Monthly Archives februari 2013

Posted in Cd Reviews

Massacre/Sound Pollution

TAINTED NATION is a new acquaintance to me, but Messrs. Pete Newdeck, vocals (!), Ian Nash, guitars, Pontus Egberg, bass, and Mark Cross, drums, sure are not. Pete has been/is the drummer in bands like GRIM REAPER, PAUL DI`ANNO, and of cause EDEN`S CURSE, Ian is most known for GRIM REAPER, Pontus is in THE POODLES and Mark Cross is/has been involved in HELLOWEEN, MARCO MENDOZA and FIREWIND. Strangely enough this seasoned stew has a go at modern rock, and with a touch of AOR?!

I have seen Pete live a few times, but never heard him sing lead. He is a bit of a surprise here, and he does it with a pinch of OZZY back in the eighties in his voice. The first five tracks we´re on the most positive side...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Escape Music/Sound Pollution

EDGE is an overused word in the hard rock etc. business. But in this case I´ll make an exception. EDGE hails from Karlskoga in Sweden, and started life as a project. Jonas Forss, vocals, guitars, keyboards, and Tobias Andersson (SHADOWLAND, SEVEN WISHES), keyboards, guitars, shared musical dreams and had spent a lot of time in bands together. When they had 12 songs recorded they needed enforcements and called upon bass player Torbjörn Brogren (HEADS OR TALES), and drummer Olle Rodehn of SHADOWLAND. A short time later they were approached by quite a few record companies, the info says, and chose Escape. So, how good are they?

This album is like a time travel...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM

Swedish rather successful band CRASHDIET formed in 2005, and soon became part of the so called new wave of sleaze. They are said to have gained their record contract by impressing the record company staff drinking outside a liquor store. Their first album “Rest in Sleaze” was augmented by a commercial on Swedish TV, but the joy came to a halt as first vocalist Dave Lepard committed suicide in early 2006, and the band declared their end. But in 2007 they re-emerged with new vocalist H. Olliver Twisted (RECKLESS LOVE). He left in 2008 and was replaced by Simon Cruz in 2009. Albeit this commotion the band has released four albums including this one.

This album is a roller coaster. There is bang on sleaze like “Cocaine Cowboys” and the potential hit “Anarchy”...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Steamhammer/SPV/Playground

Let’s move backwards to the latter half of the eighties. Not one thing Rolf “Rock´n´Rolf” Kasparek did was wrong in the eyes of me and my friends. His looks, his vocals, his songwriting, nothing was other than cool. Back to 2013, and a change of scenery. After a farewell gig at Wacken RUNNING WILD was alas no more. The final album “Rogues on Vogue” (2005) was not to my liking and gone were the aiding heroes of old, like Majk Moti, Axel Morgan, Jens Becker etc. But the heritage was still there, untouchable, mighty and eternal. Then in 2012 Rolf resurrects RUNNING WILD, with a rather ok album emerging. Now Rolf and cohort guitarist Peter J...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM

Danish/Swedish/American band ROYAL HUNT has been through so many changes. Founded by eternal keyboard player Andre Andersen in 1989 they have conceived eleven studio albums, four live albums and no less than six best of releases, primarily in Japan though. Vocalists like Henrik Brockmann, John West and Mark Boals have been in the fold, but only D.C Cooper have prevailed and returned. All in all nine musicians other than the present lineup of D.C Cooper, Andre Andersen, Jonas Larsen, guitars, Andreas Passmark, bass, and drummer Allan Sörensen have contributed. Many say that their peak was around “Moving Target” and “Paradox”, i.e. the mid nineties, while many want to forget all about their oddity “X” from 2010. What will this album represent?

To my surprise they ...

Posted in Cd Reviews

If you havent heard anything by Amaranthe yet then a quick glance at a photo of the band might give the impression that this is a typical female fronted band, but nothing could be further from the truth. Amaranthe are unique in having three lead vocalists – two lead singers doing clean vocals – one male and one female, with another male singer doing the screams and growls. This gives Amaranthe a richer sound than most female fronted bands where they have a single female vocalist doing clean vocals and a male vocalist for the growls.
Musically Amaranthe are fairly unusual as their music is a blend of power metal, death metal and pop which sounds like a strange mix but it works amazingly well and the result is a very radio-friendly form of metal...

Posted in Gig/Festival Reviews

With the promise that you’ll be “drenched, exhausted, and completely satisfied without ever having anyone touch your schmekel”, Kiss figurehead Gene Simmons announced an national tour of Australia with heavy metal legends Mötley Crüe is on the cards for 2013. In what is sure to be an electrifying and intense three hours, the Monster concert will feature both bands will play 90 minute sets and support by a new incarnation of Irish rock band Thin Lizzy.

This year marks Kiss’ 40th year together and there is no doubt that tongues will be outstretched both on the stage and off it, recreating the band’s signature gesture. Exclusive pre-sale tickets are available for Kiss or Mötley Crüe fan club members.

ref(Time Out Melbourne)

Posted in Press Releases

A decade after the godfathers of punk reunited, Iggy And The Stooges will return to Australia in March 2013 for three headline shows surrounding their appearance at Bluesfest.
Iconic frontman Iggy Pop will once again lead guitarist James Williamson, drummer Toby Dammit, bassist Mike Watt and sax player Steve Mackay into rock’n’roll battle. In the past year, Iggy And The Stooges have fired up their incendiary sludge-rock-proto-punk-blues on worldwide stages from Austin to Brussels, Chicago to Florence. In 2013, it’s finally our turn to witness the unyielding power of the heavyweight champions of rock’n’roll.

Long may they reign
Iggy And The Stooges play Festival Hall on Wednesday March 27. Tickets go on sale at 9am Wednesday November 7 via Ticketmaster.
(Beat Magazine Melbourne)

Posted in Press Releases

British thrashers Xentrix return to action with a handful of live dates as special guests for Kreator and Evile in April as well as the promise of new material!

The band have had numerous offers to reform over the years but original singer Chris Astley always declined and as guitarist Kristian Harvard states ‘without him it wasn’t really Xentrix’. Astley has since had a change of heart and the promise of recording new material has prompted him to return to the fold and bring back one of the UK’s best loved thrash bands.

Originally thrust into the public eye in the late ‘80’s after their demo received a five K review in Kerrang which in turn caught the attention Roadrunner records, Xentrix soon found themselves in the studio making ‘Shattered Existence’.

Of course their now ...

Posted in Press Releases

Eric Burdon has completed his most personal album to date, titled ‘Til Your River Runs Dry; it will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally on April 1st Internationally by ABKCO Records. “Water,” the debut single from the album will be released to radio. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time,” Burdon has long forged new ground while maintaining a commanding presence in music — as front man of The Animals, with WAR at its inception and, simply, as Eric Burdon.

‘Til Your River Runs Dry is a collection of 12 songs, most of which were written by Eric. The album’s title reflects Eric’s lifelong passion to “express his own truth...