ALSO (HIGHLY) RECOMMENDED
LAST TRIBE Witchdance (Frontiers 2002)
POWERQUEST Neverworld (Frontiers/Now and Then 2004)

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Basing it round mostly straight-ahead structures, they combine every precious element of Threshold, Enchant, Saga and Dream you-know-who into their formulas and burn the combustion off into a sweet smell that fills the musical air. The guitar work does sound a little borrowed here and there even if equally well tutored but some things in life you are allowed to enjoy more than your share of.

Catchy in both vocal and instrumental perspectives, I think I'm actually tempted to call them, though I'd prefer it if they'd kindly provide the number this time.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

I've reviewed about five (dozen?) live slots and an Ep by this lot all in the last six months and for all my troubles I finally get to assess their first full lengther. Several, Several tunes are already established live favourites of mine, 'Deuce', 'Ode To Spike', 'Face To Face' and 'Over The Hill' amongst them but many of these ten slabs of southern rawk n' roll splendour prove Sheffield's current retro-rock kings' credibility with the scene well earned.

Elsewhere on the map, 'Like A Fool', 'Honour…', 'Hangin' On' and 'Get Me Up' parade their Stones/Black Crowes-and-beyond inspirations all the way round town, and should stop a fair ol' amount of traffic en route. More or less specialising in rough n' ready rhythms, the realistic guitar sound that propels them, crafted precisely by messrs Kerr and Mewse carries a subliminal message that reads 'It's 1965 again, folks' and you will begin just to wonder how old these lads were exactly, when they first started pinching their dads' lps.

Pleasant stuff all round and with impressive vocal performances from Dave, 'H.A.T.' is quite an incendiary introduction to one of Steel City's most promising hard rock acts of late, and one with the possible potential to play D*f L*pp**d at their own game. Why they only want eight quid per copy of this nice little disc baffles me a tad.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5

By Dave Attrill

6.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Southern Rock All-Stars - Trouble's Comin' Live !
(Tazer Records - 2004)

It's Southern and it rocks with a band made up of ex-members of Molly Hatchett; Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackfoot who play some of their best gritz live and then some! Pure rebellious arousery on 2 Cd's and recorded at various gigs around the USA that has been 4 years in the making.

The band are absolutely loving it throughout, not to mention their fans and friends. And before you ask, no there are no overdubs or additional sound added to the album - it's been cut straight from the stage to the CD.

How can you argue with Molly Hatchett numbers like 'Gator Country'; 'Whiskey Man' and 'Flirtin' with Disaster' or versions of Blackfoot's epic 'Highway Song' and 'Stars/Run and Hide' plus covers like 'Train Train' and 'Wishing Well' (as done by Blackfoot); Mountain's 'Mississippi Queen'; 'Morning Dew' by Tim Rose that has a U2 'Where the streets have no name feel' to it'.

There's literally so much on here to choose from with other faves being the tribute to Shorty Medlocke, where you hear the man himself singing and playing the banjo - it's moving material indeed amd especially so is The Allman Brother's 'Dreams (I'll never see)'.

This set proves that the south has well and truly risen.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Their take of 'That Smell' burns brilliantly and very like the original and even the accent nearly convinces you that these guys come from a deep part of Florida. It's nice to hear the backing vocals on 'Simple Man' as they get it spot on. 'I know a little' is played well but the female backing vocals just don't like sound like southern belles enough.

Overall it's good and no doubt exceptional in concert.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

A name that I vaguely remember hearing beforehand, Slow Roosevelt's debut album (that is right, by the way?) unfortunately bears a title that describes about half of its content. Rarely to be too harsh without due cause, they do have meaning expressed in their material but their deal in shriek-laden metalcore is too borderline owing chiefly to a shortage of hooks or any memorable elements for that fact.

If a Third-rate Rage Against The Machine or Downset mixed with some of Boy Sets Fire's infrequent weak moments to avoid a total lack of direction, is your perfect cup of tea, enjoy. For those less informed of the scene, leave this one on the shelf and look elsewhere because Slow Roosevelt didn't brew quite enough bags in their pot.

Sad.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

80's Glam sleaze from Denmark that as the bio sez, is like a cross of The Four Horsemen, Circus of Power and Junkyard - you better believe it.

Not afraid to keep their accents despite odd this sounds on cd as you don't get that high octane vocal style associated with this music but gravely baritone instead. A lot of it is rather corny lyrically especially the Status Quo like 'Live it Up'. 'Down 'n' Dirty' is a pretty cool number though and so is the cracking 'Fall' - just a pity about those awful backing vocals.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

True survivors in rock music's most criminally ridiculed genre today, Canadian prog legends Saga still manage to steer successfully clear of the machine printing the 'has been' and 'underdog' labels after these 25 years.

'Keep It Real' is one example showing Dream Theater in particular who the envelope containing the style royalties should be addressed to. Ironically, Michael Sadler's voice, fro any new Saga-tarians reading, reads clear as a lower-strung LaBrie but the Theater frontman, also Canadian quite coincidentally, stuffs this chap's range by many degrees. That's not to say this veteran Toronto quintet underperform, far from it, matey. With a new drummer, Christian Simpson in the firm, Saga continue to bring the milk to the doorstep on a daily basis.

Living on the side of the fence favouring straight forward verse-chorus principles, 'Network' delivers ten pretty-damn fine tunes, all differentiable yet almost all fitted with hooks amidst Ian Crichton's short but sweet solo breaks. 'If I were you', 'Don't look Now', 'Live At Five' and 'Back Where We Started' complete the album's better half, the latter taking quite an 80's electro/New Romantic leaning, an affordable act of diversity at this stage in their stretch. Another great chapter in this wait for it. Sag... (Shut It!!!).

9/10

By Dave Attrill

I picked this up immediately after enjoying their 30-minute debut set at the Boardwalk and on the volume of that performance expected quite high things. No disappointments then as the three numbers all deliver the goods in ways big and small and I know even more where their collective heart lies musically. This is somewhere between Black Crowes, GNR, Jellyfish, The Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd, veering from one closer to others on each of these catch little tunes.

Guitarist Dave doubles as lead singer for the time and quite truthfully though he's put down his own vocal abilities in the past, I didn't notice too much fault in his performance especially as his love of southern rock n' roll has probably motivated him at least a little part of the way with this venture. Formed in late '02, the band take their name from one of the instruments in Dave's prized guitar collection and has quite a prized song collection to churn out with them too.

Seriously - even though Dave's a mate of mine - these three tracks, all immediately impressive themselves, are only the introduction to another promising Steel City outfit who deserve a chance after the less than smoothly-running times some may be aware they've had over the last year or so.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

He's got loads to offer has Jeff, he's the frontman of 'Talisman' and that band's guitarist 'Howie Simon' appears on this solo outing too as well as 'Neal Schon' of Journey.

As the bio says, he is the vocalist of melodic hard rock as well as being a very confident, enthusiastic performer - and those who've seen him will completely agree - me being one of the many. This album does Jeff justice and far outdoes his previous release 'Prism'. It may sound lazy to simply say it's a masterpiece but it is just that.

You've got the brilliant melodic vocal harmonies in 'Soul Devine' that's like a look back at Extreme (that band that featured Gary Cherone on vocals). The song 'Drowning is a rocking bolt from the blue where the exquisite vocal harmonies ring out as amazing as ever. A splendid ballad ins found in the relationship breakdown of 'If this is the end' but you don't get too long to feel down as the title track 'Lost in the translation' blasts you up to the moon again.; same with 'Doin' Time' and 'High Time' that have all the necessary ingredients to be pumpin' thumpin' Soto standards. I am sure that 'On my own' is a follow-up to 'Is this the end?' - so has Jeff just split with his other half or something because 'Find our Way' is another inclination to where his head could be at the moment. The closer, 'Sacred Eyes' is an acoustic beauty that is reminiscent of Extreme's 'Hole Hearted' that again has those mesmerising harmonies.

This album is a pure X factor for melodic rock and Jeff is rightfully receiving the credit and appreciation he deserves.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Good ole fun partyness that matches in the gutsy filth of AC/DC with the sleazey hipness of Kiss, not to mention having a frontman who has the Gene-like voice on many occasions with 'Woman in a fast car' being a class example.

The single itself is an anthem, the tell-it-how-it-is and stand up for your rights of 'Never turn your back on rock 'n' roll' as well as the full-on 'Mister Saturday Night' or the tribute to the best cut-off denim shorts wearing beauty in the USA 'Dasie May', from 'The Dukes of Hazzard'. Another great track is 'Dee Dee Dominator' - just can't think what that's about.

Basically land anywhere on this album and you'll scuse the pun, come across a nice slab of erotic gratification.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

With an approving couple of listens to 'The Panic' on a recent 1-track sampler, I was expecting fireworks from metal hotshots Strata on this much discussed debut. Thankfully, most of this material ignited on lighting the fuse with next to no damp squibs in the display today. That said they still sound too much like many of the other respected names on the roster but they do have their own moments even if rather too few of them.

The guitar work is none too idle and some distinctive grooves support the gutsy BoySetsFire-esque vocal melodies. That and not exactly a major shortage of hooks plays to their favour, even more so when these tunes hit the stages but in the long run, I can only see them as Drowning Pool's cute little brother who bites.

Still worth checking out, before you get worried.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Cheesy OTT metal band that blend daft Manowar like lyrics with the power of Anthrax and come off like Spinal Tap trying to make out they are serious - yeah right!!

It really is a bombastic comedy album if ever there was such a thing with a song called 'Sexual Abuse' coming complete with female porno wailing, a cover of The Trogg's 'Wild Thing' (you make my d*ck swing!!); 'Hey Joe' and a send up of 'God Bless America' or the silly 'Evil Elvis' all you can do is laugh.

Tongue in cheek throughout from a bunch of Arizonians who resemble Kiss, King Diamond and then some.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

He's out on his own again like he was in '78 - welcome to 'The Demon's' second solo album which is worth the buy alone to see all the scantily clad hotties pictured with him on the cover.

The Jewish dark lord burns us up with a cover of The Prodigy's 'Firestarter' that even features 'Gizz Butt' on the guitar - it's got as much atmosphere as the original - if not more - it's like the song was written for him.

There's compositions with Bob Dylan and the late Frank Zappa and let me tell you that there are plenty of rock genres covered here and it ain't like a Kiss album with Gene doing all the vocals (although 'Sick and dirty love' could fit snugly on one of his day-job releases). He's not lost his sick, twisted, arrogant touch either - check out the title track 'ASSHOLE' for a major example. Nice bit of kiddie singing on 'Now that you're god' and the poppy humorous 'If I had a gun' suits his nature too.

Is it a coincidence that this album has 13 tracks - well it appears to be a lucky number for Gene. Like to see his do them live some time.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

And onto yet another of those interesting little names with little of great substance to support its cause, we go, this turning out to be just another four minutes of nu-metal by numbers. Coming straight after reviewing the EP by fellow newcomers Brody, it's practically another of their tunes but lacking the same quality hook. Don't get me wrong, it's only one track we're talking here, but they probably have plenty of better ones that I've so far missed. There's always next time lads.

5.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Typical crashing, ten a penny US Rock band that you'd expect to hear on the 'Buffy the Vampire' TV series. This song is melodic and bawling with a bashing big chorus that's got the title of the song in it. Like the fact that it's got a banjo in it.

Artists like Bush, Seether and Nickleback can look out because Seven Wiser are on their trail. They are perfect fodder for an update teen film.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

4 London based glam rockers who are simply tryin' to bring back rock 'n' roll despite what else the British media says is big because they are probably being payed to plug it.

Made up of T3 (Keyboards/Guitar); Vile Gilez (Percussion); Stevie Lee (Lead Guitar); Lord Zion (Vocals/Guitar) and Vikki Spit (Bass) they are a band who sure as hell show you what you are missing out on throughout with cuts like 'Trust your instinct' and 'Not dead yet'.

No doubt they'll be travellin' up north to see us soon. F*ck commerciality, get into a band like 'Spit like this.'

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

The name rang alarms at first but thankfully false ones as Hungary's Stereochrist sound nothing at all whatsoever like the Welsh Britpop act of a name not too different. After my first taste of Hungarian decibels in the shape of Attila Csihar's 'Best Of..' failed to impress, I was still not without reason to exercise a little caution.

