Enrico Sarzi-Drive Through

Street Symphonies Records/Burning Minds Music Group
2017

Enrico Sarzi (Midnight Sun) is an Italian singer-songwriter/hard & heavy rocker. Back on November 17th, 2017 this veteran musician released his full-length debut, "Drive Through". With the album's title being a nod of appreciation towards Enrico's biggest passion (Formula 1 car races), the 11-track disc finds this Midnight Sun member drawing from a wide-array of inspirations. Self-dubbed "Easy Hard Rock", Enrico's first solo album features something for everyone's tastes. Not only is there a couple of real hard and heavy rockers, but (grunge-infused) classic rock, AOR-like ballads, and a excellent sax-laden number ("Strange Freedom"). Granted that is to be expected when an artist is influenced by everyone from Alice In Chains to Adèle! Geared towards anyone that just loves all things rock (from Bad Company to The Cult), "Drive Through" has great production values, well-crafted numbers, and a remarkably confident vibe. It's the perfect album for when you are in the mode for something slightly-different...

Saturday Single: The Fierce And The Dead-"Truck"

Bad Elephant Music
2018

Formed in early 2010, UK instrumental rock band The Fierce And The Dead is currently comprised of Matt Stevens (guitar, synth, loops), Steve Cleaton (guitar), Kevin Feazey (bass), and Stuart Marshall (drums). Available to download for free at the following site, "Truck" is the first single from the band's forthcoming album, "The Euphoric". At just over four minutes in length, "Truck" falls somewhere between progressive rock and (jam band) hard & heavy rock. It is somewhat catchy and has a great vibe going for it. Now, it might just be me, but the track "Truck" also reminded me of vintage video game soundtracks. I realize that is going to sound odd on paper. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I'd love to hear other people's feelings on the matter. Either way, "Truck" is a fun listen that had me hitting the replay button several time over. I'm looking forward to what the group's next album has to offer.

Elephants In Paradise-Wake Up

Edelstahl Records
2018

Elephants in Paradise is a four-piece heavy metal/rock band from Vienna, Austria that was formed in 2015 by veteran bassist Christoph Scheffel. The forthcoming "Wake Up" is the exciting full-length debut for this up-and-coming outfit that features two members of Jacobs Moor within it's ranks: guitarist Rupert Träxler and drummer Rainer Lidauer. Exceptional lead vocals come courtesy of Cara Cole and so far two singles have been released from this highly-recommended album, "Breaking Bad" and "Feeding A Lie". While these two numbers are remarkable in their own right, "Wake Up" has more in common with the grand long players of yesterday. Full of elegant and engaging numbers from an exceptionally talented and bright quartet, "Wake Up" is one of those rare modern day rock/metal albums that is better played in all it's entirety! It holds your attention from start to finish and that has everything to do with the performances of everyone involved. Lead Singer Cara Cole is a haunting presence on the microphone while her band-mates play with precision, power and passion. "Wake Up" is as much a heavy rock and roll release as it is a red hot melodic metal/power metal one. As far as debut albums go, "Wake Up" is a perfect example of how things should be done. Strong material and top-notch performances matter more than ever in a scene where heavy metal/rock bands are a dime a dozen. Based solely on the material of "Wake Up" the band Elephants in Paradise should experience lots of critical acclaim and plenty of fanfare. Unlike a lot of the terrible music that seems to be flooding modern rock radio these days, "Wake Up" is deserving of all the praise it gets!

Aaron Buchanan And The Cult Classics-The Man With Stars On His Knees

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Formed in 2016 by onetime Heaven's Basement vocalist Aaron Buchanan, British rock band Aaron Buchanan and The Cult Classics will be releasing their full-length debut album on Friday, May 26th. If you fancy yourself to be the kind of reader that appreciates intelligent and vibrant rock that is punctuated with moments of graceful classic rock elegance and post-grunge dynamites then you are going to want to keep that date in mind. From what I've been able to determine that is less than one year from concept to completion, but all the same that is day when "The Man With The Stars On His Knees" is due to drop. As mentioned it is the first album from this five-piece band. For many people it will also be the first time that they have heard of this group and/or Aaron Buchanan. Admittedly up until this morning I was a member of both categories. Prior to this promo's arrival I had never heard of Heaven's Basement or this new project. Here it is four o'clock in the afternoon and I am now wondering why that is? For one thing this band's front-man is a straight-up boss! Aided by his equably-talented sibling Laurie Buchanan (guitars and vocals) and the wonderful trio of Tom McCarthy (guitar), Chris Guyatt (bass), and Kev Hickman (drums), ace lead singer Aaron Buchanan handles his role as the mic man with confidence and a considerable amount of prime-time passion!! If rock and roll ever ends up being the one true religion that bring us all together under one big gospel revival tent then I am going to nominate Aaron as one of the fierier preachers in charge of the message! Aaron's soulful delivery on "The Man With Stars On His Knees" was a highlight of my morning. This guy can sing!! I find it kind of strange then how this band tries to sell you on the notion that it was only 1990's grunge that inspired their work. That might very well have been the group's intention staring out, but on tape this band's lead singer is a direct descendant of rock and roll's ruling class! Of course one man alone does not make for a very exciting band. Thankfully Aaron is backed-up by a set of enthusiastic musicians with their own message in mind. That message is simple and direct: "We are here to rock you!". And rock us they do! There is so much to love about this young band musically. Thanks to the top-tier craftsmanship of Laurie Buchanan and company, Aaron Buchanan and The Cult Classics has recorded a instant rock classic that owes as much to the legendary existence of Queen as it does Chris Cornell's best work (solo and with Soundgarden*)! For those of us who are old enough to understand the complex reality that Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell are one in the same and yet completely different, Brittan's Aaron Buchanan and The Cult Classics are well on their way to making sure that everyone has a seat at the table! This British band is what happens when seventies rock and nineties grunge bridges the gap between radio rock and radical rock. In doing so they have punched the establishment right square in the face. Someone needed to do it so kudos to this lot!







*As someone who has mourned the loss of Chris Cornell I make that comment with respect.

Bull Funk Zoo-Dangerous Radio

Independent/Self-Release
2016

Due to be released on September 11th, 2016, "Dangerous Radio" is the second full-length album from the one of a kind one-man ROCK project known as Bull Funk Zoo. Having previously covered Bull Funk Zoo (aka producer, multi instrumentalist, vocalist, and insanely-skilled guitarist Assaad Lakkis) back in late March of this year by way of the wild and crazy ride that was "Would You" I knew enough to expect two things out of this release. The first thing was that it would be completely unique and/or experimental. That had been the case with the wicked single "Would You" and it's (just as damn cool!) follow-up, "Burnin"*. These two album tracks offered a different take on heavy rock and from everything that I had read about Bull Funk Zoo' main-man Assaad Lakkis (ie: his backstory and his wide-range of musical influences**!) all signs pointed towards more of the same on his new disc. The second expectation that I had about "Dangerous Radio" is that it would be LOUD and ROCKING! Whether it was the album's artwork, it's highly-suggestive title or just the way in which those two previously mentioned singles had seemingly set a precedent there was something that told me this album was going to be a BEAST. Sure enough I was right. "Dangerous Radio" is nothing short of a rock and roll rampage! Essentially what you've got here is garage-worthy HEAVY rock doing shots of Jägermeister with the likes of seventies classic rock, blues-rock, funk-rock and punk rock while there is a Red Bull & moonshine-fueled prison riot going on!! In other words, "Dangerous Radio" lives up to it's inspired title while simultaneously making Bull Funk Zoo one hell of name to keep an eye on! Produced, mixed and mastered by Assaad Lakkis himself, "Dangerous Radio" is the sound of one extremely-talented man taking guitar rock on a adventure-filled ride through the wasteland that is today's modern rock scene in order to bring hope to all those who are dying and in desperate need of real music in order to survive. Bull Funk Zoo is the hero that many have been searching for. Thank the almighty god's of hell-fire and (blistered fingers) rock and roll that he is finally here!






*Check out the official video of "Burnin" by heading here

**  Assaad's influences range from James Brown & Motown artists to Soundgarden and Megadeth! He grew up inspired by everything from Kiss to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck. Toss in some major love for old-school punk as well as jazz(!) and you have one damn-fine multi-instrumentalist that has it all covered1!

Double Experience-Unsaved Progress

Colfax Music
2016

Active since 2011,  Double Experience is a Canadian trio with three release to it's name thanks to the forthcoming "Unsaved Progress". Self-dubbed Nerdy Neo-Rock and featuring a solid line-up of Ian Nichols (vox, lyrics), Brock Tinsley (guitars, bass, lyrics), and Dafydd Cartwright (drums), Double Experience is also a band that answers one of life's oldest and most persistent questions. And of course that would be: "What would Fall Out Boy sound like if they were less emo and more rock?". What, you've never asked that question before? Am I the only one who has wondered that? Wow, who knew? Anyway, this is pretty much what you get when it comes to the quirky Double Experience and/or "Unsaved Progress". With eight original compositions and a fun cover of the B.O.C. classic "Godzilla", "Unsaved Progress" is an easy enough album to get into so long as you enjoy alternative rock & pop-infused heavy rock. Double Experience's new release has a due-date of April 8th and lest I forget, "Unsaved Progress" will be printed with classic video game-inspired packaging! That's rather righteous don't ya think? Well, at least it is to me. I grew up loving the video game culture and I now have the pleasure of watching my own children teenagers enjoy the same games that I did when I was there age! And speaking of my teens (or my family of three!), "Unsaved Progress" has a good chance at becoming a new family favorite thanks to it's catchy mash-up of pop rock, alternative rock, pop punk, power rock and heavy rock! While it might not appeal to all of our readers, "Unsaved Progress" still deserves a fair chance so if your musical tastes are a little more open why not give this one a shot? You've got nothing to lose....

Electric Citizen-Sateen

RidingEasy Records
2014


We're turning the clock back to early 2014 for this release as somehow/someway I missed out on it the first time around. Electric Citizen hail from Cincinnati, Ohio and this album here (the band's full-length debut) seemed to randomly pop up on numerous suggestion posts all at once. All of which begs the question. Was it really random or some form of divine intervention? After all Electric Citizen is some fine (female-fronted) heavy rock/doom and the cleverly-titled "Sateen" features all kinds of wonderfully wicked & weird psychedelic moments! Laura Dolan leads this four-piece band and her retro style of singing perfectly suits this band's fuzzy throwback sound. On guitar you have Ross Dolan with Nick Vogelpohl (bass) and Nate Wagner (drums) rounding out the album's line-up. These days it looks as if Randy Proctor is handling the bass duties, but either way it doesn't take away from the heavy rocking goodness of this nine-track* album. Highly-recommend all around, "Sateen" is one of those rare gems that hits all the right notes and leaves you with a lasting smile. If you are into groovy doom rock/heavy garage rock you are going to want to give this one a try!

*The CD I have features nine tacks while the digital download features ten.

Faith No More-Sol Invictus

Reclamation Records/Ipecac Recordings
2015


Ladies and gentlemen please give a warm welcome to "Sol Invictus"! It may have taken Mike Patton and crew some18 LONG years to accomplish, but it's finally here. Recorded and produced by Faith No More bassist Billy Gould, "Sol Invictus" (Latin for Unconquered Sun) is Faith No More's long-overdue seventh studio album and as a fellow fan of these creative San Francisco rockers yes, I do agree with you. It is about damn time! This is the long-awaited follow-up to "Album of the Year" and for life-long fans the (continuously) extended vacation between new Faith No More studio albums has been almost too much to bare! Nonetheless "Sol Invictus" is here and the saints be praised! With a total of ten tracks (incl. the two previously-released singles, "Motherfucker" and "Super Hero"), "Sol Invictus" is not only a strong release, but potentially one of 2015's best ROCK recordings! Notice I said "potentially" as there is (obviously) still a lot of 2015 left to live before the big ball drops on New Year's Eve. It's always possible that some artist or band will come from out of nowhere and release a absolute stone cold killer rock album the likes of which have never been heard before. It's possibly if not highly unlikely. Especially seeing as "Sol Invictus" is pound for pound one of the more rock-steady recordings out there. Other than maybe "From the Dead" there isn't a dub to be found here with the (easy does it) title track, "Sol Invictus", giving way to one good song ("Superhero") after another ("Sunny Side Up"). One would think that the steady line-up of Faith No More has a lot to do with that. Especially seeing as "Sol Invictus" is Faith No More's first album since 1992's "Angel Dust" to feature the same studio line-up from one album to the next! Besides Mike Patten (vocals) and Billy Gould (bass) that line-up includes Roddy Bottum (keyboards, vocals), Mike Bordin (drums), and Jon Hudson (guitar). On the band's new album these five musicians team-up in order to give the listener new Faith No More material to hold close to their heart and cherish. Other reviewers may not agree with my personal assessment, but the album's two singles, "Motherfucker" and "Superhero", are about as good as it gets! Especially the hard and heavy one-two punch rock that is "Motherfucker". While it's nowhere near a Faith No More standard, "Motherfucker" is Mike Patton at his wildest and I can't help but smile as he belts out the lines to this aggressive piece! Still, as much as I LOVE the album's first two singles they are not the only stand-out cuts to be found on "Sol Invictus". After the solid "Sunny Side Up" Faith No More fans are treated to the moody rocker "Separation Anxiety". Arguably one of the album's heavier moments, "Separation Anxiety" builds in intensity it becomes a harsh time bomb ready to blow! From there you get "Cone of Shame" and this "under cover" number is nothing if not "sick". Vibe-wise it's as dark as it's subject matter is. Whatever the case, "Cone of Shame" whips itself up into a frenzy until one can't help but feel completely spent! As one of the better songs on "Sol Invictus" it's (assuredly) not for the faint-hearted, but it helps make way for "Rise of the Fall" and "Black Friday". That first one recalls classic (as in early) Faith No More while the second one (which was interestingly enough the B-Said of "Motherfucker") is old and new Faith No More rocking out over a case of cold beer! With "Separation Anxiety" through "Black Friday" you essentially get a solid block of cool Faith No More numbers! As good as everyone is there is one musician that I was surprising impressed by. And that would be keyboardist Roddy Bottum! His work comes center stage on the opening title track as well as on "Sunny Side Up" and "Matador". But even when it's more subdued his piano playing is second to none. Whether he's dangling the ivory keys or adding interesting snyth notes to the mix one thing is for certain. The hands of Roddy Bottum are magical! Just like he did way back on "The Real Thing", Roddy adds a sense of style to this band and it would be almost impossible to ignore it! Naturally that takes nothing away from lead vocalist Mike Patton, Faith No More's long-time rhythm duo Mike Bordin & Billy Gould or guitarist Jon Hudson. All four are at the top of their game as usual. It's simply that Roddy Bottum is that little something extra that helps tilt this one towards the exceptional! In conclusion,
"Sol Invictus" is a great comeback for this San Fransisco rock band. It has "softer" moments like "Matador" (a killer cut BTW!) and "heavier" ones like "Separation Anxiety". It's always on and even when it isn't ("From The Dead") it's still better than just about anything you'll find in the rock section under the heading "new"! Please understand that no one is going to say "Sol Invictus" is Faith No More's finest hour. That would be a real stretch. Still, "Sol Invictus" is Faith No More making a album for Faith No More fans and doing a damn fine job of it!  For a band that hasn't released any new music in ages it's a great way to reintroduce yourself to fans of old while simultaneously coming out of the gates strong in order to add young fans into the family! "Sol Invictus" is a recommend addition to your Faith No More collection and a sure fire sign that there is still plenty of life left in these aging rockers!  

Saturday Single: Faith No More-Super Hero

Reclamation Recordings/Ipecac
2015

"Super Hero" is the second single that Faith No More has released from their highly-anticipated new album, "Sol Invictus". It follows the well-received "Motherfucker" and it offers more clues to the fact that Faith No More's seventh full-length album (and first studio album release since 1997's "Album of the Year") is going to be wicked sweet! This awesome rocker is all at once classic Faith No More and the fresh sound of one band that has updated it's keyboard-heavy delivery for today's wishy washy generation with the short attention span! The uber-slick "Super Hero" is Faith No More with a new and improved (and dare I say cleaner?) outlook and yet it offers some legitimate kicks to all but prove that Mike Patton and crew are the real San Fransisco treat! "Sol Invictus" (Latin for Unconquered Sun) isn't scheduled to be released until May 19th, but I'll be counting down the days nonetheless as this upcoming album sure feels as if it is going to be a fabulous comeback from funk rap-rockers Faith No More!

Wake Up Lucid-Gone With The Night

WUL Records
2015

Due to drop in late March, "Gone With The Night" is the forth overall release from L.A. heavy/gutter rock trio Wake Up Lucid. Produced once more by Icarus Line’s Joe Cardamone at his studio, Valley Recording Co. in Burbank, California, "Gone With The Night" is said to be more "focused and realized" than previous Wake Up Lucid recordings although I'll just have to take their word on that one! Especially seeing as band-members/cousins Ryan, Ian, and Jamie offer some reckless, unrelenting and down-right LOUD rock and roll on their latest work! If this is the band having evolved then I would reckon to say that their past work must be really crazy! That said, I say good on these cousins as "Gone With The Night" is nothing if not fun and for my money this slab of unrestrained/anything goes gutter rock is a rather good time all around! The trio behind such gems as "Let It Roll", "I Want" and "Get Fucked" let's it all hang loose all while showing off their new found skills as songwriters/performers. There are so many nooks and crannies crammed into each individual song that you are likely to pick up on something new with each listen. And you'' want to listen to this one a couple of times (at the very least!) as there isn't a dub to be found on "Gone With The Night". With a new LP reportedly in the works L.A.'s Wake Up Lucid sounds as if they will be repeating the benefits of their partner in crime Joe Cardamone so be sure to keep a close eye on this trio in 2015!    http://www.wakeuplucid.com/

Witchingseason-Witchingseason

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Part hard rock and part alternative rock, with 90's grunge making a much-appreciated appearance here on "Witchingseason" in order to serve as the well-traveled bridge which connects those two long-lived and long-loved genres together, London trio Witchingseason will finally satisfy the cravings of their fans once this self-titled release hits the scene on or around November 10th. Preceded by the singles "Spiders" (a number that I previously covered here: http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2014/08/witchingseason-spiders-single.html) and "Codeine" (https://soundcloud.com/witchingseason/codeine) this four-track EP finds Witchingseason once again tearing down heavy rock's highway with the likes of Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, The Doors,  The Stooges, Queens of the Stoneage, Mudhoney and Dinosaur Jr. loudly blaring from the speakers! With guitarist/vocalist Tom Reynolds sounding all the more like Chris Cornell's illegitimate child and the pair of  James R Willans and Wayne Summers (bass and drums respectively) soaking up the sunshine and radiation that is everything hard and heavy from a post-Black Sabbath/post-Nuke 'Em And Let God Sort 'Em Out wasteland this London trio knocks it out the ballpark with the new song "False Light". Meanwhile "Mechanical Failure" is anything but a failure thanks to it's wide-open structure and the overall crafty way that Reynolds, Willans and Summers combine the mid-late eighties alternative rock scene, heavy  garage rock and the likes of Mother Love Bone and King's X into one clever cut! Even "God's Waiting Room" with it's  Bush-like vibe has plenty going for it making "Witchingseason" a gold mine for fans of grunge, nineties hard and heavy rock and the darker side of the alternative rock scene! For more information on this up and coming London rock band be sure to check out any of the links posted below.

www.facebook.com/witchingseason   
www.twitter.com/witchingseason  
www.soundcloud.com/witchingseason

Interview with STUD

 This past Thursday (Sept. 25th, 2014 to be exact) I covered "Rust On The Rose", the second full-length release from Finland's STUD. Now it is my absolute pleasure to publish a recent interview that I conducted with this fantastic hard & heavy/heavy rock band! I want to thank STUD for taking time out of their busy schedule to chat with Heavy Metal Time Machine and if you have not had a chance yet to read my review of "Rust On the Rose" then be sure to head over to the following link when you are done here! 

(Coverage of "Rust On The Rose" by STUD)
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2014/09/stud-rust-on-rose.html

Andy (A): Would you mind introducing the members of STUD and describing your sound or our readers who might not familiar  with your band?

STUD (S): STUD is: Ari Toivanen (vocals), Mika Kansikas (guitar), Matti Jalonen (bass), Tero Kukkonen (drums). Our music is melodic, guitar-oriented hard/heavy rock, where we believe we have our own sound.

If you listen to the two albums we've made you can easily find a tone and a feeling to the music that is unique to us. We also have a variety of songs from hard rock to metal to some ballads as well.

It was very interesting to find out that almost all of the songs from the debut got airplay, and were mentioned as favorites in the album reviews. That proves that we are not just relying on one song. We are confident that same applies to "Rust On The Rose".

A: Your roots go all the way back to 1986! What made you decide to re-form the band after so many years?

S: Most of the guys in the band have been making music in form or another throughout the years.

However, the idea of re-forming the band came up through a project Mika and Tero did together.

