 |
| IN BRIEF CD REVIEWS - 2007 |
| HARD ROCK SPECIALISTS |
| SINNER - Mask Of Sanity (Frontiers) Veteran metal boys back from the dead - with a fairly consistent return with a stack of meaty riffed tunes that should satisfy both old and new fans alike. Traditional hard rock metal, with all the right elements to wet the appetite of many! (7/10) |
| GRAVE DIGGER - Liberty Or Death (Indy) Another veteran band returns with a tasty riff packed, package that rubs shoulders with their last release, 'The Last Supper' - with more of the same glorious cranking hard rock metal for all their 'long-time' fans to - bang thy heads to! (7/10) |
| THE ALMIGHTY - Anthfucking'ology - The Gospel According To (Sanctuary) Scotland's biggest export, next to haggis, kilts and johnny walker whiskey - THE ALMIGHTY return with all their best moments on this excellent package of riff-a-rolla in all it's glory. The list of songs speak for themselves: Wild 'N' Wonderful, Free 'N' Easy, Jesus Love You But I Don't, Devil's Toy, Sin Against The Light, Addiction - they're all here! Time to introduce yourself to this highly underrated band! (8/10) |
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| QUIET RIOT - Rehab (Indy) The veteran US band that was a household name in the early 80's returns with a solid mix of hard rock and blues with a modern sounding approach that kinda works well. Longtime fans might be surprised at the overall sound but it does have some fairly good tunes with singer Kevin Dubrow sounding pretty darn good throughout. (6/10) |
| SAXON - Inner Sanctum (SPV) Far heavier in sound and equal to - if not more stimulating than their last excellent studio album, 'Lionheart' (2005) - the new SAXON CD has a definite lean towards power-metal on a couple of tunes, with the 'classic' style SAXON tunes not forgotten either. This is definitely a very good British metal album, and it should impress - all who hear this highly underrated, 'legend' band, delivering another very good album in deed! (9/10) |
| TAROT - Crows Fly Back (Nuclear Blast) Tough, uncompromising hard rock with numerous influences - albeit with a Goth rock sound in places, with some very memorable songs that display grunt, attitude and clever song writing that will find many fans who love this band. Far meatier, than fellow Goth rock exponents like, Him, The 69 Eyes etc. with a style that is similar in parts to tough nuts - Poison Black! (8/10) |
| ROSE TATTOO - Blood Brothers (Armageddon Import) Angry Anderson and the boys - bounce back with much more bite and aggression than their, 'Pain' release of 2003 with quite possibly, the bands' strongest consistent studio recording since 1981's, "Assault And Battery"! Yes, original guitarist Mick Cocks is back on deck and believe me you can tell with a grunt this outfit has been missing for all those many years! This is cracker of a return! (9/10) |
| THE 69 EYES - Angels (Virgin) Picking up where their last, "Devils" (2005) left off with more of the same smooth, slick sounding Goth Rock - that should appease all the bands' long-time fans no end. There's definitely a more rock orientated direction this time around with lashings of crisp riffs and commerical melodies that top off some darn good tunes. Break out the make-up, the leathers and bondage gear - The 69 EYES are back where they belong! (8/10) |
| MANOWAR - Gods Of War (SPV) The men who play on 10 - are back with a full studio album that actually is a concept album with plenty pomp, ceremony and oh yes - there a few good charging hard rock songs that might, might keep you interested?! Too much pomp, not enough killer songs. Good, but far from great! (5/10) |
| WASP - Dominator (Indy) Blackie Lawless returns to 'his roots' musically speaking, with an album that's almost equal in quality to his peak of the mid 80's with songs that actually have that unmistakable bark, bite and essence from that 'hey day' era of WASP! These are some of the best songs by WASP in many a year, with Blackie sounding in very fine voice and it's a very welcome return! (7/10) |
| TYPE O NEGATIVE - Dead Again (SPV) You know what to expect and it's delivered here in all it's glory, with dirty riffs, frantic playing, doom laden songs with an attitude soaked album - that'll make their fans either pogo around their lounge rooms or just vegetate in their chairs the world over. (5/10) |
| PINK CREAM 69 - In10city (Frontiers) Commerical melodic hard rock, along the lines of House Of Lords, Europe, Gotthard and Pretty Maids - with plenty of tasteful tunes, infectious melodies and a number of very strong songs on offer. Classy and crunchy all in one - a definite must for fans of the above acts. (7/10) |