These boys cut short my worries with their deep grinding' and also slightly progressive brand of stoner metal which should especially appeal to those who appreciated recent offerings such as Hidden Hand's 'Divine Propaganda' disc. Strong melodies and stabbing grooves are only on occasion slightly ruined by the sometime indecipherably manic vocal style but it is more or less 38 minutes of raw rock n' roll for its own enjoyment.

Do try it.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Monster Magnet, Corrosion of Conformity, Floodgate, Cathedral

A band who should have got signed but sadly got ignored. They featured the bassist of the orginal Tuff line-up, Jaime Fonte' as well as the drummer from the Big Bang Babies. Their vocalist, Joey Martell has made this album available for the 1st time and good on him too as this is Hollywood glam in the vein of The Bullet Boys, Black 'n' Blue and Tora Tora.

Get your ears round some unsophisticated soundz like the explicit 'In you or on you'; 'Legs up High' and 'Hollywood Angel' to name but a few.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

When sleaze fans heard 'Sinn' on the 'Hollywood Hairspray II' with their bashing 'Stepsister' they wanted more of 'em so Tom Mathers of Perris Records sorted it. I guarantee that you won't be grumbling either with what he's packed together on this cd collection.

A main highlight is their stab at Poison's 'Look what the cat dragged in' (that they must have played during the various gigs along the LA Sunset Strip. Other highlights include 'Freak' about wearing your friends mums clothes; 'Science Girl' about what to do with a particular girl who wears tight red pants; the cowbellesque cock-rock of 'Outlaw' and 'Sexy Sweet' and the Pretty Boy Floydy 'Almost 16'.

If there's any more of this bands material around, I've got to hear it!! Be sure to buy it if you love the early sounds of Motley Crue, Faster Pussycat and Poison

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Now the last band who gave their album this title disintegrated but I just can't see that happening to Skew Siskin who are fired up and ready for action on a different label with a new drummer.

The ballsy Motorhead hit is still there (like the track 'We Hate') and the sound appears to be more high-ended than the previous album 'Spend the night' in '99. Their way is still heavy AC/DC riffage with a Girlschool attitude like on 'Shake Me' that's rather 'Let there be rock' and has Lemmy on backing vocals. There's plenty of good ole 'wham bam thank you mam' with songs like 'Lips'; 'White Trash' and '2 much 4 U' and 'The Goddess'. 'War and Peace Song' sees 'Siskin ket serious on us and 'Strike me blind' and a Bryan Adams'y styled song has been thrown in too - this being the closer 'Torn Apart'.

A cracking album by a crackingly good band - do I smell a headline tour on its way?

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

A band who house one of the strongest Rock vocalists of the 80's - this being Mike Majevic. The opener 'We all die young' will be instantly recognisable - well that's if you have seen the film, 'Rockstar' (the song appears in the audition segment of the film).

It's overall a strong album with the funky tracks like 'Live to die' and the moderately tempo'd 'Take a little time' with its killer chorus but I can't help feeling that they are simply trying to emulate Led Zeppelin because Mike sounds so much like Percy Plant especially in 'The Ahh Song'; 'Electric Chair' and 'Shangrila' instead of proving what they can achieve as a more original composition - if all the numbers were as good as the opener then the album would stand up next to AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell' but it wasn't to be.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

This vehicle for Steelhouse Lane/Streets guitarist Mike Slamer and former Kansas/Sign bassist Billy Greer was one of the scene's big talking points with their debut three years back. Ballsy melodic rock of the sort that keeps the scene alive n' pounding in todays fashion controlled rock n' roll world, the disc immediately made them their fair share of fans and obviously one disc didn't seem enough. So these two jolly chappies got together and scratched their heads once more, hence another masterwork was created.

From the very off, you know again where they are both coming from, with Slamer's distinctive guitar sound, fresh from his main day project dominating the structures of all the tunes, coupled with Greer's quite impressively Hess-like vocal contributions. Quite a surprisingly varied album in styles at most times, but rarely stooping from expectations, 'Sun Will Rise', 'You Cross The Line', 'Sin City', 'It Should Have Been You' and 'Run' keep the wheels going round at full throttle, and if they are billed on the slot for this year's Gods fest, I hope at least three or four of those aforementioned are included on the set list.

Another fine showing from two of AOR's revered figures. Now Mike, about that next St**lh***e L**e album.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Steelhouse Lane, Harem Sacrem, Winger, Giant and definitely Seventh Key's first album.

They've impressed with a couple of the releases they sent us to scrutinise but we appear to have run into problems here. Whatever this is, it's different, it's unusual and it's only interesting for a couple of numbers. Coming on like some Jethro Tull wannabe trying to mix various other elements, mostly folk and medieval into the style, and removing the electric guitars in the process.

France's Still Volk carry it off adequately enough but the songs do very little before long and there is about that in it for me and more definitely for anyone who is not a fan of the works of Mr Anderson and his cohorts. No points get knocked off for singing in the band's native language, and they have zero problems with the performance of duties involving their respective instruments, but they could have tried, in many ways to make some of these numbers a bit more memorable because they are quite frankly flat as a car tyre on a nailbed.

If you want to give this disc a go, be my guest but I can't see many followers of the rock n' roll scene finding a great amount of appeal in this material. Disappointing.

3.5/10

By Dave Attrill

The European continent's Latin quarter has always been a keen contributor to the goth/doom metal fraternity. Latest arrivals, Italians 'Sun Of Weakness' maintain this repute with this promising quintet of interesting tunes that not only look to My Dying Bride and Anathema amongst more expected influences but a fair bit of Paradise lost and surprisingly enough Dream Theater vibe also traceable.

Quite progressive itself in areas, a vague mixture of symphonic elements might not be too bad an idea to protect this act's material from likely accusations of sameiness. Still without a deal at present, there is enough here to convince several labels and I hope one of them has the manners to give Sun Of Weakness their chance.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Andy Sartori is an unknown shredder type neo-classical guitarist whose influences include Johan Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi and Nicolo Paganini (who also happen to be Yngwie Malmsteen's main influences) plus Yngwie himself and Rainbow. Isn't the name similar to Yngwie's band as well - Rising Force !!! - Surely it's a p*ss-take calling your band 'Andy's Force'.

It's very Malmsteen styled (but he uses different tunings or keys according to my mate Alex Kotziamanis). If you like wailing, high-end vocal power metal then this is right up your street like the opener of the four tracker, 'Castle of lost souls' or 'One Distant heart' with its plodding melodic riff and widdly guitar solo.

It's ok and no doubt he'll do well in parts of Europe and Japan.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

The solo album from the ex-Seb Bach band, now of Mountain bassist, Ritchie Scarlett who's got a real throaty, elaborate kinda Peter Criss meets Ace Frehley sorta voice.

This is positive American Rock 'n' Roll that features a host of stars including his head honcho boss, Leslie West (of Mountain) on the drivin' 'Who's to blame'; Ace Frehley on the leaving the gang and getting married and going borin' joe public on the CD opener 'Johnny's in love' and Too Far Gone' about a chick who grew up listening to the New York Dolls, The Sex Pistols and Nirvana. There's even King X's lead guitarist 'Ty Tybor' on the rockin' 'Tin Soldiers' about recalling your childhood that has backing vocals in the Smokie style (70's Rock band from Bradford, UK).

Ritchie pays tribute to that dead, blonde stone in 'The Ghost of Brian Jones' who will haunt Mick, Keith, Anita and Andrew forever!! It's a wee bit creepy but oh so true and I like the touch off adding a few Stones riffs in there too - I'll you work out which ones they are when you get hold of the album yourselves.

Enuff Znuff fans will delight in Ritchie's cover of 'Fly High Michelle' and Bowie lovers will no doubt dig his version of 'Moonage Daydream'.

It's a very enjoyable album and it grabs you after a couple of listens.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

A two disk set retrospective of the forever-disappearing UFO/MSG guitarist, Michael Schenker. 2 dozen ditties that include live versions of classics such as 'Doctor Doctor'; 'Armed and Ready' and 'Lights Out' which certainly need no introduction at all plus other lesser-known songs as well. Instrumentals are included here like the beautiful acoustic 'Reflection of my soul' and the electric 'Open Gate'.

I can't help wondering if this collection was simply stocking filler for the festive period for his many fans in Europe or a contractual obligation for the record company. That said, when you get a knockout version of the cover of Mott The Hooples 'All the way from Memphis' and many other enjoyable rockin' numbers - you tend not to care either way.

Next stop - with Michael Schenker, who the f*ck can tell? - Even his band members can't answer that one!!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Not to be confused with the other similarly monikered US metal sensations, these four San Diego twentysomethings are however of a noticeably similar pedigree but steeped further into diversity. Every one of these fifteen songs is immediately distinguishable from its fourteen fellow occupants of disc, and about as many different styles are evident.

Imagine the guitar work of Metallica, Corrosion of Conformity, Trouble, Pantera and Machine Head and vocals that seem to do the rounds between Devin Townsend, Phil Anselmo, Rob Zombie, Dave Wyndorf. and all between. On looking at the bands dossier do I find out why - it's possibly something to do with the fact that guitarists Brian Clark and Casey Barmakian and bassist Daniel Camara all take turns behind the mike, just annoyingly, I don't know which chap's voice is which, but it is well laid out with the structures of the tunes. Head mashingly heavy and at the bulk of times melodic, Shadow Drop may to some just be another US metal act but another decent US metal act, if no one minds.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Well they are back, well some of the band anyway - for better, for worse. It's like a different band now and new vocalist, Johnny Solinger sounds nothing like Seb Bach. Musically it's more current and has more in common with artists like Nickleback, Alice in Chains and Staind than what made them big in the 1st place and I can't see the original fan-base warming to it very well - you never know, I could be wring but I don't think I will be.

'Ghost' is a nice track and comes across like a groovin' slice of the Spitfire signed band 'Four Star Mary'. It's just that the material doesn't sit comfortable together and you feel on edge listening to it. The new speeded up pop-punked slammin' version of 'I remember you' is a complete insult to the original in my opinion and the vocals are a complete travesty.

I await Seb Bach's new album with pleasure. I smell a reunion somewhere down the line.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

'W.W.B.B' is, believe it or not the second album from noisy Americans Swarm Of The Lotus. Yes, what happened to the first one then, what's that like, etc , etc, you all whine. Well to save you much hass', on examination of the musical content herein, we're probably listening to either a slightly better or slightly not as good version of it right now.

Typically samey metalcore that offers next to nothing new apart from an on-occasions vaguely distinguishable guitar channel but other than that, it's another anti-climax lurking under such a promisingly interesting name. Fun for the fans and I was one myself once but it quite largely for reasons like this that I gradually drifted from the genre.

5.5/10

By Dave Attrill

European sophisticated symphonic metal of all things serious. Sanity are a tight quintet that'll please fans of artists like Yngwie Malmsteen and Helloween etc plus the many old-school metal bands about.

They are long songs to say the least like the epic 'Together as one' or the live tracks such as 'Lonely at the world' that starts off like an acoustic slice of Metallica.

Vocally it's very on-the-ball and very church choir like at that.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Nothing abominable at all, of course, about this fellow's playing and writing directions, the rest of his tunes are scrumptious eighties West Coast melodic rock (yes they were mostly recorded in that actual period) and are in vogue with about 75% of the acts on Escape's roster.

With Cameos from Jeff Paris and also Michael Jackson guitarist Jennifer
Batten along the way, a man of many gifts delivers what he regards as one to his
fans here but we'll let him off for forgetting the wrapping paper. Great guitar
work throughout, Michael, but putting all of those aforementioned 'pop' styled
numbers in one solid lump in the middle, thus cutting up the rest of the album
like that was a bit ill-advised.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Thankfully only six, this time but even then what happens? We only seem to qualify for the first minute or so of each number, which denies me of the chance to hear further in for any faintly possible surprises lurking about. Another point gone for that and my hopes of escape from the pain of having to have dished out anything less than three for the first time in Metalliville history sadly dashed in the process ( well, I at least managed to defend that record for over two years).

Hopefully, we should soon bring someone into the team who's a fan of this sort of stuff, but if you're one yourself, as usual don't let this review deter you.

2/10

By Dave Attrill

A four piece from the UK who are like a mish-mash of Pantera (vocal style), Metallica (grove and vibe) and Black Label Society (guitar harmonics).

They are perfect for the hard heavy old school fans and the brutal nu-metal-heads (the new kids who love a lot of the newer sounds) alike.

