Mood Swings

Archive for the ‘Year 2011’ Category

Shining Line is an all star Melodic Rock/AOR project under the leadership of Italians Pierpaolo "Zorro11" Monti (songwriter & drummer) and Amos Monti (bassist). The guest vocalist list is huge. Alessandro Del Vecchio handles production and Michael Voss mixing and mastering. Completing the package on the musical side, we have Alessandro Del Vecchio on keyboards, Marco "Dandy" D’Andrea (Planethard)  and Mario Percudani (Hungryheart) on guitars, plus of course Piepaolo and Amos.

‘Highway Of Love’ starts off the show in good style with a good uptempo AOR track featuring Erik Martensson (Ecliplse) on vocals and it is clear that the album offers plenty of promise. This is followed up by some first Harem Scarem album style AOR with none other than Harry Hess on vocals. When third track, ‘Strong Enough’, starts and you are presented with another great track featuring Robbie LeBlanc, it should be clear that this is album with the potential to be really good.

And it doesn’t disappoint. Robin Beck gives a sterling performance on "Heat Of The Light", Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn’s Dream) follows on nicely on "Can’t Stop The Rock" and Sue Willets & Bob Rock work well together on "Still In Your Heart". And so it goes on, with only occasional tracks such as "The Meaning Of My Lonely Words" and "Homeless Lullaby" being a bit below the high standard but still perfectly listenable. Three part track "Under Silent Walls" with lead vocals by Michael Voss sits well at the start of the second half adding a feeling of depth to the album.

My review period for this album has been extended as I devoted some time to revamping the site and my enthusiasm for this album hasn’t faded. Albums that find favour during a shorter review period can sometimes fade into the background and not be that frequent listens. However, that hasn’t been the case with this album and it has stood the test of time!

The Citadel are new name to me, but it turns out the band was formed in 2002 and released their debut album, ‘Brothers in Grief’, in 2007. This 5 track mini-album is the follow up.

‘A Voice Within’ kicks off the album in a Doom laden fashion and melodic rock fans might begin to wonder what there is here for them. In fact, they need to stick with it, as by the time the chorus kicks it is clear these guys have sense of melody. On ‘Demon’s Eye’ the vocals do have a bit of a death growl going on at times, but do manage to keep a sense of melody as well. It was while listening to 3rd track, ‘Heaven’, that it hit me who these guys reminded me of. Maybe it is just because I’ve also been reviewed their new album, but I detect hints of Ten going on here. Imagine if Ten were mixed with a Doom outfit such a Candlemass (a random name pulled from my somewhat limited knowledge of the genre), then the result might sound like this. ‘The Storm Begins’ and ‘7′ complete the album maintaining the standard of the previous progressive power metal tracks. Maybe it is just my imagination, but I think the chorus’s get stronger as the album progresses.

This is an album that is better than the sum if it’s part. There aren’t any really stunning tracks here, but somehow they all seem to gel together in a neat little package. The result is a bit of surprise for me, as despite the doom elements in the background, I ended up quite enjoying this album.

Rating: 3 stars

I remember when Ten first starred out, it was exciting having a UK band flying the flag for melodic rock. The debut album was lightweight AOR, whereas the second album, ‘The Name Of The Rose’, helped to define the Ten style which is a mixture of Magnum and Whitesnake. However, at some point along the way, my interest in Ten waned and I stopped buying their albums, mainly because the albums all started to sound very similar and later albums didn’t add anything new to the mix. I think many other people must have felt the same way because the band never really achieved the success that the initial vibe about the band would have suggested. Eventually the band called in quits.

However, in the grand tradition that is melodic rock, Ten have reformed and released ‘Stormwarning’. And so ‘Endless Symphony’ slowly emerges from a long intro and we have Ten back. It is a grandiose, yet retrained, start to the album which feels like it lasts 7min, not because it needs  to, but simply because it can. The next couple of tracks, ‘Centre of my Universe’ and ‘Kingdom Come’, are solid Ten fare, with ‘Kingdom Come’ holding my interest from a lyrical viewpoint rather than a musical one.

‘Book of Secrets’ is just plain weird as Ten attempt sleaze rock! Lyrically and musically a low point for the album that I hope Ten avoid in future. The title track and ‘Invisible’ see the band return to more familiar, but hardly inspiring, Ten territory.

Just when I think Ten are a spent force, ‘Love Song’ seems to recapture the AOR magic that made the debut album so appealing. Next track, ‘The Hourglass and The Landslide’, continues the revival with a slice of catchy melodic rock. Now that I’m in a more positive frame of mind, ‘Destiny’, also seems to hit a sweet spot before ‘The Wave’ closes the album with a syrupy ballad.

It is good to have Ten back again and fans will appreciate this album, but the band are going to have to work harder if they are to come up with an album to rival gems like ‘The Name of the Rose’.

Rating: 3 stars

Despite the fact that the guys have released 7 albums before this from 2004 onwards, I have only recently discovered the band. Just as they show up on my radar, this latest album pops up in my review inbox.

The band was originally formed by vocalist Mikael Erlandsson and Andy Malecek (Fair Warning). The original version of the band also consisted of 3 members of Europe, who later left when Europe reformed. The band has been through various line-up changes over the years and now consists of Mikael and Andy, along with Jamie Borger (Talisman & Treat) on drums and Nalle Pahlsson (Treat, Zan Clan, Vinditiv & Therion) on bass.

The style of the album is lightweight melodic rock meets AOR. Whilst that may sound retro, they deliver the tracks in a manner which makes the music sound fresh and vibrant. If I tell you that there is a cover of Michael Bolton’s ‘Fool’s Game’ and a Jeff Paris track called ‘Kissin’ Goodbye My Tears’, you will be able to work out where the guys are coming from.

‘I’m Fallin Into You’ is a great up-tempo start that reminds me of early Harem Scarem. You will find yourself wanting to sing along with Mikael’s raspy vocals. In fact, many of the tracks have an instantly familiar feel and greet you like a long lost friend. You will find yourself singing along without realising it. ‘Michelle Don’t Live Here Anymore’ being another prime example.

Second track, ‘The Sound Of A Heartbreak’, has an up-tempo melodic hard rock meets AOR feel and you realise you are in for a very pleasurable listening experience.

The album hits a peak starting with the aforementioned  ‘Michelle Don’t Live Here Anymore’ and the following couple of tracks, ‘In This Thing Too Deep’ has the guys putting in more effort in the song writing department on this glam AOR track. ‘Still Standing Where You Left Me’ is a track that grabs you a few times into listening to the album, making you wonder why it didn’t stand out on previous listens. Throw in a couple of ballads in the form of ‘If I Could Change The World’, ‘Alive’ and the soft rock of ‘Another Night’, and you’ve got an album that should satisfy most fans of melodic rock and AOR.

Rating: 4 stars

I have to admit that I didn’t know that much about Benedictum going into this review, apart from what was written in the press release.

The band formed in 2005 and after getting noticed by Craig Goldy released ‘Uncreation’ in 2006. ‘Seasons of Tragedy’ followed in 2008. Jeff Pilson and Craig Goldy, who made appearances on the first two albums, also appear here, along with Rudy Sarzo for guest musician duties. Along with guitarist Pete Wells and vocalist Veronica Freeman, the other members are Chris Shrum on bass, Mike Ramone on drums and Tony Diaz on keyboards.

If like me you were expecting some sort of goth opera metal sound when the first song kicks in then you’re in for a shock. I actually had to go back and check that the band had female vocals because the sound I was hearing was more male. Instead of airy fairy vocals floating around on top of the music, Veronica’s vocals are right in there in the thick of it with the other instruments and she’s holding her own. This girl can do melody as proved on bonus track ‘Sanctuary’, but a more metal approach in the lower registers is the normal style.

I’ve got to say that I hadn’t listened to the album that much before starting to write this review and the trad/power metal of the album didn’t really do much for me on initial listens. It isn’t until half way through the album and the melodic guitar of ‘Beautiful Pain’ that I tend to start paying attention. It fits in well with the following track, ‘Dark Heart’, which somehow seems more accessible that earlier tracks. This is followed by the funky metal of ‘Bang’, which is verging on catchy!

For me the band reach their peak on the final normal track, ‘Epsilon’, which is a 9 minute epic where a few progressive elements sit very well with the band.

The first bonus track is the aforementioned ‘Sanctuary’ and the second a cover of Rush’s ‘Overture/Temple of Syrinx’. Having covered Accept’s ‘Balls to the Wall’ and Sabbath’s ‘Heaven & Hell’ on previous albums, it is clear that the band don’t fight shy of a challenge. As with their previous endeavours, the band emerge after their encounter with Rush, with their reputation intact.

So after a negative start to the review, the last few songs have convinced me that Benedictum do have something too offer, especially if you are a bit of a metal head.

Rating: 3 stars

Ralf Scheepers is best known as the lead vocalist with Primal Fear. His career in metal started with Tyran’s Pace in 1883, moved onto Gamma Ray for their first three albums, at which point he formed Primal Fear along with Mat Sinner in 1997.

During his time with Primal Fear Ralf has written some tracks that didn’t quite fit in with the band’s style and in this project, which started life back in 2007, he gets the chance to air these tracks.

I’m a bit of a late comer to Primal Fear, as I only bought my first album when they came to my attention by signing to Frontiers. That album, plus the couple that have followed have got me familiar with what Primal Fear have to offer. Indeed on this album it is apparent that Ralf is pretty happy with Primal Fear’s output, as he doesn’t feel the need to depart from it too much.

I guess the main variation is that some of the tracks adopt a more metal stance more akin to Judas Priest. That isn’t surprising as we have a cover of Priest’s ‘Before the Dawn’, Metal Mike from Halford plays guitar on ‘Locked in the Dungeon’ and Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens dueting on ‘Remission of Sin’.

