Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

NASTY IDOLS – Kalifornia

Perris Records Sweden’s Nasty Idols recently unleashed their sixth album, “Kalifornia”, and just in time for it to slide into my top albums of 2012. Produced by Matti Engdahl and the band, the album is heavier in part than its … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – Epicloud

Inside Out www.insideout.de         The musical genius that is Devin Townsend is back, although this is an album of highly addictive pop metal/hard tunes and not the Ziltoid sequel he was apparently planning – that is coming … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Plays: SOULICIT, HUMBUCKER

SOULICIT – Parking Lot Rockstar (Thermal Entertainment/Music Buy Mail) American hard rockers Soulicit have burst on to the rock scene recently, touring with the likes of Buckcherry, Fuel, SevenDust and Halestorm to critical acclaim.  “Parking Lot Rockstar” is the outfit’s … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

KAMELOT – Silverthorn

SPV ww.spv.de         An important album for Kamelot as with the departure of the band’s previous vocalist Khan, his replacement would have big shoes to fill. Luckily the band have chosen wisely in Tommy Karevik, formerly of … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

TORBEN SCHMIDT – Long Short Story

Blimey here is a blast from the past as Torben Schmidt used to front Danish melodic/pomp rockers Skagarack, who even played the Reading festival back in the late 80’s. The band split in the mid-90’s and nothing much has been … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

AOR (Frederic Slama) – L.A.Temptation

AOR - L.A. Temptation

(AOR Heaven) There’s no doubt that AOR has been enjoying a revival in recent years, epitomised perhaps by the revival of the band FM, a dedicated UK-based print magazine, and a forthcoming UK festival.  And of course Firefest goes from … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MAJESTY OF REVIVAL – Through Reality

    Total Metal Records ( Release date – out now) The back cover of this CD contains the legend ‘the majesty of power metal’ which set my expectations high. In some respects they do reach a high standard and … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , | Leave a comment

COCKNEY REJECTS – East End Babylon

Cadiz Music (Release Date – 12th Nov 2012) Old punks never die, they just hone their musical skills and release excellent hard rock/ metal albums as is the case here. Cockney Rejects have been dishing out their views on the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Quick Play: THE APOSTATES, ZEN MOTEL, CAPTAIN CRIMSON, THE SPOKES, FULLFORCE

THE APOSTATES – Wide-Eyed & Determined www.theapostates.co.uk (Released Dec 10th) The Apostates formed back in 2006 and the three piece consist of Adam Stone (vocals/guitar), Steve Reynolds (bass/vocals) and Mike Saminaden (drums/vocals). They have racked up hundreds of live shows … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DOKKEN – Broken Bones

Frontiers Rumoured to be the last album under the band name Dokken, new album “Broken Bones” is somewhat of a triumphant fanfare that rolls back the years. Featuring only Don Dokken and drummer Mick Brown from the original line up, … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

IMPERA – Legacy Of Life

Escape Music www.escape-music.com       Formed around drummer JK Impera (Bruce Kulick/Graham Bonnet/John Corabi) he is joined by guitarist Tommy Denander (who has played on hundreds of albums including Toto, Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley) and vocalist Matti Alfonzetti (once … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

RAINBOW – Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll (Re-issue)

Polydor/Universal Another double CD re-issue of the band’s classic 1978 album, with the bonus CD adding rough mixes of songs on the original album, some live versions and a couple of rehearsal takes.Interesting sleeve notes that include interviews (archive ones … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SOLIEL MOON – On The Way To Everything

Frontiers www.frontiers.it       Soliel Moon is a duo formed by vocalist Larry King (current singer in the Michael Thompson Band and Michael Thompson guests on this album) and keyboardist John Blasucci. This is the band’s second album and … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

TWISTED SISTER – Twisted Xmas – Live in Las Vegas

(DVD/CD) Eagle Vision www.eagle-rock.com       Twisted Sister released their own twisted versions of some Christmas classics a few years ago and now we have a live DVD and CD of these, with a few Twisted Sister classics added … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TEN – Heresy & Creed

FRONTIERS RECORDS www.frontiers.it       Less than two years after returning to something like their old form with their Stormwarning release, Ten have capitalised on renewed interest and a successful mini tour with a new line up with an … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

ALLEGAEON – Formshifter

Metal Blade – Out Now. Allegaeon is a fairly young modern Death Metal outfit that has already enjoyed a fair share of exposure in music-related media since its inception back in 2008. Signed by legendary Metal Blade records on the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Leave a comment

MERMAID KISS – Another Country

Mermaid Kiss - Another Country

www.mermaidkiss.co.uk This, the third album under the Mermaid Kiss name, is tinged with a bit of sadness.  Founder member Evelyn Downing has decided to hang up her microphone.  But she does immerse herself in her final album with the band; writing, … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MENTULLS – Time Flies

The Mentulls - Time Flies

www.thementulls.com There’s already a buzz surrounding this Yorkshire teen outfit mainly because of their young age and the fact they sound like a band twice their age. And it’s true to say that on ‘Time Flies’ their third album (!!!), … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

MYCELIA – Isolator

    Self Release (Release Date – out now) When I popped this EP in my laptop, the ever reliable iTunes had it labelled as ‘pop’. Listening to it though, it is about as far removed from pop as you … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

SOAPBOX ARMY – Reactor

    Little Pioneer Records (Release Date – out now) Formed in New York in 2008, this is Soapbox Army’s second album, their self-titled debut having been released back in 2009. Alt rock is the band’s bag, think along the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , | Leave a comment

VALVE RIDER – BRING IT ON HEAVY

    Activemedia (Release date – Out now) Biker rockers Valve Rider have had a busy year, playing many biker festivals during their ‘Burning Rubber’ tour and finding time to record this, their debut album. The band play classic heavy … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TRI MEBIUS – Blind Materials

    Re-Strophe Records (Release Date – Out now) Japanese rockers Tri Mebius clearly have a sense of humour. What they appear to have done on this album is record a passable early 80’s heavy metal/ thrash soundtrack, popped to … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Quick Plays: SKANSKA MORED, WO FAT

SKANSKA MORED – Paths To Charon Small Stone Records Second album by this Swedish five-piece who meld 70’s rock with a latter day stoner rock vibe. Vocalist Janne Bengtsson is one of ths stars of the album as he can … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ESCAPE – Unbreakable

Z Records       A new band, although guitarist Vince O’Regan is involved and has appeared on albums from Eden and Legion amongst others. On vocals is a new name Stevie K who has a strong, melodic vocal and … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Leave a comment

MYSTERY – The World Is A Game

Unicorn Digital       Mystery were a bit of a mystery to me until I checked out the band members…a Michel St-Père on guitars and keyboards – no still none the wiser…and a certain Benoit David on vocals – … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment