H
December |
|
Heaven’s Basement
- S/T (6 Track E.P.)
(S/R - 2008) Heaven’s Basement is a young enthusiastic 5-piece band that release their passion and enthusiasm for rock music through their modern interpretation of great acts such as Led Zeppelin, AC-DC with the Motley Crue and Love/Hate attitude. This six track EP is a release to give the growing number of fans a little taster of what the band is about, with their sleazy guitar riffs, pounding drums and a thunderous vocal attitude that would put Scott Stapp, Kim Hooker, Vince Neil and Brian Johnson to shame. The CD contains ‘Tear Your Heart Out’, ‘Executioner’s Day’, ‘Graduation’, ‘Saint Routine’, ‘Fear Of Getting Off’ and ‘Reign On My Parade’, which explodes the band into you ear drums like a runaway train. This is a must get EP, which I feel won’t be around for long as the bands energy is creeping around Britain like a virus. 10/10 By Tony Watson |
|
Helix - A Heavy
Mental Christmas
(S/R - 2008) Yes it’s that time of year when all the Christmas CD’s come out and all you get is those old classics by Slade, Wizard, Wham and Cliff Richard, but this year we are going to have a very heavy Christmas. Helix has released a 10 track CD containing some of the best Christmas songs ever written. The CD starts with a rocked up version of ‘Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer’, which then rips into ‘Rockin’ around The Christmas Tree’, ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Happy Christmas (War is Over)’ and ‘Silent Night’ to name a few. If a rocking Christmas is what you are after, this is the only CD to purchase. 10/10 By Tony Watson |
November |
|
Hate Gallery - Compassion
Fatigue
(The Unit Music Co. - 2008) Hate Gallery are a band that doesn’t want to be associated with any modern scene, place or time. Janne Jarvis the main inspiration for the band has also been part of Radiator, Warrior Soul and Elevation to name but a few. This 11 track 37 minute montage of fast rock, punk and metal, is one of the tightest CDs I have ever heard. Hate Gallery express their feeling through their music and lyrical content of everything we despise, such as surveillance, our lack of freedom and corporate rules and this hate is generated throughout the 37 minutes. As ‘The Idiot’ starts you know this CD is going to be powerful and angry as it then turns through ‘New God’, ‘Slave New World’ and ‘Have it Your Own Way’ to rip through the final track ‘Were Not Receiving’ the CD bring out a new meaning to rock, punk and metal. As the CD goes it’s one that will always be picked up when you are not sure what to put on, which to me is always a bonus. 9/10 By Tony Watson |
|
Holy Moses - Agony
Of Death
(SPV - 2008) This is their twelfth offering to the metal world, and like the rest they have written a CD that is full of hate and anger. Agony of Death is a revisit to the eighties classics of Finished With The dogs and The New Machine Of Liechtenstein. The battering assault of pounding drums and grinding guitars with the chilling vocals of Sabina Classen crashes through the CD with fuck me this is fast and heavy. Although the CD starts with a melodic interlude of ‘Imagination’ the style is then passed through the 12 tracks, which releases over 1 hour of total destruction and mayhem. If you want to scare your neighbours then this is a must. 8/10 By Tony Watson |
August |
| Lauren
Harris - Calm Before The Storm Debut album from the daughter
of Iron Maiden's Bassist and founder who makes her mark and stamp in
the UK and beyond too. 8/10 |
|
(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) 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. 10/10 By Glenn Milligan |
| Hydrogyn
- Deadly Passions Female fronted Metal band
from the US of A. A very across the board band with regard to genres
7.5/10 |
June |
|
Helix – The
Power of Rock And Roll
(Perris Records – 2007) These guys are still goin’ – cool. Why ain’t all cock rocking albums as good as this one. Every is an absolute corker from the cheesey ‘Fill Your Head With Rock’ to the even cheesier new version of ‘Heavy Metal Love’. Love numbers like the throbbin, and a runnin bassnliness and absolute killer of riff to be found in ‘Nickles & Dimes’ and the humour-filled ‘Baby Likes To Ride’ that’s full of tongue in cheek double meaning phrases – it’s all about racing hot-rods – yeah right – lol – Big Balls anybody? – though so! Good title song too! The older established acts show ya how its meant to be done. Proving that Guys from the past are back to kick your ass! 10/10 By Glenn Milligan |
May |
|
Headcharger –
Watch The Sun
(Customcore Records – 2007) Throaty vocalled fast ‘n’ hard edged stoner meets hardcore rockers from Caen, France that smash you in the balls throughout the album – would have never guess bands from this part of the world existed but it goes to show ya don’t it. Highlights include the aggressive bluesy ‘Every Tick Of The Clock’; the moody ‘n’ slower Pearl Jam like ‘Do you think of me’; with real singing for a change & the hard-hitting, brutal voiced ‘Bill Murray’s Syndrome’. One for the young kids and also for those who like things a bit heavier than usual. 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. This talented Australian gent throws together about everything great the British classic rock scene of that time generated into twelve impressive gems that makes you wonder if the elapsing of the last 35 years has itself been a figment of the imagination. Put in shorter wordage, anyone with at least one Thin Lizzy, Uriah Heep, UFO and Deep Purple record on their shelves will appreciate what comes out of the woofers here. Taking on the playing of most instruments himself, M.H’s voice may also do him justice - listening to him at times - in an eighties electro-pop act, and this adds a commendable tweak of diversity here but then again, on the other hand solos like the ones he rolls off in these tunes are best treated like gold dust. Without a stinker or too many so-so moments to note for that matter ‘Modern World’, ‘Wind Of Change’, ‘Better Without You’, ‘Pages From The Lost World’, ‘Left In The Dark’ and ‘Just A Boy’ come amongst the better cuts making up the bulk of the disc. A great first taste of Mr Hilder’s trade, with this being the first of a trilogy, I’m anticipating the other couple upkeep the momentum. Classic rock with class itself. 8/10 By Dave Attrill |