Bearing in mind that this is a melodic rock site and not a metal site, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the highlights are the less metallic tracks such as ‘The Fall’ and ‘Playing with Fire’, which is the track probably closest to Primal Fear. I also liked ‘Pain of the Accused, which is a slower, longer, almost progressive track and the closing acoustic ‘Compassion’. Bucking this trend is the heaviest track, ‘Dynasty’, that is also the most radical departure from Primal Fear.

Given this man’s history, it is no surprise that he has delivered a good solo album, which will appeal especially to those who like their metal to be heavy.

Rating: 3 stars

“The Showdown” is the third installment from the team of Jorn Lande (Jorn & Masterplan) and Russell Allen (Sympathy X) on vocals with Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear, Starbreaker) on guitars/keyboards/bass and song writing. Jaime Salazar completes the line-up drums.

I have to admit that whilst I have heard both 2005’s “The Battle” and 2007’s “The Revenge”, this is third album is the first time I have really sat down and spent some time listening to these guys.

And an impressive experience it is. In their day jobs Allen and Lande have proven that they are top notch singers and Karlsson has displayed some impressive song writing skills in his various projects. If you have heard the first two albums, then it is no surprise that we are dealing with melodic hard rock that sometimes has elements of symphonic metal. Title track, “The Showdown”, is a powerful opener and next track “Judgement Day” combines melody and power which is basically what this album is all about. The band then proceed to romp through a fairly consistent set of tracks that have a good balance of light and shade. In addition to that opeing duo, highlights include the heavy AOR of “Bloodlines”, “We Will Rise Again” and the more metal “The Artist”.

So we have another impressive addition to the Allen/Lande catalogue.

Rating: 4 Stars

www.frontiers/it , http://www.jornlande.com/ , http://www.myspace.com/allenlande2

Vega teams up former Kick vocalist, Nick Workman, with songwriting duo Tom & James Martin (HOL, Khymera, Sunstorm etc) and drummer Dan Chantrey, plus adds Dennis Ward (PC69) at the mastering desk.

I’m not that familiar with either Nick or the Martin’s previous efforts, but what I hear on this album is a style which is retro. We are talking keyboard heavy 80s rock meets pop. At times I felt Rick Springfield was a good comparison, along with acts like Balance, Aviator and Harlan Cage. Towards the end of the album a couple of tracks reminded me of Billy Idol. A good production job on the album keeps it sounding fresh, rather than dated.

This is a slick music generation machine, with everyone playing their part well. I found the vocals took me a little while to get used to. At first, I wasn’t sure they matched the music, but they have won me over.

When I was going through rating each song, I found the majority of the tracks got a 4 star rating. The ballads are decent enough, but they seemed to lack the spark of the other songs. However, they don’t detract from the positive impact of songs like “Kiss of Life”, “One Of A Kind” & “Staring At The Sun” where the band create some great keyboard driven AOR with vocals, keyboards and guitars all intertwined marvelleously.

Rating: 4 Stars

www.myspace.com/vegaofficial , www.frontiers.it

I’m a bit mystified by this release as it is very similar to the “Live in Madrid” that was released in 2009. In fact, the set listing is pretty much identical.

He is a confident sod and he likes his funk as much as he likes his rock. Therefore his concerts tend to combine the two, so your tastes better not be restricted to rock only With plenty of material to draw upon, JSS frequently does medleys of songs, rather than straight versions of individual songs. In the live setting these work well, but sitting at home you can find youself wanting a complete version of one of your favourite songs, rather than just a snippet. However, the funky medley which finishes the show is an example of a medley working out well.

JSS is a great singer, who maybe gets a bit carried away on the funk/medley side of things. If you are a long time fan, that won’t worry you too much, but then this won’t be of much interest as you probably already have “Live in Madrid“.

I first came across The Poodles when I bought their Seven Seas album a few years ago. I like the album, but to be honest, it has always been overshadowed by Brother Firetribe’s “Hearts on Fire” album which I bought the same day.  The Poodles have released 3 studio albums and whenever this album was released it was meant to be a stop gap until the new album was released. However, this one has been in my in-tray for a while and that new studio album, “Performocracy”, will actually be released very shortly.

On this live album the band prove that thye can deliver in a live scenario. In terms of the method used to create a live album, this one goes for music and singing to the fore, with the crowd noise religated very definitely to the background.

Obviously the songs from “Seven Seas” are the ones that made the initial impression on me, but the other tracks all work equally well. Quite often a live album by a band that I’m not that familiar with will put me off investigating them further. With album, that is not ehe case. “Metal Will Stand Tall” and now “Performocracy” are still on my must investigate further list. So, overall a slid release, that does what it is meant to. If you are really into these guys, there is a live DVD which is probably worth checking out.

Rating: 3 Stars

www.poodles.se , www.frontiers.it