Author Archives: Phil Berisford

Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Legacy

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [Release date 21.08.15] Praying Mantis were always lumped in with the NWOBHM but they were always more of a melodic rock band and “Legacy”, their 10th if you include the one issued under the Stratus banner in 1984, … Continue reading →

Album Review: – STAHLMANN – CO2

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [release date 28.08.15] Another AFM release and another German band I’ve never heard of…”CO2” is Stahlmann’s fourth studio album and follows on from “Adamant”, which made number 34 in the German album charts, back in 2013. Stahlmann were … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged Ablaz, AFM Records, album, CO2, Frank Herzig, industrial metal, Johannes Thon, Martin Soer, Max Maschine, review, Stahlmann | Leave a comment

Album Review: – PYOGENESIS – A Century In The Curse Of Time

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [release date 14.08.15] Pyogenesis are back with “A Century In The Curse Of Time”…their first studio album in over 13 years…but as I’ve never heard of them this isn’t really much of a concern. The accompanying press release … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged A Century In The Curse Of Time, AFM, album, Flo V. Schwarz, Gizz Butt, gothic metal, Jan Räthje, Malte Bauer, progressive metal, Pyogenesis, review | Leave a comment

Album review: CONSTANCIA – Final Curtain

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Phil Berisford

MelodicRock Records [Release date 10.07.15] Swedish melodic rock band Constancia are back with their sophomore album ‘Final Curtain’ a full 6 years after their debut ‘Lost and Gone’ was released back in 2009. The band was formed back in 2007 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Constancia, David Fremberg, Final Curtain, Janne Stark, Linus Abrahamsson, melodic rock, MelodicRock Records, Mikael Rosengren, Peter Svensson, review | Leave a comment

Album review: VINDICTIV – World of Fear

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Phil Berisford

MelodicRock Records [Release date 10.07.15] Swedish neo-classical metal band Vindictiv return with their fourth album, “World of Fear”, and their first with well-travelled vocalist Mark Boals. Guitarist Stefan Lindholm, keyboard player Pontus Larsson and bassist Nalle Påhlsson have been in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Marco Minnemann, Mark Boals, MelodicRock Records, Nalle Påhlsson, neo-classical metal, Pontus Larsson, review, Stefan Lindholm, VINDICTIV, World of Fear | Leave a comment

Album review: S.A.Y – Orion

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Phil Berisford

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.05.15] S.A.Y are Swedish and ‘Orion’ is yet another melodic rock record from the Scandinavian melodic rock factory that keeps churning out releases like it was 1986 all over again. Who are S.A.Y then? Perhaps friends … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Jan Åkesson, Jens Westberg, melodic rock, MelodicRock Records, Orion, Peter Grundström, review, S.A.Y | Leave a comment

Album review: ROOM EXPERIENCE – Room Experience

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Phil Berisford

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.05.15] First thing’s first…Room Experience…what an absolutely awful name for a band!!! Let’s hope the music improves things… Who are Room Experience then?…well it’s the name for Italian keyboard player Gianluca Firmo’s solo project which features … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Amos Monti, AOR, David Readman, Gianluca Firmo, Ivan Gonzalez, Pierpaolo Monti, review, Room Experience, Steve De Biasi | Leave a comment

Album review: THE V – Now Or Never

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [Release date 03.07.15] Who is ‘The V’ then? Why it’s non-other than Benedictum screamer Veronica Freeman and ‘Now Or Never’ is her debut solo album where she ventures away from her traditional style of lead vocals. Helping Veronica … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Aric Avina, Benedictum, Derek Kerswill, hard rock, Jeff Pilson, Jerry Dixon, Leather Leone, Michael Sweet, Mike Lepond, Now Or Never, Pete Wells, review, The V, Tony Martin, Veronica Freeman | Leave a comment

