Posted in Cd Reviews

Lion Music/Border

British traditionalists VENDETTA set out on their second quest for world domination. Their debut was a scorcher, so I guess I have high expectations. New grooves, more complexity and even sampled dialogue is said to be new elements since last time. Let´s check it out.

Guitarist Edward Box has been in the business as a solo artist, but still he opts for an intro with little or no significance on the album. I guess I am a bit frustrated about the new features in the music. But for starters “Veil of Empathy” has a familiar ring to the riff but the somewhat odd idea of mixing touches of U2 with the rather familiar IRON MAIDEN riffage is a concept that will work 20 years from now too...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM

German progressive rock/metal band BEYOND THE BRIDGE has apparently been around since 1999, but for some time they were known as FALLOUT. In 2005 guitarist Peter Degenfeld-Schonburg decided to put some more effort into the band under the title of “The Old Man and the Spirit”. Five years he spent with keyboardist Christopher Tarnow, and the pair later stumbled on producer Simon Oberender (AVANTASIA, EDGUY etc.). Simon brought drummer Fabian Mayer and lead vocalist Herbie Langhans. Old mate Dominik Stotzem completed the lineup on bass. Feale vocalist Dilenya Mar was added after Peter heard her singing jazz in Munich. All of the band are trained musicians, so no time to waste. The album came to being between 2008 and 2011, so this is no quickie...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Lion Music/Border

LARS ERIC MATTSSON is by now a phenomenon, releasing both new and old music at a ferocious pace. After some initial gigging with others his recording career began in 1987 with the EP “Can´t Go on Without Your Love”. Three more albums followed in 1988, 89 and 91, of which the latter was an instrumental. In 1992 he was involved in starting up VISION but had some legal problems, leaving Lars Eric to join up with singer Björn Lodin (BALTIMOORE) for the bluesy “Astral Groove”. That is the framework prior to this album, Lars Eric´s most celebrated “Obsession”, released originally in 1998.

Lars Eric, Björn Lodin and drummer Christer Jansson recorded the album in 1997, and Lars Eric has been quoted to say that this is his finest hour...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Escape/Sound Pollution

Finnish melodic rockers HUMAN TEMPLE return with “Halfway to Heartache”, their third album. Influenced by the likes of DOKKEN and KISS vocalist Janne Hurme and drummer Petri Lehto formed a band. In 1995 Janne was a solo artist in the pop genre and with some success as well. In 1998 history repeated itself as the duo once more joined forces, resulting in “Insomnia” in 2004. 2010 saw the light of “Murder of Crows” and now in 2012 we get this new album.

The material in general has an easiness with melody that can be compared to EUROPE in their first heyday. They are not overly light either, which I find positive. The absolute highlight to me is the sticky “Almost There”. The refrain lingers and the keyboards take care of the final touches...

Posted in Press Releases

Following the much acclaimed-animated feature FANTASTIC MR. FOX, Wes Anderson returns to live-action filmmaking with MOONRISE KINGDOM. The new movie world-premieres as the Opening Night film of next month’s Cannes International Film Festival; and opens in the UK on May 25th. Set amongst the widow’s walks and Yankee traditions of 1965 New England, Anderson and co-screenwriter Roman Coppola create an incomparable tale of romance between rogue Khaki Scout Sam and the beautiful and troubled Suzy.

On May 21st, days before its theatrical release, UNIVERSAL MUSIC will release the soundtrack to MOONRISE KINGDOM Grounded in the elegiac compositions of classical composer Benjamin Britten, whose majestic choral NOYES FLUDDE ignites the film’s young lovers, MOONRISE KINGDOM features masterworks perf...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM

Most of us will never visit Wowow TV Studios in Tokyo in real life. But together with MR BIG we can transfer ourselves to this living room like place. A string quartet, some invited Japanes fans, and some down-to-earth versions from the bands repertoire are on offer. There are of cause no speedier numbers but even PAUL GILBERT cranks up the power in the closing number ”Nobody Left to Blame”. They conjure up a blend with many new songs like the smash hit ”Undertow” and the here most caressing take on the heartfelt ballad ”All the Way” plus a whopping five more numbers of their latest release...

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Frontiers/BAM

New Yorks TYKETTO came down like a bolt out of the blue in 1991 when they released ”Don´t Come Easy” on Geffen. The single “Forever Young” was well received and their future seemed shiny and happy. But along came grunge and past laurels on Headbanger´s Ball vanished. In 1995 came the belated “Shine”. Danny Vaugn had left to treat his wife, and original members Brook St James, guitars, Jimi Kennedy, bass, and Michael Clayton, drums were joined by Steve Augeri of TALL STORIES. The sound was gentler to say the least. Augeri soon left for JOURNEY and the band soon expired with the live album “Take Out & Serve Up Live”. The members went on with their projects, and VAUGHN no surprise contained Danny, Michael and bass replacement Jamie Scott...

Posted in Cd Reviews

The Hunt is the sixth studio album from Swedish three-piece metal band Grand Magus. This latest album has a real 70s hard rock/heavy metal sound. Rival Sons have shown recently that a 70s sound can be brought up to date and sound fresh and still retain that classic hard rock sound, and now Grand Magus have done the same.

Listening to the album you can certainly pick out some of the influences – Deep Purple, Rainbow, Dio, and Judas Priest.

Opening track ”Starlight slaughter” would feel at home on a Deep Purple or Rainbow album particularly with its chorus. This is a great track and really sets the standard for the rest of the album to try and beat.

”The Hunt” has a good heavy guitar riff and good solid drums, and later on includes some nice guitar work – all in all a good strong song.

”...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Saxon have just released ”Heavy metal thunder – Eagles over Wacken” in a variety of formats. The first is a DVD + 2CD’s. The DVD is a ”Best of” compilation of Saxon’s performances at Wacken Open Air from 2004,2007,2009. The CD’s are the band’s live show at Glasgow in April 2011. The second option is a single DVD – the same ”best of” disc as in the first option. The third option is a double CD of the band’s 2009 Wacken performance. There is a vinyl album version available – again of the 2009 Wacken performance, spread over 3 LPs.

The ultimate edition though has to be the version only available for fans to order via the bands website and limited to 500 copies...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Saxon have just released ”Heavy metal thunder – Eagles over Wacken” in a variety of formats. The first is a DVD + 2CD’s. The DVD is a ”Best of” compilation of Saxon’s performances at Wacken Open Air from 2004,2007,2009. The CD’s are the band’s live show at Glasgow in April 2011. The second option is a single DVD – the same ”best of” disc as in the first option. The third option is a double CD of the band’s 2009 Wacken performance. There is a vinyl album version available – again of the 2009 Wacken performance, spread over 3 LPs.

The ultimate edition though has to be the version only available for fans to order via the bands website and limited to 500 copies...