There was also lots of cool songs that were never given a chance to be recorded and in that way presented to people. By taking those songs and adding some new ideas we had soon enough material to work with.

You can here the results of that all over the two albums.

A: What was the reaction from friends and family and when you made the announcement official? I would imagine there was as much excitement as there was shock right?

S: At first most of them (that probably includes us as well) thought that this is something that passes by soon, and we would then continue with our "real lives". Well, it hasn't yet ;) For now, the attitude has changed, and people have seen that we really have achieved something more than a happy get-together, and that's been by doing lots of work for the band.

A: Since re-forming it sure sounds as if STUD has been going nonstop. Is there a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm in the band?

S: Going nonstop are exactly right words to describe what we've done. That includes being involved in everything that considers the band, would it be writing songs, recording, booking gigs, doing promotion, etc.

We haven't been waiting for a big record company to pick us up from our rehearsal room and bring us amazing opportunities to choose from. Instead, we've been doing everything by ourselves, of course, with a help of some cool partners, like Metal Revelation that's been doing promo for us. Also Puke Kataja, a super-cool guy (with amazing nerves :)) has been essential for helping to record and mix both of our albums.

At this point, we actually wouldn't mind, if someone would offer those opportunities for us, but we are certainly not going to sit down on our butts and wait for that to happen.

A: Musically a lot has changed since the band since the band first called it quits. Are you amazed by how different everything is?

S: Everything has changed, in good and bad. When we first started there was no way to make a record without a record company, resulting that those who got the deal with a record company actually got quite a lot of attention. Today there are zillions of band that are making records in their home studios and publish them through digital channels, like iTunes, Spotify, Deezer and whatnot. So, in that way it's difficult to get noticed from all the rest. On the other hand, you have the net and lots of cool sites that you can use to promote yourself. In the 80s you just about had stickers or posters to put on the door of the local bar you were playing, now you can promo the gig through Facebook weeks before, and all your fans can be noticed.

A: "Rust On The Rose" has all the hallmarks of a classic rock release and yet here it is 2014! Could you tell us a little about your thought process going into the studio and how you managed to achieve the sound you got?

S: We were really happy with the debut album, so we decided not to change much of the working method for the follow-up. The main idea was to take the lessons learned from the first album and improve for the new album. The most important thing, of course, is to have bunch of good songs to work with.

Right after the first album was ready, we started to work on the new songs, one by one. Every couple of weeks we'd bring a new song for the rehearsals, and many of the songs from "Rust On The Rose" were played on gigs before the actual recording started. So we were well prepared going to studio.

When it comes to the songs, there are some elements that are common to most of them. A typical STUD-song is melodic, energetic, it usually has a cool guitar riff, and the vocals and guitar solos are heartfelt.

Apart from that, there really is not much limits to them. When you compare songs like "Playing To Win", "I Don't Know" and "Break The Chains" for example. They really are different from each other. What really ties them together is Ari's vocals and Mika's guitar sound.

A: Where can fans find out more about STUD and pick up a copy of the new album for themselves?

S: Our Facebook page www.facebook.com/STUDofficial is really the place to get the latest updates from the band. Very soon we will announce where you can pre-order the album. Even though you can get the album from digital channels when it's published, the best way to support the band is to buy a CD.

The CD will be available with worldwide shipping. We'll be also posting samples of the songs to our Facebook pages, so check them out.

A: What's next for the band? Will you be touring behind the new album?

S: There won't be a new album for couple of years, that's for sure. It's now time to take those songs and play them live, and build up the fan base that way too. We are really open to any opportunities to play in front of live audience, and we have already started book gigs to support the album. Releasing our second album is really a dream come true for us, and we are so excited to see how the album will be received by the fans and media. We're going to continue to work hard to present the band to yet larger audiences.

A: I always let artists have the last say. Is there anything else you would like to add or say to your fans?

S: There's so many people around the world that really love rock 'n roll music, just like we do.

If you're one of those, you really should check STUD out, and if you like what you hear, let your friends know about it too. Thanks for having opportunity for this interview, we appreciate it a lot.

Rock on!

Lichtgestalt-Lichtgestalt

Lichtgestalt Music
2014

Lichtgestalt are a four-piece German band that was formed in late 2013 by guitarist Der Heizzer. Besides Der Heizzer it's line-up features vocalist Thomas C. Hertz, bassist Lippmann and drummer Brukke. As much of what is written about Germany's Lichtgestalt is not in English and the band sings in it's native language there isn't much more information to be had about this (slightly) electronic heavy rock/hard metal act beyond those few key facts. Recorded with the help of  Rage guitar player Victor Smolski and sound engineer Martin Buchwalter at Gernhart Sudio in Troisdorf, Germany in May 2014 this self-titled EP features the three tracks "Entfessele den Sturm", "Motorenherz" and "Zölibat". Key points of observation would be something like this: 

1) The vocal work of lead singer Hertz is superb! It's all-around high-class as well as somewhat ghoulish. A win-win as it were. 

2)Vibe-wise this four-piece pumps out hard & heavy rock that reminds me of White Zombie/Rob Zombie. 

3) Guitarist Der Heizzer plays his instrument like he is trying out for Filter or a more traditional heavy metal themed N.I.N. 

4) Despite everything you just read Lichtgestalt are very much a straight-ahead rock/metal act. They are just tweaked here and there.

