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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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”...

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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...

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Escape/Sound Pollution

Californian band TALON emerged from VOXEN, who sort of made it when their track “Sacrifice” was included in the Dustin Hoffman movie Outbreak. Their self titled debut was released by Frontiers in 2002, and this is their fourth outing. Previous vocalist Chandler Mogul brought them closer to AOR, and apparently left (for the successful OUTLOUD) on mutual agreement, paving the way for new vocalist Shawn Petala (LINE OF FIRE). The band now consists of guitarists Kory Voxen and Jimi Lee, bass man Phil Keller, drummer John Parker and new keyboard player Eric Ragno (CHINA BLUE). Classic hard rock and a return to the energy and sound of their debut is promised, let´s find out!

The overall sound picture is a bit lame, the energy promised seems lost in the mix at times...

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Massacre/Sound Pollution

Australia´s ELM STREET debuts with an album that will be recognized by al fans of classic metal. Eight years after their conception ELM STREET takes their IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH and GRIM REAPER influenced metal to the retailer´s. Live they have played with Australia´s finest e.g. BLACK MAJESTY and THE ANGELS. Amusingly enough this youngish quartet has enlisted the aid of legendary thrash cover maestro Ed Repka. But what do they sound like, and are they as splendid as the info sheet says?

They open with the title track, as is requested by a classic band. “Barbed Wire Metal“ has a lot of guts, chorus and a fine riff, as could be expected. They continue in fine fashion until “Elm St´s Children“...

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Massacre/Sound Pollution

German metalcore veterans HATE SQUAD release their sixth album in 18 years. The band continues to mix thrash and death with hardcore, in various doses. Since their formation they have played estivals like the Dynamo, With Full Force etc, sharing the stage with bands like DEATH, KREATOR, MACHINE HEAD, and VENOM, to name but a few. They have also been voted best newcomer 1995 by TV channel Viva, ahead of both FEAR FACTORY and KORN, and been on heavy rotation on both Headbanger´s Ball and Metalla. Enough superlatives for now, how do they sound?

With the info sheet fresh in mind, the soft guitar notes of opening intro “Deep Scars” are a genuine surprise! The title track, on the other hand, is exactly what I was expecting, death with grooves, and even a bit more atmosp...

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Massacre/Sound Pollution

MY BLACK LIGHT was formed in 2008 by keyboardist/vocalist Rodolfo Coda Bertetto and vocalist Monica Primo. They started out with covers to get things going, and via music contests they began recording this album in 2010. Did all the planning and carefulness pay off?

If there is one thing I´ll remember about MY BLACK LIGHT it´s the keyboards. Their instrumentals are mostly short and snappy, and their riffs are carried out by Rololfo, or augmented by his keyboard work. Thr major songs are “Guiding Light” and “Ti Sento”. The former is somewhat straighter, contains only female vocals and the gothic parts are nicely underlined by a piano. The latter might be in the right language, the pace is somewhat quicker and it´s quite forceful...