Best numbers are the hard-hitting 'Threadbare' and the bursting 'n' fast 'Postrend Generation.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Only just prior to stating my opinions on this, the Swiss rockers' fourth album, did I read with some disgust the slating inflicted on it by the 'Powerplay' mag in which the bulk of Richard Blundell's consternation centered on power ballad 'I Will be There'. Now wait a minute, let's hear it ourselves, first….. mm, well it is a predictable enough number as its title warns….

However, sod it, the only thing that makes me feel sick here is the attitude of said so-called 'critic' who thinks that the flaws of one track dominantly necessitate a 3/10
review. Benefit of the doubt for Shakra is due and more to the point, 'Rising'
f***in' rocks in all its clichéd, predictable, etc 80's glory. You should know that when the hooks are sharp enough, the worn traditions burying them in you bear little concern. Built round lead guitarist Thom Blunier's fret-friendly workouts, new singer Mark Fox's Joe Elliot/Klaus Leissmann-esque rasp and some sharply-produced poundings from Roger Tanner's kit, this line of fist-inducing hard rock keeps most of the scene's fans in the mood for more, staying melodic all the way whilst kicking hard at the time.

'Now Or Never', 'Done me Wrong', 'Too Good For Me', 'Rising High', 'My Life-My World', 'Sign In The Sky', 'Fight The Fire' and 'Anything' are all classic slabs of good ol' fashioned guitar abusing, tailored for an audience still in existence today, unbelievable as it seems. In summary, you can digest this quite easily as the most solid elements of Dokken, Bonfire and Talisman all rolled into one lovely lump. Y' see, no matter how many times it's been done and dumped (in some cases) before, this stuff still, at plenty times of the day, deserves a good review.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

I can't be too harsh - the last four of the thirteen tunes spread their wings, but after the bygone bulk of the disc seldom left me in fits of over-excitement, these seemed to almost go totally over my head. Nothing bad but devoted fans of the scene are more likely to stick another two marks on this review.

6.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Music that'll have you been for more. It's crushin' and wailin' stonerish 70's retro-rocker. Twelve songs fitted into 55 minutes that'll blast your tabs like 'Escaping the fools' and 'Wonderful World'.

It's a cd that's got plenty of crunching fazed guitar especially during 'Angel of Betrayal' and 'Save your soul'. There's a bluesy cut that's in the style of T-Rex's '20th Century Boy' called 'In dark rivers'. You can take yourself off into the Rhodes organ journey of the Zeppy No Quarter'ish 'Mantra' as well.

Recommended.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

The only downside is that some of the more contemporary moments do come across as having no point to them, although they aren't prominent enough to spoil what is a fresh sound with plenty of hook-lines.

9/10

By Steve Windle

They got the title right anyway. 14 songs that are as miserable as sin from a band that are huge and it beats me why - maybe it's got something to do with the fact that they were brought into the limelight by Limp Bizkit's, Fred Durst.

It's all so average - not that they can't play or anything but it's like listening to 3rd rate Alice in Chains on downers without a guitar solo in sight. The vocals aren't exactly exciting either - a load of moaning, whining talk throughout although there are nice harmonies on occasions.

The stand-out tracks are the 'Fill me up' and the single, 'Price to pay' but there's too much filler and too little highlight that greys your day and gets in the way.

4.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

An instrumental album by a man who idolises Malmsteen (especially on 'The Haunting') and Blackmore which overtly comes out in his work - in fact he's even covered the Rainbow interpretation of The Yardbirds 'Still I'm Sad'.

Joe jumps into the blues with the wailin' 'Big Bad Groove' that has a self-said 'Hendrix' vibe as does 'Tear it up' that also happens to very Satriani as well. He also gets all classical on us when he delights with 'Porta No. 1 in A minor' by Bach.

Like Malmsteen (who incidentally hates the term shred - "You shred carrots!", said Yngwie in a guitar magazine a few years back) this guy Joe is a master at it too.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Strange name. Strange sound. A not at all uncommon equation in rock n' roll circles, Sir Hedgehog are today's offenders. Not though, that any particular crime has been committed on their account as I took a liking to this album from the off. Again, a case of letters that can't be all posted into a particular box, their style mixes many, taking in Metallica's latest guitar sound, lashings of both contemporary and old school metal arrangements, and supports a voice that wouldn't sound too alien in a European symphonic metal act doing well at the moment.

Surprising as you may find it, it is Canada from whence this lot come, where once Mr D. Townsend is said nation's no1 metal experimentalist but nothing is there to prevent another keen act from spreading their wings albeit on a saner scale. I won't name any particular numbers here as the strong majority of them should sink in first time round, so my advice to interested metal fans is by all means, try it and buy it - they deserve a chance, if we give them one.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

And I'm afraid one man sinks (back in his chair, yawning) after listening to all nine minutes or so of this heard-it-all-before-and-much-better indie drivel. While I don't mind bands of this type, I don't like all bands of this type either.

Although a just about memorable chorus helps the title track slightly further up the steps, the whole thing does next to sod all for me, the 'can't sing' feeling I get occasionally on listening to this chap's voice only serves to exacerbate matters. This stuff does have its fans across the world but I'm afraid I'm not one. A case of all pop and no circumstance.

3/10

By Dave Attrill

With Brian 'Wind It Up' McDonald having only just shifted seats to melodic rock's hottest new label, fellow MTM exile Mark Spiro has also sniffed an aroma of appeal in the Artenzia cologne, too. And the appeal in the legendary Mr S. should smell as sweet. The man whose previous pennings have helped Giant, Bad English and Heart amongst numerous, on their routes likes to cater for this own musical needs too, you know. 'K.O.T.C' is prime-order AOR that swings through styles - as most acts on this label seem obliged to do - and while a few numbers lean too much on the pop end of the musical panel for one's comfort, at times almost bringing those dreaded words 'boy band' to conscience, the general bulk of the disc rocks.

'Always' is American-made AOR to die for and at four minutes and five seconds long, just not long enough. 'Crows', 'Julia', the Bob Catley-esque vocal hook of 'Saving Grace', 'One Horse Town' and the Street Talk-ish subtlety of 'It's All About You' serve the same justice to the album's cause. A bit take-or-leave on a few tracks, Mark Spiro's singing/songwriting talent remains unflawed and a chap who deserves a slot at the Gods as much as most who've played it over the last four years, demonstrates just why through most of this material.

A man who continues to make his Mark on the musical scene in permanent ink.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

STAIND - Price To Play (1-track sampler)
(Flip Records - 2003)

As my finger made contact with the play button following insertion of this disc, I was expecting some monotonous nu-metal dirge, all the more reason I was glad this was only a one-track promo. How more wrong could I have been. 'Price' is a superb song with a powerfully dominant chorus hook, hitting high notes to addictive effect. I've heard very little other of this group's material but if it's mostly this good, I wouldn't mind.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Back with his second solo attack, Derek Sherinian gives us 'Black Utopia' that again features Zakk Wylde who duets alongside 'Yngwie Malmsteen' - in fact Yngwie starts it off with a small slice of 'Fury' - well Derek did play all the black and White keys on the Attack album didn't he!!

The album is full of exceptional music and highlights include the Miami Vicey 'Starcycle'; the crunching 'Nightmare/Cinema' and the title track itself 'Black Utopia' and loads of others that you'll discover when you get your dannys on it.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

After seeing Jeff with Talisman on 24th May, 2003 at The Gods (Penningtons) I was real pleased when this fell out of the envelope. This set is the ultimate and includes a mass of different material from his 20 year career and packs in as much as he possibly can. Opening up with Queen's 'Let me entertain you' that he covered for a recent tribute album it's a bunch of songs that just continues to explode with an energetic dynamite filled brilliance.

The Yngwie Malmsteen fans are rewarded with a medley of 'I'm a viking' and 'I see the light tonight'; a segment of the soul filled 'Crazy' by Seal that Talisman covered and best of the bunch, the monster that is 'Stand up and shout' from the panned by the critics but hailed by the Metalheads film 'Rockstar' - the parody of Tim 'Ripper' Owens joining Judas Priest.

Pontus Norgren also joins Jeff for a song which they'd only rehearsed that afternoon - now that's professionalism (but to find out which one, you'll have to buy the CD and/or DVD).

An absolute must for JSS fans everywhere.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

London's answer to Hanoi Rocks 'Michael Monroe' who has extremely similar on-stage presence, style and attitude.

'Don't blame me' is full on sleazy, punching punk rock which is damn lively I can tell ya. The other two tracks are vibed up to f*ck as well, these being the driving snare spittin' 'Kickin' in the dirt' and the party riffin' singalonger 'King of Fools' that I can see fans waling into the early hours of the morning surrounded by a few caseloads of beer.

Can't wait to hear a full length album.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

First fruit of the contract comes in the shape of this half-cast offering that is partly a new album and partly old gems from their heyday revamped for what interest (I hope) still lies around for them in 2003 AD. I must state that the new-look 'We Have Arrived' immediately registers as superior to the original and is the first time I've rushed back to the 'repeat' button for a further spin of this cut. Not being that much of an expert on this act's catalogue, I'll just say that the material is damn near decent, no matter what period of time in space it was written, and I enjoyed the older tunes like 'Heroes, Saints & Fools', 'Follow The Piper' as much as the pick of the recent compositions.

The band maintain three of the original members, Steve Bettney (vocals), Rob Bendelow (Guitar) and Richard Lowe (Keys) with new members Rob's brother on bass, replacing the late Barry Yates and Jamie Little now the man on the stool and this new line-up seems no less capable than the previous grouping, especially with a strong return like this. Here's to giving it another go, lads and I look forward to chasing up more of your past material.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

SLUDGEFEAST - It's On (Single)

(Must Destroy Music - 2003)

As you who have logged on to Metalliville for most of its active life might probably be aware, alt rock and nu-metal are rather shaky trees when I'm the one climbing them and chances are that I might not like this cd but as I have some interest for practically all sides of the rock spectrum, chances are also likely that I do. Happily this little three-tracker squeezes into the latter category.

Practically it's above the average alt rock of today's lines but the sort that comes embossed in an industrial layering of hefty proportions, and on hearing it -or trying to - it is immediately apparent that they've overfed the distortion channels in this case, which is a less than good idea as you've got three good short little bursts of rock n' roll hiding behind that wall of fuzz.

I have no particularly heavy bias against this sort of stuff, but too many cakes in the hamper can ruin the picnic a bit. Do check it out though.

6/10

By Dave Attrill

Heavy as f*ck, old school 80's Metal - think Slayer meets Anthrax with throaty bawling vocals with god examples of this being 'Idle Hands' and 'Thoughts without words'.

Hailing from Massachussett's Shadows Fall have recently toured the UK with Soilworks and Children of Bodom and also played the Download Festival in Donnington Park, early June, 2003.

They are having a ball in popularity and no wonder with an album like this.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

The O/D version of Saxon recorded live at Penningtons, Bradford, Dec. 2001. All the main hits are here like Dallas 1PM, 747 (Strangers in the night) and Wheels of Steel but I've gotta say, I much prefer the vocals of Biff Byford to the bawlings of John Ward (but that's a personal bias I guess - make your own mind up on that score).

With regard to sound quality it just isn't good and it's as though it's been recorded off Medium Wave Radio and sounds mushy and almost mono. Another question - where the hell is the sound of the audience? - this lack of realness gives the impression that it's a soundcheck as opposed to a real gig.

It's a shame because track-wise and musically it has the elements to have been a cracking live album but it's completely let down by the mix and overall production.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

(Century Media - 2003)

Yet another great new band straight out of the woodwork and believe me, the woodwork is sure in danger of needing replacing after this two track aural onslaught of early/mid nineties -themed aggro metal intensity. Yep, they are a new metal band, but that's as in new band who play metal as there is very little bandwagon jumping to be heard here. In fact, I think they have waved down a vehicle headed in the other direction with this genuine helping of breakneck brutality of the Pantera/Machine Head brand, with vocals switching, as if programmed, between the standard exteme metal roar and a contemporary melodic range.

The guitar work is of the sort you don't often expect from a metal band of this sort today - they've had the balls to do solos and bl**din' decent ones at that, too. Piecing it all together, there is a clear current day vibe sensed through it all and younger metal fans of this day and age should find some appeal in it all. Bring on the album lads, it's got to be a good 'un.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Psychobilly from Hollywood that at times makes you feel like you are upside down and going backwards with a massive hangover due to some of the minor keyed sickly sounding riffage found on the album - especially numbers like 'City Boys' and 'Screamin' End', whereas elsewhere it's fun-loving Rock 'n' Roll meshed in with a fair old mashing of Punk.

