10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Tony Watson

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

HOUSE OF LORDS - Come To My Kingdom
(Frontiers Records - 2008)

House of Lords have enjoyed an interesting if not also remarkably prosperous duration in the eight years since they returned. They failed to impress with comeback record ‘Power And the Myth’ featuring the original line-up then put everything back in place with ‘World Upside Down’ for which we saw James Christian take on a set of new faces.

Move on a couple of years or so and the man knows what works best with this superb sixth studio trek. The opening title song is a tidy twin of ‘These Are The Days’ from ‘W.U.D.’ - perfect silky AOR of their modern rejuvenated style, as are ‘I Need To Fly’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait All Night’. ‘Another Day In Heaven’ is similar to Stan Bush classic ‘Love Don’t Die’ (haven’t you already covered this one, guys?) and is one of my immediate faves, if not for just that reason. ‘In A Perfect World’ and ‘The Dream’ are both impressive demonstrations, especially the latter, of the current incarnations progression towards a more Magnum-meets-Journey.

Sustaining the pace of things, the excellent ‘One foot In The Dark’ completes another triple brace with more of the same (thank you boys) giving us a peppery little bass lick at the start from new man Chris McCarville and a chorus that brings Brit AOR faves Lost Weekend to note. Momentarily lowering the tone, the sole track that fails to gel is ‘Your Every Move’, the guilty element being an incessantly wayward melody line that just doesn’t know which way to travel.

An awesome power ballad of true HOL class conglomerated over two decades, ‘I Believe’ leaves just about no box un-ticked and is the strongest tune of such format composed since their reunion. Magnum comparisons are inescapable on ‘One Touch’, Mr Christian trying his hands with keyboards in a fantastically Stanway-like turn at the beginning. ‘Even Love Can’t Save Us’ is an old fashioned out-and-out hard rocker with Jimi Bell almost having a go at the Coronation street theme on the way in. ‘In the Light’ is a great number, identifiable with material heard on James’s ‘95 solo disc ‘Rude Awakening’.

Another impressive performance from the LA hard rock scene’s greatest survivors sadly over, the retaining of this line-up has done James Christian justice and for those still about ready to write it off as just him plus hired hands playing under the House Of Lords name should think long and hard. They may no longer be with the services of Greg Giuffria but James has used determination, timing and integrity with the men he now plays alongside to keep this troupe strong and fighting.

Fantastic record again, Jimmy boy.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Talisman, Giant, Survivor.

ALSO RECOMMENDED:
HOUSE OF LORDS - World Upside Down
Their storming fifth offering, the first to feature the new line-up of Jimi Bell, BJ Zampa and the now departed Jeff Kent is as mentioned in the above review an immediately recognisable return to form but maintaining a revitalised edge that enables it to be told apart from their older discs. Check out the review, still on Metalliville pages.

6/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Tony Watson

10/10

By Tony Watson

9/10

By Tony Watson

8/10

By Tony Watson

Lauren Harris - Calm Before The Storm
(DR2 Records / Demolition Records - 2008)

Debut album from the daughter of Iron Maiden's Bassist and founder who makes her mark and stamp in the UK and beyond too.

It's damn good too - rocky in a poppy kinda way with some real spot on numbers like 'Your Turn' about a guy wanted to bed some troublesome young girl; the uptempo 'Get Over It'; the Dr. Love introing -like 'Let Us Be' and then some...

Also worth talking about for defo is 'Come On Over' (to my place) - well I can't refuse an offer like that can I ? Love the riffing - a la Stones with miles more zest and freshness or her fantastic covers of Gun's 'Steal Your Fire' and UFO's 'Natural Thing''.

She's got the voice, looks and talent to take it all the way!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Headhunter - Parasite Of Society

(AFM Records - 2008)

It's been a 14 year wait for the fourth Headhunter album. Marcel 'Schmier' Schirmer, who you will probably best know as vocalist for German thrash band Destruction, formed Headhunter in 1990 on his ten year split from his better known project.

For better or worse thrash is dropped by Headhunter in favour of power metal mixed with some quirky cuts (just get a load of the intro). What is remarkable about this release is that the trio from 1994 have remained unchanged; Schmuddel (ex-Talon) on guitar and in particular Jorg Michael on drums. Jorg is a great addition and has an impressive CV that includes Stratovarious, Running Wild and Grave Digger to name a few and is currently with Saxon.

Onto the present and 'Parasite Of Society' is an edgy and intense work, tracks such as 'Silverskull' are memorable solid performers that will go down well, but the faster paced, aggresive tracks such as the title track and 'Doomsday...' are more typical here. There are two cover tracks here; '18 and Life' (Skid Row) is injected with more energy and bombast but didn't appeal on the whole, 'Rapid Fire' (Judas Priest) is measured better. 'Remission' is a highlight for me, it's an atmospheric number, painting a sinister dreamscape that is well composed and progresses well.

Jorg doesn't seem to even break into a sweat on this release but he doesn't have to, the band is well balanced and Headhunter will get a decent cut for this trophy.

7/10

By Al Hoath

Highball Shooters - S/T (E.P)
(S/R - 2008)

A Swedish Sextet (and I bet there ain't many of them knocking about) who like the name of the band suggests sound very like a funky Deep Purple in the Hughes/Coverdale/Bolin era.

They sound like they came out in the mid 70's not in the Noughties amd are the pefect soundtrack for a classic retro film full of big flares and fly-away collared shirts.

You get the infectiously outstanding 'Sweet Luck'; the bluesy 'Free' and luxurious lesley and hammond led 'Mojo Man'; the addictive 'Loosely Tight' and a knock-out cover of Smokey Robinson's 'Get Ready'.

F*ck*n' Awesome !!

Go to www.myspace.com/highballshooters for more info on this brilliant band.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Hydrogyn - Deadly Passions
(DR2 Records / Demolition - 2008)

Female fronted Metal band from the US of A. A very across the board band with regard to genres

They fire up a smattering of In-Your-Face Power Metal in opener 'Rejection'; present us with a real nice version of 'You Oughta Know' by Alanis Morrisette; get nu-metal on us with 'Your Life' & 'Deadly Passions' - like a kinda Korn meets Doro Pesch.

'Candles Light Your Face' is a good one too sorta putting me in mind of The Amy Lee Band - sorry, I mean Evanescence as does the closing piano led 'Shadow'.

Good band who follow suit to artists who have made it big in the last few years (ie Korn & Evanescence).

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

MICHAEL HILDER - The Storm Pt1 - Search For The Grail

As that chap off ‘Life On Mars’ got involuntarily timeshifted back to 1973, so our friend Michael Hilder has done similarly, albeit in the musical sense.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

(HED)PE - Insomnia
(Suburban Noize - 2007)

I can’t decide quite what I’ll remember this band fro most, the name I can’t pronounce right for all my years of debate, or the band I struggled most to make myself like.

That out of the way, nu-metal vets (Hed)Pe do manage to gel with oneself in addition to the millions of you out there already, though it takes a couple of songs distance into an album to do so, as is the case again with this latest effort. These lads do have the knack on making their chorus easy to pick out as they often arrive along the top of a bouncy rhythm line that breaks in amongst the more-often-that-not indecipherable remainder of the number.

Partial to the old blast of Rage Against the Machine I still am today, and the Heds sometimes veer close to being the nearest best thing at least I can normally make out what Zack is on about unlike with the chap who fronts this lot.

Not bad but Limp Bizkit and Rage themselves do more for me anyday.

6/10

By Dave Attrill

HELLOWEEN - Gambling With The Devil
(SPV - 2007)

Germany’s No. 1 metal sons are just about doing that themselves, calling and album by such a title here in this year of 2007 but when their music defiantly sticks to its guns, the title should indicate so as to keep their more loyal fans pointed in the right direction.

That said, Helloween these days have modernized their tones more than a tad and show their immense aptitude for versatility here again but no grunge or nu-metal blotches on this disc’s surface to beware of. ‘Crack the Riddle’ is pure Judas Priest metal - a band Helloween have likened their sound to since the days one Kai Hansen stood behind the mike where Andi Deris now does an absolutely stunning job - Hansen’s quite successful splinter act Gamma Ray have also taken a few leaves out of Rob and co’s book to boot.

‘The Saints’ is bliss fro the common-or-garden Ween-ite, a seven minute power epic with a hooky verse-chorus-verse structure that makes the song still sound like it’s over and by in three. ‘As Long As I Fall’ is the boys in surprisingly laid-back hard rock mode with a strong AOR sensation tingling all around - the last attempt the guys made at going this soft was of course 91’s near unlistenable stinker ‘Pink Bubbles Go Ape’, but this time, they get it cracked.

That sorted, it’s time for more of their classic issue with ‘Paint A New World’, albeit revitalised for 21st century standards, before ‘Final Fortune’ sees them switch mode again with a Magnum-meets-Ten –instilled melodic rocker and my favourite song nomination is almost decided then and there. The chequering of styles continues throughout the following four cuts. Track 7, a Metallica-drenched stomping rifferama that is ‘Bells Of The Seven Hells’ gets the ol’ studded fists swinging afore a return to progsville with ‘Fallen to Pieces’ and having done the pure metal thang again with ‘I.M.E’, one of the best hooks they have ever penned, the keyboard laden ‘I can Do It’ does just what it says in the title.

‘Dreambound’ and ‘Heaven Tells No Lies’ close the album combining both sides of their infinitely diverse take on the power metal genre that has seen them rack up their millions of sales over the two-and-a-half decades elapsed, and solidly demonstrate why they are still one of the most revered metal acts on the globe today. Only Michael Weikath may remain from the original combo that first kicked off in 1983, but in mesrs Deris, Groskopf, Gerschtner and Lobel, he has a team keeping the Helloween flag at full mast if not more than. ‘G.W.T.D.’ itself is another sign of these veteran plays still happily at it with no intent of cashing their chips for a long time yet.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Get some practice in with those devil signs.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

KEN HENSLEY - Blood On The Highway
(Membran Music Ltd – 2007)

Seventies legends are stereotyped in taking either of two routes musically, later on in life - that of (most often but not strictly) vainly attempting to revive the form of their glory days to scathing receptions from the press, or banging together a belting new supergroup of those who share their inspirations and starting afresh.

With flying colours, ex Uriah Heep stringster Hen Hensley has passed on the latter as this unexpectedly robust release turns back the clocks 35 years and leaves everyone here in the present day of 2007 gasping. And do us modern types mind? Not one effing iota, mate. Even with Mr Hensley having taken the somewhat deadlier liberty of making a CONCEPT album about a man’s path to rock n’ roll stardom - a la WASP’s ‘Crimson Idol’- doing things that bit more by the book than necessary is allowed once more after all this time.

Boasting a notably happier ending for the lead character than in Blackie Lawless’s 1992 platter, ‘B. O . T. H.’ houses some fine classic rock music more in the UFO/Lizzy vein than the Heep and even with smidgens of soul and easy listening elements up various nooks and crans, purists and anyone with taste will appreciate the time put in here. ‘This Is Just The Beginning’, ‘we’re On Our Way’, ‘You’ve Got It’, ‘It Won’t Last’, ‘There Comes A Time’ and ‘I Did It All’ are the nominees for frequent pressings of repeat button, but the entire run of the disc rarely disappoints.

Contributions from Eve Gallagher, Glenn Hughes, Norwegian favourite Jorn Lande plus fellow ex Heepster John Lawton amongst others, on top of ever-incendiary strumming by Ken himself, are bonuses in their own right that render the magnitude of this project even harder to anticipate. Sadly quite likely to be a one off, I hope that Ken Hensley, 62 as he may be, still finds time to stop round long enough for a second, if it is likely to be anything close to a repeat performance of what has just passed through my woofers over the last hour.

Incredible.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

HELLOWEEN - Live In Sao Paulo ~ ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys -

Legacy World Tour 05/06’
(SPV - 2007)

Countless trends and two or three generations of metal followers on and we find these lads still at it. Helloween have enjoyed a fairly vibrant release schedule over the recent half-decade so while this double CD is no less a treat for their loyal believers, it hardly needs to be issued as a reminder that they are still about when it’s quite clear to the majority of true metal’s followers that they are.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Machine Head, Megadeth, Testament, Metallica (Hey Dave, that’s coincidental, they’ve got a Dane in them - Ed)

10/10

By Dave Attrill

ALMOST COMPULSORY IF YOU LIKE:
Judas Priest, Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, Metallica, Exodus

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Dave Attrill

4/10

By Dave Attrill

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Headrush - A Thousand Pictures (E.P)
(S/R - 2005)

A Stonkin' Six tracker that's packed with sleaze throughout. They hail from Stoke-On-trent, a place that gave birth to the one of the world's greatest rock stars - Saul Hudson, otherwise known as Slash who relocated to LA and the rest is history so to speak. Talking of LA, you'd have thought Headrush were born and bred Sunset Strip boys as they are so incredibly authentic - it's like they belong in the likes of The Rainbow or The Cathouse - not on some city pub stage in the UK - fact !!

To say that they are excellent musicians with an amazing throated frontman would be an understatement - bands like this don't come around too often around old blighty unfortunately - which is of major luck for Headrush and you can only agree when playing this fantastically exciting cd that features songs like 'Perfect Drug' (the video of which has been seen on Scuzz); 'Party Tonite' that's like Love Hate at their best or the fun-filled Pretty Boy Floyd flavoured 'In My Dreams' with big ballsy brashness and class 'wow wow wow chorus backing vocals'.

F*ck*ng Spot on - this is the Bogs Dollocks !!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

J. EDGAR HOOVER & THE BODY REMOVERS -

Take Yer Dead Ass Home EP

(Head Records)

If the ‘body’ in question meant that of a car, this would be about as fitting a name as you would get for this band, all life long. Yes, that’s right, I’ve spoilt it now, they are gritty garage rock of the very highest order, containing vaguely traceable Nirvana-isms, but get down and burn with the best of ‘em.

Put simply, here are five lovably aggressive American rock n’ roll toons, including one live, that you just have to have a guitar within reach when listening to. Not enough like this made nowadays.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

By Dave Attrill

6.5/10

By Al Hoath

9/10

By Dave Attrill

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

9/10

By Dave Attrill

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

6/10

By Dave Attrill

Adding vague Fear Factory/Anathema/My Dying Bride elements does cred to their wider appeal and another niche thus looks carved. More impressive developments in the Metal factory, even if it did take more than one listen for it to sink in.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

ALSO RECOMMENDED
HEARTLAND - Heartland (1991); Wide Open (1994); Bridge Of Fools (1997); Miracles By Design (1998); Communication Down (2002)
THE DISTANCE - The Distance (1997)
VIRGINIA WOLF - Virginia Wolf (1986)

Though only carrying two original personnel, that being messrs Grehan and Dee obviously, it packed in almost all of their greatest hits from their mid eighties heyday instead of lending half its duration to songs off 'the latest album'. There were inevitably a couple of numbers off the 'Dreamland'/'Lemon Tongue' offering but material from their two earliest albums would always be their obvious priority, hence 'Wave Babies', 'Stay In The Light', 'Burning In Love', 'What Does It Take', 'Feel It Again', 'All Along You Knew', 'Bad Attitude' plus undeniable closing selection 'New Girl Now'. 'Racing After Midnight' hardly got touched with only 'Looking Out For No1' and opener 'Other Side Of Midnight' whilst there was not a sausage from the 'Monsters…' LP , not even the stunning 'Say You Don't Know Me' - you swines.

Derry's solo spot makes the final edit but I'd have recommended watching it as well as listening to catch this guitar wizard doing his tricks. A band that stole the day, along with Jeff Scott Soto, Harem Scarem and Hardline, the Honeymoon lad's return was way too short but very Suite all the same. Still, they could have stayed around for longer considering how many said they enjoyed that set.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Hear as many bands of this sort each and every day, we may do, but for every bad or barely passable bandwagon occupant, there's a couple who pay the full fare for the ride.

Hiding With Girls appear to have earned their fair share of attention with their nu-breed oriented produce, from media and public in equal servings. On the same label as David R. Black, they sound little different but with a tad more of the 80's new wave thang though most of those guitar lines and hooks could have come from any decade and still sounded good, and their contemporary appeal to today's young rock following should be without question.

Hiding have nothing to hide and they all but show it.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Yes before you ask, it's the original album that's been re-packaged with a bonus disc of sessions. The original album songs are priceless with this debut being more like a greatest hits album when its got the psychedelia of 'Foxy Lady'; the blues of 'Red House'; the jazzy-like 'Manic Depression'; the blinding 'Can you see me?' and 'I can't live today' and of course the legendary hot, up-tempo number 'Fire' with a few additions like 'Remember'; the title-track itself as well as the well instrumentally played '3rd Stone from the Sun'.

The bonus disc is mainly all instrumental with the last take of a song having vocals - the exception being the take of 'Red House' that you here Chas Chandler compliment Jimi on, saying that that one should go on the album. It's good for fans to have but I reckon many of the hardcore will have had it on some bootleg at one point of unless it's been kept strictly under lock and key. One of the best here is the version of 'Fire' with no vocals - and funnily enough it's still as possible.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

A two disc collection of tunes performed on January 11th, 2004 before an audience of friends and selected regulars at Sound Image Studios, North Hollywood. Joining him are Chad Smith on drums (of 'The Red Hot Chilli Pepper's) who coincidentally played on Glenn's most recent solo album, 'Songs in the Key of Rock'; Kevin Dubrow of Quiet Riot plus his regular band members, these being guitarist JJ Marsh and keyboardist, Ed Roth.

As ever, it's bang on form - it seems it's the only way for the Wolves fan. Songs from the '..Key..' album are represented here, most notably 'Written all over your face';'Higher Places' and 'Can't stop the flood'. Glenn always reminisces his famous past and when it includes Deep Purple then why the hell shouldn't he. We are treated to the lesser heard 'You keep on moving' as well as the always impressive wailing extended blues epic 'Mistreated' - it would have been nice to have heard 'Burn' but you can't have everything can you. Top marks despite that said fact.

Also on DVD.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

This new comeback studio album is very much the old classic Heart style mixed in with a few aggressive modern numbers as well. Let's say that the female Led Zeppelin have returned with the Nancy's acoustic guitar in the foreground with songs like 'Enough' and 'I need the rain' showing they can still pull it off tremendously well.

Packed with some soon to be live staples, it's like the material of the 80's never took place. Grunge fans will like 'Oldest Story in the World' that has some Zep hints in there. I like the fact that you get two versions of a stonkin' song called 'Fallen Ones' - presented both acoustic and electric forms.

It's a revelation of a release especially the bluesy 'Down the Nile' which the older, original fans will treasure - well to be honest, they'll love all that's offered on this platter. Ann's voice sounds as fine as ever and those melodies are out of this world - as far as Jupiter, my darlings.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Last year's Call Of Megiddo CD was quite a decent listen and Hell-Born's subsequent offering follows to similar quality, barely a year on. Relentless grinding metal delivered in an eighties method once more, these lads definitely don't have to look angry to sound it - one of them even manages a smile on the sleeve pics - and they sound pissed off enough to earn their merits on today's metal attitude market.

Twin-barrelled guitar attacks are delivered with not unfamiliar ammunition but zero relent and I can see very few survivors on the ground after the H.B. platoon have done their turn. Any live shows on UK/Euro turf would be warmly welcomed because with an equal concoction of the previous material and this loaded in their cannons, this is one band planning a highly lethal air-strike in the current metal scene on the continent.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Jimi Hendrix - No More a Rolling Stone

(Purple Haze Records - 2004)

A two disc set of material culled from two separate concerts - cd one being legendary 'The Monterey Pop Festival '67' where Jimi burns his guitar during the closure of the set in 'Wild Thing'. No doubt fans will know this set like the back of their hand with classic covers such as opener 'Killing Floor'Bob Dylan's 'Like a rolling stone' and 'Rock me baby' later made famous by The Jeff Beck Group (feat. Rod Stewart on vocals) and live fixture 'Hey Joe'. A fresh, vibrant, set with plenty of tune ups because as Jimi puts it 'they care' that's gone down in rock history - he even introduces the band in case the audience don't know who they are and 'Purple Haze' which he says is gonna be a double A side single - hey they've got some haze down there in the crowd - well it is the height of drug crazed flower power.

A set from '5th September, 1967 in Stockholm' makes up cd 2 - 8 numbers that include opener 'Seargent Pepper…' by The Beatles and nice versions of 'I don't live today' that Jimi dedicates to American Indian and 'Burning of the midnight lamp' that at the time was soon to be released on the new album. It's top quality soundboard sound that no doubt appeared illegally on some dodgy old boot a few years since.

Information about the gigs is included in the booklet as well as a few black and white photos. 'Kin buy it.

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Promising.

7/10

By Dave Atrill

High School Motherf*ck*rs - Want Some?!
(Shotgun Generation records - 2004)

French rock band who have a liking for The Ramones (they cover 'Blitzkrieg Bop'' to hammer that point over furt5herly). Classic 2,3,4 DIY sounds crossed with hints of Motorhead (like 'Writings on the wall' and 'Hang over in Hungary'.

Simplistic, no-strings attached rock 'n' roll - it's like going back to the late 70's.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

A catch little name they may have but I'm afraid this is may not quite be one however that I make extra space in my suitcase to accommodate Sort of just-above-average pop material, The Holiday Plan aren't completely without ideas but they could do with putting a few more to use here, one or two finding their way into the second track.

A bit of a take or leave affair, I think.

6/10

By Dave Attrill

Indie Rock with a corkingly great drifting psychedelic tinged opener called 'Roll Up and Ride' that puts me in mind of Kula Shaker. The other tracks are more typical Indie - All too much' and 'Black Canvass' that's got quite a bit of echo on it.

Good band that in time will hopefully be a big name on the UK Indie scene.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Seems like another 'wrong disc in sleeve' routine to me, again.... er no, that chorus lyric of the opening track indicates more or less that it is called today and that means that this is indeed the new House Of Lords album which is fortunate as little else here could possibly define this as being so. So after 12 years, James Christian and co have decided to give it another go but having been back together as a unit since late 2000, you'd expect a cracker of an album. So sorry to say it but it don't look too much like you're in for one. While it could have only been expected for them to have sounded a bit different this time round, they could have still still done a better job than this with most of these ten songs.

A wider range of styles exists to all corners and there are some interesting leanings to Zeps, Deep Purple and of all bands Jethro Tull, to be heard but that's as far as the interest gets here. The rest of the way, there is little to be found in an album almost totally lacking memorable hooks and for that matter, any real elements of inspiration to the common H.O.L. connoisseur. 'Today', 'Am I The Only One', 'Child Of rage' and a couple of others being the only numbers that lit any flame on my candle.

Christian's vocal performances don't help matters - at times he is still quite there but fro the rest of the duration, he sounds like he was dragged into the studio from an afternoon nap, to record his parts down. The presence of original keyboardsman Greg Giuffria could have cheered this album up a few degrees - where are you mate when we need you most? because this album might not quite do that to their fans.

This is the first time I've ever had to give a rating this low to a Frontiers /Now&Then release but it has to happen every now and then. They should still be an amazing live machine so keep your eyes peeled for any new of UK dates.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

"Is everybody in, is everybody ready for some electric church music" - well actually it's 'The Jimi Hendrix Experience' live in Stockholm performing two gigs that he dedicates to the American Deserters Society, Wally and also Eva who sent them Roses.

It's a brilliant sound quality 2 CD set filled with 'Oldies but baddies' as Jimi himself puts it - both shows have the nearly same set but the second cd includes the encore which is missing from the 1st show on CD one. The Experience had not played together for six weeks at this point so some of it is loose 'n' improvisational with plenty of tune-ups but when it's good it's the dog's b*ll*cks such as versions of 'Spanish Castle Magic' and 'Don't live today (this number on the second show only); 'Hey Joe'; 'Voodoo Chile'; and the drawn out instrumentalism of 'Sunshine of your love'.

I recommend to Hendrix fans everywhere. When they play 'Purple Haze' on the second show, Jimi forgets the words - even pro's like Mr. Hendrix made mistakes.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

The Yes man in solo mode basically exploring the elements. It's experimentally there which sees Steve using various types of musical genres to present a particular part of the earth like Cosmic Rock on 'Bee Sting'; jazz on 'Pacific Haze'; Proggish funk sounds in 'Smoke Silver'; driving blues-rock in 'Rising Sun' and classical acoustic guitar in 'A drop in the ocean'.

My favourite overall has got to be the Chet Atkins/Mark Knopfler styled 'Where I belong' with Steve's dry, chalky voices taking centre speaker.

An album that's crème de la crème.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

A welcome return from Finland's finest - who are playing and dealing out songs like they never went away as you will find out as they fire up with the opener 'Obscured' that's killer live too; Michael Monroe's autobiographical 'New York City'; the beautiful ballad 'In my hardest moment'; the brilliant 'A day late, a dollar short' or the stetsonic bluesin' 'Gypsy Boots' about Andy McCoy.

It's completely fun-packed and ready to spill over at any given second and has echoes of yesteryear all over the album. The Saxophone even comes out for some damn fine bursts in 'Lucky' and I can't help but tell ya to lend your ears a good few times to the heartfelt ballad 'Designs on you' - dedicated to Michael's Wife, Joanna.

Look out for the secret bit of Cheech and Chong's 'Up in Smoke' at the end of the album. I can't wait to hear the next release.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

A mate of Steve Vai's who goes well out of his way to transform emotions into music or as he puts it,

"this cd is an attempt to communicate emotions, ideas and feelings conscerning our personal reality that will never be expressed in words".

Michael explores various musical styles such as contemporary almost jazz (Transition); rock in harmonic melodics (Feeling September) and experimental stuff (Theresa's Garden). Then there's an outstanding rendition of Steve Vai's syncopated space-age riffage found in 'Jibboom' and elsewhere gets all acoustic 'n' gorgeous on us with 'Zach's Tune'.

An album that can be enjoyed by more than just guitar anoraks.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

The first half went by, and down, a treat, bring together some of AOR's and in one case, NWOBHM's household names together under one (studio) roof. So interval over, finish your ice creams and enjoy the second half of Ten frontman Gary Hughes's so far entertaining melodic rock opera.

Two more big names join the cast at this stage, ex-Royal Hunt frontman, 'DC Cooper' and Scarem's 'Harry Hess' putting in predictably pristine even if all too brief performances for their magnitude. Bob Catley, Lana Lane, Sean Harris, Doogie White, Irene Jansen and Hughes himself come back on again plus someone called Sabine Edelsbacher (who?) and the fun continues.

One or two more less instant numbers than the previous part but owning only one is still no good, you have to hear this disc too to grasp the full knack of G.H.'s ingenuity. Although we are still at the moment waiting for the next Ten album to emerge, this little bit on the side has worked more than wonders with our patience and if some of these songs can possibly be aired at Penningtons, many will be guaranteed fun on the night.

Superb work from an amalgamation of the top feel on the talent ladder.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

The grand finale to one of the most historic days melodic hard rock has encountered on British isles, it was only never fitting that the reformed Hardline's set at Bradford in June '02 should be captured on record as the ultimate souvenir of such a legendary evening, Harem Scarem and Jeff Scott Soto having already done the same. Although, as I remember on the night, opener 'Hot Cherie' did take its time to get started, anything goes when it's a band that had been away for a decade, so a grandoise build-up to the first chord was fairly justified.
Especially when flaunting the talents of their new lead guitarist, who just happened to be the legendary Josh Ramos, into the fray, alongside also recruited sixth-member, impressive keyboardsman Michael T.Ross.

One of the band's two most popular numbers, 'H.C.' has lost nothing in its ten years of non-use and seemed distinctly upped in tempo on stage. 'Life's a Bitch' followed, again carrying the same muscle it did on record and that melodic chorus in one of their otherwise heaviest songs, still beckons addiction. Johnny Gioelli introduced 'Everything' with the best chosen liner of the evening. 'We've got one off Double Eclipse - I think you're gonna know this one' ( the content of the set, elapsed so far, has been of material from said debut album, you gooseberry.)

Finally the first of the three-strong brace from the then forthcoming 'Hardline 2' album showed its face - 'Face The Night' was a treat on the night and this stunning Magnum/Heartland-moulded ballad boosted the anticipation of the disc quite a lot. Their other chief dancefloor ditty 'Taking Me Down' ensued to rapturous appreciation as did second newie 'Weight' and in turn, classic ballad 'In The Hands Of Time' during which, Ramos is finally introduced in person to the fans, seven tunes into the set. 'Only a Night' was the last of the latest cuts previewed tonight and to many people's surprise it turned out to be a full-tempo electric number rather than the stunning acoustic cut they'd heard on that 'Frontiers' sampler.

One of my personal faves 'I'll Be There' came after, an excellent melodic rock tune with a chorus that could have got into the charts, had they released it a few years sooner. Ex-Vinnie Vincent skinsman Bobby Rock got his chance to (re) introduce himself for a few minutes, his solo spot managing not to put anyone off before the lads returned and kicked into 'Rhythm From a Red Car' with undecayed intensity. Finally, after Ross was briefly left alone to attack the ivories to admiring ears from across the barriers, it was time to 'call in the doctor'. Little guess then what their last number of the night happened to be.

And so after a meagre 65 minutes, they were gone, without even an encore but getting them over here at all was a miracle - perhaps to make up for it, they could play through the entire 'Double Eclipse' disc next time they're over. (nice thought, anyway). They also kindly provide us with a few bonus studio bits, of which that feared-lost acoustic version of 'Only A Night' is the standout number and session leftovers 'Hypnotized' and 'Mercy' whilst hardly essential Hardline are still entertainment. This release still remains though, the ultimate reminder of that magic night at Penningtons.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Yeah Ok, so it sounds like a bootleg but this baby is an official release. 2 CD's worth of unreleased Jimi in the studio stuff that compiles 'Axis…' material and more.

Plenty to offer here like an instrumental version of 'Little Wing'; the humourous 2 takes of 'Takin' care of no business' that tells the story of a street bum busker that both have slightly different lyrics, not to mention an example of what the 'Experience would have been like with Noel Redding on vocals, this being the throbbing, psychedelic 'She's so fine' and the rather exquisite 'Cat talkin' to me'.

In the track 'Little One' Jimi has even incorporated the main riff of The Beatle's 'Sgnt. Pepper' that he was known to do live on occasions. One of the daftest, most outward and interesting number is 'Three little bears' with its Jamaican influence and crazy banter about baby bear, honey and sister bear.

Let's hope that The Electric Ladyland O/T's aren't far behind this release.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

HAPPYLIFE - Breathe For Me
(Albert Productions - 2003)

Another style to ponder over, I can't begin to decide on Happylife's exact style, through initially , I'm thinking psychedelic alternative/power-pop.

The British outfit seem to be their own thing, really, slightly gothic pop-punk with what sounds like the odd bit of keyboard here and there, and frankly little is done to lift me, the disc lacks any real addiction although the title track is fairly catchy at the start.

4/10

By Dave Attrill

'Leave it to the Americans' has been a thought on more than a few budding musicians' minds in particular corners of the rock n' roll spectrum when aiming arrows at a style not totally accustomed to one's musical expertise. 'Leave It To The Scandinavians and Germans.' How's about that one instead? 'F*** that' say San Franciscan doomster Hammers Of Misfortune, or expressions to that effect, 'if they can do that… etc'. Yes alright, you good ol' US of A folk can too. (bless ya)…. and bl**dy well do, and all, to effect here.

Deep driven metal rhythms sat on top of by welcome infiltrations of symphonic soloing, acoustic parts and an excellent alternating female/male vocal demonstrate this style's importance, coming from any nationality. I must admit to thinking seven songs was a little bit on the tight side but their various durations make up matters, a tad.

It's a pity this album took nearly two years to get a release - If I ran the label, I would have signed 'em without a second though. Female singers don't need to be recommended in this scene - they do it quite ably by themselves. No misfortune likely for these Hammers.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Arch Enemy, Type o' Negative, Paradise Lost and anything strange dark and diverse.

Those Swedish glam punkers are back on the boards with a new single 'Honey Tongue' about a cick that the singer (well I'm presuming it was the singer's chick) has just made out with. Cross Hanoi Rocks with The Toilet Boys and this is what will be born.

I especially like the 2nd and 3rd tracks which are the sleazy rockin' 'You know where we all belong' and the 12-barry 'Need no invitation' that's got a retro Faster Pussycat meets The Upper Crust (those powdered-up dudes who released the album 'Let them eat rock') - real nice !!

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

The newest crop from the Canadian maestros picks right up where 'W.O.T.W.' left off and you could regard it as a cute little bother to that last belter. Not that that should put you off buying it, because Hess and lads have done their homework yet again. 'Reach' and 'Waited' are mellow, mid-tempo cuts and an unusual choice for opening tracks and an unusual choice for opening tracks. 'Give It To You' is the first 'Mood Swings' moment (here we go, again) of the disc, the main cause being Harry and guitar king Pete Lesperance's double-barreled chorus vox, programmed to render any Scarem tune recommendable.

Title track 'Higher' is as AOR as they come, comparable to Honeymoon Suite ('Monsters Under The Bed' - present ) and that is enough fun, for me, alone. 'Lies' later continues this with its powerful chorus hook which claws its way through from out of nowhere . The other tunes take more of an Artenzia-friendly nu-breed leaning, 'Lucky Ones' and 'Gone' in particular' but without disowning that familiar Scarem sound of late. 'Lost' ends the running as only one of their best songs of recent times should with some top guitar groove from Pete and is a paramount live choice next time out.

Not known for their great length, this latest Scarem sizzler is over and done in thirty-eight minutes, but quality stuffs quantity good and proper as is often the case with this outfit. The boys done good once again.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

HARMFUL - Sanguine
(SPV - 2003)

An unusual delve for the folk of EssPeeVee-shire, multi-national alt-rock trio Harmful are anything but. Although the majority of traditional metal hard rock purists may find this of about much appeal as a school dinner, these lads have at least had the decency to consider catchiness, amongst predictability, in the songwriting area.

All the twelve numbers are their own song in some little sort of way and whilst the commercial industry still plays favours with this sort of customer Harmful have a likely future at least for the time being, thanks to these pop-leant numbers.

Not a bad promo video either for those who catch a copy with this bonus cut included.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

I've found it hard to be a fan of this band in the past and this will do no more than prevent me from disliking them further. I cannot call it a poor song because in fact there are more than one particular style explored in full within, but the material just doesn't do much for me as it does for their followers. Like I say on these occasions, my own opinions must not deter those of you who enjoy.

Myself - 4/10 Fans - 7/10

By Dave Attrill

Deep driving groove, from a guitar sound about as clean as Bob Geldof's language on a kiddies' TV show, with a bass line that seems to be almost permanently pierced through the riffs itself. All the predicted influences such as Sabbath, Corrosion of Conformity Monster Magnet, Floodgate and also perhaps Pantera at times come to mind. This brand of retro metal seems to have become quite a trend over the recent few years, and though an acquired taste, the bands participating in the scene know how to have fun. I never touch drugs of any kind myself but that doesn't stop me listening to this stuff with enjoyment.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

I have to confess in al shame to not being too much of an expert on Arthur, Lancelot et al so I'll just take this from the other positive angle of being just a perfect excuse for some of the scene's heavyweights to indulge in their own melodic rock knees-up -mother brown, and I can guarantee you lovers of quality AOR are in for some fun. It is quite as you'd guess practically Ten with different vocalists, the Mancunian only singing on two of the ten numbers, his writing still making its presence all-too slightly obvious on 'Dragon Island Cathedral'.

