HOT NEW AOR/PROG/HARDROCK/METAL REVIEWS

DREAMTIDE =91DREAM AND DELIVER=92 (AOR HEAVEN/ROUGH = TRADE)=20

DREAMTIDE is sort of the same band as FAIR = WARNING, yet=20 with a different lead singer, namely OLAF SENKBEIL and = ex-SCORPIONS=20 bassist FRANCIS BUCHOLZ. HELGE ENGELKE is of course the man who is = giving=20 DREAMTIDE the FAIR WARNING touch, as Helge is the guitarist of = both bands=20 and his melodies shine through all the CDs he plays on. While FAIR = WARNING=20 singer TOMMY HEART chooses for a more Hardrock approach with SOUL = DOCTOR,=20 Helge goes into high class Melodic Rock with DREAMTIDE, as already = could=20 be heard on the previous 2 albums. The new CD =91Dream and = deliver=92,=20 released on AOR HEAVEN, has a slightly more modern approach and = reminds me=20 a lot of the =914=92 album of FAIR WARNING. We have a variety in = material=20 here, ranging from midtempo to semi-ballads and sadly only a few = uptempo=20 melodic rockers. Nevertheless it is a very good album, with superb = vocals=20 and excellent guitarwork combined with some very catchy tunes, = such as =93I=20 don=92t wanna wait=94 (a lovely sing-a-long uptempo Melodic Rocker = in classic=20 FAIR WARNING style), =93The vow=94, =93Help me=94 (vocally Olaf = sounds like a=20 cross between TOMMY SHAW, DAVID COVERDALE, JORN and STEVE LEE, = really=20 amazing, especially in this beautiful song!), =93King of scum=94, = =93Keep from=20 falling=94 (2nd best song, very catchy melodic rocker) and ballads = like=20 =93Tell me how it feels=94 and =93Download a dream=94. Not the = whole album is=20 sensational and it definitely needs a few listens, but after that = you will=20 hear this is a beauty actually, a very enjoyable album with some = fantastic=20 musicianship. More info at: http://www.dreamtide.de/ =20

(Points: 8.7 out of 10) =

CHARING CROSS =91WE ARE=85=92 (METAL = HEAVEN/ROUGH=20 TRADE)

The Swiss band CHARING CROSS was formed way back = in the=20 late 1980s, but it took them until now before they would release a = full-length CD. =91We are=85=92 is the introduction to the band = and what we get=20 to hear is pure 80s Teutonic Melodic Metal, like a mix between = PRETTY=20 MAIDS, MAD MAX, NOISEHUNTER, AXXIS and HELLOWEEN, especially = during great=20 songs like =93Kick ass Rock and Roll=94, =93Ain=92t got no time=94 = and =93Burn the=20 sun=94. The choruses on the album are so typical German style, you = know the=20 AXXIS and HELLOWEEN kinda way, so very happy and very melodic, = while the=20 twin-guitarwork definitely gives the finishing touch in making = this a true=20 winner for fans of mentioned bands. Maybe not original, still = worth=20 checking out if you=92re a die-hard MAD MAX, AXXIS, NOISEHUNTER, = VETO,=20 STORMWITCH, etc. fan. More at: http://www.charing-cross.ch/&nb= sp;=20

(Points: 8.0 out of 10) =

INFERNOPHONIC =91SPARK IT UP=92 (GODLYKE = INC=20 DISTRIBUTING/RANDEXPR.COM)

The band INFERNOPHONIC was formed in 2006 and = features=20 besides Kevin Bolembach, former bassist for NJ Metalband = NON-FICTION, also=20 the strong female lead singer Elaine Tuttle. Her voice sounds like = GRACE=20 SLICK in her early years, Meaning she has got that dirty mean raw = voice=20 which made JANIS JOPLIN once a legend. Musically INFERNOPHONIC is = all=20 about groovy Hardrock with a big touch of 1970s Classic Rock. = Actually it=20 reminds me a lot of the first couple of MOTHER=92S FINEST albums, = combining=20 groovy Hardrock riffs and raw vocalwork with smooth melodies here = and=20 there. Without a doubt, this is a high quality band with a very = impressive=20 first CD that sounds quite huge and should be in the hands of = anyone into=20 Classic Rock with raw mean female vocals, sorta mixing ANOUK and = MOTHER=92S=20 FINEST. More info at: www.myspace.com/infernophon= ic =20 and e-mail at: randex@randexpr.com =20

(Points: 8.3 out of 10) =

SCOTT GETLIN=20 =91STAND YOUR GROUND=92 (SCOTT FREE RECORDS) =

What do 60s Bubblegum Pop legends THE MONKEES = and 80s=20 AOR/Melodic Rockband HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN=92? Well, it is thanks = to them=20 for introducing SCOTT GETLIN to me. The widow (CAROLINE BOYCE) of = one of=20 the main songwriters for THE MONKEES (TOMMY BOYCE) was introduced = to us by=20 DANNY MCKEOWN of HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN=92, so that was when the = ball went=20 rollin=92 and now we are reviewing the CD of SCOTT GETLIN, a = talented=20 singer/songwriter from Nashville, who has a deal with MAGIC DLPHIN = MUSIC,=20 which is a promotion agency set up by Caroline in order to capture = the=20 legacy of her late husband Tommy. Musically SCOTT GETLIN is as = close to=20 American Midwestern Pop/Rock as you can get, very very close to = JOHN=20 COUGAR MELLENCAMP, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, JIMMY DAVIS, DANNY WILDE, = KEITH=20 URBAN and also KEITH COLLIN. It=92s mainly the acoustic guitar and = the=20 typical American voice of Scott, with semi-ballads and = semi-poprockers in=20 typical American tradition. Fans of mentioned artists will like = this a lot=20 for sure. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.scottgetlin.com/ = ;=20

