W
August |
|
Edgar
Winter - Rebel Road The man who is world famous for the his instrumental 'Frankinstein'
unleashes his new album on us. Now this CD is a Southern Rockin' Dream
for the whole duration. I mean, let's you can't argue when you've also
got Slash, his Bro' Johnny Winter and Clint Black featured on here too.
10/10 |
May |
|
WASP – Dominator
(Demolition Records – 2007) Good to see this bunch back in one form or another – this is the 1st studio album of this line-up with Doug Blair now on guitar and Mike Dupke (ex-Hair Of The Dog) on drums. I have to say I am impressed with the overall production and the songs are well over average standard as well. It seems that Blackie Lawless is back on form with this release, so why he only toured it for a short while and instead reverted to a celebration of ‘The Crimson Idol’ being 15 years old is completely beyond me. This is a really solid album from ‘Mercy’ onwards. ‘Long, Long Way to Go’ is classic WASP that fans will love – full on fistin’ rock of the highest order. ‘Heaven’s Hung In Black’ and the reprisal of the song wouldn’t be out of place on ‘The Crimson Idol’ – Blackie at his atmospheric best – a real hauting ballad. You even get a reinvention of a song like ‘Blind In Texas’ or ‘Sunset & Babylon’ that comes in the form of the closer ‘Deal With The Devil’. Classic WASP – best studio album I heard of theirs since ‘The Unholy Terror’. Keep it up! 9/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
|
Wednesday 13 –
Skeletons
(DR2 Records – 2008) A man who has set the standards in ghoulish gargantuan metal for the millennium – he takes in the sickness of Alice Cooper, the industrial zaniness of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie & Ministry and creates his own thing that he can be truly proud of – believe me, this guy’s a master of his craft. Every single song on here is so incredibly well structured with arrangements, boundless energy & cleverly penned lyrics throughout. There’s so much to keep you enthralled, surprised and totally entertained from a to k as he likes to number his songs. Highlights include the opener ‘Scream Baby Scream’; ‘Not Another Teenage Anthem’; the cleverly morbidly titled ‘From Here To The Hearse’ (worth an award for the name alone); the outstanding ‘Skeletons’ that puts me in mind of The Sisters Of Mercy’s ‘Lucretia (My Reflection)’ the gross but great ‘My Demise’ or the slide guitar-startin bluesiness of ‘All American Massacre’ down the closing last breaths of ‘Dead Carolina’. You can’t improve on perfection can you? – just bring on more of the same. 10/10 By Glenn Milligan
|
|
Whitesnake –
Bad To Be Good
(SPV – 2008) Well it’s been quite a while since the British Statesman of Rock has graced us with a brand-new studio album – think it’s a good 18 or years since the last one, maybe more. Well it’s been worth the wait as David has stored up his created juices and done us proud with a new Whitesnake album. In the band now with Mr. C are Guitarists Reb Beach & Doug Aldrich, Bassist Uriah Duffy, Drummer Chris Frazier & Keyboardist Timothy Drury who completely complement Coverdale’s vocal gymnastics throughout. Memorable moments on the album include the powerful rockin’ ‘Can you hear the wind blow’; the ballad ‘All I Want All I Need’; the retro-snakey title track ‘Good To Be Bad’ that has elements of songs-past – think ‘Ready ‘n’ Willing or ‘Love Ain’t No Stranger’. Then there’s grandiose ballad that is ‘Summer Rain’; ‘Lay Down Your Love’ with its opening multi-tracked vocal section that leads in to dirty ‘In Still of the Night’ territory – a live anthem for the future I reckon; ‘Got what you need’ with its pure Yorkshire ‘Ayup’ greeting at the beginning – proving that he ain’t forgot his roots. Love the closer too – a momentous acoustic number entitled ‘Til the end of Time. Keep it coming Cov. & Co. 10/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
January
2008 |
|
Whore – Ride
Out On The Blue
(S/R – 2007) A brilliant project by a local Sheffield set-up that’s legendary in all parts of the city for musicianship and personality. 5-piece Whore are One hell of a line up of an act to follow as this ‘ere 4 track e.p. shows. Vocalist and Guiarist, Ralph Peterson leads the way here with the opener ‘Hard Life’ being reminiscent of Bon Jovi’s ‘Runaway’ but doesn’t totally rip the song off. Then there’s the tongue in cheekness of ‘Man call whore’ or the offensive, explicit but humorous ‘Scream 4 me you f*ck*ng bitch’ and the epic ‘CU Next Tuesday’ with it’s in your face screamin’ voice and backward vocal sound-effects etc – love the melody and riffage. Hear this material and more on www.myspace.com/whorerock. 8/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