However, as usual, Danny and Bob's work does not go to waste, 'Avalon' featuring the former Tyketto frontman, being the second of the two most inspiring numbers. Lana Lane-fronted 'Shapeshifter' is the other of the main faves and ex-Diamond Head man Harris's throat seems to still be in good stead today as he proves on 'Sinner'. Backed by all the Ten men putting in their usual quality of workmanship it is the talented Mr Hughes who has stolen the day again here and guess what - there's still half of it to go.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Holy Mother have been riding high on the underground metal scene for many years now. This, their fifth, is at last my proper introduction to the sounds of these New York Lads and their brand of traditional go-for-the-throat metal. I use the words 'their brand' with extreme caution because anyone listening to this for the first time here, is not unliklely to pass it off as a Metallica/Megadeth/Slayer/Anthrax one-off collaboration that went terribly… well, alright, actually. Blending their own ingredients in - they ARE there if you keep your lobes open long enough to catch them - H.M. have a more melodic approach to their influences, whilst never forgetting their obligations towards the call of heaviness.

Having one or two ex-Malmsteen backing members amongst their numbers also might either relate to their musical directions or be totally ironic. The guitar playing here warrants no complaints even though little of it differs from a good, and as good, few hundred acts I've crossed in my day. Sometimes, sounding like an amalgam of the world's top metal bands ensures a healthy future in the scene and sometimes, it doesn't.

Holy Mother sit amongst the luckier type, cushioned comfortably by fist flingers like 'Success', 'Modern Day God', 'Hungry For Exxxstacy', 'Society, Anxiety' and the sterling run through Sabbath classic 'Never Say Die', and look to have everything running smoothly.

A headbanger's wet dream.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

They are in the key of rock. Now on Frontiers because this company loves Glenn's heritage style - I mean, you can't blame 'em can ya dears?

Pump it out with 'Lost in the zone' when you feel like Rolling Stone and yes, I've definitely got it 'In my blood', that's for certain. Just prepare to be impressed as the big GH will take you to a 'Higher Place' (a song dedicated to John 'Bonzo' Bonham', the late drummer of Led Zeppelin).

'Written all over your face' and the Purplesque 'Where you go' will see you go deep into your pockets for this fine digital object too.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

If there's one name likely to face a rough journey in getting by the British Broadcasting Standards types over here, then Hard Ons is one definite offender. And as for the music getting by me. Well to be honest as Injuns, I'm no aficionado of the modern day punk scene - my preferences in this genre favouring the Pistols variety. But as you'll discover to your relief, this stuff does actually go down a treat with yours truly, in small doses even if there's fourteen songs crammed into 39 minutes here.

The vocal and guitar lnies are in most cases, very subtle, and very melodic, doing credit to songs like 'Sunny', 'Baka', 'Olympic Diver', 'Radio', and 'Breakfast Caramel', whilst there's still room to get anger out in cantankerous numbers like 'Every Time I Hear Techno I Pray For Death' (I know the feeling, mate), and 'Taxi'. 'Cat's Got Your Tongue' even allows for a bit of death metal in the form of first verse vocal contributions from some chap called Michael Madden, before going into a very pleasant power pop tune for the rest of the number.

A good and pretty varied delivery from this lot and although associated with one of my lesser scenes, it still did its bit for me as it probably will do, and more, for its followers. Looks like I can manage not to be too Hard On these acts after all.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Spoiling us rotten these chaps are, of late, but as any Harem Scarem fan worth his stripes will tell you, it's not undeserved. Only shortly after enjoying Mr Hess's first solo effort do we get something more off 'em that was actually recorded, not this year, hot on the heels of the excellent 'Weight Of The World' but right at the other end of the Scarem saga, back in 1990. In those days there was a young man by the very name of Jon Fiore involved in the trade alongside Harry, Pete Lesperance and the then existent rhythm section of Mike Gionet and Darren Smith. So if opening track 'Whatever I Want' sounds that bit familiar.. sod it, Jon's '98 remake may be a killer slice of melodic rock itself but has been upstaged by this original demo which features a major chunk missed out on the version you hear on 'Today Till Tomorrow'.

'When The Morning Comes' is about as Robert Palmer as they dare get and is another reason why I'm puzzled that this stuff remained shelved for so long. Giving an early taste of their more relaxed musical contortions, 'Say Goodbye' is the ultimate sway-a-long of the 21st century so far, despite being recorded in the 20th, - like 'Take The Time' but with instruments. 'Looking Back' and 'All Over Again' are all slabs of Scarem ferocity typical of their early day and 'Honestly' recognizable from their Gods set as well as the first album is their best ever ballad, jointly with 'If There Was A Time'.

The following five tracks are of the uptempo variety again and listening to 'Staying Away' and 'One Of The Wounded' in particular, I'm beginning to understand how the accusations against Emerald Rain of Scarem cloning came about. 'The Right Time' pushes the pace back down a bit and is quite frankly, regardless of tempo, one of the album's more average moments. 'You're The One' boosts up the speed again and is a slight turn back in the better direction, but still only an appetite wetter for the next number.

Now to be honest again, I've had some enjoyment out of Fiore's version of 'Out Of Love' over the years but little compared with the damage I'm going to do to the paint with this version. This one blows Jon's attempts almost immediately out of the water and how it's laid undiscovered fro thirteen years I don't know but it has matured unfailingly throughout its duration in the cobwebs. There lays little choice but to take it easy in the last couple of tunes. 'I Can Hear Them Now' is a piano led ballad and gives Hess's voice a bit more space for that better a demonstration.

Closing number 'End Of Time' is a smooth AOR tune that features some classy licks from Lesperance - not unlike just about all the other Harem Scarem tunes in existence then, really - and was probably a likely mould for some of their latest stuff too. A collection of tunes that gives me practically little cause for complaints, Harem Scarem have done the wisest of things in finally sharing with us these hidden gems. Just one thing lads, Don't you EVER leave such killer material lying around unused for as long as this again. Ever.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Actually he's released it as just Hess by we respect him more than to refer to him by just his last name - this IS the lead singer of the mighty Harem Scarem after all. So let's just show some respect shall we and see what he has to offer on the back of this, his first solo venture.

To those who resented Rubber's more poppier material be warned that this flies pretty much in that direction but I didn't particularly dislike their alternative style under said moniker. OK, so it's no 'Mood Swings' but some of the material does pick up where last year's brilliant 'Weight Of The World' CD left off which is definitely more than compensation - not that I see any damage done in the first place. 'Look Right Through Me', 'Everybody', 'Undone', 'Why' and 'Miles Away' (no, not a Winger cover) take the most commendation but the large part of the track listing scores its points.

Apologising for what I said earlier about Scarem's benchmark disc, there is actually a new re-recording of 'Sentimental Blvd' included, 90% identical to the original, with only the drum rhythm changed in one or two places and the odd bit or bob elsewhere, but always a welcome inclusion.

A versatile album which although playing second fiddle to certain 1993 and 2002 releases already mentioned herein, still should not go ignored by any open-minded Scarem-ite.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Joining the queue of NWOBHM acts currently enjoying at least part renewal of their spotlight status are Scotland's Holocaust. A band who again I'm too young to remember from when they were first around but enough to know that they went through two major phases of existence, as highlighted by this double-disc set, splitting the two eras up. Disc one, centres on the 1980-87 leg, sees them peddling out quite average trad metal of its day that does little for me and perhaps would have done at the time were I 20 years older. Most salt is/was rubbed in to the wound by frontman Gary Lettiss's, bordering on can't-sing-to-save-his-life, vocal efforts plus about as cheesy a song as you're ever likely to encounter in 'Heavy Metal Mania', even by 1980 standards. Then again, Canadian faves,, Kick Axe came out with that one, only four years later, called 'Heavy Metal Shuf.', no don't talk about it, please. Highlight of this first disc is obviously 'The Small Hours' as later better known covered by Metallica no less.

Disc 2 is lifted from the last three albums recorded since they returned as a threesome in '89, with surviving original man, guitarist John Mortimore now taking over vocal duties - thank god. Though his voice itself isn't the best, I've come across in my 25 years or so on this earth, it still renders the affair a lot more listenable than the Lettiss-era material and manages to do good old fashioned heavy metal like this its share of justice, including the cover of 'Master Of Puppets' (their way of thanking James, Lars and lads for their run of 'Small Hours' per chance?). Moved on from their teething days, disc 2's material still shows that being recorded, 96 and onwards in a market by such time dominated by bands like Korn, Ash, Feeder, and Reef does little damage to the music's own style as they managed to keep things the way that the fans, that by that time they still had left, wanted.

Disc 1 - 6/10, Disc 2 - 8/10 -

By Dave Attrill

HARPIES - Deep (Single)

(Fortune & Glory Records - 2003)

Female fronted nu-metal acts usually turn out more interesting than ones with a bloke behind the mike, some tell me. You wouldn't quite agree with that on first listen here as the initial outburst from singers Laura Westwood and Nicky Honey on 'deep' sounds more to the tune of an argument on the telephone getting rather over-boiled.

Things have to simmer down though, and so they do come the chorus thus there is a song to be heard here, people. Even then, the smoother parts of the tune still sound like tempers are ready to turn red again but the whole thing does add a welcome Rage Against The Machine/Korn sort of passion to the platter. 'Just like You' is a much more softer direction for the music, demonstrating some diversity in the band's teething age, with goth-flavoured lushness dominating the mood of things and the hateful shrieking of the previous track banished to the back seat this time round.

Harpies seem to have grasped the hint of multi-dimensionality surprisingly early in their days, for a metal act of their kind. Another new band with big things in front of them, I think.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

(Self-Released)

New Jersey Quintet, 'Hat Trick Of Misery' are a powerful blend of Hard Rock that fall into the sqwakin' territories of Jackyl and Love/Hate - both musically and vocally. Members Mitch Wilson and Kelsey Thomas were previously members of Exotic pet who came across Vocalist, Steven Statland and turned into a full band 2002 when Guitarist, Bob O'Hara and Bassist, Crash Evil joined the Rock 'n' Roll Ranks.

This is a cd that you'll not be turning off in a hurry because when opener 'New York
Streets' starts up and tells you about the various locations you'll wish you were there with 'em at Benny's Restaurant. There's classic hard-edged funk metal on here in the form of the catchy riffing 'Happy Ever After'; drivin' gutsy guitar blasts in 'Best I Can' and even a Killer Kover of the Klassik Kiss Kut 'Parasite'.

After opening up for the likes of Kings X, Dee Snider, Winger, Quiot Riot, Anthrax and Motorhead it won't be long before they are massive and well known all over.

'Hat Trick of Misery' are a band to take note of and fast. If you get a chance to see 'em - F*ckin' Go - these guys are hot!!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

With a somewhat pretty obvious thrash revival on the go of late, The Haunted are yet another example of such new blood putting brutality through battering high-speed riffage and vocals sounding like someone who's never been in a happy mood once in his whole life. Anger as you know is the principle of emotion through which this sort of rock n' roll is fuelled even if in a positive sort of way.

Our guitar playing for today's offering is courtesy of quite some diversity and manages to sound tune-y at the majority of times through each song. Yes, there are solos, quite dissolved into the rhythm guitar line when they happen but their presence is felt.

A few unexpectedly subtle moments here and there as the band fit in occasional single guitar harmonies of the sort Metallica used to deal in at opportune moments on their classic albums. If you enjoy, Slayer, Sepultura, Metallica, Pantera or Machine Head, there is something here for you. One Kill Wonder it may be called but at least they aren't a one hit wonder - I hope.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

HELHEIM - Yersinia Pestis

(Massacre Records - 2003)

Another lot making the sweet noise of extreme metal and keeping it in depth, Germany's Helheim know what the score is today and do their bit to keep in vogue - not that it's compulsory - but still forge their identity amongst the masses. Yes, they have variation and subtlety aplenty in their riffage and I think that they've been listening to Strapping Young Lad a lot in their spare time, too. There can be little other excuse for that Devin-esque high-pitched rasp that attacks at random intervals but right on target, and it all makes the record that every bit more my cup of tea.

Without being biased there (ain't it a bit too late now, Davy boy)this is another (high) standard exercise in the dark side of rock n' roll force, done to precision. Metal as unrelenting as a Glaswegian doorman, and highly recommended.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Hearing a CD that I was actually present in the recording of, is as one in my position would expect, seen as quite an honour, especially when the band behind it, are of the talent of the mighty Harem Scarem.

Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance brought their stunning band over to British waters for the first time ever in June of 2002 when they play the Gods festival at the Penningtons club in Bradford. This disc captures all the action from that magic night on Manningham Road, in its entire in its entire hour-and-quarter glory - well 71 minutes something, due to the odd cut here and there, but no songs are missing apart from the ones they didn't play - and we all know what one, one of those ones was, don't we.

The opening assault of 'Change Comes Around' and 'Killing Me' established the band's prowess for the night and these two tunes sound a lot better paired than one would expect, considering the 10 years' and five other albums' gap between their making. This goes to show that when material from all eras is played by the same band on the same stage using the same equipment throughout, a previously non-existent audible bond forms between them. Hence, the material from the two Rubber albums sits on equal height seats amongst the Scarem tunes and sounds every almost bit like them.

The stuff of H.S's self titled first album, 'Hard To Love' and 'Hold On' was amongst the best I heard all evening if you don't count the 'Mood Swings' material, only accounted for on this day by 'Change' and set shutter 'No Justice'. 'The Paint Thins' from their controversial 'Voice Of Reason' disc also received the full applause at the end although I can still swear I heard a few boos when Harry first introduced the song. . There was also a large portion of the barnstorming 'Weight Of The World' CD in the 16-song set, sadly not including the title track but they did give Pete his own few moments with instrumental track 'See Saw'.

As 'Weight.' and '.Swings' are the only two Scarem albums I own, to date, I can only say that 'Honestly', 'Warming A Frozen Rose', and 'So Blind' are songs that along with the aforementioned, already tempt me to scrounge the entire remaining Scarem catalogue P.D.Q.. The Rubber material is absolutely nowhere near as bad as I've heard said and my shopping list swells even further but it's this set that's the issue here, lest we forget.

An item of true memorabilia from a truly memorable evening in melodic hard rock history and a production job definitely worth adding on that tenth mark. But lads, you wouldn't mind playing that other tune next time. 'Saviours Never Cr.' you know, what's it called.. er..

10/10

By Dave Attrill

Well, the title is ever so slightly scraped from the bottom of the ol' barrel there, methinks. And the mus… no that can't be possible. This is Hardline isn't it. What right have we dissing the almighty Hardline off, eh?! Back from their decade long lay-off, the 'Line sport an all-powerful, all new six-strong formation that includes former Storm/Two Fires guitar king Josh Ramos and former Vinnie Vincent Invasion drummer Bobby Rock alongside new faces Chris Maloney and Michael T Ross. The sensational Gioelli brothers, Johnny and Joey, look to pick up where they left off ten years down the line but then twist the direction of their music arrow a few ways.

The signs are convincingly there from the start in 'hold Me Down' a battle tank of a song that chugs along relentlessly but tunefully and in quite a Metallica-esque manner which is probably why I repeat this one on the player quite a bit. 'Y' is trade mark Hardline, an initially ballady number but kicking in with glorious hard rock grind come the refrain. Another topper, definitely. 'Paralysed is their first trek into NuBreedsville and while not an abuse of their diversity privilege, it has still taken more than a few spins to fully absorb this Nickelback-meets-Westworld style cut.

Ballad 'Face The Night' is the first of the three tunes they previewed at the Penningtons show and is an epitome of American soft rock the way it should be done, quite with smooth harmonies and the loud guitars igniting at the chorus without defacing the flow of the song. 'Do Or Die' sounds twee by comparison but it isn't though it holds more weight on stage with its sort of chorus. 'Hey Girl' not one of my faves either - no stinker but some of the tricks the band try aren't as magic as others are. They pull a real rabbit out of the hat with 'Only A Night' though, and the suspense is broken as to which form the song would be in on the final pressing, the result being the electric version as heard at Bradford. I must say I did prefer the stunning acoustic run as heard on the Union 4 sampler CD but still it's an incredibly tune, made even more so by Ramos's axework sending echoes of first album Two Fires through the woods.

The excellent form is maintained for 'Your Eyes', with a strong bridge melody and a chorus that while rather blandly worded is still solid sing-a-long matter. Another tune I'm a tad edgy with is 'Weight', the chorus just not working for me despite the array of high notes Johnny trains his tonsils to. I politely applauded it at Penningtons and find it totally acceptable on disc but not one I'd rush to replay, I'd say. I'd put 'Way It Is Way It Goes' on, over and over again anyday- a tune with hooks more lethal than those that rip people to shreds on the 'Hellraiser movie.

As did the last album end, so did this one, by way of a ballad. 'The Gift' probably could refer to the talents of new keyboardsman Michael T. Ross as, along with Mr Gioelli's magnificent mouthmanship, out for the eleventh and final time today, the perfect climax to a fine melodic rock album is with very little argument.

Final verdict, then. I was hardly expecting this to be any competition with 'Double Eclipse' but when you unglue yourself from such bias, you grow up and realise that failure to match the magnitude of a previous effort does not strictly make a bad one the next time round. Like I worshipped Metallica's 'Black' album but I also loved 'Load' when I got that.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

I'd have to say that analyzing the works of Earache-signed acts has been an uncomfortable feat of late with the past month's promo batch from the label (at the time of writing) containing material that failed to electrify on too high a voltage level, except the excellent Sonic Excess comp. Hate Eternal weren't featured on said sampler so I'm wondering - and hoping - is there going to be any surprises in this package? Initially… er, none.

