| CD REVIEWS IN BRIEF - 2008 |
| JADED HEART - Sinister Mind (Frontiers) Faultless, commerical melodic hard rock played to perfection along the same lines as House Of Lords, Gotthard, Queensryche with countless great sounding songs that are as infectious as typhoid?! A very, slick, consistent package. (9/10) |
| SEBASTAIN BACH - Angel Down (Import)
Ex-Skid Row singer finally -12 months late releases a solid sounding effort comprising of various styles of metal that I personally think sounds good. If you're expecting, 'Slave To The Grind' MK II - you're gonna be disappointed. What this album does prove, is that both Sebastain and Skid Row - need each other if they're EVER going to ascertain major success again - FACT! (7/10) |
| HARDCORE SUPERSTAR- Dreamin' In A Casket (Indy Import)
Back with album # 5 - these sleezeoids of hard rock pick up exactly where their last glorious, self titled ass-kicker left off. More of the same glorious, infectious, foot stomping hard rock that is the perfect party music! Move over Motley - Wake Up World!! (9/10) |
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| DOWN - Over The Under (Roadrunner Records)
Tough, tenacious, uncompromising, down right heavy - great to hear these boys cranking out some decent riffs and songs again - been far too long. More consistent then their last effort with a resurrgeance in groove and song. Good come back. (8/10) |
| DROWNING POOL - Full Circle (Riot)
The hard assed hard rockers are back with the usual, tough, abrasive rock that's won them fans all around the world. The new CD is tough, tenacious and delivers some neck cracking tunes, that should please most fans?! Cool cover of Billy Idol song is excellent! (8/10) |
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| HARD ROCK SPECIALISTS |
| ROADKILL - God Bless America (Indepedant)
Australian TYRANT vocalist Neil Steel's new band - dishes up some good songs of various styles of hard rock/metal with plenty of passion, but suffers from average demo production. It definitely kicks and is slightly updated in feel compared to Steel's 'old school' band. (7/10) |
| SAINT DEAMON - In Shadows lost From The Brave (Frontiers)
Another excellent European goth rock, inspired metal act along the lines of TAROT, POISON BLACK - albeit with more melody deliver a very tasty debut platter that should appease most, who love the above mentioned acts. A great sounding, solid debut. (7/10) |
| GAMMARAY - Land Of The Free II (SPV) You know what to expect and boy don't they deliver - a very consistent, well crafted release full of meaty riffs, good songs, great production from this power packed outfit. Fans of the band should like this release, it has the right stuff?! (8/10) |
| TED POLLEY - Smile (Frontiers) The ex-DANGER DANGER man serves up a reasonable collection of powder puff pop rock tunes that might tantalize 15 year old girls but for an old dog like me - yawn! If you're fan, then you'll love it - me, next .... (4/10) |
| WINGER - Live (Frontiers) Talk about a great band - captured here in all their fabulous glory, the highly underated US act WINGER delivers a blistering set of their best songs with a smouldering display of perfect musicianship, with a class that many acts can only dream of. Brilliant! (9/10) |
| BASSINVADERS - Hellbassbeaters (Frontiers) Despite the fact they're are numerous famous bass players involved, this release is about as exciting as a day at your grand parents house! What a total waste of money, time ... Bass players and bedroom musos ONLY! (1/10) |
| WHITESNAKE � Good To Be Bad (Frontiers)
One of the world's master 'cock-rockers', David Coverdale - returns with a brand new version of Whitesnake for the new millienium. It is any good I hear you ask? Well, it sounds full bodied through decent production and the band play like session muso's and there's some good songs but two too many ballads, stop it from being a killer! (9/10) |
| BIG COCK � Motherload (Import)
Yes, those MILF loving hard rockers, BIG COCK return with their 3rd album, �Motherload� - delivering a mouth watering, collection of tasty cock-rock tunes to teaze and tantalize those craving something hard and throbbing in their life. Way more consistent than their last, much more bite like their excellent debut platter. (8/10) |
| SIXX A.M. - The Heroine Diaries (Import)
Another side project by MOTLEY CRUE bass player Nikki Sixx - SIXX AM's debut, "The Heroine Diaries" is a pop flavoured affair that has maybe 3 songs that nearly make the grade - the rest, forget. If you thought Sixx's other side project, BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION - were crap then you're going to absolutely f**kin' hate this!! (3/10) |
| FIREWIND - Premonition (Import)
The Greek metal act return with a very good album filled with all their usual grunt, finess and impeccable execution we've come to expect. Tons of meaty riffs, glorious melodies, pounding metal - with a more polish than last time. yep, it's all here for your enjoyment. Excellent! (9/10) |