(Points: 8.1 out of 10) =

SILENT CALL =91CREATIONS FROM A CHOSEN PATH=92 (ESCAPE = MUSIC)

Dating back to as far as 1990, the Swedish band = SILENT=20 CALL finally releases it=92s debut-CD. The album is released on = ESCAPE MUSIC=20 and without a doubt we have a winner here, because it is filled = with=20 superb high quality Melodic Progressive Metal that is an easy = target for=20 fans of VANDENPLAS, THRESHOLD, PAGAN=92S MIND, MIND=92S EYE, = SILENT EDGE,=20 SUNCAGED, etc. etc. Melodies and fantastic instrumental work is = making=20 this an absolute masterpiece, owing a lot to lead singer ANDI = KRAVLJACA=20 (ex-SEVENTH WONDER), who has got an amazing voice, reaching easily = the=20 high octaves. The 13 songs are also very strong, with some amazing = melodies here and there, with as highlights =93My way, my time=94, = =93Bloodred=20 sky=94 (lovely!), =93Outcast=94, =93I believe in me=94 and =93Long = comes the night=94=20 (fantastic!). This is really a must-have and perhaps one of the = surprise=20 releases of 2008, definitely the best Melodic Progmetalalbum so = far this=20 year! More info at: http://www.silentcall.se/ =20

(Points: 8.9 out of 10) =

ARI KOIVUNEN =91BECOMING=92 (SONY BMG MUSIC FINLAND)=20

ARI KOIVUNEN was the surprise from 2007, = releasing a=20 fantastic debut-CD after winning the Finnish Idols contest. The = album held=20 the number 1 position in Finland for 12 weeks! It also ended up in = our=20 yearly charts quite high and now a year later he releases the = follow-up=20 =91Becoming=92. At first sight it sounds darker and heavier, but = still the=20 melodies are present and fans of SONATA ARCTICA/STRATOVARIUS will = like it=20 a lot for sure. There is a variety in tempo=92s here, midtempo, = uptempo and=20 semi-ballads, but most of the time it really is a melodic rock gem = with=20 some heavy riffs. The production is better than his debut and = perhaps the=20 conclusion might also be it is a better record, because with songs = like=20 =93Give Me a Reason", "Sign of Our Times", =93Sweet Madness", = "Tears Keep=20 Falling" and =93"Hero's Gold", ARI once again goes into = sensational Melodic=20 Rock/Metal heaven that will surely appeal to fans of ALTARIA,=20 STRATOVARIUS, THUNDERSTONE, SONATA ARCTICA and all that is called = the=20 typical Finnish Melodic Rock/Metal sound=85 Check out Ari=92s site = at: http://www.arikoivunen.fi/ =

(Points: 8.8 out of 10) =

FROM THE INSIDE =91VISIONS=92 (FRONTIERS = RECORDS/ROUGH=20 TRADE)

DANNY VAUGHN=92s project FROM THE INSIDE = releases it=92s 2nd=20 CD =91Visions=92, a masterpiece if you dig classic 80s AOR/Melodic = Rock,=20 because =91Visions=92 goes into the direction of TYKETTO=92s = classic =91Don=92t come=20 easy=92, although a little more clean and polished, with some = modern touches=20 here and there in the production by FABRIZIO GROSSI. The songs are = spot-on, deadly catchy and stick in your head after hearing it the = first=20 time, most of the time uptempo rocking and super melodic and very = hooky=20 too! This is exactly how the melodic rockfan wants DANNY VAUGHN to = sound=20 like and his voice actually sounds better than ever, although I = have to=20 admit that Danny=92s voice has never let us down, but somehow with = this new=20 Melodic Rock gem his voice really shines the pride and glory it = had on the=20 first TYKETTO classic. Songs like =93Making waves=94 (catchy = uptempo melodic=20 rocker), =93If it=92s not love=94 and =93One more night in = heaven=94 (AOR ballads),=20 =93Listen to your heart=94 (very catchy uptempo melodic rocker) = and =9321st=20 century=94 (superstrong melodie, best song!) are really superb and = this new=20 FROM THE INSIDE could well end up in the 2008 lists, a real = Melodic Rock=20 gem from start to finish!

(Points: 8.9 out of 10) =

STARBREAKER =91LOVE=92S DYING = WISH=92 (FRONTIERS=20 RECORDS/ROUGH TRADE)

STARBREAKER=92s debut-CD was a very strong = Melodic Metal=20 record and with once again TONY HARNELL (TNT) on vocals and = guitarist=20 MAGNUS KARLSSON (ALLEN/LANDE, PRIMAL FEAR) being the main = songwriter, one=20 can not go wrong here on the 2nd STARBREAKER release. Still, it = takes a=20 few more listens before making a good judgment and sadly I can not = call=20 this new album a masterpiece. Why? Well, simply said, the songs = are not=20 strong enough and have a strange aggressive vibe sometimes, = although there=20 are still enough strong melodies to enjoy. Yet the album has a = real dark=20 moody feeling and sometimes drifts away in the =91so-so=92 affair, = meaning it=20 will be hard to top all of 2008=92s stronger releases in the = =91melodic=92=20 genre. The titletrack =93Love=92s dying wish=94 is a very nice = tune and also=20 =93End of alone=94, =93Hide=94 (now this is by far the best song, = a beautiful=20 haunting melody!) and =93The day belongs to us=94 (also a strong = song) are=20 quite enjoyable tracks, but still it is not the album that holds = up from=20 start to finish. On the other hand, it is a thousand times better = than the=20 last TNT record and after repeated listens it really grows, but = still I=20 had expected a more sensational record=85

(Points: 8.2 out of 10) =

THE MYSTERY =91SOULCATHER=92 (LIMITED = ACCESS RECORDS/HARD=20 LIFE PROMOTION/ROUGH TRADE)

A surprise, although not a new band at all, = because THE=20 MYSTERY from Germany was formed way back in the early days of=20 Strutter=92zine (March 1996!) and released it=92s debut in 2005 = (=91Scars=92),=20 although a lot changed since that year, because the new album=20 =91Souldcatcher=92 is an album to proud of! First off, they = introduce their=20 new female lead singer KORRY SCHADWELL and secondly, with no less = than 15=20 tracks the band offers a real cracking full-length CD, which also = sounds=20 quite sensational actually. Korry has got a very strong voice and=20 musically they are clearly 80s influenced, creating a sort of = Melodic=20 Hardrockstyle that combines the best of LITA FORD, LAOS, VIXEN and = PHANTOM=20 BLUE, turning all of the included songs into damn catchy tunes, = with as=20 highlights =93Turn into stone=94, =93Heaven at war=94, =93Fire = keeps on burning=94 and=20 =93Angel=94. Without a doubt a must-have and perhaps one of the = best female=20 fronted releases in 2008! More at: http://www.the-mystery.de/ =

(Points: 8.7 out of 10) =

KATRA =91BEAST WITHIN=92 (NAPALM RECORDS/HARD LIFE = PROMOTION)=20

Last year we reviewed the debut CD of the = Finnish female=20 Soprano singer KATRA, which was released on UNIVERSAL MUSIC. Now a = year=20 later, she has signed a contract for the rest of Europe to the = Napalm=20 Records label, on which she has released =91Beast within=92. = Musically nothing=20 has changed, although big difference is the fact she now sings in = English=20 instead of Finnish. Musically it is a sort of lighter version of=20 NIGHTWISH/EDENBRIDGE kinda Opera Metal. It does sound quite well = and very=20 professional, must-have for fans of the genre, although it brings = nothing=20 new to the genre. However, =91Beast within=92 is a good decent = album for sure,=20 with 12 very fine tracks, although I am afraid it might end up = losing it=92s=20 originality after a while, because there are simply too many = similar=20 releases done these past few years, although if you think = NIGHTWISH has=20 gone a bit off-topic with their latest release, =91Beast within=92 = is a good=20 substitute. More info at: http://www.katra.fi/ =

(Points: 8.2 out of 10) =

CRIMES OF=20 PASSION =91CRIMES OF PASSION=92 (VIGILANTE RECORDS/ROCK = INC/BERTUS)=20

The UK band CRIMES OF PASSION has been working = very hard=20 to get some attention and it finally is paying off with the = release of=20 their same titled debut-CD =91Crimes of passion=92. Musically we = are hearing=20 pure Melodic Hardrock, which contains influences of GOTTHARD, = TALISMAN and=20 WHITE LION, although it all sounds a tad heavier, bordering on = Melodic=20 Metal. We have in the past few years seen many of these releases, = such as=20 EDEN=92S CURSE, REDLINE, REDRUM, JADED HEART, EVIDENCE ONE, = ECLIPSE,=20 ROCKARMA, etc. etc=85 The production is very good and songwise it = all sounds=20 very catchy, with as highlights uptempo Melodic Hardrocksongs such = as =93The=20 me I lost=94, =93Unbreakable=94, =93Fight you on my own=94 and = =93Breathless and=20 beautiful=94. Without a doubt, a CD worth checking out if you=92re = keen on=20 melodic hard hitting in your face ballsy HardRock and Roll, with a = booklet=20 filled with GEMINI FIVE kinda Cartoon characters! More info at: http://www.crimesofpassion.org/<= /A> =20

(Points: 8.5 out of 10) =

TRUSTGAME=20 =91TRUSTGAME=92 (LIMITED ACCESS RECORDS/HARD LIFE PROMOTION/ROUGH = TRADE)=20

Although in the USA we have literally thousands = of bands=20 playing this style, the German band TRUSTGAME definitely has a = good=20 debut-CD on off here, which contains melodic Emo-Rock. 11 songs = are=20 included in total and with a professional approach it will = definitely=20 appeal to fans of FALL OUT BOY, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, JIMMY EAT = WORLD, etc.=20 etc. Absolutely nothing new here, but for fans of Emo something to = check=20 out. Best song? Well that oughta be the melodic rocker =93Just = some words=94!=20 More info at: http://www.trustgame.de/ =20

(Points: 8.0 out of 10) =

EXTREME =91STAR=20 CD-SINGLE=92 (FRONTIERS RECORDS/ROUGH TRADE) =

The signing of EXTREME to FRONTIERS RECORDS is = yet another=20 big one for the Italian label, as that band was almost 20 years = ago one of=20 the major rockacts to follow the footsteps of VAN HALEN in the = USA, but=20 eventually became big with a stripped-down acoustic tune =93More = than words=94=20 and therefore was put on the same level as MR. BIG in the early = 1990s.=20 After a few studio-albums, the band broke up and just recently = reformed,=20 with as result a new CD to be released on FRONTIERS RECORDS. This=20 CD-single is a sneak preview, with a rocker (=93Star=94) and a = ballad=20 (=93Ghost=94) included, both sounding nice, although me personally = I was never=20 a big fan of the band. However if you=92re one of those EXTREME = fans, it is=20 something you can look forward to!

(Points: 8.0 out of 10) =

TAIFA=20 =91ALHAMBRA=92 (FLAMENCO ROCK)

Out of Spain comes TAIFA, a band which is = combining=20 different music genres, such as Flamenco, Andalusian and = Progressive Rock.=20 The result is the CD =91Alhambra=92, with it=92s Spanish lyrics = and various=20 tempo changes a very diverse album, which still can be labeled as = a=20 melodic progrockalbum. Comparisons are of course hard (maybe = MEDINA=20 AZAHARA is a good one), because TAIFA has such an own sound and = that is=20 something worth checking out. The band recorded the CD between = Spain and=20 Morocco and you better check it our for yourself at: http://www.reinodetaifa.com/&nb= sp;=20 and e-mail at: reinodetaifa@hotmail.com&nbs= p;=20

(Points: 8.0 out of 10) =

SWALLOW THE SUN=20 =91PLAGUE OF BUTTERFLIES=92 (SPINEFARM RECORDS) =

Doom, Death and Gothic Metal are combined in the = music of=20 SWALLOW THE SUN, a Finnish band releasing their 4th CD with = =91Plague of=20 butterflies=92. 3 long songs are included and especially fans of = the slow=20 Doom Death Metal of a band like SOLITUDE AETERNUS will like this = release a=20 lot. The production and sound is of course huge, as with all = SPINEFARM=20 RECORDS releases. Check out this band at: http://www.swallowthesun.net/&= nbsp;=20

(Points: 7.8 out of 10) =

APRIL =91ANTHEMS=20 FOR THE REJECTED=92 (SPINEFARM RECORDS)

APRIL is a band from Finland and they have = released their=20 2nd album with =91Anthems for the rejected=92. Although they are = quite modern,=20 which can be heard in the opening track =93The war=94, songs like=20 =93Homecoming=94, =93Blades of steel=94 and =93The skies came = alive=94 they show a=20 very catchy uptempo Melodic Heavy Rocksound. Imagine a mix between = JIMMY=20 EAT WORLD, THE RASMUS, THE HELLACOPTERS and some Nu-Metal a la = DISTURBED,=20 SHINEDOWN and THREE DAYS GRACE (a lot), then you have APRIL. They = are=20 quite successful in Finland and their new CD sounds quite = impressive,=20 modern and very melodic and perhaps APRIL is one of those bands = that will=20 have a big break soon. A song like =93Scream=94 might even = interest=20 Progmetalfans! So enough diversity here and a CD to check out by = every=20 Rock/Metalband. More info at: http://www.aprilweb.net/ =20

(Points: 8.2 out of 10) =

BLACK SUCCUBI =91BLACK SUCCUBI=92 = (INDEPENDENT)=20

From out of nowhere comes the band BLACK = SUCCUBI. Well,=20 they actually are hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, where they = were formed=20 back in 2005 and with this first CD they deliver a huge sounding = album=20 that combines Melodic Hardrock, Power Metal and some modern = touches. The=20 result is an album that might appeal to a lot of Rock and = Metalfans.=20 Opener =93Troubled times=94 is a very catchy uptempo big guitar = riff sounding=20 uptempo Melodic Heavy Rocker, with all the ingredients in becoming = a=20 classic. Actually the band reminds one of acts like PRIMAL FEAR, = FORCE OF=20 EVIL, IRON SAVIOUR, IRON FIRE and even MYSTIC PROPHECY, so pure = Melodic=20 Power Metal the European way, with some groovy heavy guitar riffs = most of=20 the time. The band itself is formed around members of the MARTIE = PETERS=20 GROUP, FATE, IRON FIRE and a few other Danish bands. There is a = guest=20 appearance of HANK SHARMANN of MERCYFUL FATE/FORCE OF EVIL, who = plays a=20 guitarsolo. 10 songs are included and although released = independently,=20 this CD is as good as the major metal label releases. Also fans of = NEVERMORE might like this, so be sure to check out this Metalband = at: http://www.blacksuccubi.dk/ = ;=20 and e-mail at berglid@yahoo.dk =20

(Points: 8.2 out of 10) =

END = OF GREEN=20 =91THE SICK=92S SENSE=92 (SILVERDUST RECORDS) =

The German band END OF GREEN has a long history = behind=20 them, releasing their debut-CD =91Infinity=92 way back in 1996 on = the NUCLEAR=20 BLAST RECORDS label. =91The sick=92s sense=92 is their 6th CD so = far and in the=20 meantime they switched to SILVERDUST RECORDS. Musically the band = is=20 playing American orientated Melodic Nu-Metal, with DISTURBED and = SEVENDUST=20 being very good comparisons of course. 12 songs are included and = fans of=20 mentioned bands will definitely like this CD a lot. The = professionalism of=20 the band can be heard on this new CD and it would definitely be = out of=20 place in the US TOP 10 Billboard Charts. There=92s some typical = Finnish=20 Gothic in there too, although it is much heavier than HIM, kinda = mixing=20 THREE DAYS GRACE, THE 69 EYES and DISTURBED. Anyway, check them = out for=20 yourself at: http://www.endofgreen.de/ =20

(Points: 8.2 out of 10) =

ZULUHOUSE=20 =91SOUVERNIRS FROM THE GUTTER=92 (INDEPENDENT) =

An interesting independent 4-track EP CDR of a = little=20 Swedish band called ZULUHOUSE. They play catchy 80s influenced = Melodic=20 Rock in the 80s DOKKEN/WHITE LION style. Not as good yet as bands = like=20 H.E.A.T., TEASER, WORK OF ART, WIG WAM, LINEHOUSE, etc. this = ZULUHOUSE is=20 definitely another Swedish Melodic Rockband to keep your eyes open = for in=20 the near future. Melodic rocksongs like =93Easy come, easy go=94 = and=20 =93Rendezvous=94 (with some excellent guitarwork) are very nice to = listen to=20 if you=92re a fan of mentioned bands. More info at: http://www.myspace.com/zuluhous= e =20 and e-mail at: Zuluhouse@gmail.com =20

