10/10

By Tony Watson

5/10

By Tony Watson

5/10

By Tony Watson

7/10

By Tony Watson

Naughty Boys - R U Naughty Enough
(N-Records -2007)

A Swedish Melodic Rock band who originally formed in 1989 with the final lineup complete in 1992 and sound very much like White Lion on this here platter.

The songs are put over really well both musically and vocally and highlights include the opening number 'Only God'; the classic fly your ciggy lighter in the air type anthem that is 'After the Rain'; the rockin' 'I Will', the positively reckoning 'Nothing Can Bring Me Down'; the strong riffing, diggin' lyric of 'Stay' and the closing 'Something To Believe In'.

A band worth checking out if you love well-played Rock that is fresh with plenty of quality clear vocals then you can't go wrong by spending a few quid, dollars or euros on this 'ere album.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Nex – A Clockwork Heart

Every so often a band falls under the Metalliville radar that, from their albums first spin, leaves us jumping up and down with excitement like schoolchildren on Red Bull. Be it their attitude, their songs, or their sheer machismo; these bands possess that ever important x-factor required to force any and all before them to bow down at their feet in sheer adulation of their greatness.

Said band in question here are Huddersfield quintet Nex. Who, since forming in 2002, have been winning over crowds nationwide with their symphonically-tinged hard rock. Now, with a record deal firmly in hand, Nex look set to make 2008 the year they wave goodbye to murky venues and take their first steps towards becoming stadium flattening Demigods.

But “Why the praise” you ask? Well, from the opening ivory twinklings of ‘In Pieces’, through to the head-crushing ‘The Revenge’, it quickly becomes evident that Nex offer something far more intriguing than the talentless streaks of piss largely encompassing the British Rock scene.

Combining the melodic sensibilities of Avenged Sevenfold and the metallic power of Sweden’s Soilwork with cleverly intertwined orchestral dabblings; Nex have taken a tried and tested formula and remodel it to suit their own twisted ends, with astounding results.

With songs such as ‘Tinkerbell’ and ‘Phantoms’ wielding the finest anthemic choruses this side of Foo Fighters and stomping powerhouse ‘Dansylvania’ destined to batter even the sturdiest of listeners into submission with its bruising grooves and Ed Dickinson’s stunning vocal prowess. While sombre acoustic number ‘Ashes & Embers’ serves as a fine precursor to the moshtastic allure of ‘Before The Storm’, a vicious whirlwind of punishing Guitars and lightening-fast drumming, both caustic and brilliant.

Fact is; ‘A Clockwork Heart’ is easily one of the finest British rock records to be released in years. Ripe with bludgeoning riffs, strong melodies and masterful songwriting, Nex have quite possibly just given us our first contender for album of the year.

8/10

By Tom Brumpton

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

NATION BEYOND - The Aftermath Odyssey
(Burning Star Records - 2007)

Sweden are at it again as another promising new vehicle drives out onto the metal highway. Amongst those at the wheel here are ex members of other familiar names on Scandinavia’s map, including one geezer from sadly defunct 90’s thrash faves Face Down.

Venturing a slightly less heavier road now, Nation Beyond are a dual vocal symphonic metal combo with one voice male, the other being that of a lay-dee, and hell do they work well in their role. Astonishingly more so, in spite of their heavily Dream Theater influenced produce, they lack a keyboard player in their ranks, opting instead for the twin guitar approach of Queensryche, to fans of whom this debut album will also appeal hugely.

Tate and co in the mentioning, this conceptual piece begins not unsimilarly to ‘....Mindcrime’, kicking of with two small numbers including an instrumental, afore the full length cuts commence, and what beautiful cuts they are at that. Sara and Niels (seems we’re only allowed first names this time) share the mike as well as alternate in accordance with the direction of every tune and the lush silky string-meistery of their two axemen in both electric and acoustic form leaves both eyes and ears watering.

‘In The Ashes’, ‘New Eden City’, ‘The Council’, ‘Soulmates’, ‘war of The Wastelands’ and ‘Point Zero’ are six of the best but none of the twelve even hint at bad. A stunning mix of melodic metal and strong poetic feel that holds me in all the way through without letting go, N.B.’s first time out sets the standard for their second and all beyond.