| BLACK CROWES - Warpaint (Import)
Well, well - look who's dusted off those ol' feral/hippy clothes and back with the boys? Yes, folks the Black Crowes regroup - sort of and release their first album since, "Lions"! The good news is it sounds pretty good with the band seemingly, back on track - the bad news not enough killers but at least we're heading in the right direction. Definitely, better than their last! (6/10) |
| WARRIOR - Fighting For The Earth (Rerelease Import)
The heavily underated 80's US metal 'legends' WARRIOR have their 'infamous' debut album, "Fighting For The Earth" released on CD again and believe me - all true metal heads should own this! Riffs bigger than Arnie with songs that are pure magic! An absolute F**king CLASSIC! (10/10) |
| FIGHT - K5 The War Of Words Demos (Riot)
Not content with the up-coming Judas Priest opus, The Metal God - Rob Halford re-releases his debut FIGHT album, "War Of Words" albeit in a new demo version including 5 unreleased tracks. The original is a great album anyway and this is definitely worth getting, with a rawness that sounds good - just the way we like it! (9/10) |
| DOKKEN - Lightning Strikes Again (Frontiers) Far superior to their last mundane studio effort, "Hell To Pay" from a couple of years back. Now, this new CD is more like it - it's tougher, meaner and definitely showcases one of Los Angeles, finest hard rock acts. It's their most consistent album since 1995's 'Dysfunctional' with that 'classic' DOKKEN mid 80's sound readily apparent herein. Even without guitar master George Lynch onboard, this album rocks. About bloody time! (9/10) |
| AIRBOURNE - Running Wild (Roadrunner) Released last year 'Down Under' - now finally released Overseas, this hot debut by Australian hard rock outfit of merit, AIRBOURNE unlike fellow powderpuffs: Jet, The Vines etc. Are the real deal and crank out AC/DC riffs like the 'legends' used to back in the mid 70's. Destined for world wide conquest?! (9/10) |
| GUN BARREL - Outlaw Invasion (SPV) Dirty, obnoxious hard rock metal reminiscent of early 80's German metal acts like, Accept and Running Wild - with many tasty barn storming songs that should appease all who love this genre. If you like the above mentioned bands - this one's for you! (7/10) |
| DEF LEPPARD � Songs From The Sparkle Lounge (Universal)
Sheffield's favorite sons release a surprisingly, well put together album that has flair, flavour and above all else, some dam good commercial songs of various grooves that should please most who love this band. No, it's not 'Pyromania' or 'Hysteria' � but it's a close second being a well rounded melodic rock release that should please many! (9/10) |
| FATAL SMILE � World Domination (Indy)
Crunching, obnoxious hard rock featuring some good, catchy hard hitting songs executed well enough, but I don't like the singer. Heard it all a million times before and frankly, I've heard it much better. Plenty of tasty riffs, worth a listen � you be the judge (6/10) |
| TESTAMENT � The Formation Of Damnation (Indy)
Now, this is more like it � this US 'legend' metal act plays to perfection with meaty riffs, excellent songs and great melody. Not a dud song within earshot, these old school lads kick up a storm and should please many who missed their fix of first rate metal! (9/10) |
| LOUDNESS � Metal Mad (Indy)
This vintage Japanese metal band sounds nothing like the old band of the same name. If you're expecting songs like, Crazy Nights, Let It Go etc. then like me, you're going to be disappointed. It's basically a new band with a new modern direction, so you'll have to decide?! (7/10) |
| ROYAL HUNT � Collision Course (Frontiers)
Extreme pompous melodic rock, delivered with more sugar coating - than a Sara Lee cheesecake, exceuted to perfection with class and style. It's nice, it's safe � similar to House Of Lords, Jaded Heart etc. but far more pomp! (7/10) |
| SPYDER BABY � Let Us Prey (Riot)
In-your-face Goth rock act featuring a mixture of punk, metal, industrial along the lines of Marylin Manson, Murder Dolls, Rammstein, with tons of angst. It's tough, it's fiesty, it's modern and most importantly it f**kin' ROCKS! (8/10) |
| HOUSE OF LORDS � Come To My Kingdom (Frontiers)
Back with more of the same first class, glorious melodic hard rock featured on their last magificent, "World Upside Down" � unfortunately, it's not as consistent as the above opus, far too many ballads but rates a close second place. Good, not a killer!(7/10) |
| WHITE LION � Return Of The Pride (Frontiers)
Don't get too excited! Unfortunately, this is not really WHITE LION � sounding more like Mike Tramp's solo career with slightly more crunch. It does however, have it's moments but doesn't live up to the expections without guitar whizz - Vito Bratta onboard. Good but not great! (6/10) |
| KINGS X � XV (SPV)
Moody, cruisy, bluesy � hey, you know what to expect as we travel all over the music spectrum as the guys dish up their usual tasty assortment of numerous songs that have their own certain magic, you've just gotta listen to 'em! (7/10) |
