Sunless Sky-Firebreather

Pure Steel Records
2014

Released this past August (appropriately enough on Pure Steel Records as it's a match made in heavy metal heaven), "Firebreather" is the full-length debut from Cleveland, Ohio's Sunless Sky. Having only existed since 2012 or so this five-piece traditional/U.S. power metal outfit might sound young (at least on paper), but in actuality Sunless Sky is made up of heavy metal veterans who (collectively) have well over 20 years worth of experience in the field of U.S. metal. Scratch that. Let's make that the Cleveland metal scene as guitarist Harry Hillock spent over 15 years with the band Erecto-Hector while Sunless Sky's front-man is none other than Juan Ricardo (Dark Arena, Ritual of Torment, ex-Attaxe, ex-Ritual, ex-Tormentor, ex-Zyklone, ex-Arenah, ex-Stryker)! Rounded out by guitarist Dave Kirk (Vile Indignation), bassist John "Jocko" Jerman (Blessed Sickness, ex-Embalmer) and drummer Rob Brandt (Swallowed By Apathy), Sunless Sky is loaded with experience and it shows here on "Firebreather"! Move beyond the odd choice of album art that surrounds "Firebreather" and you will find opener that "Subzero" is some of the best melodic power metal that Ohio has to offer! Co-written by Dave Kirk and Juan Ricardo (with Dave providing the song's exceptional intro and solo!) "Subzero" sets the stage for the triumphant album that is soon to unfold. Guitarists Harry Hillock and Dave Kirk make for a formidable duo (just check out the pair's soaring delivery on the heavy, "Air Raid"!) while the nearly operatic voice of  Juan Ricardo gives not only the opening number a distinctive epic vibe, but the better part of this album! And speaking of Juan Ricardo, Sunless Sky's impressive front-man makes his talent known early on and for fan's of James Rivera (Helstar, Seven Witches and so much more!) and Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden, Samson) you simply could not ask for a better "new favorite vocalist" if you tried! That Bruce Dickinson reference point brings to mind "Deathmachine" as this one sounds like Iron Maiden in an alternative reality where their greatest influence was Slayer! From there the title cut kicks in and we're treated to more suburb material and for this Cleveland band it's all gun's blazing as N.W.O.B.H.M. and traditional metal influences spill over into classic power metal. Obviously it's a bit odd then when "Immorality" cuts in on the dance. More rock-based than the album's first few numbers it's nonetheless enjoyable and it clearly shows off Sunless Sky's expansive style. With "Pandemonium" it's a heavy take on Iron Maiden (an enjoyable heavy take on Iron Maiden!) while "The Whaler" moves things back into more of the U.S. power metal territory. As do "Fear", "Grind You Down", "Human Time Bomb" (featuring guest vocals by Michelle Nader) and "Planet-X" but it's never an issue seeing as the power metal influences here on "Firebreather" range from the likes of Seven Witches to Dio! Next there's "Solitude" which opens with the pondering line "Why is death so hard?" before settling into some N.W.O.B.H. M.-infused U.S. power metal and with the lead solo of Harry Hillock reminding me for all the world of the late/great Randy Rhodes it's a key moment that will stick with me for some time to come! The cut "Warlords" is perfectly placed as the album's 13th track as it's dark and epic giving "Firebreather" the feel of a concept album. Technically the album ends there, but as a hidden track you've got "Candys Gone Bad". Featuring one time Sacred Few member Sandy Kruger as a guest, "Candys Gone Bad" is more along the lines of the earlier track "Immorality". Oddly enough it reminds me of the N.W.O.B.H.M. sound of bands like Saxon as much as it does "Brick By Brick"-era Iggy Pop! And no, it's not just because of the "Candy" connection LOL! Instead I find "Candys Gone Bad" a nice change of pace and I absolutely dig what it brings to the party! Again it showcases the versatile appeal of Cleveland's Sunless Sky and it shows how easy it would be for this Ohio band to break out and become a leading voice in the field of U.S. power metal! As a Sunless Sky's first showing there is nothing here to complain about (other than the album's artwork which might give some prospective a cause to pause and ponder what it's all about) and in fact this CD might just battle it out for top debut-album honors at the end of 2014! "Firebreather" can be purchased at the link below while you can find Sunless Sky right here: https://www.facebook.com/SunlessSky   

"Firebreather":
http://www.puresteel-shop.com/SUNLESS-SKY-Firebreather_1 

Johnny Touch-Inner City Wolves

Shadow Kingdom Records
2014

Awesome album art and an awesome sound? Now that's nice. Real nice. For Australian-act Johnny Touch and their full-length debut "Inner City Wolves" it all sounds so natural, but that's far from a bad thing right? Formed in 2008 (and taking it's cue from traditional heavy metal, N.W.O.B.H.M. and even the likes of Metallica and Metal Church) the band previously released a demo tape and two 7" splits. With "Inner City Wolves" though we're talking the real deal. A full-fledged, front-to-back cover, one of a kind heavy metal thunder release which is screaming(!) to be heard by metalheads in their native country and worldwide! With someone as good as Pahl Hodgson  (Beyond Mortal Dreams, Born for Burning, Oath of Damnation, ex-Blood Mason, ex-Darklord, ex-Hatred Slave, ex-Oni, ex-Obsidian Aspect, ex-One Step Beyond, ex-Sumeria, ex-Deluge) on the mic and lead solos that range form straight-up heavy metal slammers that actually recall someone as great as the late Randy Rhodes to almost neoclassical pieces it is hard not to appreciate the excellence that transpires once you slide this one into your CD player. "Inner City Wolves" is not just one of the best debut albums of 2014 it's overall one of the best heavy metal albums of the year! Don't just take my word for it though. You can hear the complex/yet easily-accessible "Inner City Wolves" for yourself right here:http://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/inner-city-wolves


https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyTouchAus

Etta Zero-The Last Of All Sunsets

Dr. Music Records | Membran
2014

Etta Zero (Mathias Nutt-Vocals/Synth Programming, Johannes Schraner-Guitar/Synth Programming,

Thomas Hemmi-Bass/Piano/Synth Programming and Marius Matt-Drums & Percussion) were a new name for me and, as I clicked play on the promo link for "The Last Of All Sunsets", I had no idea what to expect. Initially formed back in 2000 under the name Downfall, covers under which name the band issued two EPs (one four track EP of original compositions and one four track EP of covers) and original playing rock-based interpretations of 80’s Synth Pop songs the band (who at the time were more or less a Synth Pop Metal outfit) changed their name to Etta Zero in October of 2010 with the (long time coming!) "The Last Of All Sunsets" serving as their debut album. Now a mixture of the past (Synth Pop Metal, dark rock, goth rock, alternative rock, etc.), the present (modern electronic sounds, groove-based rock, modern hard rock, heavy rock, heavy metal and radio rock) and the near future (striking, stylistic heavy electronic rock/metal that sounds like it could be the soundtrack for the day after tomorrow and weeks, months and years to come!) Etta Zero has the kind of resourceful delivery most bands could only dream of! Hailing from the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein, the members of Etta Zone have a clear cut case of extreme chemistry, one which has resulted from the fact that these four musicians (who have know each other since their younger, formative years) have played together in "different formations, casts and styles since the middle of the 90’s". Translated that means you have a band whose debut album sounds as if it's the result of a band that has going at it for years and years and if "The Last Of All Sunsets" is anything to go by the band should have plenty of good years to look forward to! Electronic rock fans would do well to check out the group's choice cover of "Heartbeats" (from Swedish Synth Pop duo The Knife), the emotional roller-coaster track that is "Sorrow" (radio rock is calling for this crusher!), "All That I See", the harsh "Anymore" (where the band draws from the likes of Filter, Coldplay, Depeche Mode and, believe it or not, 90's alternative rock) or "Set Me Free" while everyone else (ie: fans of synth-heavy hard rock/heavy metal) should head over to the melodic metal/modern heavy rock title cut (this one has a sharp set of choppers hiding underneath it's deceptive smile and like "Sorrow", and about four or five other cuts here, is sure to get stuck in your head!), the wicked "From The Ashes", "Etta Zero" ("Black"-era Metallica re-imagined as a modern day, post-grunge, streamlined version of Filter!), the dark metal-infused "The Downfall Factory" and album closer, "Heaven Is Closer". Meanwhile a clever cut like "Crush On You" weaves in and out of both sides of the spectrum (rock rhythms and heavy metal hooks) and for Etta Zero, who (wisely) never overuse the electronic elements, these different takes on the same theme (hard-hitting music) work so well because you have skilled musicians like guitarist Johannes Schraner putting forth their best efforts. For a band that started out playing 80's covers you really have to hand it to Etta Zero. "The Last Of All Sunsets" is everything a debut album should be. It has variety and plenty of memorable moments. More so it has several cuts that could easily be singles and it's one of those releases that has timeless written all over it. Etta Zero might have been a band that I was previously unaware of, but now they appear to a band that I'm looking forward to what comes next!

 https://www.facebook.com/EttaZero