Album review: CHAOS MAGIC – Chaos Magic

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [Release date 03.07.15] Chaos Magic is the band created by Frontiers as a showcase for Chilean vocalist Caterina Nix (Aghonya anyone?) with all song writing duties being supplied by that man Timo Tolkki…does he ever stop? First we … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aghonya, album, Caterina Nix, Chaos Magic, Jami Huovinen, review, Stratovarius, symphonic rock, Timo Tolkki | Leave a comment

Album review: ANZI – Black Dog Bias

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Chemical Music Enterprises [Release date 22.06.15] “Black Dog Bias” is the sophomore album from London-based Finnish musician Anzi…who’s he then? Well he used to be the vocalist in Finnish punk rockers Stereo Junks! Nope that doesn’t help… well he used … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Antero Koskikallio, Anzi, Anzi Destruction, Black Dog Bias, Chemical Music Enterprises, Industrial, review | Leave a comment

Album review: BEAUVOIR/FREE – American Trash

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [Release date 05.06.15] “American Trash” by Beauvoir/Free is a Crown of Thorns album in all but name and is a welcome return to the classic melodic rock sound of yesteryear. Jean Beauvoir, he of the impressive ever-present white … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, American Trash, Beauvoir/Free, Crown Of Thorns, Frontiers, Jean Beauvoir, melodic rock, Micki Free, review | Leave a comment

Album review: BURNING POINT – Burning Point

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 12.06.15] Burning Point are yet another of AFM’s roster that I have never heard of! Burning Point are a metal band from Finland and this self-titled album is actually their sixth studio release but their first … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM, album, Burning Point, Jarkko Väisänen, Jussi Ontero, metal, Nitte Valo, Pekka Kolivuori, Pete Ahonen, review, Sami Nyman | Leave a comment

Album review: CAIN’S OFFERING – Stormcrow

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [Release date 15.05.15] Cain’s Offering are a Finnish power metal super-group of sorts and “Stormcrow” is actually their second studio album following on from “Gather The Faithful” that was released back in 2009. The brains behind the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Cain’s Offering, Frontiers, Jani Hurula, Jani Liimatainen, Jens Johansson, Jonas Kuhlberg, review, Sonata Arctica, Stormcrow, Stratovarius, Timo Kotipelto | Leave a comment

Album Review: – A LIFE DIVIDED – Human

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [release date 10.04.15] A Life Divided are another one of those European bands that I’ve never heard of but new album “Human” is actually their fifth studio release following on the heels of “The Great Escape” released in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged A Life Divided, AFM, album, alternative rock, Erik Damköhler, Human, Jürgen Plangger, Korl Fuhmann, review, Tobi Egger, Tony Berger | Leave a comment

Album review: IMPELLITTERI – Venom

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [release date 17.04.15] Venom is the tenth studio album from Impellitteri and their first since “Wicked Maiden” back in 2009. My last dealings with Chris Impellitteri, however, were way back in 1988 with his debut “Stand In Line” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Impellitteri, Frontiers, guitar shredders, hard rock, Impellitteri, James Pulli, Jon Dette, review, Rob Rock, Venom | Leave a comment

Album review: TONK – Ruby Voodoo

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Phil Berisford

MelodicRock Records [Release date 09.03.15] The first thing that hit me about Tonk is that how awful their name is! I remember Tonka toys…but Tonk…well according to Urban dictionary it is US customs slang for an illegal immigrant… Sorry we … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Australia, hard rock, Jinks, MelodicRock Records, review, Ruby Voodoo, Tonk | Leave a comment

Album review: PETERIK-SCHERER – Risk Everything

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [Release date 17.04.15] Founding Survivor member Jim Peterik returns with his latest project featuring his latest vocal find in Marc Scherer. “Risk Everything” was written specifically to suite the vocal talents of Scherer who he first met during … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alex Ligertwood, AOR, Bill Syniar, Bob Lizik, Ed Breckenfield, Frontiers, Jim Peterik, Klem Hayes, Marc Scherer, melodic rock, Mike Aquino, Nick Rich, Peterik-Scherer, review, Risk Everything, Shoshana Bean, Survivor, Toby Hitchcock | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGIC KINGDOM – Savage Requiem