2007 |
|
Whitesnake –
Live In The Shadow Of The Blues
(SPV – 2006) A 2 disk set culled from a mass of gigs that includes many of those firm faves including ‘Bad Boys’, ‘Here I go again’; ‘Ain’t no love in the heart of the city’; ‘Love Ain’t no Stranger’; ‘Ready an’ Willing’ and many, many more. Yes David Coverdale is back with his latest version of Whitesnake with Tommy Aldridge still in toll at the drumkit with the rest of the line-up made up of Doug Aldrich & Reb Beach (Guitars); Uriah Duffy (Bass) and Timothy Drury (Keyboards). ‘In the Still of The Night’ sounds f*ck*n’ incredible as does the arrangement of Burn with Stormbringer (the old Purple classics) and ballads like ‘The Deeper the love’ and ‘Is this Love’. What makes this set even more special than it already is, is the inclusion of four brand new songs – the menacing racing ‘Ready to Rock’ that’s pure D and P; ‘If you want me (I’ll come running) that sees Whitesnake grab some stoner like groove that’s empowered into their well-established hard rock trademark big sound. ‘All I want is you’ is a future classic love ballad that the ladies are gonna endear that reminds me of one of their songs from yesteryear – I’ll leave it up to you to work out which. ‘Dog’ falls back into the banshee wailing Plantiness that Mr. Coverdale is so famous for – he wants to be your dog and he wants to make love to you – some things never change and thank the lord they don’t – we can’t have the debonaire of rock growing old gracefully can we!! Live albums don’t get better than this. 10/10 By Glenn Milligan |
|
Robert Steven Williams – I
Am Not My Job Nice sounding, laid back music, more contemporary leading towards kinda folk ‘n’ country. Well crafted songs is what you will find on this here album such as ‘Fallen Far’ that comes with a lyric and as a reprisal instrumental version at the end. In between relax to the tranquil ditties like ‘Peace on Earth’; ‘Jersey Cowboy’; ‘The Money’ and ‘Heaven’s Drum’. One to put on when you’ve enough of all the heavy sounding stuff. 8/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
2006 |
|
JOHN WEST - Long
Time… No Sing
(Frontiers Records - 2006) John West rarely fails to impress us with his performances, whether they be through Artension, Royal Hunt or his solo outings and this latest offering is by no means an exception, seemingly an eternity since his last lone venture. Adding a big further layer of icing to the cake, ‘L.T.N.S.’ finds West capable of churning out a few solos too, having also taken on lead guitar duties while ex-Savatage man Chris Caffery provides the rhythms and one or two of the tunes sound a lot crunchier than you’d expect. This is very much an album of two halves however, the first few numbers being typical of his power metal produce but the rest may be set to surprise many as he takes to a more AOR flavour. Ol’ Westie can get away with this, having the range to suit both styles with his searing warblings that have a clearly emotive edge to them, and everyone who listens are likely to stay listening throughout, regardless of the change of musical direction going on behind him. An interesting if not some may just say, riskily structured record, ‘L.T.N.S’ is another proud inclusion to this chap’s CV. Just be warned, an album of two halves, as I said earlier, but don’t try breaking it in two to hear the half you prefer - they don’t quite play as easily in the machine then! 8/10 By
Dave Attrill |
|
Warrant – Born
Again
(MTM/SPV – 2006) Well I suppose they are ‘Born Again’ – gone is Jani Lane on the mike and in his place is Black Blue’s ‘Jaimie St. James’ who can deliver the vocal goods with the same sleazy presence as his predecessor. They delve into classic dirty bitch cock rock with ‘Roller Coaster’ & ‘Roxy’; strive to thr deep south with ‘Dirty Jack’; give us a rather rockingly great tribute to California in ‘Hell, CA’ (that chorus is so addictive a bit like the place itself); tell us about loving American female beauties in the cock-rock-funk riffery of ‘Love Strikes Like Lightning’ and persude us to get those lighters in the air for defo for the epical - ‘Glimmer’ – think Extreme meets Kiss in unplugged meets electric glory. Provin’ that they’ve still got more to offer with another blonde in the spotlight. This album rocks with a capital ‘R’. 10/10 By Glenn Milligan |
June |
|
WETTON/DOWNES –
ICON ~ Acoustic TV Broadcast