| THRESHOLD - Dead Reckoning (Nuclear Blast) Crunchy, commerical hard rock with lashings of brilliant melodies, good songs and some power metal thrown in the mix without being overdone. There's plenty on offer here if you like your rock with class, bite and truck loads of melodic songs. (7/10) |
| DREAMLAND - Eye For An Eye Dockland) Back with their second album, with more of the same melodic metal - that they showcased on their 2005 debut platter, 'Future's Calling' with anthems and infectious rock songs to satisfy most metalheads with meaty riffs, heaps of shredding and a solid product. (8/10) |
| HARDCORE SUPERSTAR (Independent Import) Back from the dead? I thought these guys had finished - instead they're back with album # 4, self-titled and it's their best, toughest sounding, most consistent product EVER! The songs, performance and passion all come shining through on this very good hard rock record. A very welcome return! (9/10) |
| RHINO BUCKET - Pain And Suffering (Acetate Import) LA's dirty rock 'n 'roll band, RHINO BUCKET - return with a 'revamped', re-packaged version of their previous 1994 album, 'Pain' with bonus tracks. That alone make's this worth buying! For newcomers, this is a MUST - great hard rock from one of the world's, most underrated bands! (9/10) |
| THUNDERSTONE - 4.0 (Riot) A solid well rounded album, that showcases - class, style and mountains of different metal within the genre with moments of classic, power metal and melodic rock all rolled into one top notch package. There are some great tunes on offer, definitely worth a serious listen. (8/10) |
| ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY - Open Fire (Independent Import) Dirty southern styled, hard assed rock 'n' roll - along the lines of Blackfoot, Jackyl and Nashville Pussy albeit with a far more serious attitude. There's plenty to like about this band, cracker riffs, good songs, down 'n dirty vocals - yes, it's all here if ya like your rawk 'n roll?! (7/10) |
| BLACK SABBATH - The Dio Years (Rhino Import) Well, the name speaks for itself - doesn't it?! The DIO era of the, 'masters of metal' was and is a beautiful thing to many and this 'Best Of' package complete with 3 brand new songs - is a must for any 'die hard' Black Sabbath fan! Discover, how dam good this line-up really is! (9/10) |
| MEGADETH - United Abominations (Roadrunner) Mighty, menacing and magnificent - is what some people might say about the return release for Megadeth, "United Abominations"? Others, well they'll probably just shit-can it! Personally, it's a great Megadeth album equal to if not superior to their last brilliant album, The System Has Failed. (9/10) |
| GOTTHARD - Domino Effect (Nuclear Blast) Following up their excellent 2005 CD, "Lipservice" - along comes the new model by GOTTHARD to hopefully further enhance the band's acceptance around the rock world. This is top notch effort that will please long-time fans no end - for newcomers, come and listen to one of Europe's finest melodic rock bands! (10/10) |
| SCORPIONS - Humanity Volume 1 (Universal) Not content with the excellent 2005 'comeback' release CD, "Unbreakable" - Germany's most famous hard rockers, SCORPIONS enlist the talents of singer/songwriter/producer - Desmond Child who delivers a consistent, well rounded product. The band have never sounded better, with great production, that's not overdone - enhancing some of the bands' best commerical sounding, rock songs since their 'hey days'. A true masterpiece! (9/10) |
| OZZY OSBOURNE - Black Rain (Sony) In a word - excellent! Ozzy finally releases the album most of us have been hangin' out for years! Zakk Wylde gives us a great swagger of riifs, solos and a tough, nasty sound we've all longed for, for so long on an Ozzy album. Easily, one of his best - standing alongside such epic releases like, 'No More Tears'! (10/10 - full marks!) |
| KAMELOT � Ghost Opera (SPV)
Another slice of goth inspired rock, this time around we get numerous different styles compared to others within the genre. There a number of interesting grooves from metal, rock, goth, dance? - an interesting and likeable release (7/10) |
| DREAM THEATER � Systematic Chaos (Roadrunner)
This very popular and sophisticated metal band returns with a very classy album indeed, filled to the brim with all the glorious elements that make them loved by so many � pretty dam good! (9/10) |
| ICED EARTH � Overture Of The Wicked (SPV)
One of the US's best traditional Metal bands ever - comes blasting back with 4 songs to wet the appetite before the new album arrives in a couple of months. Tim Owens again is in excellent voice screaming, roaring and wrapping those unmistakable vocals around some high quality metal! (9/10) |
