of 13. and later headed south – no wonder they sound so damn good. Highlights on this bluesy country masterpiece include the slow almost gospel felt ballad ‘White Horse Tears’ and the rather exellent rhythmic rockin’ ‘Out West’ with some splendid honky tonk guitar pickin’.

Then there’s The Eagles-like ‘The Singer’; the Stonesy Beggars Banquety like piano and vocal work of ‘Phoenix’; the anthemic building-up as found on the closer that is ‘Strike A Chord’ that even has a little reprisal as well.

Now this is the sort of American band I wanna hear – hopefully coming to your town!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

LIQUID GRAVEYARD -The Fifth Time I Died
(Rising Records - 2011)

Finally we have another new name linked to a legendary one. Former Cancer vocal/guitar man John Walker, this time settles for the axe alone, allowing female sensation Raquel Walker the mike spot.

Here this album succeeds is in its diversity and creative integrity that is a far cry from the man’s death metal days whereas the places it almost stumbles on its own backendular is that the new focal element is sadly underused. Miss Walker’s magnificently velvetised tonsils take their time to be heard in their full soprano-esque glory, distorted and drowned out by unintelligible rasps through a directionless first third of the running.

Finally gaining quick momentum, the rest of the ride is fast and pretty smooth one to the finish with ‘Reflections‘, ‘Expendable‘, ‘’The Glorious Bitter Seeds‘, ‘Invisible Names‘ and ‘Interlude‘ amongst the best as we hear everything the best of the overall pedigree. Alternative, goth and black metal rarely all that strongly together into an instant musical triangle but with Walker’s timelessly rumbling riffage atop those traditionally rapid fire drum barrages, the mix fights successfully to be prosperous.

An initially shaky but sure welcomed return from one of the scene’s favourites.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Opeth, Anathema, Mostly Autumn, Arch Enemy & Evanescence.
NET: www.myspace.com/liquidgraveyard

Alvin Lee - Keep On Rockin'
(Repetoire Records - 2010)

Blues & Rock from Mr. Lee - 2 dozen ditties in all appear on here.

Love the slow version of 'I Hear You Knockin' and other stand-out numbers including the Gary Moore like 'The Bluest Blues', the slow 'n' funky bluesy 'n' cooking 'My Baby's Come Back To Me'; the gutsy 'Give Me Your Love' and the closing cover of The Beatles 'She's So Heavy' that even features George Harrison unmistakably opening up the song on trademark sounding guitar.

Very much a contract fulfiller that goes through the motions as opposed to being a standout album - give and take the above tracks.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

Alvin Lee - Zoom
(Repetoire Records - 2010)

Released back in '94 originally, this re-release is another Mi-Lee-Stone.

Notable songs include the 12-barry 'Jenny Jenny'; the vocodered, bluesed up 'Anything For You'; the ZZ Top like ' The Price Of This Love'; 'It Don't Come Easy' with a classic trademark fast guitar solo from Alvin and the gospelling closer that is 'Use That Power' featurinf 'The Zoomettes'. An album that features stars like the late George Harrison, Clarence Clemons and Jon Lord but to find out where they appear you need to go down to the record store and buy the album - you won't regret it.

Rock It Up and Blues it out and love it!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Alvin Lee - Detroit Diesel
(Repetoire Records - 2011)

The former Ten Years After frontman has recently had some of his solo albums released on the above label. This here album originally appeared in 1987 and you can tell at times with the sounds of the synth in the forefront at times but not to the point where it spoils the preceedings.

A pure feel-good factor of a ten tracker Mr. Lee with cooking numbers including the awesome title track opener, 'Detroit Diesel'; the bluesy ballad 'Talk Don't Bother Me'; the cheesey 12-bar rocker that is 'Heart Of Stone'; the ZZ Top like 'She's So Cute' and the closing moderately tempo'd Status Quo like ditty called 'Let's Go'. As well as having some superb songs the CD also features an array of steller musicians on here too that include the likes of George Harrison, Jon Lord, Joe Brown and Boz Burrell.

Great album indeed.

8/10

Glenn Milligan

Life Like The Movies - S/T (E.P.)
(Orange Glow/Hard Six - 2011)

A Naples, Florida based Rock band who I discovered by being in The Beached Whale on Fort Myers Beach - they weren't playing there - but Bassist, Sid and his girl just happened to be out there for the night and we got talking away about music and he told me he had a band - this being the very outfit. He played me the songs that night and I was extremely impressed by what I heard.

They have a modern fresh approach with elements of Muse with a real high vocalist infact I actually thought the singer (Charlie) was female on 1st listen, reminding me of Janes Addiction's Perry Farrel and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots all rolled into one with plenty of metal aspects in the music and that's just the opening 'Forget You'. The next number sticks reggae next to some cool poppy metalness and works a treat that goes by the name of 'Blackout' - some killer bass running from Sid there combine with the racing guitar solo courtesy of Jon and the million beats a minute drumwork from Ted.

'Charlie Bit Me' gives the impression of what would happen if you mixed Muse in with The Killers or The Kaiser Chiefs or bands of that nature - interesting way to finish a song with a crazy drum solo - makes a change. Like the metalled out guitar solo in the closing Life On Mars' (this aint the Bowie song before you ask!) - wacky reggaeness that goes full pelt assault all of a sudden on you and goes into full-on rock gear.

These guys deserve to get noticed and make it big in the USA and in the UK and Europe too.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Loveblast - S/T
(S/R - 2010)

Hard Rockers from Chicago - now that that's a great name if ever I heard one who are pure 80's all over again - thouigh for many of us it never really went away - just that some got lost along the way and treaded into the next decade - hahaha.

The 4 piece here delight you with every single song on offer on this 11 tracker with great songs such as the opening 'Harder & Faster (On The Edge Of Disaster) - giving an indication on what the next 48 mins have in store for you. There's highlights in songs such as the gnawing at ya 'Things That Bite'; 'Out For Blood' with it's Yngwie like soloing; the incredible 40's retroesque ballad 'Goodbye My Darling' and the mouth watering 'Hungry' for your touch!!

Love to see the Loveblast Live - now get your arses to the UK! Good stuff indeedy

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Lluther - Rise Of The Reptile King (Promo-Teaser)
(EMI Publishing - 2011)

Hailing from Dublin, they come across like a powerful U2 but with plenty of metal in there too.

Highlights include the killer opener 'In The Dollhouse' mesmerizing 'Turning To Dust'; 'King Of Nothing'; the spooky and questioning track entitled almost Marilyn Manson-esque 'The End Of The World' and the closing mysterious industrial-like 'Until She Comes' - hang on - that's every song that's a highlight - that don't happen too often.

These are a band that have got a lot going for them and totally deserve to be damn big.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

THE LISTENING DEVICE - Live Forever (E.P.)
(S/R - 2010)

Now for something a little… and that’s an understatement with an upper-case ‘U’.

Eight-piece British combo The Listening Device are basically a fistful of the best seventies artists as they would sound performed together in a wine bar one last time here in the twenty-tennis, and believe me this is just the sort of stuff I’d gladly enjoy while relaxing with a glassful.

Harry Worcester’s husky Joe Cocker-meets- Louis Armstrong range is authentically soulful, and sits so tightly over the classy semi acoustic mix its hard to accept this is a new band. Janet Thompson is a majestic keyboard performer , often dissolving out the strings herself with her own delectable harmony progressions.

With tunes centred lyrically around certain (un)popular British and European politicians of recent times adding for a humorous edge to their approach, Listening Device are worth a listen for everything that’s good about classic guitar based pop with soul.

Admittedly a lengthy chat over just a three track -ep, these guys prove themselves worth it for doing what they do almost better than their influences, also.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Genesis, Procul Harum & Ray Charles.

NET: www.myspace.com/thelisteningdevice

LIVESAY - Awaken The Giant
(S/R - 2010)

This here band are introduced to me as a progressive melodic metal act from New York- boys, no disrespect but that is a very brave thing to be given another legendary outfit fitting that exact description may just possibly object to having their pitch invaded.

Livesay would in even more gall give Labrie and the lads a serious run for their pennies but like them do it through hard work and honest graft (meant in other terms of the ‘h’ word). Setting them aside is the fact that though they have a full band including vocalist - the incredible Dean Sternberg - over a third of the eight-part list are instrumental cuts . ’The Burning Times’ and ’Dance of The Egyptian King’ don’t overstay their welcome as much as others of their form although with guitar work of the calibre band boss Gregg Livesay concocts, this starts to sound a shame. ’Burning Times’, ’Flesh And Blood’ and ’ Tower Of Silence’ are amongst the best of the vocal cuts by hairline margins with the more epic numbers a slight struggle for instantness but it is one damn fine prog disc whichever way up and will bode loyally for an entire live play-through.

Fabulous.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: D***m T*****r, Saga, Enchant, Deep Purple & Queen

NET: myspace.com/livesayrox

The Last - S/T (Pre-Release CD)
(S/R - 2010)

An incredible duo based down in Port Charlotte, Florida who have 2 lead vocalists, in Haydee Pomar (also on Bass) and Don E. Bonzi who take takes cotrol of guitar and drum arrangment duties.

They fall somewhere in between Pop and Metal and although this sounds lazily cliche of me, they really have thier own style and sound going on and from these old ears somewhere between Talking Heads and Blondie (with opener 'Colours' being a good example) but also have elements of Led Zeppelin in '5 Stars' - a number that also reminds me of that 60's classic 'The House Of The Rising Sun'.

The 5th and closing number of the CD is as though Robert Plant is doing a duet with Haydee - it's very tribal of Native American stlye atmosphere and also of Indian sounds as well - striking, almost fearful and extremely haunting throughout and reminds me of 'Going To California' & 'Peter Gabriel's 'Biko' re-arranged wih different words out on the desert plains far away from any civilisation to speak of.

Looking forward to hearing the full album.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Lick And A Promise - Come Together In The Morning
(Frontside Productions - 2010)

Cookin kinda band who sound like they have got together through acoustic jam nights and hit it off as a unit together. Definately a one of those groups you stumble over and can't believe a unit a unit can sound so damn good.

Highlights include the old time swingy opener 'Dance For Me'; the excellently harmonied 'Hey Hey Hello'; the zeppy bron yaur stompy plant voiced 'Pale White' or the more seriously sounding 'Loser And A Fool'; 'Come Together (In The Morning)' that's simply pure Rolling Stones at its finest. Then there's 'Sway Again' with its cool old cheesey keyboard sound (like it came of 'Beggars Banquet') & the exceptional 'Hard To Say Goodbye' that's very southerny sounds on occasions. The pure mysterious questioning song that closes the album quiet and acoustically and then booms up with almost Bonham sounding drums

Amazing to think that they are actually based in Germany - but there's so much Britishness and Americana in these guys. If Robert Plant fronted Mick's band with brand new material from then they'd be sure to sound something like 'Lick And A Promise' - or maybe Mick fronting Led Zep - both would work. Every single song is just there man - as in the cool ass mojo vibe is working its magic every single second of number.

Outstanding.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Lost Gravity - Selfish (E.P.)
(S/R - 2009)

A London based trio that seem to match up metal and indie and commercialism all at once and remind me of artists like Nirvana in parts such as on the 5th track 'No Way Out'. They aren't the kinda band that I would usually play but they are damn good at this style.

Highlights on the E.P. are the opening title track 'Selfish' that reminds of bands like Bush and Live and 'All The Same' that has a weird streak of New-Age grunge flowing through it. I reckon Brazilian born guitarist and bassist, Breno Val alongside drummer Cesar Dellorre and Heath Billin on vocals could do something in the UKas they have already created big interest down in the capital.

Time will tell.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

LAVELLION - Singles
(S/R- 2010)

An EP called ‘Singles’. had to happen didn’t it. Behind the pun n there is plenty of meat on this Geordie foursome’s musical tissue and we do see how these three originally separately released cuts carved them their niche to date.

Opening nearly on a dodgy note, ’Believe In Me’ seems a little trudgy initially until its groovy angst gets you swaying with it in good time. Upbeat rocker ‘Brother’ is based along an upbeat stacatto line that brings The Police strongly to mind with a good meaningful chorus before angry grunge number ’Truth and Lies’ delivers a strong cutting groove and searing hookline and shows what angry young men we have here. I think I’d also become one don’t hear anymore from this entertaining young band.

Deep and desperate but done with passion, its time to move on from singles to an album for these chaps I reckon.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Live, Nirvana, Kings of Leon & Audioslave.

NET: myspace.com/lavellion

LE REVERIE - Truth & Lies
(S/R - 2010)

Another slice of female-fronted European music comes my way courtesy of American outfit Le Reverie as we've not had enough of them already this past twelve months.

LR are like a girl-fronted Dream Theater for tracks 1 and 2 albeit with a verse-chorus structure and hooks while the third takes it in a more Tyketto/Journey oriented direction and echoes of Spanish AOR faves Nexx instantly sound on the wood. Frontwoman, Allie Jorgen delivers a highly versatile range though it seems mostly suited to subtle melodies from the instrument lines behind it and all elements are beautifully paralleled here.

Three tracks is way too little to taste from this band -they are impressive first time… well song out and their debut album looks to be loaded with more fireworks it can fit. Truth is, these guys ( and gal )are going to be huge two years from now… listen to this bunch and you know I ain’t Lying.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: myspace.com/lereverie

LAID8 - S/T (E.P.)
(S/R - 2010)

Israeli foursome Laid 8 bring an interesting if not totally unfamiliar tone to the table.

Their girl -fronted grunge / metal attack is pretty firm turf already and front woman Tal Itay, whilst equipped with unarguably powerful pipes, is frankly indistinctive amongst the many we hear nowadays but are those aren’t necessarily bad things are they? Not here they certainly ain’t - these guys kick arse-end right through all four numbers with little sign of holding back and bring a good progressive delivery on earlier two tracks where it suits them.

Deep grinding guitar lines cut in through any ices of quiet and drag the hooks behind to brutally sling them before you, and there are some impressive solos too, especially ’Living Flame’. A low degree of instantness holds me tight for a while but at the end of it all, their music is very enjoyable and hopefully this will stay the case for their debut full-length disc.

One to get Laid to, quite likely.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Evanescence, McQueen, Doro

NET: www.myspace.com/laid8

LAST RED RANSOM - Sleep Well, Sweet Vanity
(Independent - 2010)

Crossing metal, prog, grunge, goth, hard rock, and Screamcore all in one band has to be one of three things: trying to please as many different fans across the rockular divide as possible, the consequence of severe musical differences between members whilst simultaneously trying not to divide the band or a drunken rock star impressions night done even with more panache than most of those sober manage.

For Atlanta threesome LRR it may be one or all three but at least they don’t seem fearful of the risks experimentation involves. Charlotte puts in a swish female lead on the vocal front, her beautiful range giving fans of anathema something to bring home and the curling growls of scream element Saint build in contrast without disrupting the formula overall and neither overstay their welcome at any one time. Some commendably influenced guitar work comes up in abundance to support it from below as well with Machine Head / Metallica rumblings and rhythms composed for headbangers pleasures.