(Frontiers - 2006) For any Asia fans yearning in vain for the return of the original formation, this recent collaboration should tide you over a bit. Legendary ex-frontman John Wetton, re-united with surviving mainstay Geoff Downes belts out a collection of classic anthems by the Brit prog veterans. Although acoustic albums normally tend to appeal to little other than a band’s most dedicated completists, these two gentlemen have done the … gentlemanly thing of keeping these off-the-cuff unplugged renditions impressively true to their originals, done all those 20 odd years ago. You can actually tell which chords are struck without checking the sleeve, so if anyone out there fancies a quiz on Asia tunes, this should be fun for dad one night when the kids are tucked up in bed. A pleasant, and surprisingly accessible for its form, trip down memory lane for fans of classic UK rock. 8/10 By Dave Attrill |
|
WHEN GRAVITY FAILS
- S/T
When Gravity Fails are the brainchild of Nick emery, formerly with short-lived Brit metal hopefuls Cortizone who I remember seeing supporting Paradise lost at Nottingham Rock City a few years back, and thinking OK but nothing to blow said Halifax heavyweights offstage. This debut seven-tracker from bassist Emery’s new venture give us chance to explore his erstwhile band’s style in a bigger and beefier manner. Tool and Soundgarden are listed as the chief comparisons and there are a few odes to Filter to be found too, not least the riff during ‘Light Of Day’ which has more than a passing resemblance to ‘Hey Man Nice Shot’ about it. Already fixed up with airplay plus an interview on Bruce Dickinson’s rock show, gravity will have to make a speedy recovery to stop Mr Emery taking off this time, as he has the right fuel on board with this effort. Success looks likely in 2006, I hope for him that it lasts more than one album this time. 7.5/10 By Dave Attrill |
|
WINNEBAGO DEAL –
Did It, Done It, Doing It Again (1-Track Promo)
(Double Dragon 2005) A band with a healthy following on the contemporary metal scene, Winnebago Deal took a few songs to do anything to excite me musically but gradually they are beginning to gel. This tune helps things in the point in the right direction, with a hook that brings Kentucky metalcore bruisers My Own victim to mind. I hope then that most of the other material on their CDs, that I haven’t yet heard, is as good. 7/10 By Dave Attrill |
May
and Early 2005 |
|
Warrior – The
Wars of Gods and Men
(Reality Entertainment – 2004) “God, are they still at it ?”, you’ll no doubt be say, “Yes, actually they are” I answer. As metallish as ever, even in this day and age – why not as well, since Metal and Rock are back on top – thank f*ck !! Brusing, Crushing lead and rhythm guitar playing, whining sharp vocals (a la Biff Byford) plus throaty ones too and of course gutsy drumming and deep underlying bass – that’s the sound of Warrior for ya in one mean sentence. Very much Judas Priest meshed in the crunchiness of Black Sabbath. It’s an interesting the album with highlights being the opening fresh heavy Saxon meets Ozzy’ness title-track ‘The Wars of Gods and Men’, not to mention the atmospheric American Indian space-like ballad ‘Mars’; the dark ‘Hypocrite’ and racing, punchy ‘3AM Eternal’ with it’s spiralling lead guitar solo. Pure proof there’s still plenty of life in this band and no doubt more to come. 7.5/10 By Glenn Milligan |
|
Where Angels Fall –
Dies Irae
(Edgerunner Music – 2004) Brilliant arranged choral, angelic orientated doom – a five piece and a choir. Soaring vocals from Eirin Bendigtsen (female in case you are wondering) but the band is like Megadeth meets Type O Negative. Stunning 4 tracks with plenty of echoe, harmonies from Dis Irae to Requiem. Crank it up in a crazy dark spot. 10/10 By
Glenn Milligan |
|
Wine Spirit –
Fire in the Hole
(Sacred Metal – 2004) Those Italian Rockers are back with album number 2, ‘Fire in the hole’ that appears hot on the heels after their debut, ‘Bombs Away’ that came out a good year ago on the Texan label, Perris. It appears that the band have matured a wee bit, becoming less party orientated on some of the songs and more lyrically concerned with real-life content. There are high strenuous vocals throughout and heavy rock in a variety of styles that encapsulates the electricity and harmonics of Van Halen and the power of artists like Scorpions at their finest hour with ‘Hide and Kill’ and ‘Burnout’ being prime examples. There’s a quality piece of instrumental guitarwork called ‘Midnight Touch’ and even a cover of the often ignored brilliant Whitesnake ballad ‘Sailing Ships’ that I’m sure Mr. Coverdale would approve of. Overall a pleasurable album that will keep you warm for a good while to come. 8/10 By Glenn Milligan |
2004 |
W.A.S.P.
- The Neon God Part 2 - The Demise
(Sanctuary - 2004) An album that for me is better than part 1 and it begins with the burnin' 'Never say die' and it's not the old Sabbath cover from '78 although no doubt Blackie could do a killer version of that for definite. This album in my opinion is more like 'Crimson Idol' quality. There's heavy moments like 'The Demise' as well as dramatic happenings like 'Clock work Man' or 'The Last Redemption' that pull you right in before kicking you into hellfire with revved up music with a pounding overdrive and Blackies blastin' voice. It's a serious side of WASP - dark 'n' heavy, meaningful 'n' bombastic unlike the PMRC pricking up their ears to sexist shock that they have become famous for or should that be infamous!? WASP have again been placed on the artistic meritful mantle as opposed to coming across like a corny LA band singing about fast cars and titty bars - not that there's anything wrong with that of course. 9/10 By Glenn Milligan |
THE
WILDHEARTS - The Wildhearts Strike Back
(Gut Records - 2004) Britrock's most troublesome hard rock act during the nineties, The Wildhearts have managed to keep their loyal legions of fans locked in the room through times good, bad and too terrible to mention. This 90-odd minute set from London on their UK tour earlier this year covers their entire history from the day Ginger got booted out of fellow Geordie legends The Quireboys, up to the latest studio release which accounts fro quite a fraction of this 20-song collection. That's not to degrade the amount of time allocated to the band's better known tunes, and yes, we have 'Greetings From Sh*tsville', 'I Wanna Go Where The People Go', 'Caffeine Bomb', 'Sucker Punch', 'Nothing Ever Changes' and 'Vanilla Radio' to chose from. One shocking omission is 'TV Tan', one of the finest four minutes of music these alds have ever made though double compensation comes in the shape of 'Turning American', reinstated into their set after almost a decade. 'Top Of The World' heads the newest batch of numbers getting their first airings on this tour and proves that some bands can still liberally blend material from all eras into their sets without affecting the applause. A raw, uncensored, stripped down taste of one of the best nights out in rock n' roll and all without leaving the bedroom. 9/10 By Dave Attrill |
August |
WASP
- The Neon God: Part 1 - The Rise It rears it's ugly head - a new WASP album - the band that the PMRC love to hate where Blackie Lawless hurls out a fast 'n' furious concept album concerning the rise of a rock god. It's an OK album but don't go looking for the equivalent of 'Animal' or 'Blind in Texas'. Take this album for itself alone - a deep 'n' dark ride that's come from the grey matter that is Lawless's brain. It's very 'crimson idol' and the highlights include The Who'ish 'Why am I here'; 'The Red Room of the rising; that appears to be a reworking of The Beatle's 'Tomorrow never knows' and then theres 'Someone to love me'. We await 'The Neon God - Part 2' 6.5/10 By Glenn Milligan |
July |
WHITE
SKULL - The VIII Skull
(Frontiers - 2004) The Heaviest Band on Frontiers, Italy's White Skull's description on the sleevenote of their label's 'Rock The Bones' sampler says, but does that say a lot about them, I wonder? Well perhaps a bit. They are a couple tads more crunchier with their guitar work than a lot if not all of the other symph' metal acts on the Frontiers roster, but to be honest, this is too alike and frankly quite a smidgen inferior to most other mainland acts on the trot at the moment. It may be that a few of the numbers have slightly overloaded on the cheese factor but it is still more approachable than Rough Silk's recent offering. I have heard worse then so do at least give it a try. 6/10 By Dave Attrill |
June |
WHAT
WAS WRONG WITH.....
WASP
- Still Not Black Enough Released at their rather under-heralded comeback in 1995, WASP's sixth studio album went criminally unnoticed by many in the UK who didn't release they'd reformed, and it was probably only thanks to the interview with Blackie Lawless on late night TV metal show 'Noisy Mothers' that we learned the fella was giving it another go. When B.L. announced the band's split in August 1993, not long after releasing the incredible 'Crimson Idol' LP, they hit the headlines in Kerrang automatically. Two years later, few noticed anything and when it did appear, un-advertised on shop shelves, a considerable amount of their remaining fans binned it after one listen, most branding it as 'recorded one afternoon for a laugh'. So it may be only 37 minutes long, compared to its predecessor's 60-odd and they returned to a scene by then dominated by Reef, Ash, Manic Street Preachers and Offspring amongst others but that to me is no excuse. Obviously not convinced that it could be that bad, I went and bought the bugger and it turned out to be a pretty decent record actually. The opening title track, plus 'Black Forever', 'Scared To Death' and 'Goodbye America' are amongst some of Blackie's finest tunes, his lash against political correctness providing particular entertainment on the latter. The only accountable fillers are the cover of 'Somebody To Love' and 'Rock n' Roll' to death, a burst of uptempo fifties testosterone, sadly stealing well over-used progressions. Elsewhere, we have 'Keep Holding On' and 'Breathe' which will more than please anyone who enjoyed 'Hold On To My Heart', the moving ballad from previous album 'Crimson Idol', both unbelievably alike in both harmony and style. Closing things up for the day are firstly 'I Can't' which initially continues the style of the two aforementioned but with a very catchy verse arrangement and climaxes with Blackie channeling out his aggressions against a full instrumental onslaught. 'No Way Out Of Here' is the only way of closing the album, one of the greatest compositions the band have ever put their name to with a chorus to commit crimes for, and it's a shame even this didn't represent the album in its appeal to the newly disbelieving. Blackie, try to include some material from this album in your live sets in future, if only to remind people what a f***ing good album it actually is, and to you people yourselves, if you've yet to pick this part of their career up, don't let anyone else's quibblings dissuade you. 8.5/10 By Dave Attrill |
March/April |
| Leslie
West - Blues to die for
(Blues Bureau Int./Shrapnel Records - 2003) The big man of Mountain in solo mode saluting his fave bad blues (as he himself calls it) accompanied by Aynsley Dunbar (Drums); Gunter Nezhodo (Bass) and Kevin Curry (Rhythm Guitar). Like you'd expect, it's gutsy, ballsy and the rest with Leslie charging through standards like 'Crawling Kingsnake'; 'Born under a bad sign'; 'I'm Ready' and 'talk to your daughter' as well as expaining what turned him onto the blues in the fist place in the spoken word number 'Why I sing the blues'. If you love the blues then this album is a must. Make sure to witness it live on tour this year. 10/10 By Glenn Milligan |
| WORST
CASE SCENARIO -1-track Sampler
These virtually anonymous 1-track promo discs really do annoy me - especially when it's from an act I've heard zilch by beforehand, and they expect us to be able to sum up their merits and mediocrities in the space of a single track. Worst Case Scenario's little chunk of chug-driven metal-core with one or two nu-metal elements is fun but too brief at only two-minutes-fifteen. However, their material sounds like they've earned their attention on the scene so far, and their album should be worth a listen. Just try to send us a little bit more than this on your next sampler, lads. 7/10 By Dave Attrill |
| February |
| WARLORD
- Book 1
(Metal Blade) Get yer fill right here, of one of the more mysterious and talented of the early power metal pioneers. But there's nothing new added to the circuitous tale. Book 1 offers a re-release of the live concert, shot quite badly and darkly, acceptable sound, in front of no audience (these never work - it's palpably lonely). But there you go, Damien King II metalizing committedly in bare chest, gold head band and bullet belt while his Queensryche-alikes play some of the better prog metal songs never properly recognized as legendary. And speaking of legendary, the set comes with a bonus CD of the monumental Deliver Us From Evil EP remastered, each detail coming alive, Warlord methodically and confidently demonstrating why they should have been huge, sounding like Fates Warning crossed with Rhoads-era Ozzy. The Metal Massacre III track Mrs. Victoria is also included. This should have been a jewel-cased CD with bonus DVD, rather than the other way around: the video works to erode, or at least mortalize a reputation vaulted by the seminal and immortal EP.
By Martin Popoff |
| WUTHERING
HEIGHTS - Far From The Madding Crowd
(Locomotive - 2004) I think it's time we had another look at one of those bands that you just can't get your head round. Come forward, Wuthering Heights, you have been chosen for this one. Mixing the classic folk rock melodies of Jethro Tull, with the symphonic metal intensities of Artension, Rhapsody, Royal Hunt and practically anything involving Mark Boals, has my interest latched from the start anyway, and second track 'The Road Ever On' confirmed my optimism. 'Tree', 'Longing For The Woods Pts 1 & 2', 'Bad Hobbits Die Hard' and 'Land Of Olden Glory' join the top end of the ladder here, by aid of power Malmsteen -esque soloing and lyrics that Bob Catley should enjoy looking at and wishing he'd written. With a complete lack of info available at this time concerning this act other than they're signed to Spain's vibrant new Locomotive label, I'm quite, expectedly stumped as to where to go from here but if this crossover of all-approved styles also means anything at all to you, check it out as I did, it's another winning combination. 8.5/.10 By Dave Attrill |
| Wycked
Synn - The Vision
(Chavis Records - 2003) 80's styled metal band who fit very well between Dio and Manowar. They bestow all those clichés that don't need explaining and they have that 'we will fight on' attitude all the way through the album. The tempos are similar in each song and will be best liked by fans of NWOBHM - for other listeners it may get a bit tedious as it doesn't stray much out of this boundary. They are fantastic musicians though and best numbers are 'The Saviour' with its high tenor scream and pumping power drumming; title track 'The Vision' that's got a kinda Motley Crue 'Looks that kill' riff. 6.5/10 By Glenn Milligan |
| Dec.