Totally unsophisticated sounds that's perfect for a Saturday night out with some of the classiest girls in LA (you know who you are!!!). It's pumped full of highlights that include the Pipeline inspired 'Rusty Nuts' about being on the road or the G 'n' R meets Faster Pussycat attitude 12-bar 'Soul for Sale' and the heavy 70's Status Quo goes Hanoi Rocks styled 'Nobody's Fool'.

Chris, Mark. Phil and Pimp will certainly give you a good time.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

These guys were originally known as 'Godspeed' and supported well known bands like Cathedral, Dio and Black Sabbath - let's see who they will be supporting this time around.

No it's not their 13th album but actually their second. Stoner standing with weird twists such as opener 'Love Sickness/Burning Fuel' with awesome blues harp then there's the excerpt from an old film in 'Once around the Sun (deep through time)' about beggars and kings. What about the spiral effects on 'Theme…' - a weird instrumental that sounds like they are experimenting with a new gadget.

Good stoner sounds.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

A bang up to date band who who elements of Indie, Grunge, Stoner and even a bit of Glam - so you think I'm making that up - well actually - it's really like that and that's all in the opening track 'Guilty as Sin'. HMV just wouldn't know which section to stick these guys in but I guess they'd just bung 'em in the rock section.

Tommy, Monty and Mickey will rock your boat with tracks like 'Guilty as Sin'; the stonerish 'Step Down' that has elements of Southern blues (well they are from Georgia). You can also mellow out with the excellent 'Take' with its cooking acoustic guitar and rimshot intro that's kinda Alice in Chains.

Like 'em.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Devin Townsend is one chap seemingly bordering on impossible to get rid of. That isn't actually to say we do want to see the back of him but where the Canadian metal wizard gets it all from takes some thinking. With so many great projects and discs already under his belt he now decides to reform his flagship outfit Strapping Young Lad, last seen in action five years back with the 'No Sleep Til Bedtime' live disc.

From opening intro cut 'Dire', you know that Dev means 'back in business' when he says it. 'Consequence' is structured to a traditional old-style death metal rhythm, with Devin exercising his tonsils capabilities almost straight from go. Speeding its way through afterward, comes 'Relentless' which picks up where 'All Hail The New Flesh' left off, the arrangements and melodies being at least 65% alike. Oh, what a lovely title this next one's got, eh: 'Rape Song'. Only ol' Dev could do it, eh though through the song, is not making any attempt to glorify said atrocity and just gets on with his token delivery of speed and aggression as only we like it.

'Aftermath' is the resident epic of the disc but through its seven-minute duration, uses its time well in various styles and some well-decorated mid tempo chugging but the party piece is saved for the sudden pause halfway along and then.. Brooofff!!!! Just suddenly tears along at top speed from out of nowhere in the trademark Townsend manner before calming down towards the end of the tune with more of his searing melodic delivery, bring the end to probably the most interesting song on the album.

It's back to the style we last heard on 'Consequence' for the next one coming up. 'Devour' is a less melodic number so D.T. is obviously craving the ol' bit of no -bones nuttiness on that score and so it continues into 'Last Minute'.. well until he changes down the speed again - Dev you awkward thing. You can tell he's been listening to some Sepultura of late, if that opening riff to 'Force Fed' is any testimony, but after that its pure Townsend creativity for the rest of the tune, combing all the strongest fluids of the last two albums into a volatile concoction but not without harmony. This has to be one of the very best ones he's ever put pen to, similar in places to the material on the 'Ocean Machine' album.

'Dirt Pride' is another two-and-a-half minute Townsend tantrum not too unlike 'Underneath The Waves' and never changes the gears for a second. 'Bring on the Young' is one of Strapping's slower numbers, grinding and rumbling its way by again in the ways of yonder but it makes for vending this incredible album on an unpredictable note.

Devin Townsend - a man who just doesn't know when to draw breath, but since when did writing such great and innovative material kill anyone? So, another Ocean Machine album, while you're at it then, Dev?

10/10

By Dave Attrill

Nu-metally simplistic grooves with a vocalist who'd be better if she'd stick to singing sweet, rather than ruining it by bawling like a sheep with a throat infection and constipation.

In fact if you've heard the gothic styled 'Zero Star' then listen no further - this is the only good track on the entire album.

3/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

UK's rock giants of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal are proud to present a double CD full of re-recorded classic material and the second CD having five live tracks recorded live in san Antonio and a live video track live from Waken 2001, if this does not pound that head that does not pound then that head must be dead.

Saxon hit you with their distinctive sound of British metal with classic material such as 'Strong arm of the law', Dallas 1pm', 'Wheels Of Steel', 747 (Strangers in the night)' and 'Motorcycle man' to name but a few of these wonderful re-recordings. It's not surprising that Saxon are still one of the most adored rock legends still travelling the earth with their eagle and landing to play for massive audiences throughout the world.

If denim and leather, motorbikes, fast chicks and loud rock music is still your forte, then Heavy Metal Thunder is your CD. NWOBHM still rocks!!!

9/10

By Tony Watson

It's been quiet on the Swedish side of the Z Records spectrum of late, ain't it. Then there aren't that many left really, are there. Snakes In Paradise have tucked tail and run off to MTM, Scuderio have bit the dust altogether whilst Human Race, Jekyll & Hyde, Great King Rat and Amaze Me appear to have vanished from sight for various other reasons. Seven Wishes, Dreamhunter, Prisoner, Damned Nation and Humanimal have been left to keep the flag flying until lately as another killer new act from Europe's quality melodic rock band capital have risen from out of nowhere.

Female fronted outfit Shiva came to my attention less than a year back when their name appeared on the Z website and even that seems now too long a wait to taste the talent of one of the Liverpudlian label's greatest signings in the last couple of years.

Mixing Dokken, Firehouse, Tesla, Warrant, Hardline and Danger Danger elements and topping them with a fantastic-sounding female voice, courtesy of - well due to a lack of info on the sleeve, I don't quite know the name this young lady goes by - but whoever she may be, there is as always more in one's musicianship than in a name. It would also have been nice to have the name of the chap who plays guitar as he knows the roads himself and the duo make for a dangerously powerful musical machine together.

'Would You Lie To Me', 'Marilyn', 'Free My Soul', 'Another Man's Wife', 'Right On Time' and 'One More Day' plus the Metallica-mode onslaught of 'Lead You On' are simply random pickings as hardly any stand out as superior. Having recently acquired Adrian Gale on the back of their phenomenal 'Reprogram' album, I sense even less quieter times for Mr Alger ahead as this disc is going to guarantee the label ever-increasing attention from the very day it strike the shop shelves. With stunning vocal melodies, monumental choruses, and its fair share of guitar style versatility, you only have to listen one minute into any one of the eleven tracks, to get the picture.

10/10

By Dave Attrill

(Old Suede Records - 2001)

Maidenesque Metal or dare I say it, 'Power Metal' or 'True Metal' as Leader/Vocalist, Dragon Power prefers to call it. Plenty of Metal anyhow is up for the grab of the ears including covers of Iron Maiden's 'Children of the Damned' and Scott McKenzie's 'San Francisco' - a strange choice you may say, but it works. Vocally, Dragon Power sounds kind of like strange bellowing German baritone who can wail pretty high and penetrate mountain ranges for many a mile.

There are quite a few highlights such as the above mentioned covers as well as the long instrumental 'Dragonless World' or should that be 'Dragon-powerless Song' - sorry - bad joke on my pad. This instrumental is extremely melodic and shifts up and down in tempo, not to mention the rather brilliant, 'Very Last Breath'.

You are also treated to a bonus best of CD entitled 'Spark, Torch and Dragonfire - Dragonblood 1996-2000' that includes live tracks from 2000 including a thrashy song that stuck in my memory called 'Celestial Kingdom'. Dragon Power obviously has a sense of humour as he's included a demo sounding version of A-ha's 'Take On Me' with force bawling vocals and AC/DC'S 'Touch Top Much' that fairs a lot better. Best track of all comes in two forms - 'Edit 2000' and 'Altered 2000' - a killer of a cut called 'Free Your Mind' that's sounds extremely autobiographical and goes into detail what you need to do to succeed in a band.

For lovers of True Metal the Globe over.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

The culmination of three years worth of writing, recording and touring, Skinlab release not only the heaviest album to date but also a mature and focused CD called 'Revolting Room'.

The bay area thrashers through their years in the music business express themselves through the art of music and the quest to express their knowledge of the world through their music comes across very load and clear. Revolting Room releases the full onslaught of energy that has built up throughout the months and years of hard work and enjoyment of expression.

As you enter the delights of 'Come Get It', which rips through 'Slave the Way' to 'Anthem for a fallen star' into 'Disturbing the art of expression', Skinlab opens the soul of contempt to release the revolution inside everyone.

As a third album Skinlab's Revolting Room is an exciting, intriguing and collectively a sonic expression that shouldn't be messed with.

9/10

By Tony Watson

Glammy pop-punkers from France who have been in full-force since November, 2001. Comprising of Joker (Guitar), Laur (Drums), Lady Bittersweet (Lead guitar) and Alice (Vocals).

'Hellbent Loser' kicks things off with elements of the 'pistols especially during the guitar break on the chorus. Second track 'It hurt me' is very similar but 'Starry eyed space boy' is far more abrasive glam rock with a banging 2,3,4 style to it, complete with distortive guitars. 'I confess' in my opinion is the best number - a moderate rocker whereas 'Take two bits of the cherry' sees a good deal of good old thrammy punk glam complete with guitar twiddling.

Nothing fancy but it ain't meant to be.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Hard Wired
(Atlantic Records - 2002)

AC/DC influenced US trio's debut who were actually a big noise in the North of the UK. Thought by many to be their best release, 'Hard Wired' is like the Australian big boys brought more up to date and was even produced by George Young (Angus and Malcolm's older brother). The two singles are there, 'The Kids are Wired' and 'Smooth as Silk' where Guitarist/vocalist squawks for all he's worth.

It's quite simply an album full of highlights like the bluesy 'Freight Train'; the slow screaming 'Rising of the Phoenix; the epic 'Whiskey River' or the riffing brilliance of 'Hot Jersey Nights'.

You must live this album again and again - good on you if you witnessed them on their recent Tour in November 2002.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Ritual
(Hengest Records - 1997)

A five year gap between albums 1 and 2 gave Strongheart chance to mature somewhat. There are more styles found here as compared to the bluesy, AC/DC sounds of 'Hard Wired' and far more adventurous vocal dynamics have been are given a chance to shine - Nice One Wilbur!

Grab a slice of funk metal in 'Murder of Crows', a track that gives Billy Evans (bassist) the spotlight, some autobiographic felt ballad brilliance in 'FIy on Little One' (my favourite Strongheart song I have to say) - in fact, I'm convinced that it influenced the song, 'We all die Young' as featured in the movie 'Rock Star'. Another major stand-out is 'Immortal with a Kiss' - especially live and goes for the dirty cock-rockin' groove where Bobby Erechiga rings out the cymbal bells.

I must give a mention to the gorgeous ballad 'Freedom Town' that has a strong Beatley bridge as well as the story of wanting to become a great guitarist entitled 'Drop Dead Money'- is this one about you Wilbur by any chance ? It's just a pity that album number 3 never happened - maybe one day it will. Strongheart come back to a venue near you in June 2003 - Wilbur permitting!!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Former Celtic Frost guitarist/composer Ron Marks has released his most ambitious release to date. Super-Vel enters your soul and takes you on one hell of a musical ride that lifts your expectation of a musical genius that has more to offer than God himself.

Super-Vel is a twelve-track masterpiece that is full of originality, compassion, blood, guts and sweat. From 'Lick the lie' to 'Just hit Pomona' through the semi acoustic tear jerker of 'A day late' to the pounding head breaker of 'Be your sky', Subsonic release so much energy you won't want the fire on in the cold nights.

If Super-Vel is the start of things to come then the twenty first century is going to be full of excitement and surprises, keep them coming.

10/10

By Tony Watson

The undisputed kings of progressive and symphonic metal have returned with their sixth studio release that fills the air around you with one of the biggest sounds in modern metal.

The Odyssey is based on classic work by Homer, which continues to display the bands fascination with the fabled heroes of the days of yore. With their brutal metal, sublime interludes and gargantuan orchestral epic battles that give the listener a sonic adventure between good and evil.