| BRAINSTORM - Downburst (Independent) Sometimes brutal, sometimes metal - this hard assed act delivers a crushing release that should win many new fans, with numerous blood letting tunes that are tenacious, with more bite than a hungry pack of great white sharks! A serious contender ,,,, (9/10) |
| MOTLEY CRUE - Saints Of Los Angeles (Motley) Quite possibly - one of the best, most consistent album releases by this band in their long, turbulent career with plenty of bite and for a change, substance making Motley Crue sound good again. Definitely, has the right groove and should please most - who love the band. (8/10) |
| JUDAS PRIEST - Nostrodamus (Sony/BMG)
Overblown and some will say, 'over-done' but JUDAS PRIEST's 'concept' album works, sort of with some good interesting tunes and ideas. This release could be the bands' epitaph?!. Slightly better than, "Angel Of Retribution' (2005) but honestly, it pales in comparison to German 'Priest imitators - Primal Fear's last 2 excellent releases! For fans only! (7/10) |
| VICIOUS RUMORS - Warball (Independent) Veteran US 'old school' metal act VICIOUS RUMORS - makes a triumphant return with a killer album, full of the right stuff. Kicking and screaming with a vengeance - like Judas Priest once did in their sleep - this is what real metal should sound like, cracking riffs, steamroller songs and soaring vocals make this one of the best, geniune metal releases of the year! Now, this is what Priest should of released!! (9/10) |
| MYSTIC PROPHECY - Satanic Curses (Independent) Delivered with a tough, menacing attiude with tons of meaty metal songs to appease most who love this genre. The band dishes up some good tunes with more than enough to entice the listener. Not too bad! (7/10) |
| ASIA � Phoneix (Frontiers)
If you love the pomp of this soft melodic rock act, then this should get your pulse racing. Nothing as good as their 'hit', In The Heat Of The Moment' here. Personally, I'd rather go sailing - light weight AOR rock for elevators! Next ... (3/10) |
| STARBREAKER � Love's Dying Wish (Frontiers)
Back with their second album and it's basically the same, a perfectly created, executed and very satisfying album of impeccable quality. The songs, the melodies � that voice, STARBREAKER are easily one of the best, melodic hard rock acts in the world today. This brilliant CD displays it in all it's wonderful glory! (9/10) |
| ALICE COOPER � Along Came A Spider (SPV)
The master of 'shock rock' returns with a very, solid sounding and meaty product with plenty on offer to appease fans with a great collection of tunes that rates up there with some of his finest work. It's definitely more 'old school' in flavour, like early ALICE! (9/10) |
| JOURNEY � Revelation (Frontiers)
Absolutely outstanding return by the US melodic rockers, with a new singer, a new enthusiasm and a real spark in their music with quite possibly � one of the best album releases by JOURNEY - since their 'glory days' in the late 70's! A killer return! (9/10) |
| MOTORHEAD - Motorizer (SPV)
The British metal icons serve up another dose of hard assed hard rock, just as they done over the last 30 years. You know what to expect and Lemmy and the lads don't disappoint with another slab of audio assault on the senses. A little more variation this time around but it's not quite up to the standard of, "Inferno" -but it's still very good! (9/10) |
| ICED EARTH - The Cruicible Of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 (SPV) More glorious metal from one of America's finest 'old school' metal acts - continuing with their 'concept' with Part 2 featuring the return of original screamer, Matt Barlow. Some will love it, some won't - Impeccable first class metal all the way! (8/10) |
| METALLICA - Death Magnetic (Universal) One of the world's premier metal acts returns with a reasonable effort, no it's far from being a killer return that sees METALLICA seemingly back on track with a tough, sounding product that delivers what most fans want? Good, definitely about 80% better than the dismal 'St.Anger'! (8/10) |
| METAL CHURCH - The Present Heartland (SPV) Old School metal act METAL CHURCH - keeps the metal coming thick 'n fast courtesy of their new excellent CD, "This Present Wasteland" - picking up where their last left off with more crunching metal that should please all who love the band. Far superior to many within the genre including the below release! (9/10) |
| EVERGREY - Torn (SPV) What the hell is going on?! The grunt is still here, the execution is still here but the groove and the excellent song writing skills displayed on their previous CD, "Monday Morning Apocalypse" - have disappeared! Replaced by a band that now sounds more mechanical with not one song herein having that magic! A very disappointing release. Maybe SPV should let the band do their thing?! (5/10) |
