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...

Waste Pipes-Fake Mistake

Atomic Stuff Promotion/Andromeda Dischi
2016

Formed back in 2003 by some high school age friends (and amazingly enough still featuring the same line-up after all these years!), Waste Pipes is a (melodic yet slightly-aggressive) hard rock and roll band from Italy with a handful of releases to it's name. Released on February 27th of this year, "Fake Mistake" is the latest full-length recording from this Turin-based band and (without mincing words) it is absolutely brilliant! Opening by way of the rock-steady "Headstrong", "Fake Mistake" (which is incidentally available on CD and as a digital download) is the sound of one hungry five-piece band that has finally struck studio gold! Waste Pipe's new album includes nine highly-creative & perfectly executed numbers and it's all from the youthful team of Chris (vox), Kina (guitar), Guarro (guitar), Lava (bass), and Boe (drums). On "Fake Mistake" you'll witness the full potential of this up-and-coming Italian rock band that has slowly but steadily grown from being one of Turin's best kept secrets into something much bigger and ultimately better!! With influences that range from classic rock (AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Led Zeppelin, The Cult, Queen, and ZZ Top!) to all things alternative* (everything from The Killers and Linkin Park to the Buzzcocks, The Church, The Clash, Radio Birdman, and even Midnight Oil!!) there is so much to love about "Fake Mistake" even if there is one track in particular that really sticks out. That song would be the catchy "Stay The Night" which has HUGE SUCCESS written all over it! Hands down this potential hit single in the making is the best song of the lot and you can check out the official video for it by heading here. The third track on the group's newest release, "Stay The Night" is one of those songs that will get stuck in your head and leave with with no choice but to sing it over and over again! Even so, "Stay The Night" is just one of the many wonders that awaits listeners on the brand new studio album from Waste Pipes. In-between the aforementioned "Headstrong" and this albums closing cut, "Bad Growing", you have plenty of other great moments ("Fire Below", "The Loser Song", "For All The Time We Waste", "Not Enough", and "Little Devils Scratched My Ears") thus making the band's new studio album a instant classic! Strong musicianship and top of the line songwriting like this doesn't come along every day and even when it does it is never as honest and sincere as Waste Pipes is. When you get right to Waste Pipes has a ton of potential so it would be an absolute tragedy if this graceful and heartfelt band wasn't given a chance to share their music on a bigger stage. Here's hoping they get that chance.... 

The Murder Of My Sweet-Beth Out Of Hell

Frontiers Music srl
2015

Formed in 2006 by drummer, keyboardist and producer Daniel Flore, The Murder of My Sweet is a charismatic metal band that is based in Stockholm, Sweden and well known for the stunning voice of front-woman Angelica Rylin. Back in 2012 I covered this band's wonderful sophomore album, "Bye Bye Lullaby", and now this sensational group is back with a new concept album and a new band-member in bass player Patrik Janson (Platitude). Self-described by band founder (and all-out rocker!) Daniel Flores as "an apocalyptic love story between good and evil", "Beth Out Of Hell" is both a expected return (in terms of this band's high-class cinematic heavy style and their overall top-notch ability as songwriters and performers) and an unexpected return (not only has The Murder Of My Sweet grown as a band in the songwriting department, but album number ends up being a slightly heavier and more dynamic experience!!!!). In addition to the already mentioned players, "Beth Out Of Hell" (which incidentally is a title that I flat out dig!) features the key work of guitarist Christopher Vetter (a highly-underrated musician is you ask me!) as well as voice actors and a children's choir! It works well with the band's rather distinct cinematic nature (everything from the band's name to their sound is heavily inspired by movie scores) and the (by now familiar) symphonic metal and heavy rock elements that The Murder Of My Sweet has become known for. Granted this is also a band that likes to sprinkle classic heavy metal and melodic hard rock into the mix so there is never a dull moment to be had when it comes to sitting down with this exquisite lot! With all of that in the mind here's the final score. Album number three is the album that should make people stand up and take notice of this Swedish metal band. Somehow The Murder Of My Sweet has improved upon what was already perfection and in the process they have given their fans a classic album in the making. Because of the obvious care that went into the making of this new album it is a release that is grand in scope and vision. It is all at once a thoroughly complex and technically amazing release and one that shows off this group's ability to write enchanting music. In a nutshell "Beth Out Of Hell" is a album that is chock full of style and substance and it's one of those great metal releases that should appeal to a wide range of tastes. To the band I say welcome back and congrats on this sweeping release! And to all our readers I suggest not only getting this album when it drops in August, but if you get a chance to experience this band live then by all means DO IT!

The V-Now or Never

Frontiers Music srl
2015

"Now or Never" will drop on July 10th and you had to have known that this would eventually happen. It's just surprising that it took this long. After all we are talking about one hell of a singer here! And there's no way that you could have kept her out of the main spotlight forever! Just in case you're in the dark I'm talking about Veronica "The V" Freeman releasing her own solo album. Yes, that's Veronica Freeman of Benedictum fame and here on "Now or Never" she's leaving the past behind and finally stepping up so that she can fulfill her true destiny. Veronica Freeman is a real, honest to goodness solo artist. In much the same way it took Doro leaving Warlock and both Joan Jett and Lita Ford stepping away The Runaways, Veronica Freeman has move beyond the band that helped make her a household name and finally come into her own. That is should she ultimately decide to take hold of the opportunity. All loyalties aside, "The V" (as Veronica is now known solo project) is simply too good to be held back by Benedictum. For her sake I do hope that she sees that. On the fittingly-titled "Now or Never" The V worked with various songwriters and a huge list of guest musicians in order to create a perfect solo outing. And really that's "Now or Never" in a nutshell. The V's solo debut is jam packed with great melodic hard rock songs that are well-written and proudly executed and there are more than a few numbers here that will ultimately get stuck in your head for ages! Other than the numbers "King For A Day"*, "Love Should Be To Blame"**, and "Again"**, "Now or Never" was produced by John Herrera and from that stand-point you simply can't go wrong! The production on "Now or Never" is top notch and everything falls into place nicely. Obviously Veronica is the album's main point of focus, but even as powerful and passionate as her voice is it never overshadows the album's instrumentation. That's a comforting thought given the (impressive) who's who list of guest musicians (see below) on "Now or Never"! To name just a few we have Michael Sweet (Stryper), Gary Bordonaro (The Rods), Jeff Pilson (Dio, Dokken, Foreigner, etc.), Jimmy Durkin (Dark Angel) and Mick Tucker (Tank). The album opens strong with "Again" and this fantastic number helps set up the disc's great title track and before long you release you've heard three killer cuts in a row by way of "Roller Coaster"! That said, "Now or Never" is really one good song after enough and although I do have my favorites ("Again", "Line In The Sand", "Love Should Be To Blame", "Kiss My Lips", "Spellbound", and "Below Zero") this is easily a album that you could listen to all the way through without every hitting "Skip"! As varied as the guests are on this album (Michael Sweet and Jimmy Durkin?) the music of "Now or Never" is actually fairly consistent. It's essentially hard rock/melodic heavy metal that's been maxed out by Grade A Rock and topped off by Veronica's sensational voice! I will say this. While Veronica Freeman has always been a great hard rock/melodic metal singer (she has the potential to be one of metal's all-time greats!) I really fell in love with her voice on "L.O.V.E." (no pun intended!). On this rock-steady track you will discover that all of a sudden Veronica has adopted the role of rock singer. Not a metal singer. No, she is a rock singer. As in rock and roll. And she is drop-dead sensational in this role! Could The V conquer heavy metal and rock? It's a good question and one that I'd like to ponder. Either way this upcoming album is a deal-breaker. The V needs to be doing her own thing and she should not let anyone hold her back. "Now or Never" is all the proof you need to make that judgment call and if you're a fan of Veronica then this CD will merely reaffirm what you already knew. 