This eight track progressive masterpiece fulfils you with excitement from the first track 'Inferno (Unleash the fire)', to Symphony X's heaviest song to date 'King of terror' which is based on a book by Edgar Allen Poe to the twenty-four minute eight-part track of 'The Odyssey' that thrills any unexpected new audience to progressive metal.

For the fans of Symphony X this CD is more powerful, more aggressive and raw and more in your face compared with the previous releases of melodic rock albums.

7/10

By Tony Watson

Mr Face-of-many-bands Jeff Scott Soto has had a less than disappointing last year or two. The Humanimal album and the Z-Rock show with said latest act featuring some of his old Swedish pals of his musical past was followed by his def-defying solo bash at Bradford, featuring songs from every corner of his career, dominantly Talisman*, Takara, Eyes, Humanimal and Yngwie Malmsteen. In fact, Sote's the third ex-Malmsteen mouthster on the Frontiers Roster, Mark Boals and John West the other two.

The set also included material from this rather fine latest solo effort from the New Yorker, snd I'm hoping it finds itself a slot firmly amongst the other established classics he's been a part of. 'Eyes Of Love', 'Don't Wanna Say Goodbye', 'Holding On' and '2 Late For Goodbyes' (he's still replacing words with numbers, eh?) are merely a quartet picked from the eleven tunes that form this fabulous curriculum vitae of a truly crushing career in the melodic hard rock world. Til the End Of Time' is another that bears its brand of significance, if not for its Danny Danzi likeliness but is a live recommendation from heroin in as is 'How Long' about as close to Takara as he gets in one song, even though that bridge does steal from Steelhouse Lane's 'Give It All To Me', a tad.

The duet with Glenn Hughes on Sly and the Family Stone's 'I Wanna Take You Higher' is good fun too. A double bill of top-rate ballads 'By Your Side' and 'Don't Walk Away' finishes off a good day's work as only Jeff Scott Soto knows it should be and there is very little that has disappointed me in the last fifty-two minutes of music to have passed through my ever-smouldering speakers.

Mr Soto is one man who never seems to know how to let the standards slip (as if he would) and a line-up that includes gifted ex-tamplin guitarist Howie Simon, handpicked for his abilities of diversity in style, and old Takara mate Gary Schutt, sees that set in concrete.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

*Just as this review went to press, we've learnt that Jeff has been negotiating a deal with the Frontiers label for a new Talisman album, possibly likely to feature original guitarist Frederik Akesson in the line-up.

This must be one of the oddest titles I've come across for an instrumental Rock album! Ralph Santolla started off at the age of 7 as a Kiss enthusiast before getting embedded into the style of Michael Schenker.

Unlike many guitar album |s this isn't your usual shredding '5 million notes a second' stuf. There's beautiful harmonies and melodies of various rock and metal styles that'll please the ears of many rock 'n' metal fans who wouldn't be seen dead with an instrumental album.

From 'Red Baron' to 'What might have been' it's a sparkling journey of melodic rock riffage.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Another arrival on the Frontiers roster is quite a welcome one, as 7 months have something of a mixed load aboard their boat. The key element is the radio friendly sound as made big by AOR acts from the band's native LA through the eighties. Now take some of Dream Theater and Marillion's progressive vibes and chuck in a pinch of Royal Hunt's Euro metal prowess and you ave quite a cleverly conceived disc in your system.

Sadly, none of the five musicians beyond the making of this entertaining album ring any immediate bells in the name department though I'm sure Barry Magnuson (drummer) has cropped up somewhere recently. Singer Joe Booe clearly knows the score through his performances here and guitar and keyboard duties are expertly handled by two magnificent chaps called Chris M. Jacobson and Garegin Kalajian.

'Say Goodbye' is the perfect example of your modern age, multi-dimensional melodic hard rock tune, with classic hooks that flank a contemporary structure, whilst 'Change' does the West Coast thing, but again wearing experimenting gloves. 'You & Me' is the No1 song - even if it's accompanied by a number 6 on the track-listing order - and although less experimental than other tracks, a true piece of melodic rock class and if Whitesnake's 'Love Ain't No Stranger' had been written by Survivor instead, this'd have quite resembled the result.

Closing epic 'Senorita Serenade' shows what this band are made of at their best as it effectively compiles the other eight songs you've heard, into one so if you've missed one or two bits or bobs earlier here's near enough another chance to catch them again. Me? I'd just play this whole album itself over again. And again.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

The world never seems to fall short of guitar geniuses these days and it's not just the States, Sweden, or Canada that provide the talents either. Yugoslavian Slav Simanic has gone for a more commercial format, though, with mostly vocal fronted songs rather than just an instrumental-laden offering - not that rock albums without vox are strictly bad, by the way. And the hired voice… well oi never, that sounds loike that there Phil Naro. The bloke seems to make a living out of singing with world class status -deserving guitarists having fronted 24K alongside Von Groove man Mladen and now he's impressed Mr Simanic, currently a resident in Naro's native Toronto, enough to earn another leg to an impressive career.

The songs are lyrically, Christian-concepted matter, a style as originally established to the mainstream by 80's legends Stryper - not that they were bad, mind.

Religious rock lyrics, however, have matured a bit since Michael Sweet and mob ruled the roost, and a wide blend of attitudes, views and vibes dominate the songs along with passages quoted from the bible being used to appropriate effect. Exactly the same approaches can be used to assess Slav's stunning frettery, which by rights puts him straight up there with the major league virtuosos.

'Going Up Higher', 'Let It Go', 'The Fallen Angel', 'People Say' and 'Heaven Waits For You' are amongst the greatest tracks on this not exactly un-great CD. Steve Vai tried a similar idea with his 'Sex & Religion' album about a decade ago, a decent work as it was, but Simanic demonstrates a more skilful grip on the Christian handle.

This copy of the album also contained a disc of the first album 'Water Of Life', from back in 2000. A largely instrumental piece, it again still offered some damn fine melodic rock tunes, with or without vocals and I couldn't positively identify the singer, it sounded very much like Mr. Naro again.

I can only hope that after 'L.I.G.', Slav Simanic's third album won't be another two whole years or so in waiting. The man must get a slot at the Gods fest: he is a neglected talent who deserves more notice than he gets.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Kickin' off where the debut 'Seeds of Decades' ended this here is more blues-rock edged stoner performed with an abrasive attitude that's becoming a 'Shaman trademark' and produced by ex-bassist of Unida and Kyuss, Scott Reeder.

Addictive sounds all round is a guarantee and vocal rasper, Dan Forrester is as brash as ever as openers 'Nomad' and 'Reason to live' show. Sixty Watt Shaman has chilled out on a few of the numbers as well especially on tracks like 'The Mill Wheel' - a quiet country 'n' blues acoustic track and 'When the morning comes' that a lot in common with the mellowed American folk style of Crosby, Stills and Nash and Led Zeppelin in relaxed unplugged mode.

Other sections are a Sabbath fan's heaven as new drummer 'Minnesota' Pete Campbell crashes around the arrangements of Joe Selby's angry guitar and the almighty bass-lines of Reverend Jim Forrester on blasters like 'One good leg and bottle of booze' and 'When I'm alone'. It's great to see that Jim has even paid homage to his favourite bass-player, the late, great Cliff Burton during the bass solo track 'All my love' reminding me of Cliff's 'Anaethesia (Pulling Teeth)' from Metallica's 'Ride the Lightning' album.

Overall, it's a heavy well stocked album from one of America's finest Stoner Rock bands.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Old fashioned dirty rock slabbin' sounds that go grungey in parts. Somewhat drawn-out is some of this stuff and it's easy to forget what happened in the arrangement of a song a few bars ago. Throughout, it's a doomy journey that breaks crosses the forgings of Sixty Watt Shaman with Soundgarden and such like bands.

The New Mexicans crank out 6 numbers of the heroic stoner nature like 'Fat Man in Thailand' or 'Clean Livin' with its ultimately wailing guitar solo - I can dig that. The material gets way too samey at times though and lacks stand-out character to pull Spiritu from the pack of what's become rather large in this breed of rock. That said, there's plenty of dark groove to please a good handful of Black Sabbath fans.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Sweden's Street Talk are a band I've been aware of for a good two or three years up to the time of writing, and it's a privilege to finally hear one of this talked-about band's fine albums. I'd imply that, twofold, as here in my hands (and hears) is a high order slice of AOR utopia. The two names sticking out like thumbs are Goran Edman (ex-Malmsteen) who sings the majority of this excellent disc, and their very special guest performer Hugo, who lends his lungs for the other two.

Opening duo 'Give me A Reason' and 'Hare And Hounds' define all that's great about this genre, (the latter, quite coincidentally, shares names with my local pub) and 'Language Of Love, just about upholds the standards. 'Tables Turning' is a pretty House of Shakira-ish number, with a syringe-full of soul fluid injected and is an immediate stand-out selection, despite totally thieving the intro riff from Leppard's 'Stand Up - Kick Love into Motion'.

Hugo-fronted numbers 'My Heart Beats For You' and 'Why Is My Heart Feeling Lonely Tonight' are very laid-back popish affairs with the guy obviously quite eager on bringing his own work here with him rather than leaving it on his solo shelves. And so what if he does, eh? This is Hugo, after all, innit?.

The bulk of the remaining tracks are up-tempo summer-oriented belters with 'A Place In The Sun' and 'Forever By Your Side' melting the most ice creams. True European melodic rock grit, with attitude, depth, passion and talent, and we don't just mean Hugo. One to keep this market alive, or preferably, alive-er.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

This trio of talent from South Africa (originally named Saron Gas) magically craft their knowledge into undying love for the music industry; these guys create songs that speak of bleak and miserable moments that turns into a type of therapy that offers a massive relieve to the un-preached.

This 12 track CD, which is produced and mixed by Jay Baumgardner (Drowning Pool, Coal Chamber and Papa Roach) vergers on the same style as 'Creed' and 'Breaking Point' with a touch of early 'Stone Temple Pilots', which adds to the overall sound that has been created within the energy of the band.

From 'Gasoline' to the wonderful heart crushing 'Driven Under' through 'Pride' and 'Sympathetic' to finish with 'Broken' Seether have compiled a CD that will make your emotions run away and brings home the truth of our personal problems.

9/10

By Tony Watson

Norway. A country that has seen some decent acts in its time. Sons Of Angels, Stage Dolls, Street Legal, Hush and I suppose we can just about get away with A-Ha. Plus's there's the legendary black metal scene. And we now have excellent youngsters to add to the nation's pride as well.

So what are these lads up to here then, eh? Well, it does sound like a crushing crossover goth/metalcore album, leaning mainly to the latter, but they do long songs. Interesting. A nine-song album from this genre usually lasts about 30 minutes if that but this little beaut' gives us all of 49. What I like in particular is their own outlook on life, and moral perspectives which each individual song explains on the sleeve notes. It impresses me just as much that you can make out, quite a bit at times, of what vocalist Stian Pedersen is saying, via his growlsome onslaught.

The riffing is surprisingly melodic too for what they are supposed to be, which I presume is the fruit of the fusion with gothic harmonies throughout the album. There are practically no guitar solos on this record so they are seemingly trying to keep things fashionable, there, but the varied layouts of time changes and mood swings that the songs provide a baseboard for are indeed to their credit.

Another warm welcome to the European H.C. roster.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Engrossing Power Metal from Germany featuring all the trimmings you'd expect - explosive drum work, firing guitar and blazing vocals from the famed Royal Hunt vocalist, DC Cooper. These guys have got what it takes and recently performed tours with U.D.O. and Angra.

Filled with thunderbolts of enthusiasm the songs emulate the classic 'We Will Win' attitude. The Judas Priest vein, 'Infactuator', the title track itself, starts off the album grand and leaves you wondering how they manage to keep this pace up for an entire live set. If you want a mammoth epic then tey out the seven song set entitled 'Trilogy'. Gargantuan forces are at your heel hear and you won't be able to tear yourself away. There's some unbelievable beautiful accapella vocals in 'The Empire of the Future' and you'll cease to be amazed by the strength of what's on offer such as 'We must use the power' and 'All Guns Blazing'.