Superb.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

NUCLEAR BLAST ALLSTARS - Out Of The Dark
(Nuclear Blast - 2007)

Following in principle what Jeff Waters did with his toasting new Annihilator disc ‘Metal’, the entire Nuclear Blast label’s roster now have a swipe at celebrating their 20 years in business, honouring the word of the genre by assembling an elite entourage of luminaries from across planet metal’s surface.

These ten cuts are penned by former Soilwork guitarist Pete Wechers and some may consider the style a little too contemporary at times, given the duration of the illustrious career being spanned. In Flame’s Andreas Friden, Death Angel’s Mark Osogueda and Anthrax/Armoured Saint legend John Bush are undoubtedly the three names people are most likely to latch on to as their initial basis for lending this album their attention.

All three sound great for their time, Bush and Osogueda in particular but placed on the same disc space as relative ‘recruits’ like the chaps from Wintersun, Kataklysm and not to mention Wicher’s Soilwork chum Bjorn “Speed” Strid, there is a notably even more meaningful air to it all. Sadly a one-off get together for these fellows, the racks turn out very well composed and surprisingly versatile, offering a blend of modern extreme and alternative metal that the old school men fail to ruin.

The lion’s share of latterday troupes in representation on this combo have been subjects of Metalliville press (mostly positive) over the year hereto and it is hoped these impressive treats on the side will tempt you to check out their day trades. A severe Blast from the past ... and the present .... , for the Nuclear people - here’s also to the future, just to complete the set.

Get this belter on and get the drinks in.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Death8699 (MethylinInfo@aol.com)

Erik Norlander – Hommage Symphonique
(Think Tank Media – 2007)

This ebony and ivory extraordinaire guides us through some of his favourite progressive rock pieces by some of his idols like Rick Wakeman (Sir Lancelot and the Black Night); ELP (Pirates); King Crimson (Starless) as well as a jazzman called Chuck Mangione (Children of Sanchez Overture).

Kelly Keeling provides the faultless vocals throughout with another well known notable being ex-David Lee Roth Drummer ‘Greg Bissonette’. If you love your old 70’s cosmic classics then this is the one for you for defo.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

(S/R - 2006)

Oh dear… I believe this band and I have had the misfortune to meet before. Nostrodamus 0014’s brand of sixth-division Strapping Young Lad –like screamcore didn’t quite do it for me last time round so I’m hoping things have pepped up a bit three years on. Well they have, thank f***, though just so.

6/10

By Dave Attrill

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

5/10

By Dave Attrill

Picture a more subdued Devin Townsend fronting Rammstein and you should have rough clue. Oh, by the way, lads, that does still mean it’s good.

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
A run in between Napalm Death, Earth Crisis, Madball, Pro Pain, and Strife but with ,as mentioned already, Metallica-style guitar work.

5/10

By Dave Attrill

NFD - No Love Lost
(Jungle Records - 2004)

It's dark, it's gloomy, it's gothic and it's 100% attention capturing with enough guitar for the rockers out there and deepness to suit all you goths. NFD feature members of Fields of The Nephlim, Sensorium and Nefilim.

Throughout this album shines, well not shines - I guess it should be tarshishes in this case and stands out from beginning to end with its moody, encompassing music with highlights including 'Omen'; 'Turbine' and 'Enrapture'.

This is essential 'Gothic Rock' listening.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Track 2, 'Rant' has a strongly notable eighties new wave vibe and stands out the easiest from the three accompanying selections and 'You All Ignore Us' sees a band actually trying to do the Beatles thing with feel. One to chase even for a few of the doubters. Don't ever say they give you….. nothing.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

Though Devin Townsend's puke-inducing shrieking of his earlier produce earned him legions of fans the world across, he didn't lean it overnight and this lot sound just like some half-baked attempt to cash in on Strapping Young Lad's laurels, despite some promising opening riffage at sporadic intervals.

One of the later tracks sounds like taking off to somewhere at last but they're going to have to come up with some tunes that sound more like. tunes to succeed on any commercial circuit, even within their genre.