Livid speed metal guitar and the standard croaking rants that account for vocals, await beyond the door, or rather the 'play' button and until about a minute into the opening track, business is no less than usual. From that mark and onwards though, things start to vary in a Berzerker-like fashion as we again get those same Devin Townsend-esque upper-pitched rasps taking their turns with the main voice.

What I also appreciate is the variation in vocal rhythms, which run solidly alongside guitar parts that seem to firmly hold the same speed and yet it manages not to buckle the instrumentation structure. The solos, melodic and occasionally strangely cheerful for a black metal album, also provide some partial decoration and the whole thing turns out to be a little more listenable on a more-than-once basis. Still it's best left at just 34 minutes - excess length does sometimes tend to spoil it.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

The excellent melodi-grunge of 'What I Know' is a so-and-so opener as it may deter the cautious followers but after 'So Hard' follows in similar style, it's back to business, 'Big Prize' -style with 'Still Lovin' You'…. erm, yes I am, actually, lads. I sadly have to break it to you that 'Just Love Somebody' is not one of my favourites, though totally zilch to do with its contemporary leanings.

'The Way I Do' is a very 'Monsters Under The Bed'esque and very GOOD track combining the best guitar and vocal harmonies from that last album, way back in '91. 'Dreamland' follows as the like so I'm wondering if they're trying to do things in twos here, a tad. Oh, makes that threes as they keep their feet on the same floor with 'Too Little Too Late' though not as instant a tune as the previous couple.

It's back to the 'new style' department for 'Gone', one of the album's better tracks, along with 'Undone', with Mr Dee's voice taking the form of a finely tuned rasp. 'Lagavulin' is okey-dokey in a latest album Def Leppard sort of way but Joe Elliot et al have done it marginally better. 'Radiant' picks up most of the form again with a verse line a la 'Love Fever', leaving 'Even Now', a hit-single-that-should-deserve-to-be to round things off in the best Bryan Adams-like fashion.

Honeymoon Suite then, a band that like Hardline, have picked up the pieces again after a decade and play with them without forgetting the expectations of their followers. Derry has failed to disappoint, too with guitar work worthy of every grain of the respect they carry. Let's hope this isn't so much a one-off, as a full new era for this institution of the AOR scene.

(And that we can one day hear the other songs, released on the Canadian disc)

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Like the debut, there's more fun-packed slamming action glam metal from one Sweden's finest young acts like 'Not Dancing, wanna know why', 'That's my life' or 'Do me a favour'. They've matured from this style quite a bit and are now pumping out finess ballads like 'Mother's Love' (very Steven Tyler) and also gone funky with 'Smoke 'em, if you've got 'em' or 'Ridin' with the King - that reminds me of a cross between Bang Tango, Electric Boys and Hanoi Rocks brought right up to date. In fact, talking of Band Tango, they've chucked a song on there called, 'They are not even a new Bango Tango' and it makes you wonder who that's aimed at.

Hardcore Superstar are definitely the next Bang Tango - maybe Joe Leste's bunch, 'Beatiful Creatures' have got big competition here.

A likeable album.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Both studio and live performances are grouped together here with cuts taken from albums like Burning Live Japan such as the electrifying take of Deep Purple's 'Burn' that captures his voice at it's best - power, height and tremendous volume, not to mention playing in front of a very excitable crowd. Who cannot say the remake of 'High Ball Shooter' from the most recent solo release 'Building the Machine' isn't one of his highlights.

Other highlights include the uneasy felt rocker called 'Death of Me' (from the 'Addiction' album), the funk bluesiness of the keyboard/bass led 'This is Life' (from 'The Ruturn of Crystal Karma' or the similar styled 'Redline' (from 'Feel').

The man is a screamer, a serenader and most of all, a supreme singer and entertainer and you'd be forgiven in thinking that this was the voice of an American Black soul 'n' gospel vocalist. He's a White British legend who vocally takes a lot of matching and that's before you even consider his work as a bass player.

An all-round pleaser from Mr. Hughes that cooks up serious helpings of Rock, Blues, Soul, Funk and Metal at the touch of a button.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Messrs Green and Craig reappear from the wilderness with their latest long-player and proceed to demonstrate why their credibility in the American AOR market stands untarnished. Of the other four lads borrowed for the job this time, the name Bily Leisegsng springs mostly to our attention, notably for his self-titled collaboration project with Glenn Hughes a few years ago.

I make no bones in stressing that the cliches you may be expecting in this band's style or at least this latest offering are practically non-existent. Treading wider boundaries than most of the 'hair' bands even dare to set foot near. They mix blues, pop, a vague smidgen of country and injections of their own soulful fluid into their creativity engine's tanks.

The songs are in a class of their own, smooth and harmonious, but still knowing where to add a few bits of grit to the mixture. 'Any Port In the Storm', 'Sin City' and 'Deep In The Heart Of the Night' are amongst the breeziest of the blocks. A couple of songs or so wear less well with my mind, but this album's sound takes some time to get into.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

We've had Giant back with an incredible new album. We've had Sons Of Angels back with an incredible new album. We've had Magnum back with an incredible new album. We now have Harem effin' Scarem back with one to match. I know, I know, you were all a bit down in the mouth after hearing that the Canadian legends had ditched their planned show at Wigan last November. All is now forgiven as they return from their three year pop rock vacation as Rubber to set the record straight in the melodic hard rock world once more.

The obvious first question is - what do they sound like, this time round? The answer…. that 1993 phenomenon that was their second album 'Mood Swings', with a bit of the stuff they played round with on the Rubber albums, rubbed in (Ho, Ho, HO!) for measure, which should please fans of either of the band's two different career phases. The out-and-out belter otherwise known as the CD's title track 'Weight Of The World' opens the running order and for the next thirty eight minutes they remind us clearly enough that the bosses are back and they certainly tell us how it is, alright.

Harry Hess's vocals are just where us trusting Scarem-ites last left off, and that gloriously heavy melodic guitar sound that fills this and every other of the eleven tunes brought to us this time can only be Mr Peter Lesperance Esquire, who as always is at the best one's money can buy, and then some. Lespo still regards the importance of immense riffage and demonstrates so with the blend he mixes exclusively for use on a Harem Scarem album. 'Killing Me', 'All I Want' and 'You Ruined Everything' are probably my other toppers off the album, but nearly all of them are winners at the finish line.

Truth be told, one or two aren't as absorbing as the rest so as nearly always, there are several songs I'm likely to repeat over and over again, more than others. Quibbles to one side if we may, this CD is still a fact that in 2002, melodic rock still stands for something, especially with Harem Scarem at the helm. The only thing that can stand in its way now is that new album from Hard.… you know who I mean.

10/10

By Dave Attrill

Two of Rocks Greatest have joined together and released an album that's gonna be hard to better. These being, Glenn Hughes and Joe Lynn Turner who bring many of their yesteryear influences to the current picture. Don't be surprised to hear echoes of Rainbow and Deep Purple in the space of around an hours worth of digital stereo pleasure - the first 3 numbers, 'Devil's Road', 'You can't stop Rock 'n' Roll' being perfect examples.

Beautifully blended vocals are traded throughout 'HTP' and musical guests include Guitarist, Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big and Racer X. Overall, a healthy mix of Blues, Rock and Funk is to be enjoyed by all who purchase this awesome CD.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

News cropped up about this latest vehicle for Jeff Scott Soto, early last year. Getting him in a band together with both Pontus Norgren and Marcel Jacob is quite an achievement but it's one that's been achieved. The former Malmsteen/Talisman/Takara vocalist and this ultimate supergroup featuring Swedish scene pillars Norgren and Jacob plus ex-Electric Boys/Amaze Me drummer Thomas Broman looks set for some serious melodic rock nitty-gritty.

Norgren already has two other deals on Z Records with his solo album and Great King Rat's comeback corker 'Out Of The Can', so the respected guitarist seems to get almost everything he records, put out on Z these days. Bass guitar wizard Marcel Jacob has made his presence felt more or less equally in Scandinavian rock circles throughout the years so all that said, there's no excuse why this album should be anything less than great. And g-r-r-r-r-EAT! It is. 'R You 4 Real' has quite a lot in common with the title song off 21 Guns' 'Nothing's Real' album (that's apart from the word 'real'). Not to mention the Sote's continued preference for spelling some words as numbers or single letters - a habit that has been noted through from his Talisman days.

Elsewhere, we have the brilliant numbers that are 'Turn Away', 'I', 'Road 2 4giveness', 'Love's The Dominion' and 'Feel The Burn' amongst the crop but the album as a whole summarises J.S.S's last 20 years in the music biz in the space of just 48 minutes. Which are little short of incredible actually. There are also a few bits and bobs you'll find on the songs which wouldn't look... I mean, sound too out of place on a 24K or Burning Rain CD, which are worth listening out for. Obviously, one or two songs are less favourable than others but there's no bad apples spoiling this bleedin' bunch. With their storming show played at the Z-Rock 2002 bash recently, these lads certainly have nothing to moan about at the moment.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Hardcore Superstar - Bad Sneakers and a Pina Colada
(Music For Nations/Koch Records 2000)

This is the Swedish bad-ass glammers debut and it has that jumped up, in-your-face rock 'n' roll attitude written all over it. They have the swagger 'n' sleaze of Hanoi Rocks that's coupled with the aggressive heaviness of Motorhead, Therapy and The Wildhearts.

