Category Cd Reviews

Posted in Cd Reviews

”Get fit, in association with London 2012” is a compilation album designed for use with a workout. I’ve come across hundreds of compilation albums before, but this is a new idea for me – an album designed to tie in with your workout. The idea is that the tracks, played in the correct order rather than on random play, gradually increase in tempo before slowing down, so if you exercise in time to the music then you start out gradually, work up to a peak and then gradually cool down.

The songs all have a good strong bass beat to them – essential for a fitness class to be able to keep time with the music easily. There is a mix of musical eras with songs from the ’80s as well as current chart acts. The CD also containts an informative fold out poster booklet gives you useful training tips.

Posted in Cd Reviews

Dangerous Dog Records/Border

Scottish band STRANGEWAYS formed in the early eighties and did three albums in six years that made them hot; the self titled, “Native Sons” and “Walk in the Fire”. The band name might have been aptly since they seem to have been ripped off my managers and record companies alike, but still returned for two more obscure albums in the nineties. The 21ct century opened with a new album, “Gravitational Pull”, and nothing more until they returned on Frontiers Records with “Perfect World” in 2010. Now they´re on their own label and united in full; vocalist Terry Brock, guitarist Ian J. Stewart, bassist David Stewart, keyboard player David Moore and drummer Jim Drummond. Still eager not to be pinned down in a certain genre you never know what to expect...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Massacre/Sound Pollution

German old school giants VENDETTA returns with their fourth album in 24 years. More cult than VENDETTA sounds impossible! Starting out in 1984 only Klaus “Heiner” Ullrich on bass remains, lead vocalist Mario Vogel came aboard in 2002, guitarist Frank Schölch in 2007, and drummer Thomas “Lubber” Krämer in 2002. An almost totally different band made the classics “Go and Live…Stay and Die” (1987) and “Brain Damage” (1988). First disbanding in 1990, the band must have noticed the great interest via the internet and came back around 2003 with a demo, a precursor to their comeback album “Hate” in 2007. But can anything beat the old Teutonic terror they created in the late eighties on Noise Records?

They sure opens with the title track, but the la...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Nuclear Blast/Warner

NIGHTWISH, the band on most peoples lips, are back with Anette Olzon (ex. ALYSON AVENUE) at the mike again. Many grieved Tarja´s departure in 2005, I did not. The operatic style on previous albums is not metal to me. But I guess 8 released studio albums and swell record sales says I´m missing something here. Still in the band are founders Tuomas Holopainen, keyboards, and guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, plus drummer Jukka Nevalainen and bass player Marco Hietala. Well, have they done it again?

In terms of sheer sales I guess they have done well. My basic feeling is that I prefer Anette, but is it truly metal? Opener “Taikataivi” is notably Finnish in style, quite orchestrated and pompous. “Storytime”, the first single, is a well arranged piece, but oh so light...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Lion/Warner

UK progressive act AWAKE returns four years after their label debut, with some adjustments done. Former guitarist Richar Hall has left, replaced by remaining guitarist Andy Coles brother Steven. A female backing vocalist in the shape of Jennifer Hardy has been brought in too. The line up is completed by vocalist Simon Shedwell, bass player Chris Le Motte, keyboardist Craig Burkitt, and drummer Alex Townsend. A lot of personal emotions seem to have been infused in this album, and a sonic punch is also promised. Let´s see how this album survives in the flood of new music…

The beautiful intro “Intro – Into the Storm” sort of builds up tension, a promising start. But the quite heavy but patchy “Out of Control” fails to profit of the good start...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Cyclone Empire/Sound Pollution

Brazil may not be famed for its doom bands, but MYTHOLOGICAL COLD TOWERS aims to change that apparently. They have not chosen a public friendly approach, more of a tricky cult, epic and desolate way. This is their fourth album, and if the info sheet has any truth in it, be prepared to be haunted…

Wow. This is not doom in a Swedish CANDLEMASS sense of the word, this is nothing like the ST
VITUS ultra-slow US doom either. The Brazilians; Samej, vocals, Nechron and Shammash on guitars, and Hamon on drums, are truly unique. The info claims they play melancholic death-doom, but I don´t know. The songs are almost hypnotic, like masses, and they feel somewhat dizzy and as if the band was on dope...

Posted in Cd Reviews

GMG Records/Rock´n´Growl Promotion

ROB MANCINI sure sounds familiar, but he has been on a ten year hiatus from recording. German-Italian musician and producer Rob has only been active on the Irish club circuit, plus as a session musician. Something compelled him to return, probably memories of past glories with bands like CRUSH and HOTWIRE, sharing the stage with bands like DARE and VICTORY. Today the music is described as late eighties and early nineties, like BON JOVI meets NICKELBACK. A cover of Kate Bush and mastering by Harry Hess, will that do the trick?

First up the sound is very ok, quite clean and suits the music. Rob has presence in his voice and he seems to handle pretty much all instruments himself...

Posted in Cd Reviews

GMR Music

All star band KRUX boosts members like Leif Edling (CANDLEMASS) on bass, Mats Levén (ex YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, FIREWIND) on vocals, and Fredrik Åkesson (OPETH, ex TALISMAN). And of cause Jörgen sandstorm, guitars (ex GRAVE, ex. ENTOMBED), drummer Peter Stjärnvind (ex ENTOMBED) and Carl Westholm, keys , who featured on a.o. CANDLEMASS and ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA albums, are no beginners either. This their first album with a title and a number is described as a feast for everyone into doom, heavy, epic and powerful music. Well, well, impress me!?

The opening title track starts as an elegant CANDLEMASS variation, complete with space-like guitars and keyboards. The slight lack of refrain power prevents it from being a five star opening...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM
ROYAL HUNT was founded by Danish-Georgian multi-instrumentalist Andre Andersen in 1989. Numerous personnel changes have been a trade mark for the band, but also highlight albums like “Moving Target” and “Paradox”. Their peak period 1995 through to 1997 are sort of back now, with the strong voice D.C. Cooper and keyboardist Andre working together again, after a try-out short reunion tour earlier this year. The rest of the band consists of drummer Allan Sörensen, who´s been with the band since 1997, new boy guitarist Jonas Larsen and bassist Andreas Passmark (STORMWIND, NARNIA. ROB ROCK). The info says this album will bring ROYAL HUNT back to the throne of the hard rock world, is that a fact?

The cover hints at a crusader theme, and so does opener “One More Day”...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM

1989 oddballs BEGGARS & THIEVES rose to fame as they were signed to Atlantic records after only a demo (albeit produced by Desmond Child) and five gigs. Their debut was released in December 1990 and both chartered, and was critically acclaimed. They were never a hair band, but more of a classic rock band. But in the death of hair bands, BEGGARS & THIEVES was swept along after a second album called “Look What You Create”. Main men vocalist Louie Merino and guitarist Ronnie Mancuso soldiered on in the music business as jingle makers and making music top order for the likes of NASCAR. IN 2004 they got back in the saddle, this time together with Brent Muscat (ex FASTER PUSSYCAT) under the moniker Sin City All-Stars, opening for bands like SLAUGHTER, TESLA and RATT...