4/10

By Dave Attrill

By featuring a couple of lads from the legends Fields Of The Nephilim, it's a good start to the roll of appeal, but the opening title cut of this EP leaves more to desire. Nothing to-o-o-o naff, just a rather directionless plodder of a tune that had not even the remotest of extra attractions. Then 'No Love Lost' takes off with a bang and a very 'Two Tribes' -ey feel to it.

Goth rock sounds its greatest at this tempo and so it is sustained for 'Unleashed', also a worth selection for when/if we get any live work out of this promising new combo. First impressions are the most important as always and NFD have sailed merrily through the auditions.

7.5 /10

By Dave Attrill

The name Nexx has been of knowledge to me from reading the line-up for the Gods 2001 - which I was forced to miss - and all I've known up to acquiring this, their first album is that they are a female-fronted five-piece melodic rock act from Spain. Z Records have recently become host to hot new lady-let Swedish outfit Shiva with their stunning 10/10-rated debut offering so competition is called for from Z's rival label.

Musically they bear passing resemblances for other reasons than just those obvious, to label-mates Dante Fox and Haven, the finger aimed almost straight at the latter. Silk- made melodies, woven by Patricia's stunning voice, and the band's tutored musicianship allows tunes like 'Arches of Faith', 'Get Fire', 'Indifference', 'After The Storm' and 'Good Time Comes' amongst numbers to sit in the front of the shop window with pride.

To put you in the picture, think of Honeymoon Suite, Danger Danger, Whitsnake, Street Talk, Naro or also fellow Spaniards 92 Suite, albeit with a woman behind the mike stand, and there's little doubt you'll understand what Nexx's business deals in. Smashing.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Narcoze - Genoma
(Cruz Del Sur Music - 2003)

A power metal band from Brazil that basically sound like all the other power metal bands. It gets tedious and the sound quality isn't remarkably good - there's far too much high end and it ain't the best vocally either - croakly and bawly.

Stand-out tracks are 'Promised Land' with its keyboard intro and bashiny drums; the Jazzy opening on 'grains of Sand' and the strong 'Signs of the Night' that races up when the vocals come in.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

So who's gonna end up getting speared by the Damn Yankee - well basically any Animal in hunting season or any human that gets up Teds back. Anyway, enough of taking the michael out of the simple cover - ye old strangleholdin' wango dango'd catscracher fires out a belter of an album that sees his greatness rub shoulders with drummer, Marco Mendoza and 21 year old Bassist, Tommy Clufetos.

The T.N.B. give ya a fine old helping of new numbers such as the bellowing 'Klstrphnky' that's classic Ted gone Black Label Society - think he's been listening to a bit of the Wylde man myself and good on him as well. Ted, you've hit the nail on the head - even the kids'll dig this track.

A lot of the album though is Nugent's classic style from the late 70's - good old rock - meat 'n' potatoe style with cracking guitar licks that the man is famous for. Good examples of which are 'Damned if you do', 'Roadogs and Warhogs'. There are also a few numbers though that are very Alice Cooper in his 'Constrictor' or 'Raise your fist and Yell' period like 'Change my Sex' or the in-your-face 'Pussywhipped' - what a video that'd be.

The album buzzes with testosterone and ready to explode at any given second, especially on 'My baby wants my butter on her gritz- yet another track that's make an exceptional video - destinned to give the Washington wives something to moan about.

All in All - a typical Ted Nugent album - just the way you'd want it to be.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Skid Row's Swedish equivalent - that's 'Nasty Idols' with a dose of Shotgun Messiah plus a tad bit of Dangerous Toys creepin' in there - you get the musical picture, Dude? or is that Dudess?

They were formed by Andy Pirre and bassist Dick Quarfort. This is a collection from three albums and there's tons of highlights to lift yourself up on. Do you fancy a bit whore house ranting then unlock the door of 'House of Rock 'n' Roll' or the cock rocker complete with female moaning at the beginning titled 'The Way You Walk'. The essential crackin' of the cowbell is there in 'Dance of the Wicked' and then there's the gutsy, fast paced 'Alive 'n' Kickin' or the acoustic 'I can't get you off my mind' (well I presume it's called that as it's been left of the title sheet) with cool harmonica playin' goin' down. The bass led 'Do ya want another?' is a corka of a sex squarka with an warm welocome back return of the cowbell - it can't be beaten.