| RHINO BUCKET � No Song Left Behind (Acetate)
Brand new release contains 3 previously unreleased songs, numerous live tracks and a few demo versions of 'classic' Bucket tunes. A must for 'diehard' fans and a great collection for new comers to the band (9/10) |
| BLACK MAJESTY � Tomorrowland (SPV)
Australian based power metal of the highest order � equal to anything that is similar in the genre. Fans of acts like the mighty, Vanishing Point and Dragonforce - should love this magnificent release. (8/10) |
| HELLFUELED � Memories In Black (Black Lodge)
Following up their excellent 2005, 'Born To Rock' CD � Hellfueled ups the dosage with more of the same wonderous, stomping hard rock that's beautiful music to these ol' ears! (8/10) |
| ABANDONED - Thrash You (Dockyard) Fantastic 'old -school' thrash metal by German act, ABANDONED - who play, write and deliver thrash metal the way it's supposed to be played. Fans of Exodus, Testament, Slayer, Heathen - take note: these guys do it very well indeed! (9/10) |
| ANNIHLATOR - Metal (Riot) I remember the name - this is 'Old School' metal played at a premium with loads of riffs, sizzling leads, break neck tempos and thundering drums! Sounds good, it's definitely for those who love their 'old school traditional metal' - Excellent! (8/10) |
| BON JOVI - Lost Horizon (Universal) The boys from New Jersey make an interesting career choice considering their last album, 'Have A Nice Day' - was their strongest album in years?! Well, this time around it's Bon Jovi - country music style? There's maybe 2 tracks that are cool, the rest forget (3/10) |
| HIM - Easy Listening Volume 2 (Sony/Bmg) Hey, I like HIM - but this is just a case of their former record comapny milking the bands' new popularity. Volume 1 contained lots of ballads etc. where as this edition has some of the bands' meatier tracks. Save your money, wait for the new HIM album instead! (4/10) |
| ROADKILL - More To Come ... (Independent) Australian hard rock band that packs a wallop, has style and a slight modern approach with cracker tunes, King Hit and Get Outta My Way rocking hard while AOR styled tune, Hollywood - has the swagger and substance to rival GNR and Velvet Revolver! (7/10) |
| NIGHTRANGER - Hole In The Sky (Frontiers) Well rounded product with finess, crunch and tasty songs that are strong, commerical and quite infectious. The band sound good, the CD sounds good, probably the strongest outing for a long time and it definitely rocks. Lovers of great AOR rock with a slight bark, should love this record. Far superior to the last dismal Journey release! (7/10) |
| IRON SAVIOR - Megatropolis (Dockyard) Tough, uncompromishing hard rock played by a band that rips through songs that feature many different facets of metal music. Mean, nasty and thoroughly enjoyable. IRON SAVIOR are definitely a force to be reckoned with, this is a great album, crank and enjoy! (8/10) |
| VELEVET REVOLVER - Libertad (Sony/BMG) Back with their follow-up to their excellent, multi platinum debut - VR fans are probably going to be disappointed with this fairly mediorce release that only has 40% of the tough rock songs that made their debut shine! Most of the CD sounds like Stone Temple Pilots outakes - which you might appreciate? Hard core GNR/VR fans - aren't going to be fullfilled - that's for sure! (5/10) |
| AIRBOURNE - Running Wild (Roadrunner) Aussie hard rock - i.e. early AC/DC style that shits all over hyped acts like, Jet , Vines, Wolfmother, etc. This is the real deal right here folks with a sparkling new album that has enough acca-dacca riffs to keep AC/DC, Rhino Bucket, Krokus etc. fans very happy (8/10) |
| JET - Shine On (Warner) Well, we told you they were average - when everybody else was wetting their pants over their debut platter. A couple of years later and it's no better this time around. There are so many more better bands in Australia who rock far harder and better than these average sounding bozos! (4/10) |
| CLAWFINGER - Life Will Kill You (Nuclear Blast) Well, it certainly kicks along with some very tough obnoxious sounding riffolla - enhanced with some catchy choruses and a number of songs definitely deliver. The modern groove works well here but I'm not too sure about one song that seemingly is about a pedophile?! - so i'll deduct a couple of points, otherwise it's a pretty solid album. (7/10) |
| DEKAPITATOR - The Storm Before The Calm (Relapse/Riot) Glorious - is the word to describe this old fashioned sounding thrash band from the Bay Area in the US. Yes, they do sound like the 'old guard' bands from yesteryear with razor sharp staccato riffing a plenty, delivered with neck-snapping fury by the formidable new leaders of thrash metal! Excellent - (10/10!) |