Jocke Berg, the 'Superstar vocalist bawls at the mike from beginning to end while the rest of the band Silver Silver (Guitarist), Magnus Andreasson (Drummer) and Martin Sandvik (Bassist) back him up all the way to Razzle's resting place and beyond. They don't let up for a second, although 'Liberation' is slightly slower and reminds me of an old Hanoi Rocks classic. The rest is pure trashy, bashy, sleazy punk metal - or whatever the f*ck you wanna call it. Try 'n' argue with me when you get blasten with
songs like 'Rock 'n' Roll Star', the authentic 70's Quo sounding 'Slide Song' and the minimalistic punk rock 'n' roll of 'Bubblegum Ride'.

This is fast Rock 'n' Roll for the new millieneum.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Hair of the Dog - Ignite
(Spitfire Records - 2001)

I really do hope that this album, 'Ignite' ('Hair of the Dogs' 3rd release) is the one that's gonna set the world on fire - I love this band and would love to witness 'em live over here in the U.K.

If you've not heard 'Hair of the Dog' before then I'd say that they come across as a mix of AC/DC, Twisted Sister and Kiss all rolled up into one. This baby takes off from where the second album landed - a rock 'n' roll runway of pure pleasure - jettin' off with 'I'm alive' that is a sure head-mover.

Quite notable on this platter is the guesting of Lemmy (legendary leader of 'Motorhead) on 'The Law' where his distortive bass crangin' comes ringin' out real good. Come on Lemmy - take H.O.T.D. out on tour next time 'round with the 'head.

There's many a masterpiece on the album but by far the best ones are the rhythmically cookin', 'One More for Saturday Night' with its joyous chorus. It's a sure hit if released as a single if it gets plenty of airplay. Another major stand-out is the ballad 'Shine' - a number that's in league with Status Quo's 'Livin' on an Island' or AC/DC's 'Ride On'. So much emotion and passion comes out in this number.

I well recommend this band - they are proof that classic hard-edged rock 'n roll still exists.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons

Haven - The Road
(Frontiers/Now and Then - 2001)

Haven are a female fronted band that echoe the glories and sounds of Vixen and Heart. Lead vocalist, Pamme could well be a secret sister of Ann and Nancy Wilson (who she sounds so much like).

'The Road' features an array of both ballads and rockers. The opener, 'The Curtain' features Robin Mcauley (of MSG) and is a mellow ballad about being hurt by somebody. I was really taken aback by the power of 'Strange Premonition' - a gutsy number that has a riff reminiscent of the MC5 classic 'Kick out the Jams' - this is quality-cooking material.

'Show them' is a real happy number which caught my ears immediately where you may recognise the drummers style - it is Matt Sorum (ex-G'n'R, now back in The Cult) who is presented pretty damn prominent in the mix who throws in his top-notch snare 'n' ride timekeeping punch. Pamme's voice is extremely metallic and pure brilliance here (not that she isn't everywhere else of course). The tantalising guitar playing and keyboard action of Michael Brody and John Vanelow are also well worth mentioning. 'Hold on', a moderate tempo rocker fit snugly on a Heart or Vixen album with its tight acoustic electro feel.

Haven are a tight unit which will no doubt be an awesome live spectacle - so if you miss Vixen and wonder when Heart will do something again, let Haven fill that gap and you won't look back. Hopefully there will be a bigger selection of rockers on the next album that are a bit too scarce on this debut.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

This is an album for fans of Praying Mantis for sure. Horakane sees the Prayer's vocalist Tony O'Hara twin up with guitarist Jamie Kane (hence 'Horakane'). It's more or less a fan pleaser - to give the PM audience something new to check out while they are waiting for the follow up to the 'Nowhere to Hide' album.

So, if the above statement places goose pimples on your arms and makes the hair stand on end - hit the play button now!!!

What you'll find throughout the 'Eternal Infinity' album is early/mid-80's metal that has a Dokken/Judas Priest flavour about it. So springing out of the speakers you get a warm keyboard back-line, fast 'n' slammim' drums and chigiddy rhythm guitar-work as well as lead solo 6-string squealing and high-end vocals. There are many fast rockers and I thoroughly recommend 'Judgement Day' and the hard edged 'End of an Era' because they really kick ass.

When it comes to ballads, Horakane's are of exquisite quality. The quiet guitar led 'Never meant to make you cry' and 'Remember my name' are easily the best tracks on the album because they mark a pleasant change of musical direction (especially the backing vocals and exceptional arrangements on offer).

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Glenn Hughes is the man who can put his hand on the old holy book (The Bible) and swear on his life that he's served time in some of rocks biggest bands like Deep Purple (he was the bassist after Roger Glover left and hit vocal notes that David Coverdale couldn't reach!!), Trapeze, Black Sabbath's (the lead vocalist for the 'Seventh Star' album as well as being the throat for The KLF's 'What time is love?'

So what is the man currently up to, you may ask, well, it's back to the funky 'n' electric blues with Glenn Hughes. The man is in fine form throughout the entire 'Building the Machine' album - the latest release. It really is a grooving and vibing delight with loads of dirty blues funk which'd make James Brown jealous - most notably 'Out on me' - yeah you can take it out on Glenn - he doesn't mind. 'I don't want to' follows in a similar suit as well and you'll even discover hints of Jamiraquai in there too.

If you prefer the good ole pull out the plugs and go acoustic for a bit then 'Feels like home' is really up your street that morphs into a progressive section (a la Genesis - Peter Gabriel era) before flying into full-on electric rock and then finally petering out into the distance. Be sure to turn up the stereo full blast for a work-through of the long-forgotten Deep Purple classic 'Highball Shooter' (that originally came out on their 'Stormbringer' album). 'Highball Shooter' is a funky, 12-bar styled belter that incorporates hooky get-up-and-freak-out Hammond organ sound that come courtesy of Vince Di Cola. You'll nearly drift off to 'I will follow' as it's so mellow, laid back and enchanting - the same goes for the closer - the emotional 'Big Sky'.

It's a mature album for the older listener who's grown up with a genuine love for funky blues-rock.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Hurricane haven't lost their big sounding melodical rock stature, which we loved them for the first time around. When you listen to this album, you start thinking it's as if though they never went away. They are so together and as strong as hell musically - Kelly Hansen's voice must be one of the best on the planet - it just gets better!!!

The opening intro builds up the anticipation to what you are about to be greeted with and you hear past Hurricane classics that appear to be coming from a car stereo - but what really brings it home is the 'Na Na Na Na Na' (from 'I'm onto you') that one of the guys sings and laughs around. Then you are hit in the face with 'New God' - a spiritually mind-blowing rocker and elsewhere the funky pop-metal of 'It's your life'; the deep bass driving of the dirty rocker 'Bleed for me'; the nasty-edged 'Torn' which has full-on melodic rock with an open snare-drum beat.

Hey what about the closer 'Shine' (which has almost - Extreme styled backing vocals - a band who gave us the famous for the 'Get the funk out' and 'More than Words') alongside squawking lead vocals and power-filled drums 'n' guitar melody. 'Shine' is a song about believing hat you are doing - and it comes as no accident that Hurricane do with this full-marks return to glory.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Fancy some classy AOR, if so, then you've touched the right spot. Here's 'Hush' from Oslo who feature Keith Kristiansen (guitars, keyboards and backing vocals), Patrick Simonsen (lead vocals, guitars), Rob Rutle (drums), Steve Titz (bass, backing vocals) and Terry Smith (Hired Piano/Organ Gun) with their second 5" offering, simply entitled, 'II'.

You'll find very much Bon Jovi ballad type material with 'Don't turn around' and 'Till we become the sun' being major contenders. The song 'Don't say Goodnight' is bouncy AOR that musically breaks no new boundaries about stopping with a girl and giving everything to her.The majority of the CD is very much of a similar musical nature.

In my opinion, the last 3 songs are by far the real gems on the album. These are 'Like Love' that is a nice uplifting moderately fast tempo acoustic/electric rocker that reminds me of the Kiss classic 'Hard Luck Woman' (that Peter Criss took lead vocals on) - it really is a gorgeous number. Then there's the energetic slipper-stomping cock rocker 'The Real Thing' (with its dirty Whitesnake feel) and the closer, 'In My Dreams' which is gargantuan Pacey, Racey, Powerful AOR at its finest (again, with a Whitesnake feel) about being obsessed by a particular woman. The guitar/keyboard solo trading is very entertaining - just take my word for it!!!

With a well-ordered set list these guys will be awesome at The Gods 2001 at Maximes, Wigan in November.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS