Posted in Cd Reviews

Firebirth is the new album from Swiss rockers Gotthard. It’s an album that for a while many people thought would never be made – after the tragic death of the bands singer, Steve Lee in 2010 it wasnt clear whether the band would continue or would go their separate ways. Luckily for fans the band decided that they’d look for a new singer and if they found the right man then they’d carry on. Thankfully they found Nic Maeder and he has joined the band as their new vocalist.
After so many years with the same singer then any change of singer is a big change for fans to get used to as the vocals can have such a huge effect on the sound. Gotthard released the song ”Remember it’s me” which got a great reception from the fans, which must have been a huge relief for the band.

The album opens wit...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Swedish band The Murder of my sweet took their name from the 1944 ‘film-noir’ “Murder, My Sweet”. They released their debut single in 2009 and followed this with their first album ”Divanity” in January 2010. Now two years later they are ready to release their second album

Singer Angelica remembers the creative process: ”Bye Bye Lullaby” has been a long time coming. We wrote nearly enough songs for two full albums and had to carefully choose these thirteen to truly represent the new, updated The Murder Of My Sweet. This album includes performances from close friends Jesper Stromblad (who you all know from In Flames), Fredrik Akesson (from Opeth) and Peter Wichers (from Soilwork), so it’s a really brave record...

Posted in Gig/Festival Reviews

The night kicks off with a young band, Exit state. Despite the audience consisting mainly of more mature fans, they go down very well and get plenty of applause from the large crowd (the venue was almost full even before they came on). I really enjoyed the band’s set and songs like ”Check out the crazy” were impressive – definitely a band worth checking out if you get chance.

No matter how good Exit State were though, the man people really wanted to see was tonights headliner, Michael Schenker. Tonight he has an all-star band, and what a lineup we have – as well as Michael Schenker, we have two more former members of the Scorpions – Herman Rarebell, and Francis Buchholz, Wayne Findlay (MSG) and former Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen singer Doogie White...

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...

Posted in Cd Reviews

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...