10/10

By Glenn Milligan

V-Project - New Machine
(DMV Music - 2008)

A few years since the 1st album came out - this is a welcome return to the CD for David Vaccaro, who this time around only has one guest vocalist on the album - Robin McAuley (of MSG).

It's a real nice affair this release - a rockin' more bluesier one than the debut with Exit Sign (with Robin on the mike) being a a good example (think 'Cinderella'). Some cool ditties on here such as the beautiful driving 'Somebody Like You'; the instrumental 'Desert Run'; the laid back but sometimes funky 'Disclaimer'; the eastern kinda Zeppelinesque 'You Don't Care' or the Buick McKane'ness of 'On Yer Way' with some killer slide guitar playing on there or the brilliant 'Back To My Baby' that at times reminds me of 'The Joker' by The Steve Miller Band.

Be bang on to see David break into the big time league as he has the songs and talent for it - someone ought to give him a well-deserved support slot in the not-too-far-away-future.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

5/10

By Tom Brumpton

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

V/A - FRONTIERS - Rock The Bones Vol. 5
(Frontiers Records)

It’s been an eternity since I last managed to come by one of this label’s popular taster comps, though not long enough to forget that they do carry a fair amount of power metal on their roster nowadays.

The opening double-header of Prime Time and Allen/Lande establishes the fact, both still interesting in their own way, but Jorn Lande’s latest venture wins, even if PT have a female singer guesting here. Getting back to the specialty subject of one of Europe’s top AOR labels, Pink Cream 69 and Night Ranger both deliver splendid selections from their long awaited newies but after these come royalty.

Joe Lynn Turner is one of the biggest names to have been signed by the Italian company, alongside Journey, (and for a brief while, Thunder) and ‘Your Love Is Life’ says it all if the word ‘love’ also means as in ....for the music - a stunning rocker with a Van-Halen-meets Pride Of Lions melody direction. And then onto our boys Peterik, Hitchcock et al themselves, bless them and still at it four years on from that astronomical debut disc, making music that continues to level with such standards.

‘Language Of The Heart’ (Stan Bush may be wanting words there, lads) at least does, coming across momentarily as a pleasant rehash of ‘Courage To Love Somebody’ before spreading wings to fly its own way. Hair rock legends Great White can’t have taken the time off that they say they have or they wouldn’t be all of a sudden sounding here, identical to as they did two decades ago, but their latest offering ‘Back To The Rhythm is more or less in recognition of their 25th anniversary... any excuse will do, won’t it Jack.

We then get Mr Lande again, albeit going it alone with ‘We Brought the Angels Down’ on what sounds like an excellent live solo disc there, afore another welcome new act show themselves in the name of Circus Maximus presenting a power metal noise in the vein of most top German names but with a Ten-esque edge that many will take to. An English singer from one of hard rock’s top Teutonic machines themselves, David Readman takes advantage of that aforementioned lull in Pink Cream 69’s activities with a match made in heaven - the Pinks themselves plus prime-time Harem Scarem, Magnum, and Swedish faves Damned Nation... do you hear me complaining?

With the new Transformers movie dominating box office revenue over the summer, it’s only appropriate that we have a bit of Stan Bush into the mix. The luscious AOR bouncer donated to this disc by the former Emmy Award winner has a vocal similarity to ‘Primitive Lover’ when his mighty throat first lets go but soon swings elsewhere towards the sound that we are used to from this highly talented fellow today.

From one legend to another, former Toto chappie Fergie Frederiksen’s latest vehicle in which he teams up with ex-Prisoner/Deacon Street man Tommy Denander, comes with parts evidently supplied by Survivor but of course, make a bad tune that certainly doesn’t - I’m actually wondering if we are going to have one this time. There sadly may be nothing of House Of Lords this time but we still got the nearest thing in Mrs James Christian herself, Robin Beck whose blue-infested bar-room rock puts quite a contrast but again no dampener on proceedings and I’m reminded of Dutch songstress Xoch at times throughout.

Los Angeles is a name it was inevitable would finally get used through not for a girl-fronted Italian power metal act, although it does just about establish the record for most female—voiced acts on an AOR comp, by Frontiers, Z or Escape combined. The absence of HOL material is heavily compensated by TRW - where that business about Bad Company and Giant comes from, I knoweth not but influences as good all the same – vocally reminiscent of messrs Christian and Co, above all.

A pleasant surprise closes off the one and only disc we have in the pack this time, by means of Whitesnake/Thin Lizzy/Soul Sirkus bass goliath Marco Mendoza with a surprisingly neatly cut slab of melodic rock which shows him to be a creator in his own right rather than just the hottest hired gun in town.

With barely a filler in the list the enitre duration, Frontiers latest throw-together of product of their prestigious clientele shows that one disc is actually better than two for maintaining one’s interest throughout as on their double-disc offerings in the past only half of the thirty-five or so have prompted an instant repeat play, but out of sixteen, little room left for disappointment and I hope to hear the rest of the albums that each house these mostly excellent numbers.

The first Frontiers CD I’ve reviewed for eighteen months, a welcome return, I reckon.

9.5/10

By Dave Attrill

5.5/10

By Dave Attrill

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

Violent Storm – Storm Warning
(Gold Storm Records – 2006)

The bass player of Yngwie Malmsteen’s ‘Rising Force’, Mike Cervino’s own project which is extremely good and his players are Matt Reardon on vocals throughout; Mike Sorrento (Drummer on ‘War No More’; ‘Deceiver’ and ‘You Don’t Care’) and Dean Sternberg (Guitarist on ‘You don’t care’) on various songs.