2003 |
| WEHRWULF
- Godless We Stand
(Magick Records - 2003) I've not had the greatest of times getting to grips with the latest fruits off the thrash/death/black metal tree - quite a few tasting dull or unripe when I picked them. Many grow properly before falling though and Wehrwulf seem to have come at the right season. To start with, the first signs are less damning than their likely lyrical subject. For example, you can actually make out what Nathan Ellis is singing through his adequately angry tones. Running parallel to guitars that know their business at more speeds than one, octane and substance stay paired throughout and the overall outcome has little going against it. In fact, I'm starting to feel a little gutted that it lasts only 33 minutes - I WAS enjoying this album if you don't mind me saying. A band potentially as lethal if not more, than their animal namesake. 7.5/10 By Dave Attrill |
| WELLWATER CONSPIRACY - S/T (Megaforce Records - 2003)
Pidgeonholing becomes an increasingly dirtier word by the minute with new bands, these days. This outfit couldn't hammer the point home harder if they thought about it. There must be about two dozen different styles attempted here but I can only care to name the commonly understood ones right now. Think prog, grunge, indie, retro 70's/60's, industrial and even electro synth on one occasion and you're as close to home as I can drive you. One song is instantly recognisable, though. 'Something In The Air' is a lot better than what Fish managed with it, not that the Scots legend's attempt was that bad. Other than that, Wellwater Conspiracy remain completely uncategorisable but at the same time have a very solid collection of material on show - even their name sounds of dealings strange to me. A worthy example of the product of musical integrity today. 8/10 By Dave Attrill |
| THE
WILDHEARTS - Top Of The World
The most unpredictable, chaotic, wayward and seemingly indestructible British hard rock band of the last decade, Newcastle's Wildhearts have maintained the interest of their gathered masses through thick and thin through the last twelve years, to the present . With (most of) their original line-up and style back in the running, this three-tracker finds Ginger and pals still an unbeaten competitor in the rock n' roll industry. 'T.O.T.W' and '6:30 Onwards' are pure pop class packed with all the essentials, including big choruses, and you know what exactly to expect from there-on in, so I needn't add further detail. 'Eager To Leave Her' on the other hand tries recreating the memories of 1997's 'stinker' album 'Endless Nameless', with suspicious electro-vocal dealings but does less than serious damage thanks to another decent hook. Hard as ever to get rid of, the Wildhearts may be even harder to now, so accept them…. You've little choice really. 7/10 By Dave Attrill |
| WILD
HORSES - Dead Ahead
(Z Records) What's old is new again, Wild Horses being a shameless one record hair band, back now with more of the same, even if said sound actually sounds fresh now, so out it's in, so gone it's welcome. Dead Again features the original line-up that made '91's Bareback, Boston non-namer John Levesque joining Jeff Pilson and Kingdom Come's Rick Steier and James Kottak for a record of shiny drums (Kottak's's the card behind the kits for Scorpions now), shinier guitars and spirited arena rock vocal work. Treble is at a max here, guitars swaggering, bluesy and electric like Thunder, that band that is the space between hair-era Bad Company and Slide It In-era Whitesnake. Not awful, and so grand and boisterous and star-struck, it coulda competed robustly in the day with the likes of Crue, Bon Jovi and GN'R. 7/10 By Martin Popoff |
| WILD
HORSES - Dead Ahead There's a familiar name or two amongst the four men making up this rather convincing supergroup. Jeff Pilson's latest vehicle however could not be any further removed from Dokken if he made any modest attempt at it (shows things between him and his ol' mucker Don ain't been too peachy of late). Just to correct a small mistake, the band did previously exist, during the Doks' six-year sabbatical, and a debut album 'Bareback' saw the light of day. This long coming second offering sees Pilson - flanked by John Levesque, and former Kingdom Come man Rick Steier on vocals and guitar respectively, and Scorpions (also ex-K.C) sticksman James Kotttak, - hit the highway with the sort of rock n' roll you'd have burnin' out that ol' blaster were you negotiating the roads of America at the wheel of a 30-ton juggernaut. Then again, even trundlin' through the industrial back roads of Sheffield in a clapped-out van, this makes for pleasant listening. 'Can't Get By', 'Ride On', 'Live it And Give It', 'Vancouver Mover', 'Rebel Road', 'Never Goin' Home' and 'Cradle To The Grave' are true examples of what to expect when you crank up the radio to this lot's material -well some of those titles do give away a few secrets. Levesque's quite Hagar-like throat gives it a few extra spoonfuls of overall sass and more grit than you'll see the council throw over a road in snowy conditions. Good bit of work here, Jeff and boys and I'm glad you see you've been busy since leaving D****n but fans of said band had better be warned - this ain't no half-assed Under Lock n' Key or Back For The Attack gizmos here, boy! 8/10 By Dave Attrill |