*"King For A Day" was produced by Kenny Lewis.
 
**"Again" and "Love Should Be To Blame" were produced by Michael Sweet.

"Now or Never" Line-up:
 
Veronica Freeman – Lead Vocals
 
Leather Leone – Duet Vocals  on "Kiss my Lips"
 
Tony Martin - Duet Vocals on "King For A Day"
 
Meliesa McDonell- Additional vocals on "Starshine" & Acoustic Guitars
 
Pete Wells, Michael Sweet, Peter Tentindo, Jimmy Durkin, Mick Tucker, Jordan Ziff, and Michael Harris  – Guitars

 Jeff Pilson, Mel Brown, Garry Bordonaro, Aric Avina, John O’Boyle & Mike Lepond- Bass

 Derek Kerswill- Drums
 

Saints Trade-Robbed In Paradise

Logic(Il)Logic Records/Andromeda Dischi
2015

This is the second of two really solid promos that I received from my good friends over at Atomic Stuff Promotion and Logic(Il)Logic Records. I covered the first one back on February 26th and while the self-titled Embryo album was all about extreme & melodic death metal (and good extreme metal/melodic death metal at that!) this new one from Saints Trade is Grade A hard rock through and through! First formed in Bologna in 2009, with their first Roberto Priori (Dangerzone) produced min-album, "A Matter Of Dreams", appearing in 2012 to positive reviews, Saints Trade is first and foremost a product of the eighties hard rock scene. Musically-speaking the group's first-full length album here, "Robbed In Paradise", plays like a tribute to the glory days of hard rock with the only differences being A) A overall sound that is much-improved by modern production standards and B) A lack of ozone-killing big hair! 

There's no need to whip out the hairspray for this classy hard rock four-piece!

Otherwise this is one band that is literally soaked to the bone with the sound of radio-friendly 80's hard rock. But you know what? It's all good when it comes to this band and that's simply because they do the job that they were born to do and they do it with such enthusiasm that you can't help but smile at the end results! Even though this hard rock band has seen it's far share of line-up changes you wouldn't know it. If you were just going by the sounds of "Robbed In Paradise" then you would be excused for thinking that this four-piece band featured all original members with ten plus years of experience together! The band's delivery is that smooth and the chemistry on display here simply can't be beat! Comprised of lead singer Santi Libra, guitarist Claus, bass player Matteo Angelini and drummer Joana Lachkova, Saints Trade is aided here on their 11-track debut album once more by the great Roberto Priori. Not only does this Danger Zone member handle this album's glossy production job, but he also contributes guitar duties on "The Game". Also contributing guitar parts is the one and only Tommy Denander (Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper, Toto, Robin Beck, House Of Lords…) and this highly-talented Swedish guitarist makes himself known on the album's third track, "Inside". Along with the stylish keyboard performances from Pier Mazzini (Perfect View) these two guest guitarists merely add to the overall enjoyment of "Robbed In Paradise". For fans of radio-friendly hard rock and even guitar-oriented AOR this album would be a wise pick-up! Find out more either here
on the band's Facebook page or at their official page.

Danger Zone-Fire Fire (Single)

Self-Release/Independent
2014

It's been two years since we last heard from Italy's Danger Zone. The thing is, based solely on the high quality melodic rock/hard rock that fans (incl. yours truly!) have come to know and love so much from this Bologna-based group, that seems like more of an eternity! Formed in 1980 (with highly skilled guitarist Roberto Priori serving time as the sole original member!) and known as much for the cult 1984 release, "Victim Of Time" (one EP that I have long dreamed of seeing it get a proper* CD release!) as they are for their excellent 2012 comeback album, "Undying" (with a handful of demo recordings and the very cool "Line Of Fire" nicely sandwiched in-between the two proper studio releases) Danger Zone has long been the type of band that is lovingly embraced by those in the know while (sadly) mainstream success seems to be just beyond the group's reach. One can only hope that the future holds better things for Roberto Priori and his brother's in arms as Danger Zone, which is lead by Giacomo Gigantelli (Spitfire) and (as of this fantastic cover song) has "officially" welcomed new bassist Matteo Minghetti into the fold (with long-time drummer Paolo Palmieri (as wonderful as ever) rounding things out) is simply far too talented and way too good to be ignored forever! Maybe the group's next release (reportedly in the works and rumored to be issued later this year or early 2015) will finally open some eyes & ears to this band's full-potential? In the meantime Danger Zone has released this digital single as a means to tide over fans and possibly hint at what is in store for the new album. Originally performed by Japanese band EZO and often-times covered by Danger Zone on the live stage, "Fire Fire" is a damn near perfect choice of covers for these Italian hard rockers seeing as it's chock full of contagious riffs and it hits the listener from all these different directions at once! Available on iTunes as well as Amazon, "Fire Fire" initially slipped past me someone how this summer but I've more then made up for that oversight by BLASTING (!) this hot slab of hard rock fury over and over again since just discovering it this past Friday! You can check out them video for this hell-raising rock number right below and if you are not entirely  familiar with this highly-underrated Italian group then be sure to check out any of links that I've posted below!

 

*There is a bootleg split CD by Revenge of True Metal Records floating around, but more then anything I would love to see this incredible EP re-mastered and re-packaged with some bonus demo material and possibly even "I Can't Live Without You" from the 1987 compilation album Metalmaniac!

Links:

"Line Of Fire" review:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2011/04/danger-zone-line-of-fire.html

Article about "Victim Of Time":
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/05/forgotten-gems-danger-zone-victim-of.html

Review of 2012's "Undying":
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/10/danger-zone-undying.html

Kolony-"Echoes" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2014

With a full album slated for sometime in 2014, Montréal-based Kolony recently released the single "Echoes". Along with "Anthem", another single from their upcoming album titled "Sledge" with a decidedly modern heavy rock meets N.W.O.B.H.M. take on Metallica (if the Bay Area bunch was keen on folk metal that is!), "Echoes" carries itself rather nicely and points toward what will most-likely be a rather solid offering (if the album teaser posted below is anything to go by). Self-dubbed "melodic rock metal", which seems rather fitting given the solid footing of the hard-driving "Echoes", the band is fronted by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Reno and rounded out by lead guitarist/backing vocalist Maxxx, bassist/backing vocalist Myk and drummer Anthony. 

You can hear both "Echoes" and the band's other single "Anthem" in their entirety below (both of which are well-crafted examples of just how effective modern rock/heavy can be when played by a bunch of fun-loving guys drawing from all thing early eighties!) as well as get a sneak-peak at "Sledge", and album that (hopefully) I'll be able to secure for review!
 "Echoes"
http://kolony.bandcamp.com/ 

"Anthem"
http://kolony.bandcamp.com/track/anthem

Album teaser:
http://kolony.bandcamp.com/track/kolony-sledge-album-teaser

Forgotten Gems: Madison-Diamond Mistress

You'll have to forgive me, but I haven't the foggiest idea when or even how this CD ended up in my collection. It just so happened that one day while I was looking for another album to cover for "Forgotten Gems" I came across "Diamond Mistress". Oddly enough the other release that I was looking for (which has now slipped my mind) was from a band from Sweden. Well, maybe that isn't all that odd as Sweden has produced scores of great bands and (indirectly) albums that are worthy of being called gems. But, that's neither here nor there and right now we're talking about the group Madison and this release which was their 1984 debut album. Originally this album was released on Rixi and unlike a lot of other bands that we've covered in "Forgotten Gems" the band Madison released more material after this. The band, which was formed in 1983 when two other acts (Regent and Destiny) merged together, was fronted by well-known Swedish vocalist Göran Edman. Besides fronting Madison on both of their full-length albums (the other one being 1986's "Best In Show") Göran Edman played with Yngwie Malmsteen, Headless, Jayce Landberg, Richard Andersson, Shadrane, Signum Regis, Time Requiem, John Norum, Street Talk, Kharma, Crossfade (EU), XsavioR, Johansson, Mårran, Vindictiv, Brazen Abbot, Karmakanic and Vinnie Vincent Invasion. That's some track record right? While with Madison Göran sounded great. Or at least on their debut album as that seems to be as far as I've gotten with this Swedish heavy metal band. Of course if you've ever heard him sing on any of the countless other albums that he has contributed to then you'll already be familiar with his powerful set of lungs. If not though then this album is as good a place to start as ever as he sounds killer here! In addition to lead vocalist Göran the band featured future Swedish Erotica member Danne "Dan" Stomberg (who wrote most of the music on "Diamond Mistress" album) on guitars as well as guitarist/backing vocalist Anders Karlson, bassist/backing vocalist Conny Sundquist  and drummer/backing vocalist Peter Fredrickson. On "Diamond Mistress", which keep in mind was released in 1983, there are a few ballads ("Pictures Return" and "Changes". Neither of which threaten to ruin the party or anything by the way), but otherwise this is easily one of the better (unknown) examples of  early heavy metal in all of it's beautiful glory! Helping that argument out is one of the finer opening cuts that you could ever hope to have on an album, "Lay Down Your Arms"! This is classic heavy metal in it's purest form and from the album's opener we are treated to an album that moves along at a brisk pace all while reminding listeners why it is exactly that 80's heavy metal still holds a very special place in our hearts! Easily comparable to early Europe, Treat (although Madison is much heavier), 220 Volta, Spellbound (Swedish version), Fate and the like (as well as offering up diverse spots on "Diamond Mistress" that echo everyone from early Mötley Crüe to MSG and even Judas Priest!) the album features so many cool tracks besides just that killer opener! "Sneakers". "Don´t Go" and the title track are all splendid and then the album closes out almost as good as it started with "Turn Me Loose"! "Diamond Mistress" is a bit of a long shot as far as if it will ever get it's proper due respect, but at least it has shown up on CD and isn't all that hard to actually track down! For fans of early eighties metal this one is a must-buy as everything gels together perfectly from Göran Edman's powerful voice to great guitarists who were long on talent! Madison's "Diamond Mistress" might be a mysterious album due to the fact that I have no clue how I came to possess it, but it's certainly not a mystery when I can and will gladly recommended!