Mostly growers first time round, it’s on the second play that ‘Make Up’, ’Black Gospel’, ’Seamstress’, ’Passport’, ‘Always Been’, ’Synthetic Sleep’ and ’Lay Down’ largely strike where the old grey cell area is located and they certainly do their best. Some brief moments grate but overall, LRR do their job and intrigue, producing an album that requires time worth its taking.

Good.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET myspace.com/lastredransom

LAUDANUM FOREST - The Asylum
(S/R - 2010)

LF are a progressive trio from Belgium with a style that sets you back about 35-40 years in time and stays there throughout its duration.

Strongly built around psychedelic noises of the day, the instrumentation does flash its irritating side with the high pitched synth liners at times but for the much bigger part, it’s an unexpectedly tasty slice of nostalgia. Younger listeners are best advised to seek the wisdom of their dad on many of the outfits that are echoed through the eight impressively crafted cuts as the list would take up half of the review, though Jethro Tull, 10cc, UB40 and Genesis are a quick random few to start with. Only a recording act initially, they have extended their workforce to a live formation due to demand.

One hopes that can happen in the UK too.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.myspace.com/laudanumforest

We all love the ol’ crossover thing don’t we people. Even if some bands cross the line bit regarding whart pieces fit together and what are best left separate.

Louisiana’s Lazy Chaos don’t give a …something thart rhymes with ’fit’ …. actually or are just trying to make a fortune of being the first band to mix eighties sleaze rock suss and industro-hardcore metal experimentations directly togther. Jeb Rice’s sharp, and sometime nasal range appears just right for all the jobs, assaulting with menacing spit across the tunes and impressively versatile without even needing a shift in the style gearstick.Messrs Lowery and Sax dish up the accurate guiitar sounds needed for the diversity of this excellent debut album and the solos are pretty familiar at times but classy and not overspread.

‘Anti-Mandatory’, ‘Combat Ambiance’, ’Including You’, ’Blood Of a Relic’, ‘Making Frankenstein‘, ’Cemetery Cherry’, and ’Outside The Wire’ are noises of a new found aggression in multi-genre metal that can upgrade hair metal’s rejuvenated appeal to walk along side the other currently relevant sounds albeit with a totally natural motive as opposed to petty bandwagon hopping. With the audacity to have a full-length instrumental solo cut as well, it’s wondered if anything is off limits at all to these lads.

Excellent stuff from the US metal scene’s potentially biggest find his year.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
GNR, Beastie Boys, Bullet For My Valentine & Motley Crue

NET: www.myspace.com/lazychaosstl

Paddy Leitsch - Ed's Head A Graphic Audio Novel & Rise Of The Guitar Dragon
(Sound Lemonade Works – 2007 & 2009)

Her we have it another guitar hero wannabe. Paddy Leitsch is a guitar genius from Chicago who has too much time on his hands.

We all love the things we do but sometimes we also get so obsessed with what we do we lose ourselves for a while. Ed's Head A Graphic Audio Novel & Rise Of The Guitar Dragon are very creative works from a man with a million fingers but as I'm not overly impressed with these types of CDs that are full of lick, flicks and rips the CDs becomes an uninteresting void of noise, which failed to inspire my creative level in music.

These are CDs are for the guitar loving millions who enjoy nothing better than trying to copy Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen and Richie Blackmore while sitting on their beds dreaming of a life in the open world.

Don’t let me put you off as there are some great sounds that fill the air with wonderful pleasures but as a CD full of the stuff, it’s not my cup of tea.

5/10

By Tony Watson

LONELY THE BRAVE - Backroads (E.P.)
(Repeater Records - 2010)

Heralded as a Springsteen-influenced vehicle they may be, Cambridge’s Lonely The Brave are more distinctively another amalgam of all things alternative but fun at the same time.

The husky range of frontman David Jakes makes it an infectious listen and the melodies though veering towards trite are unashamedly pleasant, blowing out big and shrill with the hookline. Having the title track twice over is an old marketing trick spring back up but the acoustic run is tasty as are additional unplugged cut ‘Call Of Horses’ and ‘Black Saucers’ and a pleasing first impression is made by these young men.

Good.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Nickelback, Pearl Jam, Alter Bridge

NET - Myspace.com/lonelythebrave

Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel - Soundtrack From The Motion Picture
(Deadlight Entertainment – 2010)

We could you get a band name any longer? I don’t think so. Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel are a six piece band from France with four of them being related, have gone down the stoner rock style.

At first I couldn’t work out whether the band was called Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel or Soundtrack from the motion picture. But never mind I got there in the end. This 12 track collection of rock music lacks the excitement that the Queens Of the Stoneage have or lacks the passion pulsated by These crooked Vultures.

As you drift from ‘Sir Danny Jack’ through ‘Chapter II’ and onto ‘From 66 to 51’ the tone the style and the variety fails to change, but it will be a CD that will be addressed and engulfed by the stoner rock media.

5/10

By Tony Watson

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

THE LAST VOID - State Of Mind
(S/R - 2010)

The title of their debut album starts to have I’m in a bit of one myself.

Scratching together a simple description of this Costa Rican fivesome’s sound is pure hell, though ‘Brilliant would be one way out of it. The Last Void’s tradeline in girl-voiced melodic metal tries all things for size across its ten numbers, keeping all and sundry highly confused most of the time.

Running mainly on goth and prog influenced waters, they are catchy and pleasant with Adrianna Munoz’s sweet young pipes but also venturing down scream-core street seems an unnecessary extra feature . SOM’s sound is already guaranteed its strength quota with consistent guitars and rhythm harmonies doing ‘Kindergarten Stuff’, ‘Icarus’, ‘Rebirth’, ‘Illusion’ and ‘Shadow’ justice amongst the selections.

A sturdy release with the mix slightly overcooked in the metal pan as mentioned, but there’s’ great stuff bubbling loudly underneath the froth.

Decent work.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Evanescence, Anathema & Arch Enemy.

NET: www.thelastvoid.com & myspace.com/voidcr

Admitting to liking Christian rock, to most fellow metalheads is normally set to go down as healthily as telling a room full of Manchester United fans that you’ve actually spent the last thirty years of your life cheering Millwall on.

Yet while not exactly football’s no. 1 fan no the planet, I am at least a degree more partial to a regular blast of Stryper or Shout. Eighties scene favourites Legacy duly make a return impact on the market with this collection from their significant period of activity between 1985 and 1989 and make me sorely regret having missed them last time round. Coming at you with a vaguely but traceably dirtier vocal sound than most fellow white metal acts, there is a more glam -driven feel as opposed to Michael Sweet’s virtuoso creenings, plus satisfyingly Lord-friendly lyric lines which fail to try excellent choruses.

Chemistry elements kept in check, the same decent twin guitar -powered old-school shine of its time, alongside the deep thumping kick drum lines reminiscent of a gentleman called Wild Mick, completes the kudos test that ‘Salvation Is Law’, ‘Cross The Line’, ‘Don’t Run Away’, ‘Red White and Blue’, ‘Soldiers Unite’, ‘One Way Or The Other’, ‘Live It’ and ’What A World’ pass proudly with the colours flying. Taken 23 years for me to hear these undiscovered gems it may have but little argument I’ll now be seriously making up for it.