The album only goes negative once and that's during 'Trashed 'n' Dirty' which concerns bad drug addiction. Overall, this album is a must from Glam fans the world over.

8/10

By GlennMilligan, BA Hons CS

Nebula - Dos E.P's
(Meteor City - 2002)

This CD features the 2 E.P's that got Nebula noticed in the first place - the self-titled 'Nebula' and 'Sun Creature'. The songs have been jumbled around a wee bit and another 3 new tracks added that open up the album - 'Rocket', 'Long Day' and 'Bardo Airways' - recorded December 2001 at Donner and Blitzen, L.A. California, USA.

If you've never been graced by the offerings of Nebula before then enjoy your first tastings of their slightly psychedelic blues-tinged Stoner Rock. Dos E.P's is a collective carnival of killer cuts including some real cool stuff like 'The Flight of Icarus' with nifty left to right panning effects, reminding me of Hawkwind's 'Silver Machine'.

Looking forward to hearing the new studio album.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Ted's gone totally different for this - coming across more like the Sabbathesque soundings of Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society with hard shouting vocals. Who'd have thought the Nuge would have come up with something like this - funky, dirty but very heavy with a few false starts.

The kids will love it but I don't know what his fanbase will think of it - there's a fine line between love and hate - it's a case of sitting on the fence and seeing what happens. I reckon it'll get quite a bit of airplay (well apart from Britain - but they play hardly anything anyway) - because it's so cross-over.

This number has you thinking - so what's the new album, 'Craveman' gonna be like - add it to the wait and see pile. I think it's preety awesome myself.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Bisons beware, mere mortals beware because Ted's back in town delivering the dirty hard red-neck rock all the way from the swamps of Redford. Captured live on New Years Eve on 31st December 2000 at the Palace of Aubern Hills, Detroit MI, Nug-head provides the answer to why the electric guitar was unleashed on this planet in the first place - quite frankly to provide us with the great sounds of Rock - nothing more, nothing less. We are told that it's '100% live with no overdubs' - the way it should be.

'Snakeskin Cowboys' is earth killing - well to be honest the whole damn gig is - if only he wouldn't keep reminding us how good he is - "Ted there's no need to continually brag - you're the King of the Riffs' on your side of the pond and have been for many years - the US equivalent of Angus Young, so shut up and get on with it".

Anyway, back to the point, reviewing the CD or Gig should I say - many of the hits are here, the dirty power blues-rock of 'Free for all' the sleaze lyrical salute of 'Yank me, crank me', the legendary 'Cat Scratch Fever' or the screamin' 'Stranglehold' where Ted says to the audience "watch how simple it is - as long as you got the f*ckin' attitude" and he's got that alright.

I best give the old f*cker a good mark or he'll be over the large pond, trackin' me down with his huntin' bag of tricks in hand ready to stick an arrow in my ass !! - well that'd be one way to get him across and while he's here - how about some gigs ? - what do mean we can't afford you ?? Stop press, he's playing London Astoria in June.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Obscurity is a fascinating thing, one knows. You dig deep, you come across a disc by a new act, hardly anyone, let alone yourself has heard of, and when you dung it into the deck, their music more often than not, kicks your arse good and proper. That's very much the case with Spain's 91 Suite, and not just because they share part of their name with that of a certain Canadian act. I had a sampler CD from the Fireworks magazine last year which contained a track by this very promising young band and from then, haven't looked back so much as once.

Granted, they don't quite push any parameters in rock, apart from the somewhat over-pop second track 'Down To You', and maybe one or two later cuts in the thirteen-strong listing. Within their own circle, 91 Suite are quite free to roam as their likely inspirations look down on them. Melodica, Danger Danger, Winger and Tyketto are but just a few. Stand-outer and aforementioned sampler track 'Time To Say Goodbye' vaguely nods at Hardline fave 'Everything' and 'The Day She Left' is to say the least picked from the 'Poley's Finest' handbook. 'All Is Gone', 'Give Me The Night' and 'Chance Of A Lifetime' rate amongst the golden nuggets but give me the night, and several more afterwards, I'll still be listening to an album like this practically non-stop.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

I must admit I have never purchased a CD at a gig until seeing Number One Son, I would say they come across between Korn, One Minute Silence, the heavy side of Incubus and Drowning Pool because of the distinguishing base lines the rhythmic vocals as well as the tight, but at the same time loose rhythms and pounding drum beats. 'Majority Of One' is probably one of the better CD's that are available from an underground band.