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [release date 20.03.15] Take the band name (Magic Kingdom) and throw in an excellent cover featuring a fire breathing dragon and you just know what “Savage Requiem” is going to sound like…Rhapsody of Fire on steroids comes fairly … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM, album, Christian Palin, Dushan Petrossi, Iron Mask, Magic Kingdom, Michael Brush, review, Savage Requiem, symphonic metal, Vassili Moltchanov | Leave a comment

Album Review: EMPIRES OF EDEN – Architect Of Hope

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Phil Berisford

MelodicRock Records [release date 09.03.15] Empires Of Eden is the brainchild of Australian guitarist Stu Marshall who currently trades his wares alongside the mighty Ross The Boss in Death Dealer and “Empires of Eden” is the follow up to 2012’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged album, Architect Of Hope, Carlos Zema, Empires Of Eden, George Call, Jeff Martin, MelodicRock Records, metal, Mike Cotoia, Mike Dimeo, Ralf Scheepers, Raphael Dantas, review, Rick Altzi, Stu Marshall, Tony Webster | Leave a comment

Album review: EDEN’S CURSE – Live With The Curse

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 13.03.15] “Live With The Curse” was recorded live in what can probably be classed as Eden’s Curse’s hometown of Glasgow back in late November 2014 in support of their rather excellent “Symphony Of Sin” album. This … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Code Of Silence, Eden's Curse, John Clelland, live, Live With The Curse, melodic metal, Nikola Mijic, Paul Logue, Power Quest, review, Steve Williams, Thorsten Koehne | Leave a comment

Album Review: ISSA – Crossfire

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [release date 20.02.15] Issa Oversveen returns with “Crossfire”…an album of original material following on from her 2012 obscure AOR covers album “Can’t Stop”. The promotional literature mentions Issa in the same breath as both Heart and Roxette and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged album, AOR, Crossfire, Frontiers, Issa, James Martin, Michael Cruise, review, Tom Martin, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: SERIOUS BLACK – As Daylight Breaks

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 16.01.15] Serious Black can only be described as a European metal super-group due to the presence of former/current members of Helloween/Masterplan, Blind Guardian, Edenbridge, Visions of Atlantis and Bloodbound. Sounds extremely promising… The band started as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM, album, As Daylight Breaks, Dominik Sebastian, Jan Vacik, Mario Lochert, MASTERPLAN, metal, review, Roland Grapow, Serious Black, Thomen Stauch, Urban breed | Leave a comment

Album review: U.D.O – Decadent

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 23.01.15] Everyone’s favourite German growler, Udo Dirkschneider, is back with his new studio album “Decadent”. It doesn’t seem long since I was underwhelmed by his one paced “Steelhammer – Live From Moscow” album. So what does … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Accept, AFM, album, Andrey Smirov, Decadent, Fitty Wienhold, Francesco Jovino, Kasperi Heikkinen, metal, review, U.D.O, Udo Dirkschneider | Leave a comment

Album review: JORN LANDE & TROND HOLTER – Dracula : Swing Of Death

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [Release date 23.01.15] It’s that man Jorn Lande again…hot on the heels of the latest Allen-Lande release comes “Dracula : Swing of Death”. This time it is a collaboration with Wig Wam guitarist (aka Teeny) on what has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dracula, Frontiers, Jorn Lande, Lena Fløitmoen Børresen, review, rock opera, Swing Of Death, Teeny, Trond Holter, Wig Wam | Leave a comment

Album Review: BAILEY – Long Way Down

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Phil Berisford

Frontiers Records [release date 8.12.14] Bailey (a lot of thought went into that one) is the debut album by Three Lions vocalist Nigel Bailey. Nigel was plucked from obscurity by Frontiers for the underwhelming Three Lions album alongside Vinny Burns … Continue reading →