Pretty Wild-Pretty Wild

Dead End Exit Records
2014

Pretty wild or fairly mild? That is the real question when it comes to Swedish four-piece. As the album opened with the oddly tame (given it's name and all) "Are You Ready" one has to wonder. Formed in 2006 (and splitting their time between Malmoe and Stockholm) Pretty Wild offer up this self-titled,14 song album as the follow-up to 2008's "All The Way". At first these guys, who are lead by Ivan Ivve Höglund, came across as sort of a lightweight Mötley Crüe meeting up with Autograph on the fairground circuit in an attempt at one more shot at glory. Make that arena rock glory. No wait, make that AOR glory. Or is it melodic rock glory? Maybe glam metal glory? With this bunch you're never quite sure as it seems as if they are not so sure easy as to where they want to go with this thing. That's not good folks. But thankfully (as the album moves along and the group starts to settle in) it's more like it's a little of this (Peter Frampton, Billy Squier, Journey, Kiss) and a little of that (Poison, Enuff Z'Nuff ) and while it's not great or anything it's much better then the early part of this album suggests. Not all of it mind you, but there are a couple of key moments where it looks as if they will be able to pull it all out of the fire. For sure there are some saving grace moments that help this band out a lot such as guitarist Axl Ludwig. He keeps "Pretty Wild" interesting by mixing up his leads. While a lot of what he plays would fit in perfectly well with the melodic rock/arena rock crowd and even the AOR scene he is able to punch things up when called for. "Staring At The Sun" for example finds Axl rolling out some (heavy) glam metal licks and he easily proves his worth as a shred guitarist. Of course following that up with a wimpy number like "High Enough" just kills any momentum whatsoever, but what can you do? If they stuck to that one area (the heavy rock/melodic hard rock/glam metal) and had more cuts like "Staring At The Sun" and "Wildheart" (which kind of sounds like an AOR version of Skid Row) this one would probably be stellar. They just don't though which drags this album down like a lead balloon. Does anyone really want to hear what Poison and Nelson would sound like if they jammed together? I can't imagine so. And yet that s exactly what it's like on "Come Out Tonight"! Mixing up your music is cool and all and Lord knows I like variety as much as the next person. But when things end up as either really good or just flat-out lame it makes it hard to keep your level of enthusiasm up for an album like this. Sure, there is a built-in crowd for bands like Pretty Wild and I'm sure that bunch will adore this sophomore release. For me though there were too many holes and not enough heavy hitters to justify recommended the whole album!


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pretty-Wild/167197552707?fref=ts 

Revolution Road-Revolution Road

Avenue Of Allies
2013

Revolution Road, which was a dream project conceived of by producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Hardline, Lionville, Fergie Frederiksen) and Avenue Of Allies label owner Gregor Klee, is not so much a full-fledged band as it is a vehicle to showcase the talents of Snakes In Paradise/Company Of Snakes vocalist Stefan Berggren. That much should be made clear up front. This ten track, self-titled release was apparently first worked on during the fall and winter of 2011/2012 with (I assume) principle recording taking place this year. Besides lead vocalist Stefan Berggren and Alessandro Del Vecchio (who handles keyboards on the album as well as contributing some fantastic Hammond B3 parts!) the project was helped along by guitarists Carmine Martone & Francesco Marras, bassist Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) and drummer Francesco Jovine (U.D.O., Sapphire Eyes, Hardline, Skill In Veins). Additional personal includes former Snakes In Paradise members/guitarists Stefan Jonsson & Thomas Jaakobsson, guitarist Marcus Jidell (Royal Hunt, Dougie White, Alfonzetti) and Voodoo Circle's Alex Beyrodt (Sinner, Primal Fear) who guests on one of the album's better moments, "Ain't Gonna Give My Heart Away". If my notes are all in order that's the "who" of this album so what is the "what" then? Well, the "band" is self-described as "Classic Hard Rock with a touch of Melodic Rock and AOR". But, as I see it Revolution Road comes across as Journey meets Whitesnake with a Swedish vocalist at the helm! While I'd wager that the band's name, the album's artwork and the label that "Revolution Road" is being released on probably doesn't install a whole lot of confidence in most of our readers there is a few moments when this debut album really takes off. For example, "Losing You" sounds a little like an AOR version of Ratt while "Hold On" is simply smokin' classic rock at it's finest! It would be so easy to be cynical about a album like this (especially as far too many group's these days in the melodic rock/AOR field are as fluffy and fake as Cuddles the fabric softener bear!) there are some good ideas on "Revolution Road" such as the title, the (somewhat) gritty "Take Your Love To Town" and the album's closing number, "Balloon". Of course you will need to be able to appreciate the sounds of AOR, melodic rock, "hair-teased" hard rock and yes, this group's modern take on classic rock (which seems a bit like an oxymoron I'll admit). Also, for every good cut there are some real clunkers on "Revolution Road" like the album's first two tracks, "Wings Of Love" and "Shooting Star," respectively and the obligatory semi-ballad,  "Pretending Hearts". If you can ignore those few misfires then "Revolution Road" is actually an alright album..

Fate-If Not For The Devil

Avenue Of Allies
2013

 
The Danish band Fate, whose self-titled, full-length debut I had at one point on LP, first sprung to life back in 1984 when former Merciful Fate guitarist Hank Shermann (René Krolmark) hooked up with Maxim Reality vocalist Jeff "Lox" Limbo (Jens Meinert), bassist / keyboardist player Pete Steiner (Peter Steincke) and drummer Bob Lance (Bjarne Holm). Since then the group, which currently features the sole original member Pete Steiner, has released six studio-albums and one compilation, 2010's "Best Of Fate - 25 Years". But while the band was a hit with fans they just couldn't sustain the momentum it sounds like. Three or so years after releasing their forth studio album, 1990's "Scratch 'n' Sniff", Fate would end up calling it a day and go on hiatus for awhile. It was in 2004, after a one-off show, that the Fate name was finally resurrected and brought back to life. Now we find ourselves with studio-album number eight in the form of "If Not For The Devil". With the same line-up in place that recorded 2011's "Ghosts From The Past", which (even though I have not heard it for myself) sounds as if it was well-received, Fate has a fine new album on their hands and one that should go over big with their fans! Even though I'm not the world's foremost expect of melodic rock/melodic heavy metal, or for that matter the biggest fan of said genres, this one worked it's magic on me from the opening notes of "Reaping". "If Not For The Devil" proved to be one of those releases that I found myself longing to return to. Highlights have to include lead vocalist Dagfinn Joensen whose voice simply shines on album number eight. Have you ever had the pleasure of  coming across an album where it sounds as if the lead vocalist was custom-assembled by the gods and then dropped right from heaven into the studio? If not then now is your chance. Dagfinn's voice is in perfect sync with Fate's brand of melodic rock/melodic heavy metal and his singing is just superb. Just as bad singers can break a band, good singers can make one. And with Dagfinn's voice in the center spotlight Fate has made it! Besides the perfect lead vocals it's the killer guitar playing of Torben Enevoldsen (Section A) that really contributes to the successful nature of Fate's new album. The solos from Torben are the stuff that melodic rock wet dreams are made of and his skills are never in question throughout this new album. With Peter Steincke on bass, Mikkel  Henderson on keyboards and Jens Berglid on drums the band has a strong line-up in place on "If Not For The Devil". The consistent line-up proves to be a keen selling point for Fate's new disc as does the fact that the group (once again) had Jacob Hansen (Pretty Maids, Volbeat, Amaranthe) mix and master the material on "If Not For The Devil". For those that love melodic rock and melodic metal this album is an easy enough recommendation although that description, melodic rock and melodic metal, does need to be clarified a little. Sure enough the album brings some of the best melodic rock and melodic metal to the forefront of the genre, but there is enough hard rock on this album to satisfy those listeners who like things a tiny bit "louder". Of course in the same breath I should mention that they keyboards often give some of the songs a AOR flavor, but the guitar playing of Torben and the solid rhythm section that's provided by Peter Steincke and Jens Berglid (bass and drums respectively) still keeps the party rocking! Fate might not be for the really heavy group, but for everyone else "If Not For The Devil" could prove to be a real hit!