Heavy Metal and Power Metal are the dishes of the day here – a bit like his day job with the big Swede who is featured on the excellent ‘Fire in the Unknown’ (the best song on the album as well) and on ‘Pain’.

Big vocals, spot-on arrangements and well worth checking out – even Roy Z of Halford & Judas Priest’s KK Downing guest on the album – hmm, there’s a connection there, don’t you think – now before you ask ‘The Metal God’ himself does not feature on backing vocals. ‘Storm’ was written by Ritchie Blackmore & Candice Night of ‘Blackmore’s Night’ – it’s an atmospheric ballad featuring wind effects in the background that features the mention of ‘Dragons’ – as if it wouldn’t – cracking stuff.

Awesome – as if it wouldn’t be with the musicians found within.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

One of AOR’s most sought after voices for the last three decades, JW doesn’t let up here with a healthy pedigree of present day scene talent, guitatist Alex Masi, bassist Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi and top Aussie skinsman Virgil ‘Thunder From Down Under’ Donati squaring to his talents.

More a symphonic metal man, donai’s versatility is proven on ten quite Mitch Malloy oriented numbers that take on a slightly harder sometime Scarem-like edge than the last disc.

Recommended for anyone who liked the first. Or who likes melodic rock really.

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

8/10

By Dave Attrill

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

7.5/10

By Dave Attrill

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

5.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Ten, Royal Hunt, Threshold, Artension, Magnum

6/10

By Dave Attrill

5/10

By Dave Atrrill

* See ‘D’ column for review of Downset’s latest album ‘Universal’, (rated 8/10)

The songs are rather Bizarre NWOBHM and sound like they came out in the early 80's suh as 'Sign of the Hammer' or 'The Unknown Kadath' (whatever that is). Lyrically it's all very dark and is a kind of lighter moment after a spell of playing a load of Venom but at the same time it is tedious and dated.

5/10

By Glenn Milligan

Seriously sounding melodic rock that travels down the prog road. It's well done but does get tedious at times or maybe I played it during the wrong part of the day.

That said, the vocal harmonies are exceptional as is the playing such as the solo on 'For Every life' or the atmospheric keyboards/synths on 'Foreshadows'

For lovers of a concentrating nature as opposed to those who wanna get up and dance.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan

This respected death metal drummer decides to pick the sixteen bands/numbers that he reckons we should all hear, does he. Seems he may be preaching to the educated as well as the uneducated as most who care about the scene will probably have a large portion of these in their collection already. Let's not be too rude to him though, this CD features some strong selections and it's good to hear from household names like Celtic Frost, Mercyful Fate, Sodom, Venom, Bathory, Burzum, Samael and Destruction once again.

A variety of styles do exist in this music in case you were wondering and most of these numbers are seperable - some of these acts are actually quite melodic in one way or another, one or two tunes going very much in the Motorhead direction. A nice selection here, Fenriz, I'm sure some will still appreciate despite me only knowing a handful - well at least ten of these acts - back to front, anyway.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

Been waitin' to hear this band for a while and I'm not disappointed when the time comes, especially since they are fronted by Glenn Hughes - one of my favourite vocalists has once again teamed up with Dario Mello (Italian Guitarist of 'The Cage' with one-time Sabbath singer 'Tony Martin'). They've come up with an album stacked full of passionate rock and metal with piecing riffage and outstanding vocals.

Sitting in the footsteps of Van Halen, Journey (their heavier side) and other arena treading bands plus elements of bands like Megadeth. Highlights include the opener 'Make Believe' (that's got those huge Hughes vocal blues chops); the stomping 'My cat don't see it' that's very Mr. Big; the built-up 'Soul Protector' (that reminds me of Donovan's 'Mellow Yellow').

This album is 'The Dogs B*ll*cks' or alternatively 'The Cats N*ds'.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

They've sent us another one. A few bits that didn't quite squeeze onto the last comp or do Century Media just like bombarding us adoring fans with exciting new material?

Unfortunately, it's exciting for less than optimistic reasons at times, as although the tastes of Nocturnal Rites, Kotipelto and Into Eternity's produce don't come across as particularly damp sqibs, how one managed to sit through more than one listen to Dream Evil's contribution to this little selection, I can only dread to think. 'The Book Of Heavy Metal' is... well the title should be ample warning to most.

Thankfully, we also have a number from Tad Morose's monstrous 'Modus Vivendi' to tidy things up after that little embarrassment. The only other complaint is that the three videos included failed to play in my machine but other than that, the sampler's well worth looking out for in small independent stores, if any are still kicking about. Just remember my warning about track three when you press play.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

I know it's already been reviewed by Martin Popoff but I couldn't resist writing about it as well as it's an awesome tribute to one of the UK's Greatest Rock Legends - Ritchie Blackmore.

A lot of his famous pennings appear here - 'Stargazer' being the biggest surprise as it's sung by a female, Katia Salemi (Arabesque) a real rarity to hear such a thing. The classic Lassie song is here, of course I mean '16th Century Greensleeves' performed by Reign of Terror that has shred meister, Joe Stump on guitar and ex-Malmsteen vocalist Mike Viscera taking the mike.

Another ex-Malmsteen member is to be found elsewhere, drummer Anders Johannsson who guests with Torben Enevolden on DP's 'Space Truckin'. The electric folk take of 'Black Night' piled high with violins makes a real change to the proceedings especially the radio voiced verse and pumping synth sounds, coutesy of Condition Red. To turn things even more on their head, or make Blackmore perform a 360 degrees somersault, Eric Zimmerman has come up trumps with an el;ectronic versio of 'Man on a Silver Mountain' with terrific vocals courtesy of 'Robbie Wyckoff' (both of Under-Radio).

This tribute is well worth owning because this is the proof that you don't have to stick to the original arrangements because great songs are great songs, no matter how they are performed.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

Now there's a band that ought to make a comeback of some sort but until that happens here's a fitting tribute that ironically enough was produced by Pat Regan, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torper of that said band - what no Eric Martin, who ironically enough releases his latest solo album at the same time!!

Back to the point - this tribute has a star-studded list that includes Paul Rodger who is of course performing the song 'Mr. Big' - well what else? There's a beautiful version of 'Wild World' that Mr. Big covered on the 'Bump Ahead' from ex-Bad English vocalist, John 'Missing You' Waite' and Joe Lynn Turner stirs up the dust on Colarado Bulldog' and 'Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy' in his old throaty high squeal whereas his sidekick blueses out 'Price you gotta pay'.

One of the most intriguing things on the album is the flanged and phased rendition of 'Green Tinted Sixties Mind' from Enuff Znuff's frontman 'Donnie Vie' that's real bright and kinda spooky. I'm not sure about Ritchie Kotzen's version of 'To be with you' because the tempo just don't gell to what you are used to - it's slower and makes it hard to devour by the tabs. Apart from that it's a fitting tribute to a well missed band.

7.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

A Perris roster tribute to Metallica which features members of Every Mother's Nightmare, Near Life Experience, Lillian Axe, Brutal Faith and more.

It's been pretty well done like the opening 'Sad but true'; Sanitaruim (Welcome Home) and the riff-meister of all that is 'Seek and Destroy'. It's just a pity about the cookie monster vocal silliness on 'Ride the lightning' as the music is top class.

There's also a bonus section of edited cuts showing the heavier side of the Perris Roster - well it wouldn't do to put place glam here would it?

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

The CD that celebrates 25 years of 'The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal' for the late 2003 Tour that never happened. At least here we have the sounds of Oliver/Dawson's Saxon', Girlschool and The Tygers of Pan Tang all on one CD.

It's like going back in time - sh*t I was like 5 when it all started but it's good to see what bands were around - many other bands (not included here) are having cd's re-released elsewhere. This album has cheese packed as high as the Stilton, sorry I mean The Hilton. O/D Saxon don't take nothing serious and have thrown a song together called 'Nursery Crimes' that has a ton of Nursery Rimes making up the lyrics - it must have been funny putting that together.

The Tygers of Pan Tang have re-recorded 'Love Potion No. 9'(the old Seachers song) and 'Hellbound' with Jess Cox's vocal replacement Rob Weir taking care of the singing duties. Elsewhere, Girlschool kick up the metal with the beltin' 80's rendering 'Mad, Mad Sister'; the humourous 'Coming Your Way' and a few other delights.

So when is Volume 2 coming out and will this tour ever take place.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan

A respectful tribute to one the most successful Heavy Metal bands of all time from the UK, well in the world for that matter.

There's a sprinkling of well-knowns like Seb Bach wailing out 'Children of the Damned' without a problem on those high notes; crowbar bashing out 'Remember Tomorrow'; John West (of Royal Hunt) with Chris Caffery of Savatage doin' an electrifying version of 'Run to the Hills' - well would we expect anything less?

The lesser knowns are good as well such as up 'n' coming acts like The Quill (Where Eagles Dare); Eleventh Hour (Alexander the Great); Cosmosquad with Fates Warning's Roy Alder cranking out 'Murders in the Rue Morgue'.

Many have stuck to the original format but some have dared to change 'em slightly making things that more interesting - Harris's boys will give their thumbs up I'm sure. Just a pity that there's nothing from 'Seventh Son..' onwards.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Various Artists - Snake Oil Supercharm -

A Tribute to Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction
(Sleazegrinder Records - 2003)

A label from Boston,USA have brought together a host of virtually unknown talent for a tribute to a British Sleaze legend that is Zodiac Mindwarp.

All the best stuff is there and includes 'Backseat Education' (Crackt Roach); the slow grungey 'Wild Child' (Generous Maria); the epic 'Prime Mover' (Isabelle's Gift); my current fave 'F*cked by Rock' (The Divine Brown) about doing too much coke and of course a knock-out version of 'Bad Girl City' as performed by The Humanoids.

It's a crackin' album and if you like tributes to big rock artists then make sure this is on the buy list. Purchase via www.sleazegrinder.com

9/10

By Glenn Milligan

It's labels like this that we rely on to keep bands in the underground metal/hard rock scene on their wheels in the current day's musical climate. American label Nightmare have got a very strong roster as this sampler proves with impressive material from the twenty-seven names involved including Balance Of Power, Sahara Steel, Lion's Share, Empire, Torok and Vicious Circle. They also house a host of other acts I have not previously encountered in my time and Van Ee, United States Of Mind, All Too Human, Steve Saluto, Derryl Gabel, Mystery Bloom, Deliverance, Katagory 5 and Brass Kitten are amongst the impressive.

The usual crime of sending us only edited cuts of the songs is committed here on Nightmare's quarter but at least they gave us long enough to enjoy a taste of the many talents they support. This disc is unfortunately not publicly available but any fans of melodic rock, prog or power metal who haven't come across this label before are advised to look into them. The material I've heard today convinced me.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

They have some strange sounds on this label nowadays compared with what they used to, but some rather interesting ones too.

Vaux are quite typical melodic hardcore-meets noise but served up with a reasonable helping of attitude and razory industrial-tinted guitar chord lines and those who are impressed with most other bands of this type on the terrace, most notably of late Funeral For A Friend, should give this some respect.

To me it's an acquired taste but still fun in sizeable doses when it's done this way.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

(Lion Music)

Scant on star quality and scant on liner notes, Blackmore's Castle isn't the most inspired of tributes, but musically these songs crackle with life (and sometimes just… crackle, hmmm), even if renditions are quite faithful. The big difference versus the originals is in the power and prog drumming behind the moat metal mindfulness.

Oddest moments: Headline's bristling take on the obscure 'Battle Rages On', Condition Red's fussy, techno-laced 'Black Night' and Eric Zimmerman's Rob Zombi-fication of 'Man On The Silver Mountain'.

I dunno, all told, if I was to generalize (and I actually can here), I'd say the tone of this thing is awkward, not to mention brashly midrangey (which is where the lively urgency comes from). But yeah, almost all 13 takes are a somewhat irritatingly mechanistic and hard on the ears.

5.5/10

By Martin Popoff

Here it is, a few more cans of hairspray needed at the ready (ozone friendly of course) because Perris have spoilt us again with another compilation with some classic glam 'n' sleaze and a few surprises such as, Ken Tamplin's hard rocking 'The Story of Love' and Fahrenheit with their fast, pulsing, driving 'King of the Night' (wonder if it's the same one who did that hit 'Keeping the dream alive' in the 80's) and a new cut from those under-rated pop-rockers Enuff z Nuff with their refreshing almost Led Zeppelin gone Beatley 'No Place to Go'.

Of course the sparkling sounds ain't too far behind and it's here for the taking with Prett Boy Floyd's 'Groovy Love', solo PBF man Kristy 'Krash' Majors 'Good Bye Rock n' Roller' (the title track of his new album) and Sinn's 'Sweet Thing' that's on their newly released 'Jailbait' CD due to fan demand.

Hey girl, you want it fast, you want it hard, you want now, then more, more, more - well that's a 100% sexually excited guarantee after lickin' up the spices of Jetboy's dirty 'White Rock Devil'; Nitro's 'B.O.M.B.' with it's fake in-concert effects; Parlor Trixx's 'Step Into My Parlor'; Heaven's 'H.O.T.' (that's pure AC/DC) and Supergroupie's 'Runaround'.

It would be a criminal offence not to give this CD top marks.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

The missing from the UK stages Enuff Znuff frontman has at least charmed us with this gorgeous album of songs that were written between 1998 and 2000 and recorded, engineered and mixed at Poolside Studios between August 1997 and February 2003.

It's very like EZN but what else would you expect from Donnie. A collection of emotional, melodic, harmonious songs that will capture the heart, soul and mind of all who play it. It's as though he's released many solo albums already and this is a best of - maybe he's kept many songs back from his day job and always intended them to be encompassed together on this one album.

Highlights are many such as the opening 'Spider Web'; 'Jesus in Drag'; and 'I'll go on' that are just pure George Harrison - a credit to ya Donnie (especially the short guitar solo in 'I'll go on'). Then there's the brilliance of the acoustic 'That's what love is' - the vocal is amazing and incredibly believable and the funky popsical 'Blowin' kisses in the wind' that reminds me of John Lennon's 'Whatever gets you through the night' crossed with Paul McCartney's 'Another Day' mixed in with Wing's 'Goodnight Tonight' and 'Coming Up'. 'Wasting Time' is a classic way of finishing an album - an epic quiet ballad about love and how it affects you.

The songs seem to be so amazingly autobiographical and the whole album is an essential joy of warmth, reality and passion from beginning to end. I look forward to your next release Donnie.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

As if we haven't heard from enough obscure labels of late, some more new friends come forth with their offerings. I've never heard of this label or any, bar a couple, of these eighteen bands, but that title. oh dear, that title.. .Well we guessed and we got.

Most of this old-school oriented assortment of power, trad and death metal is alright, but not often more than plainly acceptable and quite frankly the disc is a bit repetitive, sounding more like four or five different acts with a few songs each, collaged amongst one another.

I have to say though, there are some quite good Dio and Dickinson-esque gobs lettings rip at most of times during this collection. Element, Dr Mastermind, Metharia, Still Life, Mercury Rain and Babylon are however the only bands that stand out by anything approaching a mile but still for the true classic metal conisseur, it's entertainment.

6.5/10

By Dave Attrill

To my relief as many as seven of the fourteen bands names listed on the back of the sleeve ring bells - Arch Enemy, Agony Scene, Stampin 'Ground, My Ruin, Shadows Fall, Passenger and Carnal Forge, namely. Remaining acts, Haste, Narcissus, Watch Them Die, Eyes of Fire, Extol, Glass Casket and Radiation 4 also know their stuff and the result is ca quite pleasant assortment of power metal, thrash, hardcore and whatever else you can call yourself on this label.

Quite frankly, some of these bands are a bit samey within their respective genres and it drags in spots but once again, it proves another worthwhile scrutiny of Century Media's contents. Pick it up if you can.

7/10

By Dave Attrill

The 5th in the series but the 1st one I've 'ad in me palm. By far the best on the label are Danko Jones whose 'Play the blues' and 'Cadillac' are included; Four Square who deliver pop-punk in 'Hit-maker' and the crazy named band The Langhorns who cross Egyptian music with the early 60's instrumental styles of The Venturas, The Shadows and The Eagles (no not the one feat. Joe Walsh) whose 'I'm your fez' and 'Surf '99 make the CD worth checkin' out. No doubt the kids'll be big fans of The Hard-Ons too and the track 'Sunny' is thrown in on this platter.

A good indication to the latest editions on the label.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

So what does this mean for the musical direction this time? Practically a more beefed up version of previously herein-mentioned and reviewed disc with slightly more stronger songs, and again, I invite all drooling AOR nuts to take their pick without caution. Opening three 'Not Enough Hours In The Night', 'Straight To your Heart', and 'More Than Enough' have me superglued and 'Never Let You Go', 'I Want To Be Wanted' and 'Sarah' complete the album's best half whilst the other songs all do their bit to impress.

Harmonies and licks are strong as the smell of ammonia and there is more than enough contained to earn them a top festival slot in the UK. I love it.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE:
Survivor, Two Fires, Steelhouse Lane, Danger Danger, Honeymoon Suite and Giant

With a twenty-year history behind them, they, like fellow Deutsche boys Rage have no excuse for anything else other than what they believe in doing and continue to peddle out their respected brand of melodic trad metal that whilst not exactly the most original on the face of mother earth, still allows for a few delves into diverse waters when it wants to.

There are a few AOR-ish moments intact, intentional or not I wouldn't know, but they work into the wood with the rest of the nails and I can't se too many complaints being made. Getting in the direction of all things point-ular, this is a winner all the way through. I could just sit back and randomly name 'Plastic Hero', 'Enemy' and 'See The Light' but that'll do less than justice in most's opinions. A-grade old fashioned metal, with attitude a-plenty, Messrs Newton's and Frank's twin guitars building almost the entire machine alone.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE
Priest, Helloween, Rage, Gamma Ray or if you've also checked out the Tad Morose CD.

They come from Essex, have a not-too-unusual name for a band of their way in the metal world, and no label. Three facts about Brit thrashers Violent Asylum already before I've even applied it to the deck and from the amount of detail (not) accompanying this disc, that's an achievement. Oh and they're a five-piece. That's four, now. However, the four songs we've been asked to assess herein thankfully tell me tons more - the music turning out a lot less by numbers than you'd begin to expect.

The customary extreme metal gargling is backed by arrangements and melodies more accustomed to Iron Maiden and Paradise Lost and such-inspired acts and some excellent soloing to add to making their file look good.

UK's metal boat takes another welcome group of sailors on board.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

They sound like Dream Theater, I'm told. Good. That's a start. Explains the title to some depth too when I play this eight-track long second album from these Americans who have been actually trying to record it for several years, now, taking more time than they did writing it. That's not to say they've not put the hours in because though nigh on devoid of originality (at least in the eyes of the Theater boys), as prog musicians will tell you, thought pours like water into any record of this genre, and the rules concerning wracking of brains apply here just as equally.

Doing away with the epic virtuoso keyboard workouts usually deemed the vital piece of the progressive rock jigsaw, they've gone for a sound more towards a more guitar-based version of Royal Hunt, Shotgun Symphony and Vanden Plas' direction in such sense. Clawing from the measly 41 minutes of the album's running period, I'd reckon 'Care Of Angels', 'God Sleeps' which features a very Dare-y intro, 'Part Of Me', 'Words Of The Frenchman' and the even more Wharton-esque 'Desree' are the best of the eight on the table.

If you like any of the acts listed throughout this review, you'll find yourself liking this lot before you know it. An unknown quantity, beforehand, Visionary are likely to be an unforgotten one from now on. Great.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Well the title says it all - so that's a big plus for a start. Full of members of Perris signed bands like Every Mother's Nightmare, Cherry St. and Mad Margritt there are highs and lows here.

The best selections are really crackin' like Tommy Paris (of 'Britny Fox') doing 'Rock 'n' Roll Damnation' or Hard Knox vocalist, Gene Hadley firing out 'Gone Shootin' or 'Dirty Deeds (done dirt cheap)' that is filthily throated by Derek St. Holmes - and let's not forget the rather exceptional rendition of 'TNT' from Mad Margritt.

It's a real pity when the vibe is dampened with an awful vocal murdering of 'Jailbreak' (Cheery St. vocalist) and the rather on the same level takes of 'Touch too Much' and 'Walk Over You' - both sung by Rick Ruhl of Every Mothers Nightmare - 'Ride On' fairs a lot better though.

6/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

You've seen the film posters, maybe some of you have seen the film - well here's the soundtrack album that features well-known names like Moby, Nickelback, Fuel and Drowning Pool (feat. Rob Zombie) as well as lesser known acts like Fingers Eleven, Chevelle and Seether.

In all honesty, the majority of it is banal, mainstream, corporate wallpaper - much of which is highly forgettable. There's a small handful of notables like Seether's 'Hang On' (think Puddle of Mudd) with its slow but powerful mood and driving chorus. Then what about Evanescence's 'Bring me to life' that must be one of the best cuts on the cd with its gothic choral quality or take a listen to Revis's slow 'n' punchy 'Caught in the rain' and the ditty from the Punk Poppy Greenday/Offspring/Sum 41 soundalike band called Autopilot Off who spark things up with 'Raise your rifles'.