The 'Prog-Power Festival' in November 2002 is gonna be quite something if these guys are on the bill.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

We witnessed these guys live at Sheffield Foundry, Dec. 2001 and this, their debut album cooks up as well as they do in concert. It's Stoner Rock with harsh, throaty Eddie Vedder meets Layne Stayley vocals from frontman, Dan Kerzwick. Real raw 'n' earthy grooves are in high abundence and quite notable is the fact that it's a surprisingly long album for a debut.

The gritty hard-hitting opener 'Fear Death by Water' holds your attention with its pounding drums (from C.J. Dukehart III) and grating guitar deliveries (from Joe Selby) that wrench alongside Dans vocals. Throughout the album there's balls and there's ballads - one ballad of a particularly likeable nature is 'Poor Robert Henry' about starting your life when someone elses has ended. There's a number that's almost Soundgarden in the shape of 'Devil in the Details - Parts 1 & 2' and what about the folky effort entitled 'Roll the Stone' featuring Dan on mandolin - think Led Zep's 'The Battle of Evermore'.

There's some top-notch material on here - I've just got to mention 'Busy Dying' - nice title for a start with the dittie coming across as negative sounding AC/DC or the slide guitar blues jam 'I've been down', coming complete with female backing vocals (from Paula Delvca) fitting well with the Reverend Jim Forresters bass playing. A perfect way to finish off the album. You just can't beat a bit of the blues.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

(Melodic Mayhem Music (Metal Mayhem) - 2001)

Now this is what I call good ole fun-time music, LA style - big hair and cowboy boots - pure 80's brilliance without a care for the current scene - whatever that happens to be - and who cares anyway. St. James is the new outfit from ex-Black 'n' Blue frontman, Jamie St.James. Musically you can play a game of - now what famous song does this number sound like which becomes apparent early on but what the hell - these sounds are entertainin' from the first note of 'Testify' (with it's Wing's Girlschool riff) right the way through to 'Aliens'.

It's a magical journey, reminding you that listening to albums can be a pleasurable experience and disagree after hearing rockin' tracks like 'American Man', 'Light of Love', 'Magical Taxi Cab' and 'Die like a Star'.

Now I hope these guys get to support somebody in the UK sometime - it's about time we got bands as good as this to enjoy all the time - pack up your troubles - chuck 'em in the canal and put this album on. More of this is a damn good thing.

Looking forward to album number 2.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

I've been looking forward to the release of this album for about 6 months since the brothers in the band 'Barry 'n' Wes Waddell informed me about it in November 2001 during an interview.

If you haven't read the review of their 'Lost in Hell' - then let me introduce to the world of 'the Wolf - the world of True Metal. This is great symphonic 'keyboardy' Heavy Metal of the Judas Priest vein that's played with a very intense vibe. This Tampa Bay, based band cover real serious topics about the political system (New Age Revolution), Psychic Powers (Dead Zone) and other non-lightweight affars that'll see you looking rather deeper into what's happening in your life than the average cock rock or boy band record will. Fancy a bit of Egyptian magic that's full of eastern promise, then play ' Dark and Lonely People' - all you want are the belly dancers and the turkish delights.

'NR3' has that Led Zep 'No Quarter' feel and is about about being lost in all matters of the word. The closer, 'Transmission' sees the 'Wolf back in classic Priest territory again - with strict digga digga guitar riffage and interstellar vocals. Love the incredible keyboard solo from Dennis Ristow.

Like to see Nu-metal bands attempt any of this - Sum 41 maybe - but that's about it.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Hard Rock of the 80's - think Kiss, in fact Silent Rage go as far as stating that they were inspired by Gene Simmons. Produced by the legend Bob Ezrin, the quartet have a thick sound with plenty of bass and high notes. Vocalist, has the texture of Gene Simmonds with his hard, feroious, throaty rasp - even the music is Kiss orientated, especially the opening title track, 'I'm Alive', the chorus section particularly.

Silent Rage have that ability to warm your heart so tenderly with the most epic ballad called 'Whiskey Woman' that easily falls into that high class category that includes classics like 'Every Rose has its thorn' By Poison, 'I Remember You' by Skid Row and 'Wanted Dead or Alive' by Bon Jovi - incredible acoustic come electric material that you'll play again and again - thanks awfully for including an extra version at the end of the album.

An excellent cover of Alice Cooper's 'Is it my body?' has also been accomplished and talking of Mr. Furnier, their own track 'Mr. Hunger' is rather reminiscent of 'I love the dead'. 'Remember Me' is a really cool song that goes into Billy Idol territory in more ways than one.

Overall, it's an awesome album crammed full of delectable hard rock.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

By rights, this should be under our 'Blasts From The Past' banner but as it's just had a new release of sorts, what the hell. The band's benchmark album, 'Don't Touch…' was pressed in 1989 before the LA quartet first faded from view as the grunge clouds began to loom over.

Messrs Curse, Damon, Hawkins and James reunited in 2001, and had this and their fist album reissued on the label plus storming newie 'Still Alive' and before they knew it, netted a slot at that most prestigious of annual melodic rock events, the Z-Rock festival. Despite the quality of the new pressing, it's equally if not more vital that new followers know about this earlier record.

Songs likes 'Running On Love' and 'Touch Me' signify the trademark guttural hard rock onslaught that the Rage labelled their exclusive brand. Having three cover tunes on an eleven track studio album may turn heads for less than auspicious reasons but S.R's versions of 'I Wanna Feel It Again', 'Can't Get Here Out Of My Head' and 'All Night Long' dissolve so elegantly into the flow of the album -you'd swear these were also of the band's own creation.

'Rebel With A Cause' is the song that would have stood where Skid Row's 'Youth Gone Wild' stands, had the said New Jersey act's ubiquitous tearaway anthem not got their first. It's a slice of pure timeless unashamed heavy rock than and it's lyrics read out for themselves, encouraging you to stand up for what you believe in and not let anyone straddle your path, whatsoever. Or maybe, that's what this whole album's about, musically anyway. Plus, of course, quality guitar work and all round top rung musicianship which fashion seems to forbid nowadays.

If you don't own this album, I don't see why you should call yourself a fan of this terrific band. It is still possible to become one, though. To qualify as a fan - get this album bought right now.

10/10

By Dave Attrill

Stefan Berggren has been an extremely busy bloke indeed - he's not long since toured and recorded with The Company of Snakes (ex-Whitesnake/Rainbow members). He's now back in his original band, 'Snakes in Paradise' with another 12 melodic hard rock songs.

What's here is ok - but it won't exactly set the world alight - it's a bit too safe and doesn't have enough balls at times. Some songs have potential such as the moving 'Calm before the storm' (especially the guitar solo) and 'Come and join the party', but I can't help feeling that some zest and energy is definitely missing. 'Give and Take' has a nice Whitesnake Cock-Rock riffage as well as ecstatic vocal harmonies and melodics and 'Move On' is a nice ballad as well. A DC-10 bass-line cries out in 'House of Fire' (very reminiscent of The Who's John Entwistle but it's spoilt with its gay ballad style.

Overall, it's an ok album - but far more preferable is the other Snake band he is the lead vocalist for. Snakes in Paradise are too much like many other bands of the the same nature -safe melodic rock - they appear to be a great band with a lot of togetherness - but they don't stand out enough from the rest of the pack.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

At last we've found a band that is easy listening snd so different from everything else. The Spitts adopt a mixture of Genres from Rock 'n' Roll to Blues. 'Idiot Boy' is the song that's going to sell this album - it should be released as a single. The song has got that anthem feel and all in all it makes the listener feel good. Everytime you her it, you just wanna jump and shout! So that's what I did!

In conclusion, this album is a very happy, feel-good, easy listening CD and that is what music's about isn't it.

Excellent.

8/10

By Simon Moorhouse

This is a very emotional and powerful piece of music. I've been going through a rough time just recently (hence this review is rather late - Ed.). Upon listening to this song - everything is placed into perspective. The song changes its form constantly - loud to quiet, fast to slow. That's what a song of this magnitude needs to do.

The drums and vocals compliment each other fluently and eventually come together and there you have it - a beautiful and profound song.

When you've listened to this song - you feel strong and powerful - in fact, I'd go as far as saying that it's like no-one can stop you.

I class this song as 'PP' for 'Pure Poetry'. Brilliant

9/10

By Simon Moorhouse

Crazy (Debut Single)
(Music For Nations - 2002)

This debut single is well - not very good. When it starts, you think you're in for a good time - wrong. On this song Sugar Coma sound like a monkey being castrated by a donkey with asma!

The fact that it's a cover of the Britney Spears song (You drive me...) Crazy" makes matters worse. Just imagine the sort of political this fashion could out the rock community in.

Better luck next time. This is classified as "1" - if you listen to it more than 1 minute, you go crazy.

2/10

By Simon Moorhouse

Zero Star (2nd Single)

(Music For Nations - 2002)

Is this the same band that released 'Crazy'? - christ, it is as well !!- What a make-over!! I now have something good to say about this fresh new band. 'Zero Star' adopts a dark and gothic feel - a bit like that created by Type O Negative, as well as being easy listening.

The harmony is basic yet effective and creates a chilled out and subdued mood for the listener. Their previous single didn't live up to expectations - where they sounded like a poor mans 'Defenestration' - who are appaling at the best of times. 'Zero Star' is everything that a song should be - easy listening, singable and not a health risk.

The flow changes every so often which makes this song stand out. As soon as you see this single - get it bought - you'll have it coming into your hearts and ears soon.

Brilliant.

9/10

By Simon Moorhouse

Waaw yeah !!! - let's get back to the dynamic piercing high vocal cries made famous by front-men from Dokken, Steelheart and Bullet Boys - Sahara Steel's Jack Klunder is the man who'd win the Olympic Vocal Gymnastics Gold Medal.

From Michigan, Sahara Steel are a squealin' slice of metal power. Echoey fill-an- arena drum slamming (Brian Eckhart) together with wailing guitars (Patrick Shepard) and thunderous bass (Mark Moore) topped off with those already mentioned unbelievable vocals.

It's a solid presence throughout the platter that oozes gallons of Rock like the opener, 'Fatal Heartbreak' or the ballsy power of 'Booze, Tattoos and Rock 'n' Roll'. 'Hearts of Fire', a glorious ballad, is one of those numbers that'd fit snugly on a romantic leaving scene of any film released in the late 80's. If you prefer the Pyromania period of Def Leppard then 'Man on the Run' is a strong contender; all Van Halen fans must check out 'Overexposure' and many Cinderella fans will stick 'Push comes to shove' close to their hearts as well.

It's the sorta stuff that makes me proud to be a fan of 80's Rock - this band has all the elements that glued me to the genre in the first place - class musicianship, quality singing and above all - the real deal - full-on Rock 'n' Roll Fun.

Good to know that this kinda music is still being piped out in large measures - Just f*ckin buy it.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

The Southern Gentlemen are a tight, high precision Blues-Rock trio from Atlanta, Georgia, featuring famed Chastain guitarist, David T. Chastain (President of Leviathan Records) alongside Drummer, Dennis Lesh and Bassist, Kevin Kekes.

Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top are paid homage to here in large doses - 'Drive Me Wild' and 'Exotic Dancer Blues' stink to high hell of Billy Gibbons.

It's a safe bet to say that both Texas Blues and Hard Rock fans will be drawn to this release in no uncertain terms. Take the strip club ecstasy of 'Too Hot For Love' that's held together with a strong dirty blues-funk riff or 'Come and make me whole' with it's exquisite six string phrasings and out-of -the-blue instrumental Jazz section.

Okay, so you've heard many of these riffs before played by numerous other enthusiasts but did they cook the 'Mojo' as classy as these three cats?

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

SHADOWS FALL - FEAR WILL DRAG YOU DOWN
(CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS - 2002)

Shadow Falls are a five Piece band from Massachusetts who express themselves through hardcore noise scene and thrash metal; one can only describe them as a mixture of Testament, Iron Maiden and Pantera with a hint of Helloween.

'Fear Will Drag You Down' is their third release that is a seventy minute fifteen track (three extra live tracks) CD, which is exciting and at the same time interesting, for every vocal growl there is also a note sung in key and two talented guitarists who have the ability to go from thrash to melodic interludes and back with no problem at all.

With the start of 'Deadworld' through to the last studio track 'Pain Glass Vision' Shadows Fall let you hear what they are capable of without loosing the feel for what they are doing, Shadows Fall as a band would be accepted more throughout the metal industry if Brian Fair (lead vocals) cut out the unnecessary over growling of the vocals, when he sings he does it well. The three live tracks at the end of the CD helps you capture the ambience of how they perform when out on stage, which gives you the reassurance that what they do in the studio can be duplicated live.