(Points: 8.1 out of 10) =

THE = KEITH REID=20 PROJECT =91THE COMMON THREAD=92 (ROCKVILLE MUSIC/GERMUSICA)=20

Seeing singers such as JOHN WAITE and CHRIS = THOMPSON=20 always makes you interested. This time they sing on a few songs on = this a=20 new project formed around PROCOL HARUM founder KEITH REID. Keith = wrote the=20 ultimate classic =93A whiter shade of pale=94, but on this new = album he didn=92t=20 write such a classic unfortunately. Nevertheless, with a JOHN = WAITE on=20 vocals here and there, you can=92t go wrong. The music is very = soft acoustic=20 tingled pop, a bit folksy here and there, with also SOUTHSIDE = JOHNNY and=20 BERNIE SHANAHAN appearing on a few songs. Better check it out for = yourself=20 at: = www.rockville-music.com/html/the_keith_reid_project.html =20

(Points: 8.0 out of 10) =

PAGANINI=20 =91MEDICINE MAN=92 (NL DISTRIBUTION/ALIVE/GERMUSICA) =

Actually the Swiss band PAGANINI has always been = active=20 and also releasing now and then an album that also clearly = continued the=20 style they played from the start, which is Hardrock in 80s style, = not that=20 far away from VICTORY and KROKUS. Their latest effort =91Medicine = man=92 is=20 also following the style of earlier albums. It=92s not bad at all, = but kinda=20 like WHITECROSS for example not really sensational. This band is = just=20 plain-old Hardrock one would expect to hear when putting on an old = dusty=20 LP from 1982. Yet this time, the band has added some modern = touches, but=20 in the end, I am afraid this album will not end up on anyone=92s = end of the=20 year-charts. More info at: http://www.paganini.ch/ =

(Points: 7.2 out of 10) =

BURNING BRIDES=20 =91ANHEDONIA=92 (COBRASIDE RECORDS/SONIC RENDEZVOUS) =

This 3-piece band from Los Angeles is playing = heavy Stoner=20 Rock and is reminding one of a mix between WOLFMOTHER and the = Stoner Rock=20 of KYUSS/FU MANCHU. This is heavy groovy 70s guitar riffs mixed = with=20 almost BLACK SABBATHish OZZY melodies. =91Anhedonia=92 is already = the band=92s=20 4th CD and they are one of those bands with a large underground = cult=20 following, although one can expect this kind of music=92s = popularity=20 nowadays, in the USA they might even enter the Billboard Charts!=20 Influences from pure 70s Classic Rock and Stoner Rock are being = heavily=20 shown here on the 13-tracks counting new CD of the band, which = from start=20 to finish is a dream for the fans of the genre and it is all done = very=20 well, so better check it out for yourself at: www.myspace.com/burningbrid= es =20

(Points: 8.2 out of 10) =

GARY SCHUTT =91LOSS 4 WORDS=92 (PALISADE RECORDS)=20

Guitarist GARY SCHUTT returns with a new solo-CD = titled=20 =91Loss 4 words=92, which as the title predicts is an instrumental = record.=20 Gary=92s a hero on guitar and throws enough melodies in the 17 = songs on this=20 CD to keep you interested all the way through. Musically it is = also very=20 diverse and comparisons to an instrumental STEVE LUKATHER, 80s = NEAL SCHON=20 and TOMMY DENANDER of course are quite easy. Highlights are the = AORish=20 =93Baby dinosaur=94, =93Skyline=94 and =93Siberian sunburn=94. = It=92s already the 7th CD=20 of Gary, but his first all-instrumental album, which besides Gary = also=20 features a list of well-known guest musicians, such as NEAL SCHON=20 (JOURNEY), OZ FOX (STRYPER), BRYAN BELLER (STEVE VAI), HOWIE SIMON = (SOTO)=20 and several others. The CD also has a bonus-DVD, which is quite = enjoyable=20 too and well all I can say this is something worth checking out if = you=92re=20 a fan of instrumental Rock with an AOR touch, some Jazz/Fusion = material=20 here and there and also feeling like something straight out of the = 1980s=20 (read NEAL SCHON=92s =91Late nite=92!). Maybe still not beating = his first CD=20 =91Sentimental=92, which had JEFF SCOTT SOTO on vocals, this is = another great=20 album from Mr. GARY SCHUTT. More info at: http://www.garyschutt.com/ =

(Points: 8.3 out of 10) =

SUN EATS HOURS =91TEN YEARS = CD+DVD=92 (RUDE=20 RECORDS/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)

A CD and full-blown DVD for the price of one, = that is what=20 this is all about. =91Ten years=92 gives a summary of the Italian = band SUN=20 EATS HOURS, whom were formed in 1997. I had never heard of them = before, so=20 all 19 included songs were new to me. It starts with a Melodic = Rocker=20 titled =93Friends=94, but from next track on (=93Ten years=94), = the band shows=20 they want to play fast catchy Punkpoprock, which they do quite = well=20 actually. THE OFFSPRING is a good comparison, but on the = non-Punksongs,=20 the band goes more in the direction of a WEEZER or a FOUNTAINS OF = WAYNE=20 (=93July 27th=94), which is borderline Melodic Rock really! A song = like=20 =93Endless desire=94 is something that could have been on an album = by GOOD=20 CHARLOTTE or MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE. I think you=92ll get the picture = now, as=20 SUN EATS HOURS is all about energy, strong melodies and that = typical=20 American mix of Punkpop, Poprock, Melodic Rock and some Emo/Rock. = Well=20 enjoying a CD and a full-DVD with rare videos, live performances = and=20 behind the scenes gave me a good view of this Italian band. A very = strong=20 and professional band that can easily hold up with the American = tradition.=20 Must-have for fans of GOOD CHARLOTTE, FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE and MY = CHEMICAL=20 ROMANCE! More info at: http://www.suneatshours.com/&nb= sp;=20