5) I couldn't put this EP down! It easily won me over with it's razor-blade approach and it's authentic air of originality! The fact that the band sings in their native language adds a unique and satisfying element to the mix. Now I find myself eagerly anticipating a reported full-length album that is in the works!

6) And finally friends when a band's lead singer looks like this you just KNOW that you can't miss!

You can find the band online here: http://www.lichtgestalt.biz/home 
and here: https://www.facebook.com/Lichtgestaltband

Witchingseason-"Spiders" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Heavy rockers would do well to take note. Here's another tasty new treat from my friend Lizzie over at Quite Great PR.  Having already received some fantastic (and damn-straight warranted!) feedback from the likes of Phoenix FM host, Scott Sparx, "blown away by their music!... and couldn’t wait to share them" and advice from Alain Johannes (Them Crooked Vultures, Queens of the Stoneage, Chris Cornell) before one of his shows*, the hard rock trio Witchingseason offer up the freshly-released single "Spiders" with a follow-up single,"Codeine", due to be released on October 1st. Heavily influenced by the likes of Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Screaming Trees, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney and Queens Of The Stone Age this explosive trio is lead by guitarist/vocalist Tom Reynolds with the rhythm section of James Willans and Wayne Summers (bass and drums respectively) rounding out the fold. In a word "Spiders" is HEAVY while the band as a whole comes across as early nineties grunge/alternative rock tumble-dried in 2000 something modern rock. Making this old rocker hit the repeat button a few times, "Spiders" (which can be download on Amazon and iTunes) finds a band that knows how to merge gritty hard rock guitar riffs, post-Black Sabbath bass lines and melodic, Chris Cornell-like lead vocals into one glorious, can't miss (and most assuredly can't help but fall in love with!) rock cruncher with the reported November 10th EP release an event that I will be marking down on my calender! Find these guys on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/Witchingseason

*Alain Johannes was apparently impressed enough by the promise of Witchingseason as he ended up talking to the trio for several hours even buying them a few beers!

SouLost-"Without Me" Single (Sneak peak of the EP "The Way I Feel Pt. 2")

I've always said that when it comes to writing for this blog I'm very fortunate in the fact that I get to hear a lot of cool up and coming new bands. And it certainly helps that I have a wonderful group of friends who work within the industry. I actually have Lizzie from Quite Great PR to thank for turning me onto this London, UK electronic (heavy) rock project. And when it comes to SouLost I like the name, I like the image and I like the sound! That's three out of three my friends! Now, as this is a relatively young act there isn't much of a bio going on, but regardless here it is: "Together since late 2013, Stef, Law and Ceira have brought their different personalities into the studio and developed a fresh and unique sound which draws influences from modern rock and electronica. The deep sense of not belonging and disenchantment in our lyrics finds perfect match in the powerful, yet melodic sound of the band. We share the same passion for music and we love to perform live and connect with people. In fact we believe that one of our strengths lies in the bond that we have established with our fans.". The single that was sent my way ("Without Me") comes from the group's upcoming new EP, "The Way I Feel Pt. 2", and now with the addition of a new member* to help boost the band's sound(!), SouLost does look as it is poised to make 2014 their year of conquest! Having played a bit of the old "rewind and check out the band's earlier recordings" I will say that when it comes to the potential of the new EP the first part of that equation, "The Way I Feel Pt.1", was good, but based upon what I heard from the new single this London collective sure sounds as if it has gone out of it's way to PUMP UP THE VOLUME and (thanks to some improved song-writing and natural development as a band) ROCK THE FREAK OUT! Ceira (vocals), Stef G (guitar / synths) and Law (drums / percussion) started something special when they first joined together and now this heavy rock-based electronic outfit is stepping it up with a sound that I'd suggest is a little bit Evanensense in places only with the added spitfire and flair of Paramore! That's not to say that this London band has anything but an original sound and style going for. Far from it! Up front I'd say that Ceira is ever bit the vocalist as Amy Lee and Hayley Williams (Evanensense and Paramore lead vocalists respectively) and the band as a whole is stylistic and creative! They play as if they are a tight-nit collective and for a band that already been featured on the Best Of British Unsigned playlist and has been gaining airplay in 16 countries(!) the sky really is the limit! Hopefully come Sept 1st (when the new EP is reported to be released) I'll have had a chance to cover more from this fantastic act. In the meantime you can find out more about SouLost and hear some of their cool electronic rock at their official website here:
http://www.soulost.com/

*From the group's Facebook page the new member looks to be bassist Lux.

https://www.facebook.com/soulostofficial/info 

The Black Rain-Water Shape

Atomic Stuff Records
2014

Pure energy. No, we're not talking about that oft-repeated bit from Information Society's catchy "What's On Your Mind". Instead we're going to talk about the Italian band The Black Rain who, despite being born in Bologna in 2002, didn't grow into a proper band until 2010. The thing is by that point the band, which is categorically heads and shoulders above plenty of like-minded bands both in their native country and here is the U.S. (and that's before we even address their top-tier front-man Mirko Greco!), was well on their way towards setting fire to the playing field (or if you will the heavy rock and roll/hard rock scene) by way of well-thought out and (more often then not) heartfelt material. With a 2010 EP entitled "Hot for a Night" having served as the group's debut and then the late 2012 full-length album, "Night Tales", having helped to establish their name the stage was all set for this four-piece to come out swinging and really set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd with their sophomore output. To that end along comes the well-crafted/well-executed "Water Shape" which should do wonders for the ever-growing legacy of this band in their home country as well as serve as a pretty good introduction for the American audiences. From the way in which this disc opens strong with "Shadows" and then hits with "Mesmerize" you'd swear that this was going to end up being one of 2014's better hard rock platters! And that was before the album's first single "Rock 'n' Roll Guy" even kicked in! The track is righteously dedicated to those who still live their lives the rock 'n roll way and if any number is going to put The Black Rain on the charts it's this rocker!With both "Shadows" and "Mesmerize" (two rock and roll laced hard crunchers) grabbing hold of me hook, line and sinker (and by "hook" I mean the gnarly guitar playing of Eugenio Bonifazi and the strong presence of lead singer Mirko Greco) there was absolutely no way in heaven that I could have possibly been expected to see a number like "Rock 'n' Roll Guy" coming. And yet there it was. "Rock 'n' Roll Guy" is the sound of late eighties/early nineties hard rock/hair metal only the difference here is there is none of the long locks associated with said genres or any of the silly lipstick and lace! Instead we get the pleasure of four leather-clad musicians (including the rock-solid rhythm section of  bass player Marco Molteni and drummer Raffaele Marchesini) making magic for heavy rock/hard rock lovers! By the end of "Rock 'n' Roll Guy" I was close to ranking this album as one of the best rock and roll LPs of the last few years! "(S)He's So Amazing", which features Francesco Grandi (former lead singer of Rain) as a guest, did little to stop the enthusiasm I had for "Water Shape" and neither did the somewhat bluesy "Robert Johnson". Five numbers in and I was completely digging these Italian hard rockers whose sound hinted at a wide variety of influences such as (or rather as diverse as!) Collective Soul, Black Label Society, Soundgarden/Audioslave (In fact front-man Mirko Greco comes about as close as he can to being a rustic Italian version of Chris Cornell!), AC/DC, Santana, Billy Idol, Jimi Hendrix, Candlebox, The Black Crowes and even U2 ("King Of Stones" coming across as a hard and heavy version of said Irish rock band!). The versatility on display here is nothing to sleep on. The title of this 11-track album refers to the structure-free status of water and after just one listen to this recently-released album you'll understand the meaning behind that message! The way in which the rest of the disc plays out (check out "Without love" which reminded me of both solo Chris Cornell and solo Rob Thomas!) there really is an amazing amount of variety going on hence the title! The Black Rain probably did not go into the studio with the goal of crafting a Top-10 kind of rock and roll platter, but it's hard to pinpoint a moment that doesn't strive for that vision on "Water Shape"! With that said, "Water Shape" does offer plenty of heavier moments for the hard rock crowd. This one has guitar solos that go out of their way to be wicked as possible (it certainly looks as if they (the almighty riffs that rage on this disc!) are just aching for a good fight and then there are those dynamite rhythms that keep the beat steady, but are anything but restrained! And yes, the band does play as if they are dead set on taking over hard rock/rock and roll or at the very least taking a real chunk out of the scene by way of atomic leads, kick-ass bass and forceful singing that reminds you all at once of the glory of rock and roll as well as rock's dirty underbelly! Simply put this album (as smooth as it can be) feels like a band going a long way towards jam-packed rock/hard rock with slick licks that are (occasionally) disguised as commercial rock. "Water Shape" shakes, rattles and rolls and even offers a few surprises along the way  (no spoilers friends as you need to hear this one ALL THE WAY through in order to reap the full benefits of this particular party! How it is that Atomic Stuff Records can keep finding gems like this band is any one's guess. Somehow/someway the label picks up the scent of cool rock stars in waiting and then snags and bags them before anyone knows what the hell happened! It all seems so unlikely at times that bands like this are still out there. And yet here we are looking at another band with more talent between the four members than anyone can rightly be expected to contain. The Black Rain are a really good find on the part of Atomic Stuff Records and it just goes to show that when this label is tasked with finding their next new and exciting (dare we even say sensational?) act they know how to pick em! Although let's face it friends, that kind of task is much easier when you've got a band who can pair up good hooks with good looks!

So, if you find yourself looking for the next cool thing in hard rock/heavy rock and roll then look no further! Sure, the fine folks over at Atomic Stuff Records will likely get there hands on even more killer acts that happen to reside in Italy. The Black Rain should be leading the way though and doing it with plenty of sizzling guitar riffs and one of the better new front-men out there! You can find these guys online at http://www.blackrainrock.com/   and http://www.atomicstuff.com/ as well as on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Black-Rain/137533619623054 