| LUMP - Choose Your Weapon (Riot) Australian modern sounding stoner hard rock act featuring ex-THE POOR vocalist, Skenie - wrapping his unmistakable tonsils around some tasty, tough sounding modern rock that has nothing to do with his old act musically speaking. LUMP have a now sound and some damn good songs to boot. Great production courtesy of one time sound man, Greg Clarke - a very well rounded sounding product (8/10) |
| PAIN DIVISION (Riot) New Australian metal act that features ex-Dungeon guitarist, Stu Marshall - who has riffs a plenty, highlighted with some frenzied solos throughout. The album has a number of various styles of metal, with some working better than others. Only a couple of tunes standout with the production letting this platter down somewhat. The bands sounds good, I notice old ex-Heaven drummer, Joe is back on deck! (6/10) |
| PRIMAL FEAR - New Religion (Frontiers) Those German metal masters return with a very solid release with plenty of menacing metal anthems that should appease most devoted to the band. There's riffs a plenty, screaming solos, glorious vocals, thundering drums - yeah it's all hear with a tight production and some pretty good songs on offer. It almost equals their 2005 'masterpiece', "Seven Seas" - well almost?! (9/10). |
| CIRCUS DIABLO (Koch Indy Import) Tough bravado, hard rock that has underlining riffola similar to Velvet Revolver - but with far more gas in the tank. Good songs, good melodies, good production with a definite crank that should appeal to many rock fans. A good product featuring musicians from The Cult, The Almighty, Fuel etc. A very solid debut! (9/10) |
| HALFORD - Metal God Essentials Volume 1 (Riot) The Metal God - Rob Halford returns with a 'Greatest Hits' type compilation that has some tasty, tremendous metal tunes that his solo bands, Halford and Fight have cranked out while in exile from Judas Priest. A good selection of tunes with 2 new tracks, it's a worthy purchase. (8/10) |
| MOTORHEAD - Better Motorhead Than Dead LIVE AT HAMMERSMITH (SPV) British Iconic 'legends' MOTORHEAD return to their old stomping grounds where the magnificent 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith' was recorded back in 1981! The result is a double CD, that captures one of Britian's finest ever exponents of ass kickin' metal blazing their way through 23 of their 'all time classics' - delivered by a band that has never, ever SOLD OUT in 30 years! (10/10 - you betcha!) |
| MORTAL SIN - An Absence Of Faith (Riot) Australian 'veteran' metal band, Mortel Sin - return from the dead to release their new' album, "An Absence Of Fear" - being a great sounding, tough metal album that has been a long time coming! The wait has been worth it with tons of nasty, tasty metal to sink your teeth into and should please longtime fans and introduce themselves to a whole new generation of fans! A great return. (8/10) |
| HEAVEN AND HELL - Live Radio City Music Hall 2007 (SPV) The MK II Sabbath boys, better known as HEAVEN & HELL - deliver a great sounding concert with numerous 'classics' that sound just as good today, as they did 20 odd years ago! Throw in a couple of newies, add some later Dio era Sabbath - wrap it all together with this line-up and you get CLASS all the way! It's so very good to hear 'em! (9/10) |
| ICED EARTH - Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1) (SPV) Following up their 'teaser' EP, just a couple of months ago comes the full blown album, "Framing Armageddon" - ICED EARTH are back in attack mode delivering a very cool, sounding project with tones of meaty riffs, great melodies and some cracker songs on offer as well. If you except the latest edition of the band - you should love this new CD, Owens again delivers awesome vocals and the musicianship is second to none. (8/10) |
| AXEL RUDI PELL - Diamonds Unlocked (SPV) The German guitar master returns with an album full of cover versions including songs by: U2, Montrose, The Who, Riot, Phil Collins and Kiss to name a few. All are given the ARP treatment and all sound pretty darn good with the band as tight as ever. I got to be honest, it's far stronger than his last mediorce release. (7/10) |
| HIM � Venus Doom (Warner)
Finland's Goth rock darlings, return with a far tougher sounding release compared to their last commercial sounding CD. It has a more doom laden feel in places, a couple of good songs but fails miserably to reach the glorious heights of their 2005 'Love Metal' masterpiece. That's 2 average albums in a row and to me � that's the problem! (5/10) |
| GREAT WHITE � Back To The Rhythm (Frontiers)
Back on deck and sounding just like they used to, the smooth voiced Jack Russell leads the boys through a fairly consistent return album that should please all their long time fans. It sounds good, if a little light in the harder edged song department. Good, but not great (6/10) |
| THE CULT - Born Into This (Roadrunner) Six years since the excellent, 'Beyond Good & Evil' release along comes THE CULT's brand new album and I'm sorry to say - but average is the word here folks! Instead of a British Rock masterpiece, we get a lame alternative babble that has maybe 3 songs that might excite newbies to the genre. If you wanna hear guitarist Billy Duffy crank out rock riffs - then check out CIRCUS DIABLO instead! Lame, so very lame! (5/10) |
| ROADKILL � God Bless America (Independant)
Debut platter for Australian hard rockers, serves up a number of different styles that range in feel from metal, rock, punk, industrial, classic metal, thrash and melodic - with a class and style that has heaps of attitude and appeal. (8/10) |
| EVILE - Enter The Grave (Earache) Old School style thrash metal - ala early METALLICA played with the same degree of brilliance and ferocity that the masters once had in abundance. Cracker riffs a plenty and some dam great songs too! Produced by Flemming Rasmussen - very good debut! (8/10) |
| HANOI ROCKS - Street Poetry (Demolition) Finlands' finest? Maybe the third times the charm? Back with album # 3 - since reforming and I must say - this sounds a far more consistent platter this time around with lots of lipstick and plenty of tasty, dirty little rock 'n roll. Munroe still looks like an old whore - and that's a good thing! (8/10) |
| VANISHING POINT - The Four Seasons (Riot) Well constructed, meticulous power metal played to perfection by a band that has World Domination in mind. This is a very good release which I think eclipses their last formidable effort. The songs are trimmed and more palatable - I expect BIG things for this band! (9/10) |
| NIGHTMARE - Genetic Disorder (Regain) Old School metal containing numerous meaty, brutal, riff orientated songs that should have you banging your head in no time. This is tough traditional metal played by a band who ooze metal from their pours! (7/10) |
| MONSTER MAGNET - 4 Way Diablo (SPV) Back after 2 years, Monster Magnet - return with a new album that sees them back in a more familar territory with a more varied style this time around, harking back to earlier material. There's rock, ballads, stoner - all the elements that make MM popular are here. (7/10) |
| HELLOWEEN - Gambling With The Devil (SPV) You know what to expect and this band doesn't disappoint, with the usual lashings of genres within metal including some great power metal. Big, brash and beautiful - some will love it, some won't, time to whip yourself into a frenzy (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! (9/10) |
| LED ZEPPELIN - Mothership (Warner) The 'legendary' hard rock giants release a new compilation, which unfortunately has no new material on offer - making this a pointless addition to many peoples CD collections. If you want new versions of their 'classics' - then this is for you?! Me, I've got my Zep albums already (6/10) |
| McQUEEN - Break The Silence (Demolition) Four girls in a band kicking ass - yes! Not since the days of GIRLSCHOOL - has an all girl band impressed me with an album packed full of good hard rock songs with attitude, angst and a shitload of catchy songs. McQueen are a cool band, check 'em out! (8/10) |
| THE ORDER - Metal Casino (Dockyard) Crisp, whip cracking hard rock - delivered with passion, bite and an awesome band cranking out some of the best hard rock released this year! Lovers of Acca Dacca, Rhino Bucket, Krokus, Airbourne, Creed - take note - good old fashioned hard rock played to perfection! (9/10) |
| RATT - Tell The World/The Very Best Of .. (Rhino) This is an absolute awesome package by one of America's finest, hard rock bands. They delivered some of the finest ever moments in American 80's hard rock with some fantastic song writing displayed here in all their glory. A must have - for any geniune 80's hard rock lover! (10/10) |
| SEBASTAIN BACH - Angel Down (EMI Import) The ex-Skid Row singer finally - 12 months late (better late than never?), 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 - then you're gonna be disappointed. What this album does prove, is that both Sebastain and the current 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 - World conquest awaits!! (9/10) |