If only the rest of it was as good - check it out for yourself if you feel the need after seeing the film.

5.5/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Should have known another sampler would crop up sooner or later courtesy of one or other of the death/black metal scene's very fine labels. Very kind as Hammerheart Records are to send me this little collection of some of the big names of the present day, the idea of samplers still seems a little unnecessary in this genre as by hearing one band, you are more or less acquainted with most of the other acts sharing the grooves. Well, almost but not totally.

Blood Red Throne and Sceptic Flesh are almost one and the same thing, the latter with a more goth supported approach in its accompanying melody. Ancient Rites are quite a contrastable lot, very watered down for their associated army, and with a potential mainstream appeal not totally out of the picture. Hearse are back to as before but with the resident throatman doing the Devin Townsend thing again with some fine soloing to boot running along behind the vocal line.

Soulreaper do just the normal routine but following then last two acts, seem to lack tediousness. Dimension F3H appear to have found an empty space, marked 'Fear Factory Woz Ere' and tried to fill it, updating the incredible style combinations of the legendary LA cyber-metal outfit for 2003 .. Erm Burton, if you're thinking of a reformation, I'd erm.. you know.. watch your back, mate. Necrophobic return swiftly to the SYL side of the room fro vocal guidance, whilst remaining three bands Infernal, Satariel and Impious stick to standard issue: speed, anger and little room for pleasantries bar the odd melodic moments again.

So, you see, not all black metal bands are the same, and the expression is laid quite literally in this matter. When you pick up a comp from a particular type of metal, especially this, never look at the cover - or more to the point, the listing - and yawn. I made that mistake before but that was a long time ago.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

Various Artists - Rock The Nations Vol 3

(Z Records)

I was beginning to wander when we'd get the next installment in this highly approved series. So there may be only one disc this time and most of the songs I've already heard on MOST of the excellent Z releases I've reviewed in the preceding twelve month period, but there's a large percentage of this earth's rock n' roll loving population who haven't. Thus there's no excuse for not gracing us with this third taster from the world's greatest melodic hard rock label and they've managed to cut it down very neatly into the 18-track capacity afforded to them this time round.

Veterans Silent Rage, 21 Guns and Shy impress without saying from pressings of late, whilst Westworld and Humanimal serve up appetite filling new numbers - even though the latter actually included 'Love's Dominion' as a limited bonus track on the debut album. Seven Wishes who crushed one and all with their blinding 2001 'Utopia' album and Z-Rock shows that year and the previous, look set to uphold the standard as they return with a tune off their imminent third disc 'Code Of Honour'.

Fellow Swedes Marilyn have already proven themselves probably one of the very strongest additions to the label yet with their recent 10/10 -rated debut, and on the Canadian side of things, Naro and Final Frontier offer a peep from their highly recommended platters. French newcomers Northwind are the most significant of the other new arrivals, dealing in a pleasant brand of prog-oriented metal, underlining the width of the Z roster today. Liddell/Rush/Thrall 'Lay Down The Law'* with their appearance, and remaining US contributors Marc Ferrari,Vaughn and Adrian Gale are.. Well, hear for yourself. I'm not giving away effin' everything, am I?! Not a bad collection from Mr Alger there, a satisfying compensation for the cancellation of the Z2003 bash, too.

* Have You noticed one thing? The track 'Lay Down The Law' courtesy of Liddell/Rush/ Thrall has appeared on all three Rock The Nations samplers so far. Strange, that, isn't it?

9/10

By Dave Attrill

A metal tribute album to the ZEP boys that shows what the young boys can do - you'll be spinning east and going crazy when you hear power metal bad Angra perform 'Kashmir' or writhe in ecstasy at Doro Pesch's gorgeous take of the Led Zep 1 milestone, 'Babe, I'm gonna leave you' which sounds like it was intentionally written for her - it's both quiet, dramatic and heavy all in the same song - I was ecstatic when I heard it.

The Organ classic, 'No Quarter' has been polished off beautifully by Gravedigger and the lesser known Masterplan kick out a stupendous 'Black Dog' and then there's a wonderful re-working of 'Whole lotta love' from Mago-deoz' who've ditched the instrumental middle section and wanged in a glorious rhythm guitar section that even has a marchy feel to it.
There's only one way of ending a Zeppelin tribute and of course it's ye old 'Stairway.. .' that's been saluted to the maximum by White Skull.

This is 'Rock and Roll' that's tight but loose done in a grand metal style.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

This dude produces kind of dark, glammy material and comes from Farmingville, New York. The voice is unique and sounds like that of an old man of about 80 - very intriguing and works wonders. He's been around for a while and is looking for the right record deal.

Presented are 4 songs of 4 different styles like the glam popping magnificence of 'Hot in the City' (released as a single) and originally a hit for Nick Gilder in the late 70's (I must hear the original). If you fancy a heavier, up-to-date version of Pretty Boy Floyd then 'Restless' is a safe bet to put your money on whereas 'Mercy' goes into acoustic mode and last number 'Crazy Boy' is almost NU-Metal.

Very varied and highly addictive. Looking forward to hearing a full length album.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Well there is a god, after a log struggle towards the end of the year 2002 fighting with the inner voices in my f*cked up head, wondering if Voivod would ever release the eagerly anticipated progressive masterpiece featuring not only Jason Newstead but also the return of Denis Belanger on vocals, all we needed was Blacky to be back and we would have again the ultimate line up for any thrash metal band.

Voivod hit the decks with an intense array of rips, roars and full on thrash at its best and it can only be described and classed as there best yet. This thirteen-track 60 minute monster of a CD is a new start to the end of the 1988 epic adventure of one of the most innovative albums in the metal genre; Dimension Hatross, which bought Voivod to the role of pioneers in the metal firmament.

Jason and Voivod have had a history together since the beginning of the 1990's with writing songs and jamming and it was only a matter of time when Jason would be part of the Iron Gang, but rumours are that he would not be touring with them.

This release is due out on the third of March 2003, with a definite thumbs up to 'Facing up', 'Blame us', 'Rebel robot', 'The Multiverse', 'I don't want to wake up' and 'We carry on' to name but a few of this explosion of energy.

All though I can only give Voivod: - Voivod 10/10, this twenty first century Iron Gang will have the world at their feet. Snake, Piggy, Jasonic and Away will be delivered to the metal world with the credit they deserve. The Iron Gang rules.

10/10

By Tony Watson

Now this originally came out in 1975 on the Independent label, 'Life Song Records'. Basically it's a conceptual album coming complete with narrative from Stan Lee (the comic writer) that tells the story of what it's like to be Spiderman and how it affects his feelings and emotions.

There's many musical styles on here ranging from Rock to Funk to Doo-Wop that give song to many parts of his supersonic life. Notable players include Marty Nelson (Manhattan Transfer) who takes on the singing role of Gwendolyn and Alan Ackroyd (Barry Manilow's keyboard player) hardly big rock names but their backgrounds ring a bell or two all the same.

As you can gather it ain't the usual release and it could have only happened in the 70's. There are numerous highlights like the 12-bar Rocker 'High Wire' (with exceptional backing vocals), the reggae contemporary flavourings of 'New Point of View', the black 'n' funky 'No-ones got a crush on Peter' that reminds me of Dr. John and the ending orchestral/group piece 'Time will show me the way'.

Buy it for the comic novelty value at least - there are pix of the supposed superhero band as well that include Iceman, Incredible Hulk and Captain America - Class !! '

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

A good indication of what's happening in the US at the moment - and I'm talking Glam Punk.

Some well known artists and less well known ones rub shoulders on the cd. Well known-wise we are treated with the new conception that is Faster Pussycat - gone are the cowboy boots and sounds of LA sleazy bar metal and in its place comes a sinister dark 'n' industrial rock more akin to Nine Inch Nails or Marilyn Manson -scary !! from their 'Beyond the Valley of the Ultra Pussy' album - the track in question is 'Blood' - it's weird to hear the band like this, I can tell ya.

Good to see Junkyard are back as we are treated with 'Waste of Time', a classic bit of Pretty Boy Floyd (Leather Boyz with Electric Toys - from the 'Live at the Pretty Ugly Club CD) and a newie from City Girl Boys, 'Rock Star' (the band that features PBF bassist, Lesli Sanders - awesome crankin' glam punk there.

The up and coming bands include the aggressive Killingbird (the track, Cocaine Tongue)who are currently doing the rounds with their self-titled debut at the mo', The 440's (Slut Girl Blues) and Nutrajet (December Drowning), a powerful duo who supported Bubble on their UK tour in December 2000 - incredibly enough is the fact that they are simply a drummer and vocal/guitarist who manages to take care of all the lead/rhythm and bass duties at the same time - well worth checking out if they are playing anywhere close to you. Oh, I must mention these scary dudes on here called
'The Narcotics' with 'Four Feet Down' as well.

It's both an intriguing and enlightening selection - spend those dollars and give it a whirl. There's no chance of getting bored here.

7/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

It was in 1994 that I had the first taste of the talent united together under Germany's Century Media label, with a sampler album called 'Identity' which included some of the finest Death, Thrash, Hardcore and Black metal acts on the face of ol' mother Earth.

Eight years down the line and while some bands have changed, the music stays the same as Century Media continue to dominate the extreme metal recording industry with world status acts of the genres it serves. Hence this latest instalment in their successful series of taster discs, which gives us another guided tour round the house and its current residents.

This comp' is dominantly death metal with a few bands of slightly deviant style, and a hint of hardcore, most notably in Unleashed's contribution, a punk-metal belter of pure class. Down to the main business if one doesn't mind, and the Century Media roster appears to be serving up some brutally appetizing dishes of late. Solefald are a particular pick with Black-metal-meets-Fear Factory flavoured melody-woven onslaught, whilst Suidraka look to be barking up a similar tree but more from a Euro power metal angle.

Greeces's, 'Rotting Christ' are also among the more decent of the latest death acts, and Grave, Borkagnar and Carnal Forge, amongst others, are all excellent in wearing the uniform style, their own ways. Japanese metal kings, Sigh are like very few I've heard before as guitar work that would make a perfect fit on any melodic metal record (e.g. Last Tribe, Stratovarius) is layered here under trademark black metal gargling. There you have it.

Just a few of the countless many acts that make Century Media their choice for pressing - and impressing. It may not quite guarantee any of these acts an appearance in Smash Hits the music still smashes heads with the equivalent force of a dangerously heavy blunt instrument swung down from a high angle and the musicianship hits you in the places it hurts the most.
Check some of these bands out, especially Grave and Solefald, if you haven't done so already - they won't disappoint.

10/10

By Dave Attrill

So what's the best thing from Hollywood? - the average punter would say the films - Wrong !! The answer is Glam and Sleaze Metal. Feast your ears on this glittering baby - here's where you go to hear new and unreleased gems from Pretty Boy Floyd, Steevi Jaimz, Roxx, Shameless and many more. This is pick up music in all matters of the word.

Included is the unreleased cover of 'Kids in America' from Shameless (with Steve Summer's)- having more in common with the song than it's original mouth-piece, the U.K. 80's Pop Godess Kim Wylde. 'Backseat Shake' could well be a taste of what is to come on the latest Pretty Boy Floyd album - and if that's anything to go by, it'll be a 'Leather Boyz - Part 2' - truly awesome sleaze.

It's fantastic to discover what many obscure old and new glam bands sound like such as 'Big Bang Babies' (who featured guitar ace Keri Kelli) with a number called 'Let's Go' or the charge of 'Women in a Fast Car' from Stampede Queen. I can't forget Steevi Jaimz' 'Cat on a hot tin roof' which has become an old-time favourite of mine.

Well that's sold it ya - so get them dollarz out. Happy Hairspraying to you all.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Want the real thing - no I ain't on about sex- I mean Rock 'n' Roll - well this is what Canada's Outlaw Record Company salutes it and brings to the world just that.

This sampler features the first 5 artists from the roster. Opening it up is American Dog - dirty, no-good rock 'n' roll that's red-neck style and all the better for it. The Dog's vocalist you may remember as he was a member of both Salty Dog and Dangerous Toys - that'd be Michael Hannon. The cuts are the slutty 'TV Disease', the 12-bar basings of 'Let's all get drunk (and f*ck tonight) and the pumpin' 'Sh*tkicker'. Tasty stuff - the music - not the sh*t !!!

Up next is Billy Butcher - a slide-guitar slinging blue-rocker all taken from his debut, 'Penny Dreadful'. 3 tracks in all the best of which is the bar room boogie of 'Outlaw' - think George Thorogood and Rose Tattoo.

Remember Annihilator, well the original front-man Randy Rampage is astill alive and you get 3 cuts from his 'Fake it big time' shoved in your face and as you'd expect it's very much Punk meets Thrash Metal and a good exanple is the cheesy live scorcher 'Sonic Reducer'.

Easily the stand-out artist on this sampler are 'Eric Moore and the Godz' who come across as 70's Kiss in the year 2002 - in fact they supported Kiss in '78. Taken from the album, '20 Moore Years' the line in the song 'Criminal Mind' really says it all -

I've got a criminal mind - I got a Rock 'n' Roll Heart'

'Mongolians' sounds like a cross between early Judas Priest and the Def Leppard classic, 'Wasted'.

Celtic Frosts Ron Marks is back with a new project as well called 'Subsonic' which mixes Industrial and Thrash Metal together - weird but it works - kind of Ministry meets Marilyn Manson and confuses you rather a bit.

This is a label that I admire - one that's commercial music free and none of those 'I don't know sh*t about rock 'n roll suit types who tells his artists what they can and can't do, but doesn't know Slayer from Skid Row'. Instead this is a company that thrives on its love for Rock 'n' Roll that's bluesy, boozy, heavy and most importantly complete in touch with the artists and what they want.

Long Live 'Outlaw Entertainment'.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Earache, the Daddy of Britain's extreme metal labels have just graced us with this new 16-track taster lesson in musical brutality, brought to you courtesy of some of its prided acts, new and old.

Having not been that too blown away with the Berzerker, December Wolves and Incision albums recently released, I hoped that I'd encounter musical matter at least a tad more variant.

Dillinger Escape Plan are quite a predictable sounding bunch initially but with a more HC/punk leaning. Mortiis, who recently did some live work over here is a rung or two up the ladder with his contemporary brand of black metal pretty enticing. Autonomy and Diecast are excellent as well, mixing livid and surprisingly gentle melodic vocal harmonies into well arranged synchronizations. Italians Linea 77 toured over here a couple of years or so ago, with Kill 2 This and are probably remembered by many for their ruthless butchering of Bangles classic 'Walk Like An Egyptian' but here they let us have one of their own delightful ditties, again in the vein of the two previous cuts.

The Haunted, December, Decapitated and as you might already have read, Decemberwolves, bring us straight back to predictability street, though the riffage to Decapitated's cut does have a certain air of Bay Area-ism to it. Little surprise as they've actually been going about as long as Forbidden, Exodus, et al.

Rabies Castle who hail from Russia are pretty interesting with their manic make of industrial noise supported by a rather tuneful guitar line. Usurper deliver it like it should be, old school thrash metal of air-punching proportions. Kerrang can keep their infantile fashion-fixated ridicules to themselves because this is metal for the true believer. Incision are business as usual, fitting the same mould as a few other acts previously mentioned, on the comp'. Rakoth are what sounds like trying to be a thrash version of Jethro Tull but it works, believe me, it does.

Without Face are a very interesting act, mainly melodic Goth with a variation of voices, both male and female and the odd smattering of death vocal here and there and some pleasant soloing too. If this song is only a demo, then their album should more than likely be a real ear-opener. Guess what Ephel Duath just happen to be but that guitar line still flows like a river after a night's all-too-British torrential rain. Australia's The Berzerker are reviewed elsewhere on the site,- again material with few surprises but live, definitely ties some kangaroos down, and slaughters them mercilessly.

'Sonic Excess Vol 1' is a recommended and unexpectedly diverse collection of crushers from our beloved island's leading name in this metal genre's record industry. Perhaps we should pray for an annual festival to showcase some of these acts as do Z and Frontiers, support is needed in this scene too, you know.

9/10