Free Metal Monday: Gravity Rain-The Shining Silence

Self-Release/Independent
2014

With no reviews posted this past weekend I thought I'd make up for it by posting two great (free) downloads. The first one (a 27 track promo compilation) was just posted and while that release covered a wide-range of artists this "name you're own price" digital download simply covers Russia's own Gravity Rain. Of course that's not to say that there is anything simple about Gravity Rain and/or the music of "The Shinning Silence"! For one thing Gravity Rain isn't so much a band as a mission. And the man behind this mission? Well, that would be Russian songwriter Danny Klaven (vocals/guitars). In his own word's this talented vocalist/songwriter says: "When I was forming this band, I wanted to create music for the rock lovers that is not aggressive, that you could think and somewhat meditate while listening to it, that will have a lot of melody, beautiful vocals, but will retain the power of metal guitars and drums." Sound's good right? Here in Gravity Rain (a project that interesting enough was initially described to me as somewhat of a fusion of Tool and the Devin Townsend Band) Danny enlisted musicians Artyom Kuznetsov (guitars), Dmitry Aleksandrin (bass) and Nikita Kochkin (drums) and the results are pretty solid as far as this three-track EP goes. Mission-wise Danny succeeds as Gravity Rain does have plenty of melody as well as powerful metal guitars and drums.  Gravity Rain could best be described as a cross between  melodic metal and (progressive) power metal and on their bandcamp page (http://gravityrain.bandcamp.com/releases) further mention is made of Staind and In Flames (as far as sound goes). The Staind reference point is actually a good addition to the Tool and Devin Townsend ones as Gravity Rain relies on modern day heavy rock with punch! All told "The Shining Silence" is well-written and performed and for those who enjoy heavy, guitar-punctuated melodic rock/metal a EP like this one should find plenty of fans!

The Four Fours-"Count To Ten" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2014


Hailing from the UK's Derbyshire and featuring members with previous ties to math rock "wonder-band" You Slut! (hence the subtle tip of the hat that is their current name) we have The Four Fours. Or, as the band like's to put it themselves: "We’re The Four Fours, an alternative rock trio from lovely, hilly Derbyshire in the UK". Released this past March, "Count To Ten", which has already received high-praise and seen plenty of airplay from there home country to here in the states, is a single from said three-piece band that will see an official release on July 14th (three days after I turn 41!) as a double A-side release "Messing with History". It's also a number that should be foreshadowed by a public service announcement that says something akin to "Attention all rads and rockers, attention all rads and rockers" (something that is more effective I'll admit if you use the mall speaker voice from the original "Dawn of the Dead" (the "Attention all shoppers" piece that plays after Peter and Roger turn all the switches on at the mall) instead of my voice which is sort of all tired and horse from playing video games and screaming about in the pool with my teens all day!). But yeah, anytime I make a "Dawn of the Dead" reference in a review it's a good thing (even if it's really random and off the wall like this) and with "Count To Ten", which you can preview via it's official (D.I.Y.-Style!) video here: . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmlbdfezEs4&feature=youtu.be, we're talking all kinds of crazy good fun! Wearing primate masks(!) these Derbyshire rockers give their "Count To Ten" a nice look while the song is more (heavy) garage rock then anything. "Count To Ten" is kind of catchy, sort of crunchy and really more indicative of the fun-loving underground rock scene of the nineties then today (vibe-wise as it's assuredly modern in structure and would knock the daylights out of the likes of the Foo Fighters and their kind!), but it's a great listen all the same! That's kind of the gist of what we have going on with The Four Fours and their "Count To Ten" and hopefully I'll be able to cover that Double-A single when it drops!
http://thefourfours.com/

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

High Sprits-You Are Here

Hells Headbangers
2014

Chicago's High Spirits were a recent discovery of mine having just reviewed their self-titled 7" single last month. It's worth noting that immediately after hearing that single I went out and bought the band's back catalog! While the single (linked below you'll find said review) will be released later this month you'll have to wait a little while for "You Are Here" as it will come out in the middle of next month. Not to worry though as it will be well worth the wait! With "You Are Here" the same kind of high-energy heavy rock/heavy metal that I came to love thanks to the self-titled single (and the rest of the group's HIGHLY recommend back catalog!) is pushed straight up front and into the limelight with group founder/leader Chris Black (Aktor, Dawnbringer, Pharaoh, Superchrist, ex-Nachtmystium) further proving just how freakin' talented he is! Now, despite being active since 2009 this is only the group's second full-length release, but that can be forgiven given Chris's busy schedule. Of course there has been plenty of recorded material to pop up in the inbetween years besides just the two full-lengths and the previously mentioned single. With numerous demos, a compilation, another single and one EP it's been a crazy journey for this Chicago-based band, but "You Are Here" shows that it's all been worth it! A more melodic outfit then one might expect given Chris Black's day jobs, High Spirits is nonetheless never short of crazy addictive hooks when it comes right down to it and on "You Are Here" Chris time warps back to another time and place when real, (heavy rockin') rock-flavored metal could still be found on the FM radio and band's like High Spirits would play the local club every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night! Opener "When the Lights Go Down" and it's follow-up "I Need Your Love" are (early) catchy favorites, but this album never lets up giving the listener plenty to love thanks to hook-heavy numbers like the awesome "One Thousand Nights", "The Last Night", "Can You Hear Me" and "I Will End". Things wrap up nicely with the band's own "High Spirits" serving as last call. Recalling the music of my youth, "High Spirits" features fuzzed out guitars and lovingly-appropriate and truly appreciated nods towards eighties heavy rock/heavy metal all while reminiscing about many a club band that never quite made it from the garage to the stage and then to the big times. Awash with elements of not only seventies and eighties rock and metal, but also moments of N.W.O.B.H.M. worship album number two for High Spirits comforts you like a childhood friend while rewarding you with guitar-driven music for the night ahead! An album like this one is meant for those long summer nights when you have your friends over, you have your favorite gal in your arms (and your favorite cold one in your hands!) and you just want to live in the moment and never let go. God bless High Spirits for that as this is the real soundtrack for those of us old enough to remember when heavy rock and classic metal was made by fans for fans!!!

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2014/03/high-spirits-high-spirits-7.html