Carry on spreading the good word lads because I am guaranteed to…. and put in a mention about this record.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

LOS - The Cow (Single)
(S/R – 2010)

Girl-fronted UK three-piece Los are probably one of those rare new bands whose sensation is actually justified as is certainly the use of the word ‘new’ and this, their fourth single, is a cow I quite enjoy milking, musically, of course.

The deep garage guitar sound I’m introduced to here plus great chorus impressses without the use of a bass behind it and a slow Zeppelin like interlude makes it even more substantial within its unexpectedly short length. The unnamed B-side cut isn’t too bad either if a little slow off the line on the verse but in all its fun and consistent enough to se their material beckon a further listen.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED If YOU LIKE:
Sonic Youth, Hole & NY Loose.

NET: myspace.com/wearelos

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NET: www.lucidrecess.com myspace.com/lucidrecess

Sven Larson - Sunlight and Shadows
(Avenue of Allies Music – 2010)

Sven Larson have the sound of 80’s California but with a full on Swedish attack from the mid 90’s. This is the first time solo attempt from Sven, not only showing off his guitar skills but also his vocal talent.

Sven Larson is a journey into good rock music with a touch of that 10cc, Toto and Steely Dan feel that will relax any tired muscle after a hard day at work.

This 11 track CD engulfs the air with pleasant vibes and rocking sounds with a guitar attitude that kicks ass and southing vocal to tame the beast. As the CD drifts from track to track through the likes of Sunlight and Shadows to Daydreamer and Candy, you know exactly what you are in for and as long as you have that in mind, you won’t go wrong.

A CD that has the talent the licks and the melodies, what more can you ask for

8/10

By Tony Watson

Lifecode - Follow Your Hate
(Emotion Art Music – 2009)

From Athens Greece, Lifecode are on the verge of Biohazard, Korn and Breed 77, to give a very energetic feel to the band and the CD. There is also a massive Incubus and Slayer influence to beware of.

Unlike most metal bands Lifecode have marked their territory with a slight twist to the typical metal that’s out there, the energy and presence they put out is welcomed with open arms and ears.

A 44 minute 12 track CD that brings a new life into any party as they ‘Follow Your Hate’ and turn it in to something positive. ‘Get Sick Of’, ‘Mind Cells’ and ‘Nobody Cares’ fly through the air with such ease to land on and ‘Eliminate’ the ‘Toxic Nature’ of ‘U’. (do you like what I did there?).

Lifecode have the passion to get somewhere, as the talent of the band shines through and not hinder the writing capabilities.

9/10

By Tony Watson

Livarkahill - First Act Of Violence
(Deadlight Entertainment – 2010)

French cross over death metal and hardcore has crossed the channel.

Livarkahil have flexed their muscles with an aggressive take of Devildriver with a hint of early Fear Factory.

First act of Violence starts as it means to go on with a sound of pure hell and a musical excellence to be dealt with. As ‘Ode To Delirium’ charges the batteries ‘In Nominie Dei’ spills it’s guts out onto the floor with a slam pit rubbing it into the surface for pure pleasure.

This brutality crosses all 12 tracks giving the avid listener 41 minutes to create as much carnage as possible.
Violent, brutal and aggressive what more do you need

9/10

By Tony Watson

A. LOSTFIELD - Internal Affairs
(S/R - 2010)

They’re ‘born as an experiment that mixes style and influences’ as described by the promo blog but with this Colombian trio, it has to be a understatement, for these lads are in danger of becoming such thing themselves by the standards of this more-than-impressive debut CD.

A. Lostfield - taking their name from resident songwriter Adrian , clearly spend seven days a week listening to every metal and rock genre ever to have existed, paying special attention to the selves marked 1990-1995. Throwing Metallica like rhythm guitar brutality in with the more muscular of the Seattle crop and topping off with frontman Daniel Gongora’s enjoyably Mike Patton-esque spit, its difficult to decide what to class their culminating produce as apart from too short at only 7 tracks.

’Personal fave ’I Still Pretend ’ aims them in a more pop-like direction with its lead riff and is the most contemporary -flavoured of the fold, whilst ‘Hide Your Face’ and ‘Dreaming About Scars are close runners up with pleasant guitar solos from Ivan Amaya, also known to some for his work with the band Opensight. A fantastic first ride with these gentlemen, a full length album would be awesome to get hold of, if they plan on sticking together long enough to write one.

For now, it’s them to get this baby played and give them their necessary support.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Faith no More, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Floodgate & Spock’s Beard.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Dave Attrill

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Tony Watson

The Lizards – Ar.che.ol.gy
(Hyperspace Records – 2008)

The four piece that features famous rock drummer, Bobby Rondinelli.

This is an 8 track covers album with mostly obscure numbers and 3 better known ones.

Very much in the blues and blues-rock vein with the opener ‘Fire & Water’ by Free, ‘I’m Mad’ by John Lee Hooker or One More Heartache by Detective (whoever they are). Good to see the inclusion of the mighty Humble Pie song ‘Thunderbox’ and a brilliant rendition of Uriah Heep’s ‘The Wizard’.

It’s good but not exactly essential.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

4/10

By Tony Watson

8/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Tony Watson

7/10

By Tony Watson

Living Loud - S/T
(Edel - 2008)

A supergroup featuring 2 Deep Purple members (Don Airey & Steve Morse), 2 ex-Ozzy members (Bob Daisley & Lee Kerslake) with Jimmy Barnes.

It's a bit of a 'what's the point to this band' as around half the material is 'Blizzard Of Oz' numbers like re-workings of 'Crazy Train'; 'Mr. Crowley'; 'I Don't Know' but there are one or 2 standout new numbers too like 'Every Moment a Lifetime' or 'Pushed Me Too Hard'.

It may be a short lived affair due to them all having their own individual projects so it's good that they've included a live concert shot at 'Sydney Fox Studios 2004'.

Whether this will happen again is anyones guess though.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Jon Lord with the Hoochie Coochie Men - Live At The Basement
(Edel Records - 2008)

The Rock Icon Jon Lord (yes the dude who previously played Organ for Deep Purple) is to be found here down-under playing a unique gig (The Basement, Sydney, Australia Feb. 7th, 2003 to be exact).

He bust this thumb therefore making it impossible to play his classical pieces on piano, so he got together with the Australian Blues Band, The Hoochie Men and played out a string of well known and less known Blues numbers.

Some of it is real standout material such as 'Strange Brew' and 'Dallas' whereas other stuff is simply going through the 12-bar motions with numbers you've heard many times in your local pub or bar - 'Hoochie Coochie Man' & 'Blues With A Feeling' being perfect examples.

Nice version of 'Dust My Broom' and the instrumental 'Green Onions' or what about the Deep Purple classic 'When A Blind Man Cries' that features Jimmy Barnes on lead throat. In between the songs Jon talks about life ad times about various points in his career which proves to be wholesome listening - a pity his microphone aint loud enough in the mix at times forcing you to turn the volume control up and down on your stereo. Be sure to check out CD3 with the excellent interviews with Jon for Australian Radio.

One for blues fans and hardcore Lord and Purple fans alike.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

Billed as having a rainbow and Magnum edge to them, the Finnish six-piece take their cues, quite strongly from Catley and co but only in the case of ‘Rising’ with the latter. Add the symphonic edge of most Euro acts worth their salt and then some, with vocals quite similar to Escape-signed countrymen Prayer and you’re in for a long sweet ride with these lads.

‘Fifteen Years’, ‘Horizon’, ‘Dreamworld’, ‘Stranger’ and ‘Twilight’ symphony are plainly five of ten pleasantly blended lumps of lush melodic metal that conglomerates most of the corners of the musical area their label now cover, and it’d be classed as fair to say followers of all afore-listed subgenres should cotton on with this one.

Excellent.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE Magnum, Ten, Royal Hunt, Helloween, Stratovarius, Rhapsody, Iron Saviour

8/10

By Tony Watson

STEVE LUKATHER - Ever Changing Times
(Frontiers - 2007)

Frontiers at last bring us an AOR CD - just as I was beginning to wonder if they themselves forgot what the label was for in the first place - not that the offerings from Leverage, St Deamon and Bass Invaders of late are anything bad.

Here, we have royalty too in the way of the legendary Steve Lukather, 1 man I am going to have to tread on eggshells with, in the event that he recalls the 2/10 review I gave his Christmas covers album four years ago. All his own material occupies the space of these numbers though and it might very likely be Christmas again already for most of the appreciative majority of those who savour good ol’ fashioned American soft rock.

Weighed along by a six-strong backing team including renowned scene sticksman Abe Laboriel Jr, Steve Lukather is at the end of the day his own wheel rudder sails and water with his ever unfalteringly silky performances on guitar and vox alike, throwing in a few little solos Michael Sembello would give his left goolie to get hold of. ‘Ever Changing...’, ‘New World’, ‘Tell Me What Yo Want From Me’, ‘Jammin’ With Jesus’, ‘Never Ending Night’ and ‘How many Zeros’ offer plenty in the context of diversity and there’s a fairly reasonable Magnum air hovering over the disc in general which socres a point or itself for many including oneself.

My one complaint is that my promo copy is ruined by the label’s newly adopted anti-ripping creation in which a constant voice over interrupts at minute-and-half intervals to remind us “You are listening to Steve Lukather’s new album Ever Changing Times ”.... yes we know.... . AFM and Nuclear Blast are amongst labels with a much more reviewer-friendly piracy prevention method than this one. Sort it, Frontiers guys as I’m sure Steve himself wouldn’t wish such inconvenience on those trying to review his works.

Aside from that, great record from Mr L himself, all being forgiven now after that Chris..... let’s not go there.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Dave Attrill

6/10

By Dave Attrill

6.5/10

By Dave Attrill

6.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

LEGS DIAMOND -

The surprise comeback of these US hard rock veterans was a major talking point of this year’s Firefest event in Bradford. I showed up at the Penningtons Town and Country club that day not knowing a single note of their stuff and in the space of their 50-minute stint, I was an instant new fan on the spot - and that’s a brave thing for a 27 year-old to admit to in 2005.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

A fast year since their debut impressed all and just about sundry too, Last Autumn’s Dream return like lightning with thirteen more luscious helpings of their pleasant lightweight AOR sound - probably their being this busy is why they didn’t have time to work on a decent title. The fact that two members of legendary countrymen Talisman – messrs Jacob and Borger – are involved does them credit but for first timers be warned, this is almost totally for those appreciating the Journey-ish things in life, and still rocks right the way through.

Stunning vocals by Mikael Erlandsson plus big hooks are all around to be found and where last year’s effort made a dent in the earth, this album goes even deeper, almost making a complete crater. A near masterpiece from another great hitherto unknown act on the scene.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Journey (‘Escape’/’Frontiers’ era), Street Talk, Hugo, Von Groove or this band’s debut.
ALSO RECCOMMENDED
LAST AUTUMN’S DREAM - S/T (Frontiers - 2004)
STREET TALK – Ressurection (MTM - 2003)
VON GROOVE - The Seventh Day Z-Records 2001)
VON GROOVE - Test Of Faith (MTM 1999)

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Canadian Metal band who have elements of Iron Maiden, Dio-era Black Sabbath and Megadeth with a vocalist who sounds like a polished, well-trained Ozzy Osbourne mixed in with Bruce Dickinson and Robert Plant.

Highlights include 'The Memory' with its unsuspecting violin solo and the NWOBHM'ness of 'Broken Dawn'.

Worth a listen.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

Lucid Fly - S/T (3 track demo)
(S/R - 2004)

All the way from Orlando, Fl., Lucid Fly have that agressive style of Evanescence without the gothic overtones with blonde bombshell Nikki Layne on vocals alongside Guitarist Doug; Bassist Jamie and Drummer Derrick .

They've been together since 1999 and a re a big noise in their hometown and central florida itself. If these 3 tracks - 'Blind'; 'Collide' and 'Center of your space' are anything to go by it's little wonder.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Lyve (The Viscious Cycle Tour)
(Sanctuary Records - 2004)

The Southern US Rock legends caught live in concert in Tennessee on their recent tour (which also brought them to the UK supporting Deep Purple. You can't beat the sight and sounds of Skynyrd - hard, dirty, bluesin' coutry rock at it's ultimate finest played by men in cowboy hats, and confederate regalia.

Many of the greatest hits are featured such as Freebird; the feel-good honky tonkin' woman questioning 'What's your name' and other cookin' cuts like the epic ballads 'Simple Man'; 'The ballad of Curtis Leoey' and 'Tuesday's Gone'. Of course no set from these boys would be complete without some good ole 12-bar boogie in the form of 'I know a little' and 'Down South Junkin' not to mention the new material like the anthemic autobiographical 'Red, White and Blue' - oh yeah and of course they've included 'Sweet Home Alabama' or a riot could occur - only jokin'.

Doin' the south proud - here's to 30 more years of Rock 'n' Roll from the Greatest band ever to come from Florida. Keep that Rebel flag flyin'.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

They were one of the UK's best loved melodic hard rock acts in the late 80's-early 90's and with an impending resurgence in the scene's fortunes (plus a deal with Frontiers), Steve Grimmett has decided to give 'em another go.

Since their sabbatical, the one-time Onslaught man has been involved in a fair one or two projects, the most noticeable in this scene being the 'Friction' album for Z records a few years back. Still possessive of the knack for penning belters, 'Abyss' sure has them. Ranging from old-school metal to ballsy straight-ahead AOR and taking in a few prog ideas along the way, and practically NO contemporary/alternative styles for their hardcore followers to dread, the decade-plus break did seemingly no damage at all, especially to Steve's voice which I can't help noticing how close at times, to Dream Theater's James LaBrie, it sounds.

A bold-as-bold-can-get comeback fro these Lion-hearted chaps, I hope this isn't just a quick one-off. Corking.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

A black metal band from Norway. We've never heard the likes of this bef.. Jokes over, Lunaris do actually poke out form the pack with their tone in dark dedications, to bring a style that may appeal to more than just the born and bred believers of the genre. Supporting the as-standard abusements of the oral workings is some strong guitar/keyboard work which gives rise to considerable comparisons with Dream Theater on more than a few parts.

Adding a few bursts of Ozzy-esque vocals on a couple of tracks, alternating dominantly with the normally voice-age of the material's functions and you have an album that proves this class of metal less pedantic than is often accused of being. Picking or distinguishing particular tracks off a black metal album has often been an act of near impossibility for me til now but I can this time say that 'I.A.D', 'Lessons In Futility', 'Cyclic' ,'Slaves Of Opinion', 'Casualties Of Piece' and 'Existence Unveiled' are particularly weighty cuts and have a lot going for them, especially live. Which is where we should hope to see these lads before too long.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

The last time I heard anything by Lorraine Lewis was her Industrial Pop-Rock Project 'Snowball'. Since then the blonde goddess has embarked on a country career and this is the result of it in digital world - a gorgeous 8-tracker that proves she's got the rodeo tunes too.

Opener, 'American Girl' saw her get noticed on Country Radio and I'm not surprised either. There's a crackin' ditty called 'The Power' that comes as a 'Whiskey Mix' at the end of the CD that's classy almost blues-country. Aside from that, I am convinced that 'Desire' is goona be or maybe already is an epic live standard and is a laid back country song that has hints of 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' in there. George Harrison must have influenced 'Rodeo Clown' (the melody and arrangement at least but pardon me if I'm wrong on that assumption) especially the lead guitar solos.

I am so looking forward to hearing more from her soon.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

As I greet another intake of new recruits at the Melodic rock camp, these Swedes walk forward from the pack, seemingly eager for inspection. Although boasting a sound that has about much to do with Sweden as muffins, mounties and ice hockey, they carry a familiar name aboard, bassist John Leven's name having popped up on more occasions than I can care to count.

As I might have just mentioned the material brought to me by this highly promising sounding new bunch is about everything a Von Groove or Naro fan could wish for - Mikael Erlandsson has a voice that would make ol 'Phil proud, whilst guitarist Andy Malacek's surname can only be Mladen, spelt horribly wrong because his style is about akin to that of one of Canada's greatest guitarists as one can legally get. If that isn't enough excitement, you also get more than a tingling sensation of Teutonic legends Fair Warning as you get through the album.

Stunning melodies from both voice and instruments make 'Again And Again', 'Doin' Time', 'Guardian Angel', 'Blink Of The Eye', 'Talk To Me' and 'High Up' the warning shots of a lethal new weapon in Frontiers's hands. Time will have to tell but we won't need much of it with these boys, we're onto a winner with this platter. Last Autumn's Dream - This Summer's Reality, more like.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Von Groove, Naro, Final Frontier, Fair Warning, Magnum.

Two years ago, Swedish power metal kings Last Tribe unleashed the unbelievable 'Witchdance' album on the unsuspecting and definitely unexpecting population.of planet melodic rock. The following chapter is finally unveiled.

So what are our friends up to today, then? The differences can be told from the start. Due to lack of sleeve info, we are unable to identify the additional vocalist that turns up in several of the cuts cut but he sounds astounding like Blaze Bayley. The usual voice arrives though and Last Tribe are back in action. in a way. This is not 'Witchdance 2', let's get that straight, now. There is a lot more slower-tempo material and deeper-accented guitar than before. Think more about Ten and Magnum than about Royal Hunt et al, this time and things will be found a lot easier.

Some of the material definitely doesn't string one in as quickly and it will take a few full listens to adapt to their change of direction but it is again another decent disc from the L.T. lads which will merit almost as much enjoyment as its predecessor. A tribe I'll be part of any day.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

I don't mean to sound like a miserable old bugger here - I do wallow in the same enjoyment of the festive season as most others on this earth but does one of AOR's biggest names have to sink to these depths to do so.

Christmas songs are and always will be a way of life at such time of year, along with the trees, the crackers and the Christmas puds but at least most artists write their own tunes today. Mr lukather has decided however that the cheapest and quickest way round it is to rehash the very songs that make us want to yell SHU-U-U-UT U-U-U-U-P!!! at earsplitting volume at anyone we hear uttering them these days.

While the immense talent of the Toto man is without question, why should he wan to waste it on these trouser-foulingly turgid compositions that despite having an interesting variation of instrument uses including sax, we have forced down our throats for several weeks on end per annum. This blasphemous misuse of musical abilities is one for the Lukather loony only, or anyone who can't wait 'til the tinsel's out again.

2/10

By Dave Attrill

Having waited a couple of years for the next Lima instalment I have to say that I wasn't one bit disappointed with this release. He's kept to the same formula of 'Bon Jovi' at their early best (the groove and vibe of their first four albums) and 'Made in California' (the title track itself) starts off the album in good stead - a song that sees Johnny stating that he will only give it to a girl from that said state.

You find out about his memorable bit of the old 'wham bam' in 'The best night of my life' or the one about his supposedly fancying a lesbian in the tongue-in-cheek 'Another Girl'. Johnny even provides us with a nice version of 'The Beatles 'Help' and even informs you about his favourite place in 'Welcome to my paradise'.

It's an album that has a tip-top excellent standard throughout and I urge you to go out and buy it A.S.A.P.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

An Australian progressive metal band who have a Black Sabbath vibe ('Universal Love' being a good example) as well as many other styles that you can't completely put your finger on - sort of degrees of psychedelia that's interspersed throughout the 2 disc set - especially the track 'Loving Ways today'.

CD 2 carries on from where CD1 left off and highlights include 'Lost Princess' that simply echoes the Rainbow version of The Yardbirds 'Still I'm Sad'. There's a dreary number called 'Death' that clocks in at just over 8 minutes that's like listening to an alternative slowed down take of Ministry's 'New World Order' that has repeated screaming samples and deep chugging guitar but obviously has different lyrics. 'Warriors of Enchantment' is a vocal spoken word piece that reminds me of Hawkwind and has phased effects. 'Soft, Lonely love' is similar and the lyrics are also partly Bulgarian.

This is an album on it's own for deffo and it makes you wonder what else you are missing out on that never gets heard outside OZ.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

One of the most loyally worshipped acts of the 90's era of the American Hardcore/punk metal scene, New York's Life Of Agony left very few dry eyes in the house when they parted ways a few years back, after a short stint with former ugly Kid Joe frontman 'Whitfield Crane' taking the mike.

Now back with the best known formation headed by diminutive Keith Caputo, LOA has on the merits of this two-disc life set won back more or less every one of their fans, as the quite noisy sounding crowd might give note. All the band's classics seems to be present, 'River Runs Red', 'Lost At 22', 'Method Of Groove', 'I Regret' and the excellent 'Weeds' amongst songs taking the highest of the applause. The studio tracks from various side/solo projects ain't too bad either and beckon to be checked out.

A perfect collection of material from a band welcomed back very warmly, this time I hope to stay a tad longer than they did last time.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Yes, I'm sure you do and I might want something at times but I don't always get it. As is the case with Lady Leather Machine, quite frankly. Whilst I'm not a total rookie with this fuzzy-sounded retro-indie matter, I've heard it much better from other bands of late. 'Sulphate & Sunshine', the latter of the three tracks is an improvement on the rest but it does little to make me want to play the whole thing again too often despite some quite groovy guitar lead there. More the fans thing than mine, I'm afraid.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

This live and conceptual 2-cd set will drag you in and shoot you in to cosmic galaxian realms and at other points completely mellow you out with tranquil balladeering folk music.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Two ex-members of Dokken (George Lynch and Jeff Pilson) getting together for a project sounds a really cool idea - it works OK but not to the point of climax if I am to be completely honest about it.

The best songs have got to be 'Beast in a box' and the Alice in Chains vibed 'Closer to None' - such a pity that the majority is forgettable and way too average to make any stand-out musical dints in 2003.

I only recommend this to fans of Dokken and/or Lynch Mob - but only if you are a completist. I have a feeling you are going to be disappointed with it though.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Good old school metal played by a new name - Legacy, who's vocalist sounds like a slightly lower toned Glenn Hughes and musically kinda Dio meets Alice Cooper & the track 'Underdog' is like 'Skunk Anansie' especially in the chorus section.

It's a surprisingly strong album with great songs such as the ballad 'Can't remember love'; the raspy 'My last sunrise' or the racey guitar rhythm of 'Tool' with its immortal lead squealing.

These guys could be big if they get enough press.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

A bright flow of Power Metal to behold that is the follow up to the bands debut ,'Awakening the World' that was reviewed before Metalliville became a webzine. 9 spankin' newies which are similar in sound and style to the 1st release and produced by band member, Wojteck Lisicki himself - this shiny jewel has plenty for him to be proud about.

Mammoth mountains of fast paced guitar and piercing grandiose vocals hit you with a supreme 'we will win' attitude such as 'Again the fire will burn'; the excellent melodic arrangement feel of 'Pure'; the almost Gothic Type O Negativeness of 'The Joy of Earth'; the blastin' 'Think not forever' and the spacey 'Deliverance'.

Get over here soon.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

(AII Class Records - 2002)

North Californian, Hard Rockin' Trio fronted by drummer Joey Cimino who's played with notable artists like Eric Martin (Mr. Big) and Danny De La Rosa (Babylon A.D.).

Imagine an outfit that sounds like Mr. Big meets Boston and Journey with the ballsy rocking edge of UFO and Saxon - well that describes Lebocat if I say so myself. It's definitely a debut full of positive sounding stuff and before I forget, I must inform you that Jonathan Reyes (Guitarist/backing vocalist) used to be in Legend and opened up for artists like Y+T, Huey Lewis and Angel City. On the other side of the stage is bassist Martin 'Fat Cat' Mordes who's beefed up the bottom end with Greg Allman, Pat Travers, Ainsley Dunbar and toured with Buddy Miles.

'Flo's Barbershop' is an enjoyable album that the 30+ will dig with its well worked out rhythms and soft but powerful vocals of the melodic variety. It sounds like a cop-out but it's hard to pick out individual highlights, as it's such a good album. Well worth numerous listens though (not that it all isn't of course) are the cheesey titled, tongue-in-cheek 'Let's Rock', the Bostony 'One on one'; the Strongheart raffish 'Talkin' to You' or the Thin Lizzydom of 'Wild and Fire' with the opening 'Rosalee' sounding riff.

Oh yeah, then there's 'The In-Laws' and 'Any Class' (that precedes the blues rock of 'Shakin') that are spoken-word p*ss-take camaraderie's. Not to mention some knockout backing vocals from Eric Martin.

Excellent stuff all round

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Once in a while posted through the letterbox is a band that you know will make it big and Little Hell are that band this year. With their aggressive attitude to punk music Little Hell have released that something different from the rest of the new age punk rock sh*t coming out of America.

Demonic Advisory Centre is a twelve track CD full of aggression, attitude and down right full of filth, if I was sh*t in bed I would even say it is as good as sex so to all you masturbator's out there this is a CD for you.

From the start of 'Welcome to the D.A.C.' to the new single 'Everybody's cursed' to the last track 'You're all I've got in this lousy world' Little Hell will have you stress free from the shit of everyday life you will feel great and I quote from a news letter sent with this disc of attitude "Some vets play Little Hell's music to ease pain and heal animals".

10/10

By Tony Watson

The Love Injections are a set of 4 from Sweden who formed the tag end of 2001 through the musical love of Thomas (ex-The Jackals) and KJ (ex-plan Nine) alongside Jackals drummer, Tobbe and bass player Rebecca. They perform Good old Glammy Rock brought right up to the mark in the classic styles of Hanoi Rocks, Dogs D'Amour and The Rolling Stones - sweet liquor for sure.

You'll be engaged immediately by their 7 glorious tracks that range from the rockin' 'More than a bottle'; the tribute to loving Sleaze that is 'Lost Boy' that's incorporated with wailing blitz 'n' glam all round or take your tastebuds over to the traditional Status Quo meets the Sex Pistols injection of 'Downtown-A-Rockin' coming complete with brilliant melody.

Everyone could do with a needle full of these Swedes.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

From the dark corners of hell we call Norway, Lunaris emerge as a fully-fledged, fully working band with ambition and full frontal dedication to the death metal scene.

'The infinite' is a ten track brutal sonic assault on society with its new breed of metal that clearly breaks every rule in sophisticated song writing. Lunaris start off the CD with what one can only describe as a mixture of early Bathory, Venom and Napalm Death mixed with Cradle of Filth and a slight touch of Iced Earth and Opeth, which progresses and develops throughout the CD.

This combination of brutal metal does come across quite entertaining but it will be a minority who will thoroughly appreciate the work that has been involved and this minority will think it's the best thing to hit the market for years.

7/10

By Tony Watson

A full gig that's spread across 2 cd's that comprises of 21 Rocking tracks recorded in Houston, Texas, USA on 4th May, 2002 that includes numbers from the majority of their studio albums - cuts that range from the self-titled 1988's 'Lillian Axe' right through to 1999's 'Fields of Yesterday'.

Listening to it will make you wonder why they never reached well into top rock league with bands like Bon Jovi or Def Leppard because musically and vocally the 'Axe are 100% exception - needless to say the penning of incredible songs.

The band reign supreme with Ron Taylor's very impressive gritty 'n' powerful
vocal melodies which blends well with Steve Blaze's outstanding lead guitar
playing. The rest of the band are simply incredible and comprise of Bassist, Darrin Dalatte; Guitarist Sam Poitevent and Drummer, Ken Kouddka.

There's so much to choose from on this set and major highlights include the pounding
rocker 'All's fair in love and war'; 'Letter in the Rain' (with it's opening exquisite guitar solo), the powerful, rhythmic 'Pullin' the Rats Out'; the atmospheric ballad 'Nobody know' with the brilliant drum rolling and who can forget the classic track 'True Believer' from '92 or the more recently heard 'Become a Monster' from 1999.

Not only do you get a great gig in true digital stereo but you are also in awe of the inner cover with a collage of images that span their entire career.

One of the best live albums released in 2002.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

I've had the name Lost Weekend printed in my knowledge for a few years gone by, now and every time I've seen it printed on gloss, it's been the heading for some rather less-than-charitable write-ups. Their last album got them some friendlier attention, thankfully, and after hearing this third offering from the Brit fivesome, who am I going to side with, I wonder? I direct my decisions more towards the latter as this is a respectable piece from the Halifax-based act who have played the Gods a few times over the years, including 2000 (which I stupidly turned up too late to catch).

The style in issue is quite Bailey's Comet-esque with a little less Celt and some surprisingly latter-day Honeymoon Suite-style harmonies on occasions, plus quite a UFO-ish vibe throughout the hard portion of the album. If this band had been formed about twenty-to-thirty years ago, they'd have been huge with their sort of sound and probably one of the select few acts who still cut it big today - doesn't Deep purple and Bad Company both selling out City Hall shows in 2002 tell you something?

'Once In A Moment', 'New Religion' and 'By Now' would have been vital elements in achieving such status cos 'Dead In The Water' is definitely not my way of referring to hard/classic rock, any day at all. As you should know, British bands like Lost Weekend are relied upon in their role to keep this rock genre alive in all its true British glory, with talent and songs like these clearly aiding the cause. As the bloke on the cornflakes TV ad' once said, 'Tasty, tasty, very, very tasty…..' .

8/10

By Dave Attrill

By far, this is their best studio album in years. Previous effort, 'Man on the Moon' but in comparison to 'Waking the Dead' it's a 7 out of 10 - Tops. 'Waking the Dead' is electric, energetic, fresh and incredibly vibrant and more importantly, it completely rocks - there no slow tracks here - just 10 balls-out blasters. When I first heard the title track on an advance untitled teaser CD, I had no idea it was the LA Guns as it's musically a lot heavier with forceful violent vocals during the chorus, in fact, it sounded more like Iron Maiden.

The album overall has plenty to please both old and new fans alike as well as those yet to be converted. Check out the pacey 'OK, let's go', that's pure rock 'n' splendour as is the rest of the album. Other highlights include 'Revolution' - that's classic chunky melodramatic LA Guns at their finest; the new-age punkish G'n' R 'n' gone Buck Cherryness of 'Pyschodelic Eyes'; 'Hellraisers Ball' (that I read was going to be the title of the album) and the closer, 'Don't You Cry' that kinda shows you what Iron Maiden's 'The Evil that men do' would musically sound like if it went glam rock.

The Riley/Guns/Lewis team have struck Gold, hopefully Platinum with this release - make sure to go and see 'em when they go out on tour.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Virus With Shoes is a three track EP from the re-born Little Hell. This CD is your classic punk meets adrenaline fuelled stoner rock.

These angry guys Natasha Moledina, Steve Ludwig and the Dicker brothers will feed your little heads full of pollution and tempt your disillusioned souls with hardcore noise and memorable melodies.

It is a shame that record companies release small EP's as I would have, like anyone else, benefited with a good hand full of tunes to get you into that destructive careless mood before going out on the piss.

Overall it is too short, three tracks are total waist of time, which does not show of the capabilities of the band.

6/10

By Tony Watson

Loaded is the latest Duff McKagan fronted outifit (the original bassist of Guns 'n' Roses). He's swapped the four string to a six string, leaving the bass duties to D. Stuart Dahlquist (Goatsnake/Burning Witch) who contributed to the film soundtrack of 'Contact'. Also in the band is drummer, Geoff reading (New American Shame) amd session guitarist Dave Kushner (Danzig, Infectious Grooves and Dave Navarro's band).

Musically, it's very much punky vibes meets G'n'R but with a negative aspect at times. The album is a grower and features some spectacular arrangements such as 'Want To' - a song that looks at a relationship that sounds like it's falling apart and has a Lenny Kravitz funk pop style with a Gunnerish Instrumental section. Elsewhere you get the slammin' punk rock of 'Superman' that goes Beatles at times (circa 'Abbey Road') or the incredibly autobiographical 'Wrap your arms' that looks at Duff's life both past and present. 'Seattlehead' is a great track with a snazzy slice of sampling mixed in with a strong Duff 'n' Roll attitude splattered all over it - Nice.

A likeable album that'll please both Duff Mkagan, G'N'R, Punk and Rock fans without a problem - the blonde haired 6 foot plus rock icon is bang on form.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Some bands release new albums so soon after the last one's had time to settle, that you can't tell which the latest one actually is. Sweden's Last Tribe are like that. But with the quality of material they're prepared to work on for us, their albums can't come soon enough.

An example of the wide roster that Mark Ashton's label encapsulates, the band can also maintain a loyal interest from metal-heads and melodic rock fans alike within the scene. Tunes such as 'Witchdance' and 'Behind Your Eyes' are where it's at today, and together with fellow belters 'Bring Out The Brave', 'Dreamer' and 'Messenger' (which just DRIPS Dream Theater from all over its body) are the reasons that this stuff which should be on the front of rock mags nationwide.

With the track 'Wake Up The World' - how close can one get to Helloween these days, eh? Instrumental track 'Agadir' is a recommended cut too, if you forgive its title's similarity to that of a hideous 80's pop tune (by the awful party duo 'Black Lace'). A band who know their instruments, Last Tribe play round with a good few ideas here and the keyboards fully audible throughout the entire album fool you into believing they've tried an entire new guitar sound out - watch out for any spies, lads.

Let's hope they are not the last tribe capable of this calibre of product because the melodic metal masterwork of the year 2002AD has been officially decided right here.

10/10

By Dave Attrill

A two disk set with the main album being of an extremely exquisite standard (not that the bonus cd isn't, of course). The term space metal to me is more or less symphonic metal with the odd sound effect every so often - so yes - this is a kind of Malmsteen melodic affair with slight hints of Hawkwind - some of it is even has Deep Purple elements like 'Set your controls' or the Hugh Lloyd Langton era of Hawkwind comes to mind as well in 'Song of the Ocean' that's inclusive of female backing vocals.

If you fancy a bit of Pink Floyd styled material then check out 'The Eye of Ra' which has got a nice bit of Jon Lord styled Hammond playing as well.

The accompanying bonus CD (which I actually played straight away - if the truth be known) has a knock-out Hawkwind medley where classics like 'Brainstorm', 'The War I survived' and 'Assault and Battery' have been arranged to make a mind-blowing arrangement - to get Dave Brock on lead vocals is completely out of this world as is the dark cover of David Bowies 'Space Oddity'.

Overall the material to be found here is nothing new to get excited about - but it's enchanting stuff all the same.

7.5/10

By

Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Music as Laughter, more like. While the guitar work has been taken seriously enough here with some cracking licks to boot, the search for the right vocalist hasn't. I correct this, the search for A vocalist - that's one who can sing - hasn't been undergone with the adequate enthusiasm, and instead we get this geezer who knows his stuff around the time and tune department but a voice like this belongs in some fourth rate eighties thrash act - even I can sing better than the c*** here does.

I do honestly make an effort to enjoy some of the tunes on offer here and the vocals do sound a little more on earth but one or two of the songs definitely outstay their welcome and ten-and-a-half minutes for one of the bl**ders is really pushing their luck. Sup Pop have come up with some decent alternative albums in the past and I'm hoping that this one is just a single embarrassing faux pas for both label and band. A change of singer and this band's next album could get some serious arses kicked.

3/10

By Dave Attrill

It's all in sung in German (from what I can make out), but don't be put off by the language difference, as it's incredible material. The best way to describe their sound is 'imagine combining the soundtrack of an old hammer film with one of a romantic gothic drama - then add in the sinister pastoral styled vocals (of Tilo Wolff especially on 'der morgendanach') and the angelic haunting echo cries of one Anne Numi (e.g. the track 'Senses') and you get something quite remarkable.

Haunting highlights include the deep 'n' warm', Warum so tief' complete with trumpets and the Metallica'ish 'Liebesspid' with its double bass drumming style and crunchy guitars.

Good Stuff !!!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, these musical warriors are out to conquer the globe and originate from a band that went under the name of 'Highlander', which featured future members of 'Hammerfall'. Lost Horizon are out to tell the tales of Good Vs Evil in an enslaved world full of uncertainty. Take for example the track, 'The Kingdom of my will', dealing with battles on horseback and being led by spirits or 'World Through My Fateless Eyes' about oneself, the mind and what life is like around you, in your opinion. As you can probably gather, the albums lyrical themes are extremely deep and intelligent as well as very sinister and downright medieval - which makes a pleasant change to the usual over-the-top negative and angry attitude from the current crop of nu-metal bands around these days. Lost Horizon are the 'Real "Metal" McKoy', that gods like Ronnie James Dio or Bruce Dickinson would approve of. No doubt, 'Lost Horizon', will do extremely well in Europe and I hope that they get the credit that they deserve. If the world isn't awake and turned onto this band after hearing this future classic metal album, I want to know why.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

This is a dark brooding band, with more than a nudge towards the black
nu-metal market. With the music sounding like a cross between the gentile dark
sound of Anathema and the more brutal angst-ridden industrial sound of Korn.
The vocalist sounds like a deeper version of Cradle of Filth's singer
Dani Filth.

For 70% of the album you wonder why they actually bothered,
leaving only 30% of promising inspirational moments. A lot of angry shouting
and cranking guitar riffs should please the rebbelious teens out to upset
their peers. Better bands of this ilk do exist, I recommend you check those
out instead. More ludicrous than Luti-kriss I'm afraid.

4/10

By David Roberts, BA Hons FS