Number One Son have released a CD that is full of excitement, energy and anger through hard heavy metal rapping vocals and simple beats which pounds through your speakers harder than a nuclear bomb. From the first track 'Contrasts' to 'Hourglass' through to 'Insert' and the mellow track of 'A Moment' Number One Son express themselves as a band with the talent, attitude and professionalism to make it big.

I know very little about the band and or what they stand for but I can't wait to hear their next CD, If it is as exciting as 'Majority Of One' then we will have a band that will be around for along time, releasing music that will be enjoyed by millions.

10/10

By Tony Watson

‘Get Away’ is about an unwanted women and I especially like the line, ‘Off
my dick bitch, this ain’t no show’ that turns up in the middle of the song –
how can you be more straight forward and to the point? Going from sleaze to
full on metal is a skill that Naughty Naughty can pull off very easily –
there’s obviously a varied amount of influences judging by what’s on offer
on this album. ‘Only a Dream’, (where in the liner notes it’s claimed to be
a song inspired by Evil Ernie and Lady Death from Chaos Comics) is
top-notch, especially during the instrumental section that shifts swiftly
from acoustic guitar to full-on electric Megadeth’ish soloing. It’s pure
metal that makes the hair stand on end needless to say, a number that Dave
Mustaine would’ve been proud to have been the creator of. There’s even
three instrumentals included on ‘Secret Hiding Place’ a notable example
being ‘Signed with Love…(For Lori)’which is both electric and acoustic and
is a beautifully crafted technical number at ballad tempo – this piece
gracefully melts you into a happy relaxed mood and gets you ready for the
beginning heavy but soon to mellow out love ballad ‘Here Forever’.

I’m quite astounded that Naughty Naughty aren’t on a well-known label like Music For Nations, Metal Blade or Eagle/Spitfire Records because they deserve to be – a band that have it all to give – and could be extremely successful with large label backing and full-on promotion. For more details check out the bands web site – www.naughtyevil.com

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

It's like I'm listening to the same death metal album for the third time today (after checking out the bands 'Coronach' and 'Epoch of Unlight'), but this album has an increase in length and melody. These Russian metallers Nokturnal Mortum can't be faulted for a single iota. Songs are back to being more epic in duration but retain the complexity in riffage. We also have another ingredient this time round - keyboards - which account for a far more interesting if not soothing listen to the cheese-grater-lodged-down-gob vocals that come as standard on black/death metal records.

Some tracks herein contain hooks so musically brooding that you'd think they could have only written by Type O Negative only to be robbed by this lot in a dark alley one midnight. Paradise Lost wouldn't have minded one or two of these riffs either lads, but they just got there a bit too late to steal 'em. 'Tears Of Paganism', 'Perun's Celestial Silver' and 'Return Of The Vampire Lord' (predictable title or wha-a-at?) are top of the ten and the cover of Celtic Frost's 'Sorrows Of The Moon' is also worth your ears but the CD as a whole is a corker even if not exactly a million miles away from other stuff of its ilk.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

This album has the affect any (good) punk band should have, it near on made me wet my pants. Main man, Fat mikes out of tune childhood brat singing wail is enough to do this alone, but when this is combined with some of the lyrical masterpieces only Nofx could produce its stunning... mom and dad 1 think you ought to quit smoking so much pot, Pure Genius!

If you've ever heard Nofx you'll feel you already know this album. Nofx has good all round stupidly amusing songs, that take the pi** out of the music industry, the general public and most importantly themselves. They know they suck and they make the most of this, in their own words they 'aint no musicians', but to be honest this is where Nofx shine ? being so bad their good. In short if you don't like laughing, men that can't sing or accordions avoid Nofx you've been warned!

As far as lesbian obsessed fat men go - Nofx rule 9/10
By Caroline Landrygan