(Points: 8.3 out of 10) =

THE = MORLOCKS=20 =91EMERGE=92 (SONIC RENDEZVOUS)

THE MORLOCKS sound like they recorded their CD = back in=20 1965 in a basement of the studios where ROLLING STONES recorded = their=20 classics! =91Emerge=92 is the album and this is really something = you oughta be=20 into, as this is pure 1960s Garage Rock a la ROLLING STONES, yet = with a=20 sound that even makes a 80s demo sound good, yes really a basement = like=20 recording. 8 very short songs and well, only for die-hard Garage = Rockfans=20 I am afraid. More info on this band at: http://www.myspace.com/themor= locks =20 which learns that the band is planning a Tour through China very = soon!=20

(Points: -)

THE = HELPER=20 MONKEYS =91THE HELPER MONKEYS=92 (GREEN DOOR RECORD CO./SONIC = RENDEZVOUS)=20

Here we have a very good sounding catchy = Punkpoprockband=20 that can easily be mentioned along SUM 41, SIMPLE PLAN and such, = so very=20 North-American sounding, yet with happily some more rawer UK style = vocals=20 instead of the somewhat Childish vocals of aforementioned bands, = despite=20 the fact this band is coming out of California. Actually they grab = to the=20 origins of American Punkpoprock, which of course was set in = California and=20 therefore it is not that strange that THE HELPER MONKEYS sound a = little=20 different than the standard American Punkpoprockband. No matter = what, the=20 melodies of the 10 very short tunes are very cool to sing-a-long. = A CD you=20 can put on if you want to get in a good mood, with as highlights = the=20 almost THE BOYS sounding uptempo Punkpoprockers =93Every summer=94 = and=20 =93Calasthemics=94! Of course also highly recommended to fans of = NOFX! Check=20 it out asap at: http://www.myspace.com/t= hehelpermonkeys =20

(Points: 8.3 out of 10) =

THE = SCOUNDRELLES =91ATOMIC BATTERIES=92 (BANG RECORDS/SONIC = RENDEZVOUS)=20

This band sounds very experimental and combines = T-TEX and=20 THE PIXIES with ALEX CHILTON, but also throws a lot of weirdness = into=20 their songs. 14 songs are included and all together it really is = something=20 you gotta be a big fan of, because it is not something you hear = everyday,=20 although here and there it also goes into a slightly more friendly = 70s=20 Poprocksound. However for the main part it is quite experimental = and there=20 is even some Noise added here and there, which makes it even = harder to get=20 a good picture of this band, but I guess if you=92re into = Undergroundish=20 (Experimental) Rock this might be up your alley. Just in case, = first check=20 out the band at: http://www.scoundrelles.com/&nb= sp;=20

(Points: 7.0 out of 10) =

H.A.R.D. =91TRAVELLER=92 (HAMMER RECORDS) =

Recently we had the sensational new melodic = rockband=20 H.E.A.T., well now we are looking at H.A.R.D, also a very strong = new=20 Melodic Rockband. They are coming out of Hungary and were formed = by=20 members of legendary Hungarian bands such as EDDA, STONEHENGE, = AFTER=20 CRYING and several other bands, whom in the past were very = successful in=20 their home country Hungary. With H.A.R.D. they are doing something = very=20 professional, with English lyrics and a sound that could easily = make them=20 winners for the Melodic Rockfans, as the material on their debut = CD is=20 somewhere between TYKETTO, DANGER DANGER, NELSON and TALISMAN. The = band=20 has a good singer and some of the songs are really awesome. 12 = tracks are=20 included, of which songs like =93Stay=94, =93Traveler=94, = =93Voices=94, =93Dreamworld=94=20 and =93Light the flame=94 are very strong Melodic Rocksongs, but = actually the=20 whole album will be a dream for fans of mentioned bands. H.A.R.D. = is=20 currently on speaking terms about re-mixing the whole CD by the = legendary=20 producer BEAU HILL (WINGER, WARRANT, EUROPE, GARY MOORE, etc.), = but in the=20 meantime the original album is available through: http://shop.metalindex.hu/ = and=20 e-mail the band at: bz@wendigo.hu =20 and check out the band for yourself at: www.myspace.com/hardhungary =20

(Points: 8.5 out of 10) =

ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES =91HAVE = ANOTHER BALL=92=20 (FAT WRECK RECORDS/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)

=91Have another ball=92 is already the 7th = studio album of the=20 supergroup ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES, a band formed around = members of=20 NOFX, LAGWAGON, FOO FIGHTERS and SWINGIN=92 UTTERS. In total they = have now=20 reached the status of 1 million sold copies of their albums = combined and=20 with =91Have another ball=92 they celebrate their 10th = anniversary. The album=20 is once again filled with catchy Melodic Punkrock covers of 70s = original=20 Pop Classics by BILLY JOEL, NEIL DIAMOND, HALL AND OATES, ELTON = JOHN, JOHN=20 DENVER etc. Just like their earlier albums, it=92s all done very = well and it=20 really puts a smile on your face. 12 tunes can be enjoyed here and = I guess=20 everyone will like a little ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES, as they = make=20 the wrong Poptunes from the past sound like something you can put = on when=20 you=92re in a party mood without feeling embarrassed!

(Points: 8.3 out of 10) =

LANFEAR =91X TO THE POWER OF TEN=92 (LOCOMOTIVE = MUSIC/ROCK INC)=20

The German band LANFEAR was formed way back in = 1993 and=20 already released 4 albums since then, all very good high quality = Melodic=20 Progmetal pieces. However since their last album =91Another golden = rage=92 in=20 2005 a lot has changed, with not only a label switch (MASSACRE = RECORDS to=20 LOCOMOTIVE MUSIC), but most important change was their new lead = singer=20 NUNO FERNANDES (ex-ANGUISH) who has replaced TOBIAS ALTHAMMER. = Together=20 they worked hard on a new album, which is now ready for release = and I must=20 admit that =91X to the power of ten=92 sounds like the band=92s = strongest=20 effort, a real Melodic Progressive Power Metal Masterpiece from = start to=20 finish, easily reaching the level of PAGAN=92S MIND, THRESHOLD, = MIND=92S EYE,=20 VANDENPLAS, etc. etc. Songs like =93Synaptogenesis=94, = =93Jugglin=92 at the edge=94=20 and the amazing =93The art of being alone=94 are simply fantastic = and so is=20 the whole album. A surprise return from this band and perhaps one = of the=20 highlights of 2008 regarding Progmetal!

(Points: 8.8 out of 10) =

SERENITY =91FALLEN = SANCTUARY=92 (NAPALM=20 RECORDS)

=91Fallen sanctuary=92 is the 4th CD of the = Austrian band and=20 perhaps their finest so far. Their previous album =91Words untold = and dreams=20 unlived=92 saw them signed to a label, ESCAPE MUSIC, but they have = now=20 switched to NAPALM RECORDS. The album is filled with Melodic = (Prog) Metal=20 of quite a high level, sometimes sounding like a cross between = VANDENPLAS,=20 THRESHOLD and KAMELOT. 10 songs are included and especially the = first=20 couple of tracks (=93All lights reversed=94, =94Rust of the coming = ages=94,=20 =93Coldness kills=94, =93To stone she turned=94 and =93The = heartblood symphony=94) are=20 very sensational, although the best song can be found towards the = end in=20 the shape of =93Sheltered (By the obscure)=94. Everything seems to = sound quite=20 perfect here, with some haunting melodies going through the = Progressive=20 Metal of SERENITY, really a must-have for mentioned bands! =

(Points: 8.7 out of 10) =

LIPSTICK MAGAZINE =91SKIN DEEP=92 = (VIGILANTE RECORDS/ROCK=20 INC)

A bit short this record, but nevertheless a nice = album to=20 check out. 9 songs are included on the debut-CD of the female = fronted US=20 band LIPSTICK MAGAZINE. Musically pure 80s inspired Melodic = Hardrock that=20 reminds one of VIXEN, SARAYA, FEMME FATALE, PRIVATE LIFE=85 Opener = =93Skin=20 deep=94 is an ok groovy rocker, but with =93Against the wall=94 = they come up=20 with some great catchy uptempo AOR/Melodic Rock that sounds a lot = like=20 classic PRIVATE LIFE, SARAYA=85 And so it goes on the rest of the = CD, with=20 here and there some close-to-sensational stuff that is a dream for = a fan=20 of classic 80s female fronted melodic rock, just listen to the = already=20 mentioned =93Against the wall=94, =93All I want=94 (AORish ballad = like PRIVATE=20 LIFE meets ALANNAH MYLES), =93Out of control=94 (early PAT = BENATARish) and=20 =93Love games=94. It also reminds me so much of the glorious = unsigned female=20 fronted acts scene from the USA in the very early 90s (read: = RASCAL, IF=20 ONLY, THE STORM, etc.). In other words, really worth checking out = this=20 little gem! More info at: http://www.lipstickmagazine.net= / =20 and www.myspace.com/lipstick= magazine =20

(Points: 8.3 out of 10) =

THE REAL MCKENZIES =91OFF THE LEASH=92 = (FAT WRECK=20 RECORDS/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)

THE REAL MCKENZIES is a band from Vancouver, = Canada, which=20 was formed way back in 1992 and they have already released 6 = albums since=20 then, with now their 7th album in the shape of =91Off the = leash=92. Musically=20 they play a mix of Folk, Punk and Rock, reminding a lot of = DROPKICK=20 MURPHYS and FLOGGIN MOLLY, including the bagpipes! It all sounds = very=20 cheerful, funny and rather catchy, really easy to sing-a-long. 13 = short=20 songs are included on the new CD and I have no doubts about this = new album=20 becoming a hit among the fans and anyone into this kind of Punk! = Check out=20 their sites at: http://www.realmckenzies.com/&= nbsp;=20 and www.myspace.com/thereal= mckenziess =20

(Points: 8.3 out of 10) =

SINNER =91CRASH AND BURN=92 (AFM RECORDS)=20

The German Metalband SINNER has had a long = history and the=20 past year it all became a bit confused as the band was signed to = MTM MUSIC=20 on which they were about to release not only this new CD, but also = were=20 suppose to re-issue their 80s back catalogue. Anyway, they found a = new=20 home in the label AFM RECORDS to replace MTM, which sadly went = bankrupt.=20 MATT SINNER is of course the vocalist/bassist and bandleader of = SINNER, as=20 well as member of PRIMAL FEAR and with this new album they = continue their=20 legacy, which is pure Teutonic German Metal a la ACCEPT. 11 = straight-ahead=20 Metal tunes in the best ACCEPT/SINNER tradition is what we get to = hear on=20 =91Crash and burn=92. Maybe nothing new is brought here, SINNER = once again=20 brings some high quality pure Metal here. Make a =91fast = decision=92 for these=20 =91balls to the wall=92!

(Points: 8.2 out of 10) =

DESTRUCTION=20 =91DEVOLUTION=92 (AFM RECORDS)

The German band DESTRUCTION has been making = Thrash Metal=20 for 25 years now, with this =91Devolution=92 being their 10th = studio-album.=20 Musically they never changed and also this new record continues = their=20 Thrash Metalsound. Must-have for fans of good old FORBIDDEN, DEATH = ANGEL,=20 DARK ANGEL, TESTAMENT and of course DESTRUCTION!

(Points: 8.0 out of 10) =

ROSS THE BOSS =91NEW METAL LEADER=92 (AFM = RECORDS)=20

During the 1980s MANOWAR basically told the = world they=20 were the ultimate TRUE METAL BAND, but after ROSS THE BOSS left = the band=20 during the late 80s, after 6 MANOWAR classics, actually the band = never=20 released anything as good as those first 6 records. Now 20 years = after his=20 departure from MANOWAR, ROSS THE BOSS is releasing a record on his = own,=20 which can easily be put next to the classic MANOWAR releases = =91Kings of=20 Metal=92 and =91Battle hymns=92, so basically this CD is a MANOWAR = CD, yet with=20 ROSS THE BOSS as leader and he is surrounded by members of the = German=20 Power Metal band IVORY KNIGHT, including lead singer PATRICK = FUCHS, who is=20 able to sing quite well. Songs like =93Blood of knives=94, =93I = got the right=94=20 and =93Death and glory=94 are TRUE METAL ANTHEMS, which MANOWAR = does not write=20 anymore. Together with lyrics about KILL, GLORY, SWORD, BLOOD, = etc. this=20 is MANOWAR at their best, yet without the current MANOWAR members. = With a=20 production of members of SINNER/PRIMAL FEAR and MAJESTY, this ROSS = THE=20 BOSS album is a total must for any TRUE METAL WARRIOR! Still = wondering=20 what JOEY DEMAIO will think of the album as it does sound better = than=20 their MANOWAR albums from the past 20 years!

(Points: 8.5 out of 10) =

SYMPHONITY =91VOICE FROM THE SILENCE=92 = (LIMB MUSIC)=20

Back in 1994 there was a little Czech band = formed called=20 NEMESIS, which went on releasing an album in 2003 on the Italian = label=20 UNDERGROUND SYMPHONY RECORDS. However, the band=92s big break came = after=20 their lead singer left the band, because it was then when OLAF = HAYER (LUCA=20 TURILLI, DIONYSUS) came into the picture and became the band=92s = lead=20 singer. The band changed their name to SYMPHONITY and were signed = to LIMB=20 MUSIC, on which they now release their album =91Voice from the = silence=92. The=20 album is very clich=E9 tingled, nothing original, but don=92t let = that put you=20 off as the CD is sounding very impressive and could well be the = perfect=20 mix between HELLOWEEN, STRATOVARIUS and EDGUY, so typical European = fast=20 Melodic Power Metal is what=92s for supper here. Most of the songs = are=20 indeed fast uptempo pieces with catchy hooks and easy to = sing-a-long=20 melodic choruses in classic HELLOWEEN/GAMMA RAY style. Especially = the long=20 epic =93Evening star=94 should be mentioned as one of the absolute = highlights=20 here, but fans of mentioned bands will absolutely love this = non-stop fast=20 paced uptempo Melodic Power Metal record that is filled with = loadsa hits=20 for ya!

(Points: 8.5 out of 10) =

EMPYRIOS =91THE GLORIOUS SICKNESS=92 (SCARLET RECORDS)=20

Modern, aggressive, very groovy, very heavy and = with clear=20 METALCORE influences is what EMPYRIOS is all about, so not super=20 interesting until we put on the record, because the band also = comes up=20 with strong melodies and in the end it seems that this EMPYRIOS is = very=20 interesting after all! The band should be labeled next to SCAR = SYMMETRY,=20 INTO ETERNITY and MERCENARY, so combining Death Metal, Metalcore,=20 Progmetal, Power Metal and some superclean melodies between some = screams=20 and growls here and there. The result is very good actually, with = 12 tight=20 songs that combine almost every metalgenre, without every losing = the=20 melodies. The band by the way is formed around guitarist SIMONE = MULARONI=20 of DGM, who was helped on vocals by singer SILVIO MANCINI, a very = good=20 singer whom is presenting EMPYRIOS with some haunting melodies not = out of=20 place on a Prog Metal record. Hard to mention a favorite track as = every=20 song goes in the same kind of direction, melodic and modern = sounding at=20 the same time, although =93Decadence parade=94 is a very = sensational song.=20 Check the band out for yourself at: http://www.empyrios.it/ =

(Points: 8.5 out of = 10)

NAUGHTY BOYS =91R U NAUGHTY ENOUGH=92 (MUSIC BUY = MAIL/ARTISTWORXX)=20

The Swedish band NAUGHTY BOYS has been reviewed = in the=20 past by us, but as far as I know this is their first official = full-length=20 CD. The album is filled with high quality Melodic Hardrock that = reminds=20 one a lot of classic 80s WHITE LION and also WILD FRONTIER and = PANGEA are=20 very good comparisons. The production is very strong and the band = is=20 diverse in it=92s approach, providing some great healthy uptempo = Melodic=20 Rockers like =93Only God=94, =93I will=94, =93Trail of tears=94 = and =93Stay=94 as well as=20 midtempo (=93Last man standing=94) and ballads (=93After the = rain=94 and =93I close=20 my eyes=94), all sounding very impressive to say the least. = Without a doubt,=20 this CD is filled with some catchy material that will please any = Melodic=20 Hardrockfan! More info at: http://www.naughtyboys.se/ = and=20 www.myspace.com/naughtyboys =20 and e-mail at: info@naughtyboys.se =20

(Points: 8.3 out of = 10)

(All reviews by = Gabor=20 Kleinbloesem except where noted) =20