| RAY
WILSON - Change
What's going on 'ere? That
geezer's gone into music now, has h…. oh, Ray WILSON, I thought
you said Ray Winstone there, for a sec. Much as I would like to have
seen what the cockney acting legend has in the way of instrumental abilities, With quite a diverse little background over past years including 'Levi' ad theme stars Stiltskin and rock legends Genesis, Wilson can ride further into the winds of change again without danger of being blown back. 'Change' is pretty much an acquired taste in its content, some of the material teetering precariously towards the pop end but most of the twelve-song selection bodes well for the chap's foreseeable musical future. 'Goodbye baby Blue', 'Change', 'Cry If You Want To' and 'Believe' are a few of the quite several showcasing Wilson's talents as not just a singer/composer but a skilled acoustic guitarist too - have Scotland now got their own Danny Vaughn in their midst here, I wonder? "If you think that I am losin' my way…." …I wouldn't say you are, Ray. 7.5/10 By Dave Attrill |
| WYZARD
- Knights of Metal
This has to be the cheesiest, most cliched collection of metal tunes I've ever had the FORTUNE to clap my ears on. Then again we are Metalliville, not Kerrang and are thus capable of seeing past these obstacles. A band who came out of Texas, this beast was released originally in 1984 and has been known to sell on E-bay for up to $500. The five track demo rages its way merrily through a few clear tastes of this outfit's brand of Holocaust-esque almost totally early-80's moulded material,(that's moul-DED, not mould-DY) and making substantial use of all vital ingredients. Though as predictable as a match result between Man United and Arsenal, it still against all odds, manages to find its fans around the planet. Just be warned, lads, don't expect a great deal of interest from anyone below 40 on these isles, except for the young man writing this review at the moment. 7/10 By Dave Attrill |
| Andy
West with Rama - Rama 1
To say that this project features drummers Rod Morgenstein and Mike Portnoy and ex-Malmsteen keyboardist 'Jens Johanssen' this album is nothing more than a Jazz-Rock fusion piece of sh*te that's more use as a frisby or ashtray. It's completely irritating with crap cuts like 'Mad March' with its senseless keyboard soloing or the completely ridiculous 'Bloomsday' with its screwed up deep horn and string sounds. Need I say anymore - this album should be called Rammle 1 - I pray Rama 2 won't be out any time soon. 3/10 (for the artwork) By
Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS |
| White
Diamond - The Lost Demos 1988-1990
I like the bands name and the music I like too - expressive, vibrant melodic rock if the late 80's. Their history is the classic story of the band who got screwed by the record company when they were on their way up the music career ladder - they even got played on MTV and were gonna support Poison - man, the biz sucks sometimes. The main CD features 9 songs that sound like a heavy Journey with more balls - a good example being 'It's just another day'. I was surprised to see a cover of the Tamla Motown staple 'My Girl' and a version of 'Heaven' by Warrant. The closer on the Cd is one of the best songs - a mighty rocker called 'Man of God' which is pure 80's stilton - awesome. An extra demo Cd has been thrown in as well that's around 70 minutes long - just wish it had a track listing alongside it. White Diamond are a band that should have made it - hopefully 2003 could be the year for them. 7.5/10 By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS |
| Pre - 2003 |
| WE
- DINOSAURIC FUTUROBIC
WE open up with an unforgettable array of rock and metal that explodes across the room and expands into your eardrums with vibrant original texture of sound, this 11 track CD hits every barrier of rock, which everyone will appreciate with or without the use of drugs. A 55-minute self-produced album that is full of structure, talent and originality, which you don't get a lot of when you loose that extra voice of the producer. It is hard to explain who 'WE' actually sound like, I can not put my finger in one specific area or direction as the tracks differ so much, there is mixture rock, metal, funk, phsycadellia, Jazz and Hard Core to name but a few. With the opener of 'Galactic Racetrack' to 'Carefree' through 'Organic Room' and 'Cosmic Bound' to the epic of '1971', WE, have opened the mind with excitement, interest and originality to produce one of the most influential CD's this year. 10/10 By Tony Watson |
| Wine
Spirit - Bombs Away
An Italian Rock trio with a vast array of musical styles to offer us mere mortals. When you are greeted with a drum practice into and a voice shouting 'Shut the f*ck up' you don't know what the hell you are letting yourself in for - a musical theme that carries on throughout the album. Musical menu starter 'Off my head' is Southern Rock down the AC/DC state highway and 'Tail Gunner' (not to be confused with the Iron Maiden song of the same name) stems into George Lynch 'n' Dokken territory that goes as far as having the dark ambience and musical presence found in a classic slice of Alice Cooper or Dio. Number by number, you are literally transported from one Rock Galaxy to the next without the need of calling 'Bill 'n' Ted' or Doc from 'Back to the Future' for further assistance. Wine Spirit even have the brash cockiness to name a song after themselves - or did they name themselves after 'Wine Spirit', that's the question - anyway it's a ballsy bit a rock all the same. This bunch even sound well when they go into a classical mode, letting the electric guitar have a short breather in the graceful Spanish Flamenco tipped 'Short Hair Rock' that's suddenly killed of by an EddieVan Halen soundalike guitar riff - even microphone assaulter, ? would come top 3 in the David Lee Roth Impression contest. Keep the CD playing after track 13 for some fabulous slide blues guitar-work - F*ckin' A. It's little wonder why I'm awarding this album full marks. Probably one of most varied rock albums I've heard since Faith No More's '89 classic, 'The Real Thing'. 10/10 By
Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS |
| February 2002 |
| Without
Face - Deep Inside To sum it all up in one sentence this sounds like Fear Factory with a female choir singer who also happen to be into melodic power metal gone gothic. It's weird to say the least and the guitar chuggin' is a bit too much for comfort. There's 7 songs here that are dark, sorrowful and moody with string arrangement effects that the Without Face have put to good use. It could be real nice but it is spoilt by the male shouty vocal - it's like listening to a cross between Burton C. Bell and Justin Broadrick - which sounds out of place to the music. There are highlights on this CD though, like 'Hymns of the night', which appears to be about a female ghost. The song has got an Egyptian gone Type O Negative. Or what about the moderately charging 'Depression'. 6/10 By
Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS |
| January 2002 |
| WILL
HAVEN - CARPE DIEM
A quite eerie harmonic introduction of 'S.H.R.' that disappears as 'Saga' rips into your ear drums as though it's the end of the world. Will Haven have landed with another masterpiece. If you are not familiar with the sound of 'Will Haven', I would say if you crossed the heaviness of early 'Bathory' with deep tones of 'Godflesh' and threw in the original inventiveness of 'Voivod' you may then be close. Will Haven are one of the hardest, heaviest original and influential bands you will probably hear this year, from the track one 'S.H.R.' to track ten 'Moving to Montana', they will have you screaming your lungs out with so much emotion and attitude even Sid Vicious would be scared. 'Carpe Diem' is the second CD from this fine bunch of musicians, with over forty-six minutes of attitude and aggression you wont want to take it out of the CD player, your mother would probably ban you from the house because of the screaming vocals of Gredy Avenell and the grinding hard hitting rhythms of Jeff Irwin's guitar, Mike Martin's bass and Wayne Morse horrendous drum beats. Will Haven have progressed for the better from their first release in 1999 with 'WHVN', but have kept their unique style that will be very hard to copy. Tracks like 'Saga', 'Bats', 'Dressed in Night Clothes', 'Dolph Lundgren', 'Finest Hour' and 'Miguel' will leave you mentally disturbed for a long time to come. Enjoy the pleasure it will bring. 10/10 By Tony Watson |
| Winterlong
- Valley of the Lost
Winterlong are a Power Metal band from Sweden whose average is around 20. These guys can quite easily rub musical shoulders with Rock/Metal icons like Iron Maiden, Helloween and Yngwie Malmsteen. The power throater, 'Hussni Morsare' has a pretty evil gruffish voice (and a good example of this is the opener, 'From Heaven and Hell'. So the style of Winterlong is nothing new (it's like listening to a classic Helloween album). There's plenty of full-on go for the jugular in true Heavy Metal mode (80's style) and is produced by exceptional guitarist Lars Eric Mattsson. Give your speakers a real good service with drum-heavy fast 'n' furious guitar-laden tracks like 'Stay Travellers' (which is pure finesse), 'The Water Spirit' (which is very elves and goblins orientated), the vampire ditty, 'Nosferatu', 'Written in Blood' (about Viking descendence) and 'Driven by Insanity'. A top-notch album for lovers of Power Metal. 7/10 By
Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS
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