N.W.O.B.H.M. WEDNESDAY: STRATUS

It was in the early part of 1983 when Clive Burr, in what many people mistook as a sign that he would be taking a much-needed break from the music industry, laid down his drum sticks and put Iron Maiden behind him. That wasn't the case though as Clive, who was actually fired by Iron Maiden and replaced by the group's current drummer, Nicko McBrain, went right from Iron Maiden into the French band Trust. As Nicko McBrain himself had previously played with Trust it proved to be an "interesting" event for Clive Burr as the two drummers essentially swapped places! After helping them (Trust) out in the studio for awhile, and even taking some time to record with the "super group" Gogmagog (also featuring former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Annohe!), Burr decided that he wanted to form his own group. To that end fortune smiled on him as three top-notch musicians in Tino Troy (lead guitar and vocals), Chris Troy (bass and vocals) and Bernie Shaw (lead vocals), having recently become unemployed following the break-up of Praying Mantis, would fall right into Burr's lap. Originally going by the dreadful (and thankfully soon abandoned) name of "Clive Burr's Escape" the group, though sadly short-lived, would eventually be rounded out by keyboardist Alan Nelson with "Throwing Shapes" serving as their own and only release. Admittedly I knew little of Stratus before re-watching (for the first time in 25 years!) the Troma Entertainment "classic" film "Class of Nuke 'Em High". While looking to see who played a particular band during a scene that takes place at a college frat party (it ended up being The Smithereens oddly enough!) I happened to stumble across a reference to Stratus. Although I didn't catch it on my first (or rather latest) viewing of the film, sure enough Stratus actually played on movie's soundtrack! The band's number "Run For Your Life", which is also on the group's lone album, is featured on the soundtrack and, after heading over to Youtube to check out some other music by this N.W.O.B.H.M. act I went ahead and ordered a copy of 1985's "Throwing Shapes" off of Amazon. Now, even though drummer Clive Burr had just left Iron Maiden, and even Trust for that matter, the music found within "Throwing Shapes" proved to be more in line with what the Troy brothers were well known for. In other words, smooth and melodic British hard rock/heavy metal that takes it's cues, including splashy keyboards and an overly commercialized production, from AOR! The thing is even by Praying Mantis standards the band was way more mellow then anyone (press and fans of both Iron Maiden and Praying Mantis) could have imagined. In a way the album also comes off as more like Bernie Shaw's previous band  Grand Prix or even groups like Statetrooper, Tobruk and Briar. The thing is, in spite of all of that and in spite of the fact that the group's one and only album was more then likely initially dismissed by both fans and critics alike, I actually quite like the band. Sure, they are rather commercialized and even a bit "fluff" in places, but as an alternative to the heavier side of the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement it works. Or at least it works for me. You've got a top-tier vocalist here and musicians who know all to well how to craft melodic rock. The track from the movie soundtrack might have been my first exposure, but the album as a whole I found to be rather enjoyable. For melodic rock fans this band is worth a listen and you can find their "Throwing Shapes" album on sites like Amazon and iTunes. While they didn't last long past this album's release, they are still another sign of just how far-reaching the whole N.W.O.B.H.M. scene was (variety-why) and are an example of how, just when you think you've heard everything that the scene has to throw at you, there are always new acts to discover from the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement! 

Harem Scarem-Mood Swings II

Frontiers Records
2013


Up until maybe a few years back, 3 or 4 max, I was not at all familiar with the name Harem Scarem. A huge part of that had to do with the fact that the band was more popular in their native land and in places like Japan then here in the states. Even though this hard rock band's 1991 self-titled debut album sold well and they scored a hit on the Canadian single chart with "Slowly Slipping Away" (it ended up reaching number No. 25 on the charts back in their home country) they must not have made too much of an impact in the U.S. Or at least not in my part of the U.S. The thing is I actually played connect the dots from the band Blind Vengeance to Harem Scarem. Both lead vocalist Harry Hess and guitarist Pete Lesperance played in Blind Vengeance (which was more of a heavy metal band then Harem Scarem) before teaming up with Darren Smith (drums) and Mike Gionet (bass) to form this band in 1987. After releasing their self-titled debut album in 1991 Harem Scarem released their second album, "Mood Swings" in 1993. Reportedly the band was originally active between 1987 and 2008 before reforming in 2013. It seems as if one of their goals once they reformed then was to go back, re-record that album's 11 tracks all over again and, after adding three new bonus tracks, re-release it in time for it's 20th  anniversary. Fair enough. Now, seeing as I'm still not all that familiar with this group (I have heard quite a bit of their debut album, but not this one) this re-release is new to me. The three new tracks, "World Goes To Pieces", "Anarchy" and "Brighter Day", were all written in such a way as to perfectly blend with the original album. Mission accomplished there I'd say! Also, it is worth mentioning that this 20th anniversary edition of "Mood Swings" include a "making of " video (which I have not seen) and is also set to have four songs broken down into individual audio tracks. the idea being that fans can re-mix the four tracks or play along with the songs. Rather nifty idea right? As far as my take on the album? A few bands come to mind such as Sweet, Whitesnake, Hardline, Night Ranger, Headpins, Def Leppard and Giant. Then again, this band had/has the wild ability to go from near hard rock/hair metal bliss (think sweet rock licks along the lines Van Halen or early Extreme) to AOR (Styx, Night Ranger) and back all without breaking a sweat! Smooth harmonies and hard rock riffs. Imagine that! This was definitely a band that captured the better moments of hard rock/hair metal scene (no doubt leftover from band's Blind Vengeance days) and knew just how to add the right amounts of AOR and traditional rock in order to get a "Best Of Both Words" sound. Why they didn't make it here in the states then is a mystery. Maybe they can this time around. They still have the drive I figure and the musicians involved with "Mood Swings II" (especially Harry Hess) still sound great. It doesn't seem, or rather sound, as if they've aged much. That's both weird and cool. It's funny how some musicians/singers can pull that off while others (by this late in the game) sound like absolute train wrecks! Anyway, besides original members Harry Hess (lead vocals) and Pete Lesperance (who handles both guitar and bass on these re-recorded tracks) you have Creighton Doane on drums and Darren Smith who, in addition to providing background vocals on this album, takes over the lead singer role on "Sentimental Blvd". I know that a lot of these re-recorded/re-worked albums get a bad rap (especially from me!), but these songs sound fresh and come off as remarkably relevant! I could easy hear these tunes being cranked out on rock radio. Hell, they would be a welcome change from a lot of the garbage that's in heavy rotation these days! This one is for the fans first and foremost obviously, but then again you don't have to know all there is to know about this bunch in order to enjoy "Mood Swings II". All that's needed is the desire to hear some cool hard rock/AOR.