April |
|
Hanoi Rocks –
Street Poetry
(Demolition Records – 2008) Latest offering from one of Finland’s finest bands – these guys being one of the first from the country to catch the rockers eye. So here it is, ‘Street Poetry’ with its gripping title track and much other notable numbers that’ll engross them tabs of yours. There’s been a slight line-up change with the band now including Conny Bloom on guitar (formerly the frontman of ‘Electric Boys’). It’s an album with plenty to get excited about with highlights including the opener ‘Hypermobile’; the already mentioned ‘Street Poetry’ – with its crackin chorus with lines like, ‘it might mean not a lot to you but it’s a whole lot to me’ - right on bro !; the rockin’ up ‘Fashion’ the balladeering ‘’Worth your weight in gold’; the saluting ‘This One’s For Rock ‘n’ Roll’ or the excellent ‘Power Of Persuation’ – and then some…. For those of you who witnessed the band live in February, you’ll know exactly where I’m coming from. This CD will be spinning constantly in your CD player – a damn good excuse to wear out your laser. Keep it coming lads – you are still the ‘Kings Of Euro-Sleaze-Rock’ ! 10/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
January
2008 |
|
Glenn Hughes –
Live In Australia
(Edel/Essential Music & Marketing - 2008) Who’d have ever thought that this exceptional vocalist would ever release an acoustic concert album – from Australia – but here it is in my hand. You get to hear the full depth of Glenn’s voice without a safety net with just acoustic and strings on occasions. The sound quality is immense and like you are there witnessing this gig in person – man, I wish I was – a bit far to travel from Sheffield, UK for me though. There’s so much vibe, charisma and atmosphere on this here platter and everyone involved is having such a great time – there’s little wonder with a joy like Mr. Hughes at the helm. Highlights, although every second of it is to be honest include opener incredible versions of covers such as ‘Nights In White Satin’ & ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ where Glenn explains what made him decide to record them not to mention old Deep Purple classics like ‘Mistreated’ and even ‘Getting Tighter’ where Jimmy Barnes joins him onstage – this is something else !! Glenn’s own solo material shines out brilliantly with songs like ‘This Is How I Feel’; ‘Soul Mover’; ‘The Devine’ and ‘Last Mistake’ being some of the stand-outs on here. I’d love to see the DVD of this and live in hope that this acoustic concert may happen someday over here in the UK as there aren’t many artists out there with material out there that is substantial and strong enough to stand up in this form - Glenn Hughes and ensemble pass triumphantly. An absolute and complete must for all fans of this man and lovers of incredible vocalists the world over. 10/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
November |
(HED)PE
- Insomnia 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 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 |
| October |
|
HEAVEN & HELL -
Live at the Radio City Music Hall 2007
(SPV) Ah-h-h. That’s a familiar name now isn’t it. Wasn’t it once an album by Black Sab... .hold on, what are these names on the front of the sleeve here. Tony Iommi... Geezer Butler....Ronnie James Dio - now there’s a coincidence. What has happened, gathered metal lovers, is that the most successful of the Sabs umpteen Ozzy-less incarns has reunited for the first time in nearly fifteen years and set on a special world trek that has once again allowed some of the legendary Brummie acts obscure faves to be revived. For the Sabbath-ly uninitiated, R.J.D. lent his tonsils to three long-players in his time, starting with the classic from which they borrow their moniker, ‘Mob Rules’ and the criminally over-slated ‘Dehumanizer’ set after which had seen him leave for the last time to be replaced by Tony Martin. The foursome is here completed by Carmine Vinny Appice who was with them for the latter majority of the Ronnie fronted catalogue. Bill Ward still manned the stool at the time of ‘H.O.H’ of course but Vin does a stellar job again behind the double barrelled machine that is messrs Iommi and Butler, the surviving half of the original line-up but it is the little man himself that steals the show. Less manic than Ozzy, Mr Dio is no less pleased as a pig rolling in
the old brown stuff to be back between these fellow musical goliaths
as he makes clear on repeated occasions throughout the show - the fact
that he is onstage in his home town of New York having sweet eff-all
to do with it. Not actually seeing the need to swear his way through
an evenings playing to show his excitement, like the Ozz-man, (‘hell’
is actually the rudest this bloke’s vocab gets all night). Still
the chance to introduce ‘Lady Evil’ and ‘Sign Of The
Southern Cross’ for the Reiterating the need to give ‘Dehumanizer’ a further chance to gel should be successful if only ‘Computer God’ can help it, a decent modern-day trad metal number and they appear to like it even more now than then - not a single boo can be heard anywhere as they kick in. The closing four numbers, all from Ronnie’s debut outing with the band 27 years ago - is the grand finale to end them all, ‘Die Young’, the immortal title track complete with sing-along ‘oh-h-h-h, oh, oh, oh-h-h-h.....’, and blasting encores of ‘Lonely Is The Word’ and ‘Neon Knights’. With two hours of classic heavy metal at an end, Ronnie finds shutting them up harder than telling them there’s no more to come tonight but its not over yet for as I write this review, Ronnie, Tony, Geezer and Vinny are on their way over here. If you own this album or are about to, get spinning it aplenty - this is the awesome set you are likely to expect at an arena near you in November in the UK. There may be no ‘Paranoid’ or ‘War Pigs’ this time round but who needs them with what Ronnie’s got to offer. Get some practice in with those devil signs. 9.5/10 By Dave Attrill |
KEN
HENSLEY - Blood On The Highway 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 |
August |
| HELLOWEEN - Live In Sao Paulo ~ ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys - Legacy
World Tour 05/06’ 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. The German legends still only sport one original member in guitarist Michael Weikath but the line up do identical portions of justice to material old and new as do the noisy Brazilians gathered in attendance. Favouring latterday matter a fair old way, we do get a good balance of stuff off ‘Rabbit Don’t Come Easy’, ‘The Dark Ride’ and current offering ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys’ which the tour is obviously in promotion of, but how that excuses the playing of only four tunes from the trilogy’s legendary second instalment takes one to ponder. Starting a set with a song nearly a quarter an hour in length is something you’d only expect Dream Theater to get away with but ‘King for a Thousand Years’ is a fine number that fails to bore either them or me in its longevity and when ‘Keeper’ itself gets its routine airing a few tunes on, the matching duration seems less of a deal. Mixing tracks like ‘Eagle fly Free’ ‘Hell Was Made In Heaven’, ‘A Tale That wasn’t Right’, ‘Mr Torture’ and ‘If I Could Fly’ togther in this order, we still get a collage with no rough edges and recent material doesn’t seem to take long to getting used to. Andy Deris’s similarity to his illustrious predecessor with his current post is ever more prominent with every record, it doesn’t even take a two year old to see why they chose this bloke to fill Mr Kiske’s boots. The one-time Pink Cream 69 leader also delights in telling people which album each song can be found on as he kicks in - only Bob Catley does as such to my knowledge. One or two numbers also feature from the Kai Hansen fronted debut, but blend in like they were done only last year. Weikath shows his shredding capabilities remain flawless to this day, although poor old newcomer Sascha Gerschtner’s rhythm lines are almost totally drowned out of existence by that intro solo in ‘I Want Out’. The second part of a three-song encore, - a tall order for a 90-minute set - we’re in for a perfectly fitting finale as ‘Dr Stein’ completes a ‘K.O.T.S.K.P.T’ double-header before they disappear into the night. Obviously they’re not satisfied we’d had enough, or they wouldn’t have also thrown in live renditions of ‘Halloween’ and ‘Occasion Avenue’ recorded elsewhere on the tour, if not to make it worth splitting across two discs. Possibly intended as their eqivalvent to Metallica’s ‘Live S*** Binge and Purge’ at least you can pick this up for fifteen quid rather than about eighty which I recommend you do pretty soonish, as Helloween have captured a sterling collection here. While their umpteenth studio albums over the last two decades have brought us much pleasure, there is still a certain magic in hearing some of these belters performed back to back, and all in one evening’s unaided work too. A hefty compensation package in particular for anyone who doesn’t get luxury of seeing the ‘Ween onstage in a town near them, let’s hope they still don’t want out just yet, as I certainly don’t. 9/10 By Dave Attrill |
June |
|
HATESPHERE - Serpent
Smiles and Killer Eyes
(SPV - 2007) The great Danes come running back with another juicy bone, both Hatesphere and this latest, fifth long-player. Quite obviously, hardcore would appear to be the indicated genre for any new listeners who routed by their moniker and while there are vocal elements as such and some occasionally Madball-ish rhythms, this is 95 per cent pure eighties headbanger fodder of the finest order. Anything noisy and Californian that may have been to your liking comes up in H.S. produce, the twin guitars of messrs Hansen and Jacobsen crack your skull with every single note, let alone chord, and carry it off at welcomely various speeds. The contemporary vocal of Jacob Bredahl may bat the odd eyelid amongst purists but he lends himself generously to both schools with minimal flaw. Seeing it only had nine tunes made me panic as to how brief it was going to be though most turn out to last about 4-5 minutes. Still after nine, I was pretty gutted that a tenth wasn’t to come. A bruising and impeccably, though fluently, constructed record. The thrash scene might have just found its new home, and I think Scand’ Francisco may make a fitting name for it, don’t you reckon. 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) |
|
HYADES - The Worst
Is Yet To Come
Italian metallers Hyades’s debut album took a while to gel until
about halfway along when I first heard it a couple of years ago, but eventually,
their old school thrash sound clicked and saved me the pain of mailing
Flemish metal label Mausoleum a poor review.
(Mausoleum - 2007) ‘A,T.W.I.Y.T.C’ makes things a lot easier to write a good one, still, picking up where the end of ‘Abuse Your Illusions’ left off and swiftly upping the proverbial ante, the guitar intensity of before kicking back, not so much hindered by the line up change or two as boosted into futher reaches of metal uptopia. Halford-matched screams of frontman Marco Columbo help matters almost unassisted and you can find the hooks in there two, plus quite a few supplied the form of lethally Scott Ian-like rhythm grooves and sums up their altogether commerical approach on the extreme metal criteria. Most of these tunes work both as substantially on stage and on club dancefloor and thirdly in directing virtually un-muted ridicule at those who put this sort of music down nowadays as plainly tedious - there is almost no sign of fillers here in. Hyades have, through classy ragers like ‘Buried In Blood’, ‘’Megamosh’, ‘Disposable Planet’, ‘Pharmageddon’ and ‘Valley Of Tears’, done the European scene proud here. The sign on the inside of the sleeve says it all. Thrash Now! Work Later! 10/10 By Dave Attrill ALMOST COMPULSORY
IF YOU LIKE: |
|
The Handful –
Second Hand Smoke
(True Rock Publishing – 2006) Rock duo from New York made up of Mark Duda (Vocal/Guitars) & Jason Mischel (Drums/Bass/Keyboards/Trumpet) with additional backing vocals from Andrew Duda & Chris Marksbury. Kinda puts me in mind of The Cult without the gothic overtones but you can’t quite put your finger on them as each songs style is slightly different to the last. The instrumental ‘Sasquatch’ roams into Jethro Tull & ELP territory whereas others like ‘Golddigger’ are capable of getting stoner on us with a Thin Lizzy sound. Some of their stuff grinds into the prog bluesiness of artists like Humble Pie with cuts like ‘Cut ‘Run’ with booming riffery that quotes a few Beatle numbers or lyrics from them. Nice ballad in ‘Unreal’ that has a Pink Floydness about it at times – sorta ‘Breath’ like whilst closer ‘Dead to Me’ has a southern rock slant to it. Interesting outfit that lazy journalists will have big trouble in categorising – you simply can’t – they have their own unique ways of style. 8/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
2006 |
|
HAIRPIES
- Echoes / Favour This Girl-fronted Brit hardcore bruisers Hairpies are previous acquaintances of Metalliville’s making from some time way back though seem not to have done much to change in that time although if my memory serves me right they weren’t that bad. Despite the first of these two numbers unfortunately being practically all noise and no tune, the latter, however is a strong aggressive Machine Head-meets Anthrax –style thrasher and the sort of they ought to write more often. Hoping it’s not a one off, return to form, I’m going to give them benefit of the doubt this time round. 8/10 By Dave Attrill |
|
Hammerfall –
Threshold
(Nuclear Blast - 2006) More powerful metal offerings from everyone’s favourite fallers – these Swedish Heavy Metal Kings and a few others keep their genre in the forefront and this album will keep it that way. All cuts are gems from the title-track ‘Threshold’ right through to ‘Titan’ – why don’t every band have a vocalist as good as this. Various highlights include ‘Natural High’; ‘Howlin’ with the ‘Pack’; the instrumental ‘Reign of the Hammer’. 10/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
|
Hanoi Rocks –
Another Hostile Takeover
(Demolition Records – 2005) New ‘anoi album and you get ya pennies worth as well with 18 tracks and 4 inserts. The bangin’, slinging sleazy sounds await you on this rockin’ 5” spinner. Simple as that really. Highlights include the 70’s Aerosmith like ‘Talk to your head’; the comical ‘Reggae Rocker’; ‘Dear Miss Lonely Heart’ (what a Hanoi member without a girlfriend or wife – yeah right!); the lovely ballad ‘Centre of the Universe’ and the bonus European number that is the 12-bar boogieness of ‘Heaven is gonna be empty’. Pretty good album from the Swedish Sleaze pioneers. 7/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
|
The Haze – Untitled
EP
(2006) Three tracker from a band that sound like a cross between U2 and INXS and come from Scotland. They got all the gothicness on ‘Preacher’ and on ‘Just to heat them say’ they’ve got a brilliant electric contemporary feel. They prove that David Bowie is not the only musical chameleon. It’s simply impossible to pigeonhole these guys into one particular genre – simple take them on as a whole. Good stuff. 8/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
|
Glenn Hughes –
Music for the Divine
(Frontiers Records – 2005) Glenn’s latest adventure with plenty of funk, rock and beyond that features mainstay guitarist JJ Marsh, Chad Smith & John Frusciante of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and string arranger and keysman Mark Killan. What a swell album it is – full of soul and passion. Recorded at Chad Smith’s house – this is pure musical elegance throughout with some brilliant songs throughout. It’s ompletely full of highlights such as the opening ‘The Valiant Denial’ that strangely reminds me of Phil Collin’s & Phil Bailey’s ‘Easy Lover’; the funky Wonder like ‘Steppin On’; the freaky and ballsy ‘Monkey Man’ - I love the instrumental break big style. The ballad ‘Frail’ is a lovely track about a woman who could do with some TLC; more funk rock with ‘Black Light’; a knockout version of ‘Nights in White Satin’ – that incorporates a large proportion of Glenn’s vocal range as does the laid back and then galloping ‘This is how I feel’ before leading out to the closing acoustic/string led ballad ‘The Divine’ – man, when volume 2 comin’ out – I can’t wait. Best album Glenn has brought out in years. 10/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
May
|
|
HEADLESS CROSS - Burning
Sanctuary (5-track EP)
I reviewed a demo by these guys last year and was quite impressed. This time round they are still upholding the form but stick to a 100% straight ahead old-fashioned thrash metal noise and the minor comparisons I made previously with My Dying Bride and Fear Factory need no longer apply. Heavy, fast and angry, all three key elements of such music well in check, H.C should start advertising themselves as available for a few major support slots in the near future, the punters are sure to take to these noisy young chappies. 8/10 By Dave Attrill |
|
HIGHROAD #28 - Unsteady
And Steady State
I can remember this outfit’s EP a couple of years back being quite impressive so hopes were held high-ish for this forthcoming album. And unfortunately ones that turned almost to total dust as what worked for five songs here struggles in vain to stretch across ten as things now go downhill at a very nasty angle. Again feasting on a fusion of alt.rock, garage, industrial and metal, vocalist Andrew Cantwell’s recent adoption of guitar duties may or may not have slung this particular spanner in the works. All the more a pity as he sounds as equally able a player as original colleague Philip Brien - who still guests on this release - these lads have concentrated too much on the umpteen different style variations herein to allow for any songs of note to take form. An album I struggled with after about three tracks, the sparkle of their pervious offering here dies on the spot. I can therefore only hope they continue to progress as they are still clearly capable of much, much better than this disappointing platter. Best of luck next time, eh, boys? 4/10 By Dave Attrill |
|
HOUSE
OF LORDS - World Upside Down Either the disappointing comeback album from House Of Lords was in the end a false (re)start for the hair rock titans, or the rest of the original line-up bar James Christian were suddenly against reviving the classic sound of their heyday, that put them up there with Tyketto, Danger Danger and Winger. Banishing the ‘traitors’, J.C parted ways with messrs Mary, Cordola and Wright and teamed up with three chaps I’ve never heard of, even with my knowledge of the underground hard rock franternity. Step forward bassist Jeff Kent who also takes up keyboard duties, BJ Zampa is our new man on skins and Jimi Bell fills Lanny Cordola’s old slot (is that a fellow lefty I see in the pic or is this one of those evil backward photos?). Obviously having listened to a few H.O.L discs in their time - and perhaps Steelhouse Lane too – the new recruits have instantly grabbed the clock and turn the hands back to 1990, Bell’s guitar work proceeding to jam the mechanism so. Listen to ‘These Are The Times’(yeah, I was just saying, lads), ‘All The Way To Heaven’, ‘All The Pieces Falling’, ‘Million Miles’, ‘Your Eyes’, ‘Ghost Of Time’ or ‘S.O.S.’ if you think I’m just saying what I am in my pathetic mothering attempt to get you to restore your faith in another so-called ‘has-been’ hair metal band. You’ll be needing some ketchup to help eat your words afterwards. Though not featuring any guest pennings from Mike Slamer this time, fans of the ex-Streets guitarists’ two recent projects, Seventh Key and Steelhouse you-know-who will warm to this return to form along with fans of the Lords first era’s produce. As a bonus, Greg Giuffria, while sadly not in the band as a player, offers his hand in the keyboard production, Christian handling the rest of the dial-diddling. Be nice to see him in a band again though, one day. 9/10 By Dave Attrill RECOMMENDED
IF YOU LIKE ALSO RECOMMENDED
|
|
HEADRUSH - A Thousand
Pictures (EP)
(Unsigned - 2005) I was hooked from the off by this Staffordshire 5-piece when I heard their previous EP, ‘Just Bring It On’, last Autumn, having jus enjoyed their set at the Grapes, supporting Silverjet. Quite obviously, HR were not unaware of the following they were already building with that visit as out comes another taste of their testosterone-crammed classic hard rock fury. ‘J.B.I.O’ itself features again - and why not, it’s easily their best number so far - whilst this latest disc’s title track plus ‘Party Tonight’ sock the message home that this sort of music is still far from having its chips yet, tried as fashion might have to ensure otherwise over the last decade plus. Andy’s Axl-esque range is in powerful form again, dominating and nearly drowning out the other four guys instruments, though thanks to an impressive production that we still get to hear them. Another fine record, lads - even finer than the last one, before you ask, and the hidden track’s a winner too(I’d appreciate knowing the name of it by the way). Let’s hope a full album looms on the horizon in the coming year -deal/dosh permitting, of course. 9/10 By Dave Attrill
Headrush
- A Thousand Pictures (E.P) 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 |
|
The Jeff Healey Band
– Live at Montreux 1999
(Eagle Records – 2005) Makin’ his blues mark at Montreux 7 years ago plus three from ’97 (like the crackin’ version of ‘While my guitar gently weeps’ and ‘That’s what they say’ – like to hear the full gig some time). Plenty of originals and plenty of covers in this smouldering session. Nice to hear Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Stop Breaking Down’ that was covered by Aerosmith a few years ago and the fantastic Notting Hillbillies number ‘I think I lover you too much’. Then there’s originals like ‘My Little Girl’ and ‘I see the light too’. The man and his band are bruisin’ in blues out song after song here – the performance is warm and pleasurable and leaves you yearning for more – the way music should affect you. ‘Roadhouse Blues’ is killer – especially when it’s audience participation time when a string is broken. The man is top of the game. 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 |
|
Glenn Hughes –
Soul Mover
(Now & Then / Frontiers - 2005) Another cooking bluesy rock album from the voice of rock that coming straight from the soul. As brilliant as ever, he always comes up with the goods and is always the master of the plan when great songs are concerned. Guests on the album include Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer) and Dave Navarro (Foo Fighters) – Dave guests on the opening title track – yes I’m a Soul Mover !! Highlights include ‘Miss Little Insane’; the already mentioned ‘Soul Mover’; ‘High Road’; ‘Dark Star’ and ‘Isolation’. Great album – ‘av’ it !! 9/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
|
HYADES
- Abuse Your Illusions Behind the line of top notch noises Mausoleum have dispensed our way, there has to be one less than impressive offering lurking somewhere at the back. I may be sounding a bit too harsh there, truthfully speaking because four or five tunes along, Italian thrashers Hyades suddenly get things more or less off the ground. Using commendably Halford-esque screams to power their craft, they come perilously close to being sunk by use of some very stolen and, for the first three tracks, unspectacular Bay Area riffing, but come ‘Liars’ and ‘Picture Of A World’ in particular, something suddenly changes. Some very unique-sounding lead melodies begin to appear on the horizon and persist at reasonable intervals throughout the rest of the record. Not the strongest disc this label have dished up but listening a little distance into it proves it to be a grower and their cover of Beastie Boys’ ‘Fight For Your Right’ is a worthy outing too. So, not that bad in the end then. 7/10 By
Dave Attrill |
|
HADES – Resisting
Success / If At First You Don’t Succeed
This is a 2CD re-release of Hades’ first two albums, ‘Resisting Success’ (1987) and ‘If At First You Don’t Succeed’ (1988). It also includes 3 bonus tracks that have been more recently recorded. Both CDs have the same high-octane tempo, stopping only occasionally to experiment with acoustics in ‘The Cross’ and the brief ‘Process of Assimilation’. The pace and strong rhythmic pounding of the drums, bass and guitars will appeal to lovers of thrash. Alan Tecchio’s vocals keep pace with punchy lyrics showing a good range of pitch and singing style but there is little creativity in the tune that lies above the rhythm foundation. I enjoyed tracks like ‘Sweet Revenge’, ‘On The Iliad’, ‘I Too Eye’, ‘The Cross’ and ‘Finale’ because the song identity seemed to have more room to come to the forefront. This worked particularly well in the intro to ‘Nightstalker’ in which the drums slow and the guitar can speed away over the top. Many of the intros and time changes in tracks such as ‘Resist Success’ and ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ add an impressive and important extra dimension to Hades’ music. This factor keeps the listener interested and can provide welcome relief from the monotony of some heavily repeated riffs. Also, studded throughout the play lists are solid, technical guitar solos but they generally lack any direction or purpose within the tracks and this gave the impression they could have easily been readily interchangeable. All in all the two CDs have aged pretty well and would be a fine addition to any head banger’s thrash collection. 6.5/10 By Al Hoath |
|
HANGFACE – Freakshow
The feat of putting Scandinavian and ‘alternative rock’ in the same sentence rarely proves viable in the face of commercial ridicule, given of course that Viking territories are better known for their black metal and AOR exports. Hangface shoot pointblank from the off as if their native Norway were a breeding ground for grunge-ular dealings from the beginning but their range of styles are by no means a single-track line. The young fivesome’s solo-friendly pop-metal combines better than vague vocal elements of Soundgarden, White Zombie and Metallica with melodies and licks again reminiscent of Cornell’s erstwhile vehicle, plus traces of Offspring and Bush. Healthy variations in rhythms and tempo ably ensure that things remain listenable throughout its full 13-track span but it’s much more than that. Read - a blistering crash of contemporary rock that while similar in seventy-five percent of ways possible to its many like-styled US acts from 1993-onwards, welcomes one or two forbidden features to the genre that beef things up in a way many would think unlikely. Freak happenings indeed within a genre I don’t too often freak out over. 9/10 By
Dave Attrill |
|
HANTAOMA - Malombra
(Holy Records - 2005) Not to be confused with Mike Patton’s terrible post Faith No More act, French goth metallers HANTAOMA’s offering almost obviously has me bracing for the predictable at first but pretty quickly herein after, it transpires as being lethally less so. Two minutes into the album and I find myself gelled by a peppery little keyboard melody in lieu of the expected e-string onslaughts lying in wait round the corner. You are still supplied with all the usual elements of the genre but this notably significant feature of their style is a frequent and welcomely used component throughout. The vocals are run in the band’s native lingo and the guitar instrumentation nicely old-school advised and allowed melody most of the way along and with the overall sound taking on an increasingly Celtic turn towards the end of the disc, the whole product is moved totally away from what you casual minded many first though it to be when they hit that play button. My knowledge of metal’s darker half may be a bit rusty these days as I have said before but I can still separate innovators from imitators, at the best of times. One of Holy’s best. 7.5/10
By Dave Attrill |
| HYPNOGAJA
- Below Sunset With new-breed continuing to muscle its way into the patch nu METAL once occupied, scene hotsters Hypnogaja find themselves a little more free from constraints. Translated, they venture fearlessly into 93-94 water but not deep enough to drown. Followers of various bands on the fabled Wind-up label - I needn’t name too many - will take to their sound with their arms open wide as they will go but the countless audible odes to grunge legends Alice In Chains and Nirvana concrete the cred with older fans on their own. Jason Arnold has a voice itself that says ‘Layne Stayley Is Alive!’ all over it and has the guy’s same prowess for angst and soul-baring depression in his range. Commiting probably the most serious crime possible in the contemporary metal scene, Hypnogaja do also wander into a countable few Dream Theater interludes - and not just because of their keyboard player - but as a fan of DT myself (oops..) I shall release them without charge on that one. Very catchy interesting and well-influenced stuff from another band who seem like those things themselves, ‘Below Sunset’ should draw in some fast attention. Hypno - tising stuff indeed. 9/10 By Dave Attrill |
|
HEADRUSH - Just
Bring It On (EP Demo)
(Unsigned - 2005) A local act who don’t lie about their influences, Stoke’s Headrush paint the words Guns N Roses, AC/DC and Motley Crue on practically everybody’s lips straight from the first two minutes of this punchy four-tracker. Slinging in some dangerously Pretty Boy Floyd alike range from singer Andy and a few very catchy riffs, especially that on the title track that kicks the disc off, and topping on classic high-speed hard rock soloing, these five chap could hardly do it more by the book if they tried. Recently having played a well applauded support slot for Silverjet, Sheffield’s top hard rock export of late, bringing it on is almost certainly the name of the game once again for this scene. 8.5/10 By Dave Attrill |
|
HIDING WITH GIRLS -
Short Round/Hoods Up (Single)
(Mighty Atom Records - 2005) From their recent and rather decent ‘Torino Scale’ album comes one… or rather two of its few weaker numbers. ‘Short Round’ and ‘Hoods Up’ plus extra number ‘Battles Not Worth Waging’ aren’t particularly diablolical alone but I think are where their nu-breed vehicle got briefly bogged down in plodsville. Lacking in any really big hooks, this offering’s only tool of appeal if any is the promo vid for ‘S.R.’. Otherwise if you’ve already got the album, I’d just stick to that. 6/10 By Dave Attrill |
May
and Early 2005 |
| HEADLESS
CROSS - 3-track Demo Though named after one of the Sabs' less popular albums, Headless Cross should wind in some attention with this trio of metal-oriented-cuts that lean in the Kreator/Megadeth/Judas Priest direction sometimes but have a foot free for treading in waters further afield too. 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 |
|
HEARTLAND - Move
On
(Escape – 2005) D’ you know somefink? Heartland have been around for over 15 years now. Yes, they were first around when people still cared about hard rock. And of course some still do - well enough to see messrs Ousey and Morris still at it in 2005 with the eighth studio bonanza from this stunning British band. Chris Ousey’s unmistakably phenomenal voice has also been heard, to date on the blinding debut and so-and-so follow-up albums from his side-project ‘The Distance’ as well as his eighties group Virginia Wolf. For any new converts, ‘Move On’ is Steve Morris’s sixth outing with HL, the former Ian Gillan guitarist having joined just after second and best album to date, ‘Wide Open’ was released in ’94. Original guitarist Gary Sharpe was one tough act to follow, given his work on that and the also excellent self titled debut but this chap has built on his already rock solid foundations over the last ten years to shape the outfit’s crafts with his own crystal-distinct style. The opening duo of ‘Hard Hearted Man’ and ‘City Of Lights’ pick up straight from the point where previous corker ‘Communication Down’ finished its shift and work even harder to deliver the goods this time, great songs with balls and instant hooks both. ‘Take Me Alive’ breaks off for a funky trip in pretty much total contrast but Mr Morris is waiting round the corner with that solo at the ready and rips as soon as they’re ready for. Resuming common style for the rest of the album, the boys continually progress throughout ‘How Was I To Know’, ‘Getting Ready’, ‘Hell Or High Water’ and ‘Too Sad To Cry’, shifting pace but now sacrificing some of their trademark emotion and feel as Ousey not only vents the thoughts that lie at the deepest point of his heart but from inside his head, trading sentimentality for more rough n’ ready grit. Hence a return to more straight ahead hard rock rhythms that we hear more of, to notice, through the last few numbers’, ‘Remember Me’, ‘Where Do We Go From Here’, ‘One Fine Day’ and ‘Rotate’. Believe it or not, even Heartland’s ballads are less ballad-y, Morris’s guitar sounding even more Sharpe-like by the minute and one is wondering if Chris and Steve have both got bored of the ‘safe’ sound they have held true to from ‘Bridge Of Fools’ onwards, as this owes more to Virginia Wolf at times than themselves. An astounding 56 minutes nonetheless, Heartland have indeed moved on, moved back again, moved….. wherever you want them to have moved but with this disc, moved far indeed in their various respective directions. If you enjoy the eighties out-and-out approach of ‘S/T’ and ‘Wide Open’ as well as the Wolf’s trademark produce but with Steve’s guitar acting the parts with panache, this is a strict must for ANY melodic rock collection. Then it’s practically a must anyway, an appetite whetter for anyone yet to possess a copy of that 1994 classic…. And their best since it too. 9.5/10 By Dave Attrill ALSO RECOMMENDED |
| HONEYMOON
SUITE - Live At The Gods '02 The fourth of the sets from that day in Bradford that were chalked up for a CD/DVD release in months to follow finally sees daylight, nearly three years later but worth the wait it certainly is. Canada's Honeymoon Suite accounted for one of the event's most prestigious moments - well 65 minutes - with their flash-in-the-pan reunion. 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 |
| Hayseed
Dixie - Let There Be Rockgrass As legend
has it, these boys found a crashed car at the side of road in Deer
Lick Holler, rammed full of AC/DC albums - the vinyl remained unscarred
but the driver perished. Hayseed Dixie then set out to learn a ton
of classic rock and it that redneck country touch - taking away all
those drums.
|
| HIDING
WITH GIRLS - The Torino Scale
(Mighty Atom - 2004) 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 |
| September |
| The
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced and More
(Purple Haze Record - 2004) 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 |
| Glenn
Hughes - Soulfully Live in the City of Angels
(Frontiers - 2004) 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 |
| August/September |
| Heart
- Jupiter's Darling
(Spitfire Records/Eagle Rock Records - 2004) 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 |
| HELL
BORN - Legacy Of The Nephilim
(Conquer Records - 2004) 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.
By Glenn Milligan |
| HIGHROAD
No. 28 - Dynamic Introspection EP Australia's being pretty quiet in its worldwide contributions to the rock scene, recently. Highroad No 28 may break the silence for them now with their indecisive brand of noise rock fodder. Basically as we can put it, it's somewhere in the middle of a small room with industrial in one corner, rap in another, alternative in the other and a hint of Pro-Pain tinted hardcore metal in the last. Not totally hook-less, this may still take a little time to adjust settings to, despite its nu-metal likenesses in most places. Promising. 7/10 By Dave Atrill |
| High
School Motherf*ck*rs - Want Some?! 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 |
| HOLIDAY
PLAN - Stories (Single)
(Island - 2004) 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 |
| July |
| The
Haze - High Profile E.P.
(Time Records Productions - 2003) 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 |
| April |
| Hardcore
Superstar - No Regrets 3rd release
from Swedish glam band Hardcore Superstar and is basically more of
the same up tempo, simplistic cuts in the style of Hanoi Rocks. It's
a good album for what is is, but having those irritating handclaps
(a la Gary Glitter/Sweet etc) in nearly every song is completely tedious
and gets on your nerves after around the first 3 songs, taking your
ears away from the songs themselves - well it did mine anyway. 5/10 |
| HOUSE
OF LORDS - Power And The Myth
(Frontiers - 2004) 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 |
| House
of Thandoy - S/T When you've
got a trio featuring an ex-Gong member, Steve Higgins, you know you're
not gonna get mainstream run of the mill music. This is Acid Jazz
Rock fusion material that's expertly played and rather experimental
as well without losing the plot. 8/10 |
| March |
| Jimi
Hendrix - Stockholm Concert (Shows 1 and 2)
(Purple Haze Records - 2004) "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 |
| Steve
Howe's Remedy - Elements
(Inside Out/SPV - 2003) 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 |
| February |
| Hanoi
Rocks - Twelve Shots on the Rocks
(RLF Music - 2003) 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 |
| Michael
Lee Hill - Frozen Thought
(Sy Vy Music - 2002) 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 |
| GARY
HUGHES - Once And Future King (Part 2)
(Frontiers/Now & Then - 2003) 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 |
| Jan.
2004 |
| HARDLINE
- Live at the Gods 2002
(Frontiers/Now & Then - 2003) 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. 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 |
| Jimi
Hendrix - Axis Outtakes
(Purple Haze Records - 2003) 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 wa |