| BUCKCHERRY - Black Butterfly (Atlantic) US hard rock sleazebags BUCKCHERRY - return with a very good, consistent follow up to their platinum selling "15" album with their latest, opus, "Black Butterfly" almost equalling the quality of their previous output. Not quite as crunchy this time around with a definite commercial polished sound but don't worry it still definitely kicks butt! Similar in quality to their 2nd CD 'Time Bomb' .... (7/10) |
| LAUREN HARRIS - Calm Before The Storm (Demolition) Daughter of Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris - Lauren looks the part, has a pleasant voice and as expected has a shit hot band backing her through an album of basic, rock tunes that sounds OK. Good, but there's plenty of far better female metal music on offer elsewhere! (5/10) |
| PAINDIVISION - One Path (Riot) Second album release by this Sydney based, Australian metal act serving up a two pronged attack that features nu-metal and 'old school' type tunes. Executition is fine, but PAIN DIVISION needs to decide what direction they want to follow, as this CD sounds a little lost in places (6/10) |
| WEDNESDAY 13 - Skeletons (Demolition) Stomping infectious hard rock with heaps of clout, good songs, catchy melodies and a goth rock undertone that should please most who admire and follow the band. Fans of Alice Cooper, Marylin Manson, Hardcore Superstar, etc. take note. Good sleazy glam metal! (8/10) |
| AC/DC - Black Ice (Sony/BMG) Crunching back into the world after a 8 year vacation - Australia's biggest rock export, regroup with a worthwhile release that should have 'bogans' the world over - rejoicing with the return of their favorite sons. While it's fairly consistent, it's still no match for the bands' better releases. Overall, a good safe return! (8/10) |
| YNGWIE MALMSTEEN - Perpetual Flame (Riot) Talk about the right stuff?!! European 'Legend' guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen - enlists ex Judas Priest/Iced Earth screamer, Tim 'Ripper' Owens to unleash that marvelous metal voice over some of Yngwie's best metallic moments with a killer CD that should be adorerd by many, many geniune metalheads! This is a beautiful union that delivers an awesome album! (7/10) |
| AXEL RUDI PELL - Tales Of The Crown (SPV) German guitar god, Axel Rudi Pell releases album # 18 which contains all the usual ingreidents, to satisfy his ever growing insaitable, army of fans. It's class all the way with a capital 'C' as Axel and his band deliver another mouth watering selection of excellent melodic rock tunes to appease most who love the man! Far superior to his last outing! (8/10) |
| GIRLSCHOOL - Legacy (Wacken) British hard rock 'legends' GIRLSCHOOL - now celebrating their 30th year of cranking out riffs, deliver a mature, crunching selection of 'classic' sounding tunes that show why they're the longest surviving all-girl band on the planet! Good songs, good production, it's a good GIRLSCHOOL album that should please all who love these bad ass girls! Excellent stuff - Kelly Johnson (R.I.P.) would be proud! (9/10) |
| GUNS 'N ROSES - Chinese Democracy (Geffen) You gotta be kidding me ... possibly, the most eagerly awaitied album of the last decade and after 10 years in the making has it been worth the wait?! The answer is quite simple, NO! There's maybe 3 songs that almost equal songs from "Use Yor Illusion" era but if you're expecting anything that's to the standard of "Appetite For Destruction" - THINK AGAIN! Like me you're going to be extremely disappointed! Axl may have finally buried this band forever, with .... like this!!! Don't waste your money! (3/10) |
| POISON BLACK - A Dead Heavy Day (Century Media) Following up their magnificent, "Lust Stained Despair" - POISONBLACK hit back with another killer album that's packed with all the right stuff! It has those killer riffs, great melodies, an angst ridden attitude that simply blows away powder puffs like, Him - into another world. One of Europe's most underated metal acts, POISONBLACK simply blows most of the opposition away, dare I say it: another serious contender! (9/10) |
| WEDNESDAY 13 � F**k It We'll Do It Live (DVE)
Not content with their recent new album, "Skeletons" � now along comes this menacing, stompin' collection of high octaine charged songs that showcase a good time, ass-kickin' hard rock band do their thing LIVE. It's very tasty and in-your-face - just the way we like it! (9/10) |
| TWISTED SISTER � Live At The Astoria (DVE)
Just in time for Xmas?! Arguably one of America's finest ass-kickin' hard rock acts from 'back in the day' - return to a packed house at London's Astoria, blazing away though 16 'classics' and definitely proving, that neither time or age has softened these New York mothers! Top notch! (9/10) |
| TRIVIUM - Shogun (Roadrunner) Maybe it's just me but I don't see/hear the big deal here?! New METALLICA - yeah right! It's as if the band aren't sure what direction or they're still trying to decide what type of metal they really want to be. Now that metal's regaining it's ROCK roots again it'll be interesting to see if their next CD goes in that direction?! Next .... (5/10) |