Ghost Avenue-Ghost Avenue

Pitch Black Records
2013

Ghost Avenue, who were formerly known as simply Ghost, were formed in 2002. I'll take a wild stab in the dark here and guess that the name change had something to do with the fact that they were being overshadowed by the Swedish band Ghost (who have now changed names to Ghost B.C.). It's more perception then reality though (the one Ghost overshadowing the other Ghost) as Ghost Avenue, especially when it comes to this self-titled release, offers up a fresh take on melodic heavy metal as we'll soon see. This self-titled, 11-track LP, is the follow-up to Ghost Avenue's 2010 debut-album, "The Engraving". While that album was self-produced and self-released, which didn't stop it at all from receiving good reviews, this new disc was mixed and mastered by Vagelis Maranis at Maranis Studios in Germany. Getting extra help in the studio has only helped this group from the looks of it as this 11-track recording features one catchy track after another. Up front you've got lead vocalist Kim Sandvik who, just like many other hard rock and heavy metal singers who have come before him, has a voice that is forceful enough for guys to get into (this is heavy metal after all) and yet his voice is also smooth enough that one could easily see girls swooning over him. If that doesn't make you think of 80's hard rock and heavy metal bands then I'm not sure would! He has that same kind of raw sexuality/animal magnetism that made bands like Van Halen, Skid Row, Mötley Crüe and Guns N' Roses all too popular with the ladies of the day!  Music-wise there is some of those same influences to Ghost Avenue's sound ( or more specifically Van Halen, Skid Row and Guns N' Roses), but then again there's a fair bit of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Saxon going on here to. Especially when it comes to guitarists Øystein Wiik & André Berger. Here's one of those albums where the music might be contemporary, but the lead solos seem as if they have been ripped right out of the playbooks of some real classic acts.  The guitars on "Ghost Avenue" bring to mind (all at once) both G N' R and Judas Priest, but the band is neither sleazy or sinister. Reference points would be more then appropriate when talking about this Norwegian act I suppose. While it's a sound that is every bit as contemporary as they come there is still a lot of riffs that seem like they have fallen out of time and onto this album. But that just comes easy when we're talking about a talented band like this whose game-play come from such a wide range of classic acts. In a way Ghost Avenue, which also features bass guitarist Magnus Liseter and drummer Petter Lein within it's ranks, reminds me of band's like Leatherwolf, early Sinner (especially Sinner's "Danger Zone" album), Mainiax, Cities, Lions Breed, Salem UK, California's Blitzkrieg and Lion (both of which were 80's metal bands), Canada's Fist, Lady Killer and Leather Nunn. There's quite a few other reference points I'd like to add to that list, but only album art flashes through my mind and not actual  band names. That's not really all that important though as Ghost Avenue, while indeed a combination of 80's heavy metal, classic hard rock, melodic metal and what not, are more about being true to themselves. That and they're more about being original than being just another mere carbon-copy of so and so's band or another retched, retro-loving act. That does bring up another point about this band as, unlike a lot of other bands these days playing a hybrid of hard rock and heavy metal (whether retro or not), the individuals in Ghost Avenue strive to be original at any and all cost! To that end they employ a lot of classic rock and roll hallmarks to their hard and heavy metal. So these guys might be flirting with eighties metal and eighties hard rock while they also flirt with the sounds of modern rock and roll. The leads might be metallic, but they are complex and catchy and man, they flat out rock! And what's metal without a little bit of melody? Ghost Avenue know how to write songs that have heavy metal's energy and attitude while also having enough melodic moments to keep this self-titled album from being too one-dimensional. It's a thing of beauty. If melody is a bad word word to you though then try not to worry so much. Norway’s Ghost Avenue can be every bit as melodic as the next melodic rock act and their music can be every bit as catchy as they want it to be (and hell if it isn't just about some of the catchiest rock-based material I've heard in awhile!). But when it comes right down to it the band end's up having more then enough balls to court the headbanging crowd! Pitch Black Records has scored big with this band and seeing as they are still somewhat young in their career, while they've also been around the block a few times, the future should point to even bigger and better things from this group. For the meantime though I'm not sure how I'm going to squeeze another killer album into my list of "The Best of 2013". It might just be that some band/album will need to be knocked aside as this 11-track album is way too fucking wild to be ignored! 

Sinner-Touch of Sin 2

AFM Records
2013

Germany's Sinner, which features Primal Fear member Mat Sinner on vocals and bass, has been around for a very long time now. Since forming way back in 1980 the group has released well over a dozen full-length albums, tons of singles, a split recording, a live album and more then their fair share of compilations. With "Touch of Sin 2" (the title is of course a reference to Sinner's 1985 album, "Touch of Sin") the group has decided to go back into their past catalog and re-record some of their older material. These 11 re-recorded tracks are reportedly from albums that are not readily available anymore. That means these tracks are a way for fans of old and new to hear some of Sinner's classic material without having to fork over piles of cash for rare or (flat-out) out of print releases. Sinner has given these older cuts a new lease on life and they all sound remarkably fresh. If you didn't know any better it would be easy enough to think that these were new and original (and damn enjoyable) slabs of modern heavy rock/ hard rock. So there's nothing really here to knock Sinner for. If you're an older fan though and you're saying "Why should I pick this album up when I already own all of their older albums?", which would be understandable in my eyes as I often view these types of re-recorded albums as being more about making money then anything else, then there is still a good reason to pick up "Touch of Sin 2". In addition to the 11 re-worked numbers Sinner's new album features three brand new tracks. In order they are "Don't Believe a Word", "Blood on the Sand" and "Heat Of The City". The first one, "Don't Believe a Word", is a real catchy heavy rocker that (somewhat) recalls the better parts of the old hair metal scene. It's more straight-forward rock then glitter and glam, but for comparisons sake it reminded me quite a bit of that same kind of mid-late eighties melodic metal. Meanwhile "Blood on the Sand" is strictly a metal number with more grit and a gung-ho attitude then was expected. The same could be said for the hard-driving "Heat Of The City". As it closes off this collection of re-worked classics and new numbers it does it with on foot on the pedal and one hand throwing up the devil horns! With some rather tasty licks it's one of those tracks that reminds you of heavy metal's heyday when traditional heavy metal was king. Of the three new numbers it's a close call between "Heat Of The City" and "Blood on the Sand" as to which one rocked harder, but I'm leaning towards the former because of it's snazzy guitar solo! This collection, which was mixed by Achim Köhler (Primal Fear, Brainstorm), sounds great from track number one until track number 14. We're talking about a crisp and clean sound that helps highlight the radio friendly nature of some of these cuts while also giving this album a fantastic glow (if that makes sense). It's worth mentioning that "Touch of Sin 2" also features guest appearances by the likes of David Readman (Voodoo Circle, Pink Cream 69), Erik Martensson (W.E.T.), Diego Valdez (Helker) and Tom Naumann (ex-Primal Fear). All told "Touch of Sin 2" finds Germany's Sinner standing tall and proud. They have come a long way since releasing their first album, "Wild n' Evil", back in 1982 and a package like this should satisfy both old and new fans.
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Self-Release/Independent
2013

D.N.A. is a relatively new project/band first assembled by Portuguese
guitarist/songwriter Alexandre Santos (Scar For Life) and American vocalist
David Reed Watson (Rage Of Angels). By "relatively new" I mean that it
looks as if this act just got off the ground in early 2013! That means
the paint isn't even dry on this project and they've already released
this digital 5-track EP! Not too bad. Not too bad at all. Now, it sounds as
if this all started when Santos was working on some numbers with Watson
for possible inclusion in Scar For Life's catalog of songs. That's fair
enough and would make sense all around. Here's the thing though, this new
act isn't so much just a continuation of Scar For Life. Instead it marches
to the beat of it's own drummer (which, in this case at least,
is ex-More Than A Thousand drummer Joao Colaco). Joining Santos, Watson
and Colaco on "Life" is lead guitarist Neil Fraser (ex-Ten, Rage Of Angels)
and bassist Mikael Carlsson (Love Under Cover). On paper that looks like a
solid line-up and as the EP's single, "Broken Hero", opened things up it sure
did sound as if this was going to be one of those rare hidden gems (at least
in the field's of rock/hard rock/melodic hard rock). Then the track "Release"
kicked in and the bottom almost fell out of this EP. While the music is fine
by itself, as are the vocals, the lyrics don't mesh with either or and
when you combine all three (music, vocals, lyrics)this one does a nose-bomb
right into mediocrity. Suddenly this fear gripped me. What if D.N.A. had put
their best number first and then back-ended the EP with filler material? As
"Ledge" began to play that fear proved to be unfounded! The EP's last three
tracks ("Ledge", "The Flow" and "The Mirror Of your Soul") are all top-notch
numbers with the band rolling out phenomenal guitar leads, great lyrics sung
with passion by a lead vocalist with talent to spare, and such creative
arrangements that I kept going back and replaying the last three cuts over
and over again! So, while "Release" left me shaking my head in disapproval
the EP's other four tracks are just too good to pass up! It's a shame that
this is only a digital release, but it is what it is. Fans of heavy rock/hard
rock (as well as melodic hard rock bands I'd suspect)should really enjoy
"Life" as it showcases a band with all the right pieces needed to achieve
a long and sustained career. Hopefully D.N.A. will prove to be more then
just a part-time project as these guys are holding what amounts to a winning
lotto ticket and it would be foolish not to cash it in!

https://www.facebook.com/DNARockMusic

PS. Sorry for how this one rolled out. I have been experiencing some
"Issues" with my computer and Google Blogger

Vicolo Inferno-Hourglass

Logic(il)Logic Records
2013

"A forbidden love, a fight among noble families to control the feud, an era that wrote its own history with blood". That is the opening text of Vicolo Inferno's bio as it appears on one of the many promo albums that the good folks at Logic(il)Logic Records sent me recently. It also goes to show how this 4-piece came up with their name which, incidentally, means "hell alley" as there was plenty of blood spilled onto this particular narrow piece of pavement. Taking their name from history is one thing, but what about the actual history of this band? Well, it all started when the band's two founding members, Igor Plattesi (vocals) and Marco Campoll (guitars), meet up and transformed a short career of playing covers into a (hopefully) longer career of playing original material. Fast forward to 2012 and the band, now including bassist Marco "Daz" Dazzani and drummer Alex "LR" La Sala (all drums on this album though appear to be played by Luca Silecchia), ended up finishing their full-length debut album, "Hourglass", and are now signed with Logic(il)Logic Records. The album, which features 10 tracks of original material, could best be described as a combination of hard rock and heavy metal although, if one was to break it down further, it's like spinning your way through all the "heavier" stations on rock and roll radio these days (and yes, I do have the Ramone's song "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio" playing in my head as I typed up that rock and roll radio part!) where there's a little bit of blue-collar hard rock, some traditional heavy metal accessories, a touch-up or two of melodic rock/melodic heavy metal, a half a spoonful of post-grunge posturing, a splash in your face of AOR and in true fashion, seemingly just like the bulk of new rock bands emerging these days, the dial finally stops on some modern rock! That last part is easy enough to pin-down as I really thought I caught some Nickleback running through a few of these tracks. That sounds much worse in print then it does in reality so I do have to come clean and not sound as if I'm knocking them (Vicolo Inferno) or accusing them of some horrible atrocity! That's not to say that such modern rock is going to sit well with a lot of people, but when it's all rocking and rumbling together the band ends up sounding like they're onto something if only they could shake off some of the lose ends. What works though? Most definitely one thing is Marco Campoll's guitar playing as well as the lead vocals of Igor Plattesi. Both of these factors strike just the right cords and offer a sneak peek at what this band could and can achieve if they stick at it and try to focus on turning a new page towards originality. I'm hoping this Italian band makes it as there is more then enough good things going on here to warrant following this band from here on out.

Vadikan-Hydrargyrum

Metal Scrap Records
2013

The roots of Moscow's Vadikan can be traced back to 2004 when, as nothing more then a studio-project really, guitarist and sound producer Vadim Pashutin (formerly of  Gross Grolland) first recorded a handful of tracks. It would take until 2007 (and the addition of vocalist Julia Tikhomirova) before all the pieces would start to fall into place though. Even then, as two demos were recorded and released before this full-length debut album, the band (and it's style) was in a slight state of chaos as they tried to hit on that one winning formula needed to keep the dream alive. It would take a few years, but in 2011 everything would change. Enter bassist Ilya Filipyev. In Ilya Filipyev the band found the one musician who would prove to be the last missing piece of the puzzle. Once fully assembled the puzzles artwork would look something like this: Gothic heavy metal with colorful shades of traditional heavy metal, melodic metal/melodic rock and doom rock. This combination, along with pleasantly strange pop and psychedelic undertones (not to mention blues rock!), proves to be more then a little effective. There is even sprinklings of electronic and symphonic rock hidden within the album's 9 tracks as well as some European power metal and neoclassical guitar. Whew! Despite all that it's actually vocalist Julia Tikhomirova, who is as lovely in real life as her pop-sweetened vocals would suggest, that ends up being the first thing you notice as "Hydrargyrum" kicks into gear. Even with the lyrics being in Russian you'll find yourself drawn into the music thanks to her alluring voice and her keen ability to convey the different emotional feelings that this album conveys. In her you begin to appreciate just what it is that Vadikan strives for. She remains the highlight of this album even after repeated listens. Close behind her though is guitarist Vadim Pashutin whose lead work is just spectacular. Whether the music is slow and dreamy and upbeat and intense his guitar playing fits the vibe perfectly like well-loved pair of gloves. With the pair of Vadim Pashutin and Julia Tikhomirova so easily able to feed off of each others strengths, and bassist Ilya Filipyev keeping everything in check (as his bass playing remains a steady point of reference within the album's landscape) the music within this debut-album takes on a life of it's own. The material on hand swirls about in this almost dance-like routine. Is it possible for metal to be both dreamy and doom-laden? With this talented bunch the answer is yes. While no credit is given as to who played drums (or for that matter who contributed the keys) on this album, which is a shame, credit still must be given to both instrumental endeavors. The overall effectiveness of these contributing instruments can not be overstated. Dreamy keys and a rock-steady beat only add to the overall appeal of this multicolored undertaking. As for the sound? Amazingly recordings for this 9-track album took place at several different studios in Moscow ( including Vadikan's home studio) and yet everything flows together perfectly and every aspect of this group (from the vocals to the drums) is right where it should be. The album, which was mastered by Finnish producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, Apocalyptica, Sentenced, Theatre Of Tragedy, Entwine, The 69 Eyes) features artwork by artist Alla Bobyleva and a 12 pages booklet by Polish designer Marek "Ptys" Jastrzebski (Helloween, Hell:On, Quo Vadis). Those elements only serve to add to the overall appeal of this praise-worthy full-length debut album.

SANGE: MAIN: MACHINE-BY YOUR SIDE EP

Street Symphonies Records
2012

Released at the tail end of 2012, this 7-track EP is the latest from Italy's Sange: Main: Machine. Wondering about the strange name? Well, the band is lead by former Tarchon Fist front-man Luigi "Sange" Sangermano so that should help clear up the name game somewhat. Even if it doesn't clear things up it's the music that matters most right? Here we're talking about a group that's on the heavier side of melodic rock or, for the sake of easier understanding, more in line with classic hard rock. So what does that entail then you might be asking? As this EP features a cover of Kiss's "Creatures Of The Night" that's a good starting point. By Kiss we're talking about the mid to late eighties Kiss not the disco-era Kiss (The less said about that version of Kiss the better!). With one track sung in Italian there is a bit of a novelty vibe to this EP and, for the sake of informing fans of this rock/metal group, three tracks out of the seven were previously released on different compilation albums. I'd wager though that, like me, most reading this review have never heard of  Sange: Main: Machine. That's fine as all you need to know about "By Your Side" can be wrapped up in a few choice words. Those words would be "high energy (rocking) hard rock/heavy metal with melody and musicianship to spare!". Find out more about this splendid act at their Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/SangeMainMachine

Stargate-Reborn

Steel Gallery Records
2013

Back in 2004 Greece's Stargate released their self-titled debut album. It was promptly followed by a long-stretch of, well, nothing. That's right, nothing. Nothing but silence. Only now is Stargate getting around to a proper follow-up. So, with 9 years between their full-length debut album and this, the band's sophomore follow-up, it seems rather poetic for this Greek band to call their new release "Reborn". After all they might as well have been reborn because that is one L-O-N-G gap between releases. Whether they were trying to become the next G N' R is open to debate, but one thing is for sure when it comes to this now full-fledged act (as their self-title LP was more of a project then a band really) and that is this-they have sound down pat! With Dimitris Tiktopoulos back on lead vocals once again (and doing a fine job of it I might add!) the group, who are now joined by keyboard player Andreas Paraponiaris and drummer Stelios Siolas this, takes the listener through song after song of mainly melodic hard rock. Sure, there are some neoclassical moments to be found and some of this could vaguely be called "heavy metal" (such as the title cut), but more then anything this is straight up melodic hard rock with a very distinct European flavor. Maybe its old age creeping up on me (and thus making me more mellow), but I quite enjoyed the softer vibe of "Reborn". Guitarist Anthimos Manti and bassist Kostas Domenikiotis have returned for album number two and perhaps it's that consistency that makes "Reborn" work so well. While I'd hesitate to suggest there's much for traditional heavy metal fans to enjoy about "Reborn" the fact is Stargate features some highly skilled musicians in it's ranks and the result is a smooth sounding affair with sweet melodies and a distinct style that sounded unique to these ears. This one is worth checking out if you are into the lighter side of hard rock.