Ignoring the vocal content of Brian 'Fear Will Drag You Down' is an extremely wonderful CD that will have you playing it for month if not for years to come.

Sorry Brian

7/10

By Tony Watson

This breathtaking bass player has now left Mr. Big (the guys who brought you 'Green Tinted Sixties Mind' and the overplayed on MTV hit ballad 'To be with you') - so what's next - a solo career - and a successful one at that if this debut album, entitled 'Compression' is anything to go by. It even features his old sidekick, Steve Vain on guitar on the track 'Chameleon' (well, it is Steve's record label after all).

Billy's a great singer - it's a pleasant surprise as Eric Martin did the lead vocal work in Mr. Big. His voice ain't the high squawk of Martin, but has more in common with Layne Stayley meets Phil Lynott with a sharpness reminiscent of Gary Moore. Mr. Sheehan has played just about everything on each of these 11 tracks - although there are 3 guests on board also - the already mentioned Vai, as well as Terry Bozio (Drums) and Simone Sello (buy the album to find out what this guy does !!!).

The album is part bluesy, part melodic and is a thoroughly enjoyable album where Billy can freely pack out each number with plenty of Bass twiddling note phrases but doesn't come across as though he's trying to drown out the rest of the instrumentation and melody.

It seems that Billy's musical scope is pretty much endless. There's so much to take in on here - you are left nearly speechless. The opener 'Bleed along the way' is a perfect way to start the album as it's a pacey rocker with crisp solo spots from each of the instruments. The song is about doing a disappearing act. The slow grooving blues of 'Somethin's Gotta Give' which lyrically concerns how much you like a certain woman a lot and features gripping lead guitar and bass solos. Or what about the negative, atmospheric, slide guitar led, 'Perfect Groove' which is almost 'Grunge goes Stoner Rock' with its slappin' drum rhythm and stringin' all over the place guitar solos.

All in all, this album is a fine start to a go all the way solo career.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Cast your mind back about three years and an album called 'The World Is Round'. The man behind that impressive little offering, Mr Jimmy Lawrence esquire, seemingly manages to escape the clutches of obscurity. Not to mention a few new dimensions on the melodic rock module.

Recent Frontiers sampler fave, 'Just Another Rainy Monday' gave too many pleasant surprises away, too soon, at such an early point in the album's production stages. 'Forever In My Life' sees Jimmy and his new chums taking taking a peek at Hugo's books and together with grungy but graceful opening track 'Brother', make for joint second fave dishes off this ten-song menu. Looking... or perhaps listening further afield on the album, there's plenty of blues fuelled banter to enjoy, particularly on 'Standing In The Rain' which contains some smashing soloing courtesy of resident widdler, Dave Tsien - wherever this chap may have cropped up from.

Our first unplugged trek of the evening reaches our eager ear'oles on track 9, 'Nothing Left But Time' - sh*t, there's some electric stuff in use on this one on the latter half . Another track enjoyed on a constant-pressing-of-repeat-button basis. . We finish on a high (tempo) note with 'On The Run' although I don't know why Mr Lawrence should need to be after giving us an album like this.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

SLAYER - GOD HATES US ALL
(AMERICAN RECORDS - 2002- Cat. No. 586 331-2

Well, Slayer have done it again, 'God Hates Us All' is probably the heaviest, hardest and fastest CD since 'Reign in Blood'.

The Band have been pushed to their limits from the start of 'Darkness of Christ' to the last track 'Payback', with their fast furious drum and guitar riffs as well as the distinctive vocal screams of Tom Araya that sends your soul into the depths of hell.

At a first glance you think the cover is white with four crosses pointing north, east, south and west with Slayer and 'God Hates Us All' in bold letters, this to my amazement is an outer sleeve inside hidden away from the bible bashers is what I can only describe should be the bible pinned down with nails, Slayer burnt into it and blood pouring out of the wounds. It's a cover that comes across very load and clear.

'God Hates Us All' is an unlucky for some thirteen track CD with its intelligent lyrics, fast guitar riffs and hammering of drums, there isn't and I cannot pick one track that stands out from any other with regards to brilliance, they all have the same affect that only Slayer can get away with.

From Slayer you don't expect long CD's and again you haven't got it here, twelve of the thirteen tracks are under four minutes and one track is only one and a half minutes, but Slayer seem to get everything across in a short period of time. What more would you expect from Slayer, they start fast and hard and finish fast and hard.

People were saying that Slayer should have done the new Entombed CD 'Morning Star', I say, people who say this shouldn't take Slayer for granted. There are no words I can use to explain the way I personally feel about 'God Hates Us All'.

10/10

By Tony Watson

I don't think most people would have enough balls to say anything bad about Slipknot - okay, not to their faces anyway. The idea of eight men in masks and boiler suits is bad enough, but I have it under good authority that these guys are huge, and upon listening to their album you know they wouldn't lie back and take criticism kindly. Added with the fact that front man Corey swears like his just learnt how (think Limp Bizkit's '…Hotdog…' and you're there) and you wouldn't really take them home and introduce them to your granny.

At first listen Slipknot almost sound like good old genuine metal - heavy bass, lots of screaming etc, but the disturbingly catchy riffs, sampling and one large set of decks sets it straight to the refined area of nu-metal. Slipknot however do 'nu' in style, they manage to sound raw, write all their own music and lyrics and have produced a nicely polished album thank you very much. I like it, their I'm annoyed and I'm going to scream about it attitude works - for some unbeknown reason even thirteen year old in the country likes it too…well this is one I claim back for the adults (cough), the way nu-metal should progress.

9/10

By Caroline Landrygan

SLODUST - Twisted Ahead
(Black Mark Productions 2001)

Getting quite a bit of notice on the underground nu-metal scene at the moment are Slodust. They don't come from America as one might have wagered but from Sweden, the same country who brought us the excellent Psycore a few years ago. Sadly, excellent is not qu-i-i-i-i-i-te the word I'd use to describe an hour of angry death-core growling over typically brutal but formulaic extreme metal riffage. Crap isn't a worthy description either, as I'm looking at something almost in between here though leaning towards the less derogatory end of the line between good and bad. 'Twisted Ahead' has all the elements important to such a style with vocals alternating between guttural ranting and depressed geezer singing in the same manner as that probably sparked off by vocalists like Fear Factory's Burton C.Bell, years ago.

What Slodust has, it appears is also the dreaded songwriter's manual, the tool that all too often kills any trace of originality in a band's sound. One of the songs has a sentimentally melodic opening to it but this soon gets buried and forgotten by the rest of the tune. Not a particularly bad CD, and not strictly a deterrent from hearing further material they have to offer but if they are to show Entombed, Clawfinger or Psycore who's boss in the Swedish metal scene they are going to have to try harder to stand out from the pack.

6/10

By Dave Attrill

Dee Snider - Never let the B*stards Grind You Down
(Koch Records - 2001)

Dee is the holder of the hard, aggressive metal bawling crown who makes the earth tremor as soon as he opens his mouth. This aptly titled album brings together a collection of rare unheard Dee ditties that hit where it hurts - they really should have been aired years ago - it beats me why they aren't.

There are songs on here that are reminiscent of Twisted Sister classics like 'Our voice will be heard' that could be the younger brother of 'The Kids are back'. It's an album that re-enforces the hard rock metal glory back in your veins and makes you realise what drew you to this un-compromising musical genre in the first place because there's plenty of aggressively hit drums, loud deafening guitars polished of with what can only be described as ferocious in-your-face hell-bound vocals. Saying this though, the ballad 'Cry you a rainbow' (a Desperados O/T - co-written with Bernie Torme) just shows that there's more to Sir Snider than bombastic venom spitting. It's a beauty of a number - so makes sure that you ciggy lighter in your pocket if Dee decides to do the odd gig and announces this one.

Lemmy gets accoladed on the album opener 'Hardcore (which I had heard previously on a Classic Rock (UK Rock Mag) Sampler CD. It's got that classic 'head riff (you know - the beating of the bass that the Grandmaster Lem is legendary for). Something that really makes the CD worth getting is the excellent liner notes from Dee - stating where the ideas of the songs came from, who recorded them and why they were left to gather dust !!!

His band is thoroughly exceptional - his old 'Sister skin basher pal, AJ Pero is the drummer throughout the album and the rest of the line-up is completed by Derek Tailen and guitarists Tony Palmucci and Dan McCafferty. Why other bands can't release an album as killer as this is beyond me - but then again - not everyone has the talent and staying power of Dee Snider - who'll only pick the best of the cream of the crop to work with - and believe me it's paid off !!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Top class stoner rock in the great forceful dirty style of all things late 60's/early 70's of the progressive rock-blues sense. These guys could easily pass as Edgar Broughton's love children or perhaps generous illegitimate offerings of Jimi H. or Geezer B.

Man, this label has got some great acts - I heard this band on the 'Scene Killer' project album a couple of months ago and was really into 'em. It's definitely killer to hear a full album from Solarized (it's their second release as well - so I must get my hands on the first album).

The short spacey cd starting intro sucks you in immediately and 'Dig The Ride' causes you to rock uncontrollably. It's a song which is either about being high on drugs (20 miles high at that) or being in some sort of craft - or maybe it's both !!! - it's got a rollicking bashy groove which'll rub you into ecstasy. In fact - most of the album does a good job to achieve this.

James Hogan (lyricist/vocalist/bassist and guitarist), Dave Topolenski (Guitarist), Regina Satana (Drummer) and Mike Fiore (Bassist) are the ones to hail for the album.

'The track, 'Angel' is a punchy blaster about a woman who seems to be an angel (funnily enough) - it's real beefy and blues - the way I like it!! Solarized have even covered an old Damned song, 'Stab your back' (written by Rat Scabies - all 1 minute 2 seconds of it) - I'd like to hear this one back to back with 'Last Caress' or 'Attitude' by The Misfits.

Pack Solarized onto a plane and send 'em over here to my neck of the woods
- the U.K..

Solarized Stoner Rock kicks Ass!!!.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

You know, time's a funny thing. A band crop up during a rock scene that's still at its peak, make a well received album for the genre, tour a bit round the islands of the world, and a few pages in national rock rags helps to promote them further in the fame industry but then all of a sudden...... they're gone. A few years later they're back but musically a shadow of their past selves, usually in order to keep themselves in vogue with the ever-changing fashion trend climate that over shadows rock music all the time, and still find themselves few new fans to replace the ones who have moved on.

Rest assured however that should there be an 'After They Were Famous' devoted to hard rock, then Danish returnees 'Sons Of Angels' are definitely guaranteed not to be featured on it because with the looming likelihood of a commercial resurgence for melodic rock, this lot will definitely be at the top for a second chance. The only tool required: this proverbial backside-booter of a CD. I first enjoyed a sneak preview of this, their second album when I heard 'Love You Too Much' on Z's 'Rock The Nations' sampler earlier this year, and to be quite honest, despite it being - as it still is - one of my fave tunes of the year, I was thinking ' ....Come on, it's something left over from the last one - how could they come back, still sounding just like this, eleven years later?' Then I got the Cd and sure enough, said song was on the track listing.

Unbelievably to modern man, the Copenhagen quintet have managed to perfectly replicate a sound they last recorded more than a decade earlier, having now reformed after such a long time to a rock scene practically unrecognisable from the one they once knew. Dreamhunter recorded the best big hair party metal album of 2,000, Sons Of Angels do likewise and then some in 2001 - Scandinavian success bagged for this category, two years running. F***ing incredible hard rock hooks, meaty suss and everything else on the shopping list accounted. Sped up rock n' roll like 'Burning Childhood' via plenty of raunchy mid-tempo groovers (yip, there's a few Shotton-and-co style numbers audible throughout the running) to emotive AOR like 'Gimme Love' -one of THE ballads of this year, despite being ruined a tad by that choir-style chanting bit after the solo.

Bonus cut 'Baby Wanna Ride' is about as Cinderella-meets-Enuff Z'nuff as we will hear this year - watch out lads, remember Donnie and the lads are on the same label as you. 'Love You Too Much' I've already mentioned and is the standout song, closely rivalled by 'Gimme...' but all twelve songs are equally essential of your attention. More tea, vicar?... Yeah please, and make it two bags this time if it's not of too much trouble.

10/10

By Dave Attrill

Southfork - Straight Ahead
(Blackmark Records - 2001)

These guys are Psychedelic Blues Rockers from Germany. It's like the last 2 1/2 decades never existed when you get a head-full of this quartet. These four don't half sock the groove to ya - it's a fazed out late 60's/early 60's styled album that's killer!!!

Southfork and bands like 'em should rule the stages that are being cluttered up by spikey haired, just got outta school nu-metal rap-rock types (mentioning no names of course - because you know who they are anyway).

Call me biased but I love the whole album a lot - all the way from the Indianish 'Blame it on me' to the Sabbathy 'n' Trippyness of 'Evocation Blues' - this 5" er is a musical treat from the country that treats Rock and Metal with the respect it deserves. The track, 'A different kid' is very like early Status Quo (and I'm talkin '...Matchstick Men' era) with its driving melody and swirly whirly guitar effects and even gets me thinking of The Small Faces classic 'Song of a baker'. Elsewhere you'll be spoilt silly with ballsy riffing ecstasy like the blinding 'Nothing to say'.

This album is 'The Dogs B*ll*cks'. Buy as soon as you see it - you know it
makes perfect sense!!!

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

STABBING WESTWARD - STABBING WESTWARD
(Koch Records KOC-CD-8204)

It has come to no surprise that Stabbing Westward have at last created a ten-track melodic rock masterpiece. They have progressed musically, as well as both vocally and lyrically over the few CD's they have on the market. If you have heard the others, you will understand what I mean. They have come away from trying to be a hard metal band to something they are good at.

Stabbing Westward seemed to have spent a lot of time and effort writing and perfecting this CD, which has been produced exceptionally well by Ed Buller. From the start of 'So Far Away' track one, too the end of 'Television' track ten, you get a relaxing calm ambiance throughout that you would only get from wonderful ballads written by the Scorpions.

With tracks like 'So Far Away', 'I Remember', 'Happy', 'Breathe You In', 'High' and the brilliant 'Television' with it's eerie synthesiser intro that starts off probably the best track on the CD. Stabbing Westward have suppressed themselves to that higher level, without no matter of doubt this is a CD that will be played again, again and again and with every listen you seem to pick up something else out of the wonderful tunes that fill the room. It's a CD that would get great benefit from a good sound system.

9/10

By Tony Watson

This is a three track single CD with the 'Outside' Enhanced video, this CD has the original album version, an acoustic version featuring Fred Durst and Aaron Lewis and the original album version of 'Mudshovel'. If you don't usually buy single CD's then I would advise you to purchase it for the enhanced video it's wicked.

Although I slated the full Album when I reviewed it, I have to admit this is probably the best track on the album, it's one of those ballads that everyone loves whether they hate the band or not and due to this it will do well.

10/10

By Tony Watson

The fact when I put this disk in my CD-ROM drive it had a totally ballistic fit might have been trying to warn me of something. Obviously, I heard the smash hit 'Fat Lip' - Okay, it's silly and reeks of teenage stupidity, but hey, I can live with that its amusing. Though the albums supposed to be 'killer' it really is mostly filler… if you can tell the end of one song from the beginning of another your doing well.

Although most songs are catchy I like good lyrics, after listening to the album I was relieved to find out they write their own lyrics. I say this because I would dread to think of anyone paying money for someone to come up with this, and I quote: "can't pretend on doubt until the end. It seems like losing friends has become this years trend and though I can't pretend." What the be-jesus is that all about? In my opinion, simply buy the singles because the album is just a bad extension of these.

4/10

By Caroline Landrygan

In the two years or so that they've been away, they've obviously been doing a few adjustments to their sound, as the song, 'One More For The Road' has a fresh and much more bluesier style to it.

'All Or Nothing' sees the band back in 1st album territory again - that's the sort of Danger Danger/Tyketto-y type territory in case you missed it. 'Last to Know' is a mixture of those two songs. 'Live To See Tomorrow' doesn't break any new ground, being just a standard, slow beat AOR tune, but with a hint of soul in the vocals. The title track is a practically identically styled tune, and despite the musicianship not letting up for a millisecond, this is where I am starting to reach for the skip button.

'Backs Against The Wall' was my favourite selection from the album, that they played in Wigan last year and doesn't appear to have lost any of its slickness on CD. Rockin' on as we do.... and we do, 'Day After Day and Night' is another of this disc's punchier moments, but then we lose track of things again as 'Make Time' is just sub-House Of Shakira semi acoustic fodder though keyboardsman Marty Olga's work is worth hearing before shooting off on to the following tune.) 'Fight Your Way Out Of Love' is probably the most golden nugget of the mine and another live treat to look forward to when/if they tread UK boards once more.

Mr Olga brings things to his seemingly planned-all-along grandoise climax in 'The Questions', another rather too run of the mill ballad, and the 42-minutes is already up for the Massasuchets fivesome - an album which does have its ballsy moments but not as many as its predecessor, and its clear the band have decided to slow things down a little too much for their own good.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Scene Killer ~ Jersey Devils
(Meteor City Records - 2001)

This is a stoner project from the Meteor City label that features members of Monster Magnet, Solace, The Atomic Bitchwax, Core, Giant Sloth, Daisycutter and umpteen others who have thrown in their glorious talent for the whole world to warm to.

It's a collaboration of great distortive late 60's/early 70's grooved out jams that rule almighty on this mammoth beast that has been recorded over a period of several years.

There are many, many highlights on this album - here's just a small glimpse of what's in store.

One that's very notable is the track 'Back of my mind' that features Tim Cronin (on percussion and vocals) and Ed Mundell (on guitar) from the mighty Monster Magnet. 'Back of..' is a slavvering havy-laden rocker that was an out-take from a 'Solarized' session. 'Aurora' is a notable number and clocks in at around the 10 minutes mark from the band 'Drag Pack' who sadly broke up. Jimi Hendrix would probably have wanted to be part of this track as his influence is stamped all over it. If you can imagine a good and bad LSD trip then this ditty would serve as a pretty good soundtrack. I well recommend the bluesed-up instrumental 'Midnight Snack' with rhythmic capabilities and soaring lead guitar stabs - again in the Hendrix mode - which again is another number from 'Drag Pack'.

I especially like the pacey jam entitled 'Buckshot' that dives headfirst into wading slow solos before kickin' into some class rock - it's got a wicked arse-slappin' or should I say 'butt-bangin' groove that does it for me.

There's even an introduction and a musical interlude from 'Rotgut' that gives that added character to an album that's already buzzing with stacks of personality.

Get stuck into this Baby.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Like most of the thrash metal bands in the middle eighties they came and went, that was the impression I got with Sodom. After the first full-length studio album 'Obsessed By Cruelty' released in 1986, I didn't hear much about them after this date until surprisingly the CD landed on my doormat. Sodom still appear to have stayed with the thrash metal, this German three-piece thrash metal band have definitely matured with age.

The lyrical content of M-16 deals with the barbarity and effects of the Vietnam War, this CD has been written after visiting Asian countries and traveling through Thailand and South Vietnam, the band saw the devastation and the scars left from the war during the sixties where they met victims of the napalm bomb and visiting the famous war criminal museum in Saigon.

Eleven tracks and forty-nine minutes of pure thrash metal rattles through your bones harder than a nuclear bomb, with the opening track 'Among the Weirdcong' to the catchy tune of 'Napalm in the Morning' through 'Genocide', 'M-16' and 'Marines' to the last track 'Surfin' Bird' fills you with a picture of what happened in and through Vietnam during the sixties.

The band have tried to capture through their music and controversial lyrical content
the ups and downs and devastation of what war does and they have done a really good job interpreting what they have seen. Brilliant!

9/10

By Tony Watson

Ain't it amazing how innovative a two-piece band can be, eh? Norwegian duo, Solefald, consisting of Cornelius (lead vox, guitars & bass) and Lazare (lead vox, drums & keyboards) are climbing the same walls of experimentation as fellow current Metalliville reviewees Maudlin Of The Well, here, even if their approach is a bit less immediately hard-hitting. Yes, it does give me a bit of a seen-it-done-better-already sensation, but they dodge their way out of a dissing quite easily actually, with their range of ideas stretching about as wide as it gets. The spectrum swings from guttural death metal, e.g. 'Hyperhuman' to out and out goth punk rocker "The USA Don't Exist" and encapsulates almost everything between. Worth taking on board too is that it is a concept album, based on the story of two people called Pornographer Cain and Philosopher F**k who start to recognise the increasingly grim future they have in front of them.

It somehow vaguely echoes the theme behind Ten's far superior 'Babylon' album yet has less of a rock opera structure, just a straight set of full length cuts. For all its efforts, most of these ideas and combinations have been tried before, by Maudlin in particular of late, and quite a few by a certain excellent New York Prog Metal act I dare not mention again just now on pain of death. Not the most mind-boggling releases of late but recommended for the right pairs of ears nonetheless.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Biff's boys are back with a stunning new album 'Killing Ground' where in the fold now you'll find long-stays Paul Quinn (Lead Guitar) and Nibbs Carter (Bass) plus new members, drummer Fritz Rainbow (ex- Sinner/Victory) and second guitarist Doug Scaratt.

Saxon sell bucket-loads in Europe and the U.K. has been taking notice in the last couple of years - this album could do well also (especially when there's the promise of a second CD with some re-recorded classics).

The title track, 'Killing Ground' is an illuminating number in True Heavy Metal Heaven Saxon style; a sure to be classic anthem in 'Comin' Home' and then there's the unspoilt cover of King Crimson's 'Court of the Crimson King' (it's got an awesome instrumental section and even carries that Saxon trademark without ruining the atmosphere of the song - it's like an original Saxon song, the way they've arranged it.)

If you love heavy melodic 80's Metal then Saxon are still the band you
should be listening to if you aren't already. There's smokin' guitar solos from Quinny and Scarrat - just check out the closer 'Rock is our Life' (that's built over a storming rhythm section) for a brilliant example.

Talking of Rock - what else is life for - apart from the obvious !!!

7/10

By

Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

To tell you the truth, I didn't know what to expect. I had previously heard 'Outside' featuring Fred Durst (of Limp Bizkit), which eventually grew on me.

From the CD there were only two tracks that stood out and grew on me - 'It's been a while' and 'Epiphany'. These stood out from the start and are the ballads on the album. The rest of it sees Staind trying to be a mixture of 'Linkin Park', 'Limp Bizkit' and 'Deftones' and it isn't working for them. In my opinion, it's nothing new. If you are a little death-banger who hasn't got a musical knowledge and still at school you'll love it (especially since it features Fred Durst - the album will also probably sell well due to this fact alone).

The album bored me to say the least . One for the kids!!!!

5/10 for what it is (for the kids) or 2/10 for what it did for me !!!

By Tony Watson

Ten tracks of solid laid back sixties influenced indie rock. Nice melodies and
gentle guitars mixed with moody haunting atmospheric orchestration. Extremely
influenced by sixties bands like The Byrds and The Beach Boys (in their Pet
Sounds phase). Fans of The Stone Roses and Travis may find this band
interesting. The opening track is quite superb, it shows great promise as a
possible radio friendly single.

Other notable references would be the current popular band Embrace. If you
find this album seems too laid back on your first listen, play it a few more
times and you'll begin to feel its prescence floating around in your head for
ages. This is a great promising new band with a cracking album to prove it.

8/10

By David Roberts, BA Hons FS

Chris Steberl - is the man behind this breathtaking instrumental paradise (who's actually been playing since the age of 8). He's a master on Guitar, Bass and Keyboards and has supported maestros like Tony McCalpine, Greg Howe and Dream Theatre as well as working alongside Robert Sweet (of 'Stryper'. For this CD outing John Horman (who plays drums and percussion in a spectacular fashion) is his other half.

If you like your music to be of the classical nature but enjoy a nice dosage of rock then Project Alcazar more than fit the bill. I've never heard Mozart sound so good - the gripping rendition of the '25th Symphony in GM (Amadeus) is just up there when it comes to class. Vivaldi's Summer Concerto (3rd Movement) is as entertaining (if only the majority of classically based music sounded as good as this - I'd listen to it all the time if it did!!).

Included as part of the package are the man's own compositions like the bouncy, fun-inspiring 'Silk 'n' Honey' and the mind-blowing power-metal styled 'Transmission' which is like listening to a mix of Led Zep's John Bonham and Joe Satriani on Speed.

This album goes into my Top 10 favourite instrumental albums at No. 1 position for sure - the best I've heard so far.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS