Even though I have plenty of albums lying around that need more listening, I recently decided to order some new stuff home and some disc's I have been wanting for a long time. You simply can't have too much of good music.

Ayreon. Into The Electric Castle
Ingenious, comprehensive and cunning.and then suddenly an uncomplicated and appealing melody or vocal passage captures the picture completely. Simply outstanding.

Cheap Trick. Rockford
Energetic and direct Rock going straight in. The ultra catchy If It Takes A Life Time is clearly one of my favourite tracks from the year.

Crashdïet. Rest In Sleaze
It's A Miracle has burnt itself into my brain with its stunning chorus line and will be forever inerasable; I wish every person on earth would get a chance to listen to this track. This album has loads of attitude, raw power and a memorable drive. this is indeed a "burst of ragin' passion".

Dogpound. The Hellbum
Not as addictive as their sophomore effort but still good and raw Hard Rock with a hard bite so to speak.

Enuff Z' Nuff. Welcome To Blue Island
Pleasant and catchy Hard Rock, at times very straightforward but with a cool positive and joyful vibe.

Gotthard. Homerun
Again we find some brilliant songs here. The ballad Heaven is so honest, fragile and heartfelt that it leaves a strong emotional impression. Can't help but screaming along to the overwhelming chorus line in Reason To Live either.

House Of Lords. World Upside Down
A melodic Hard Rock album of very high overall quality. Crunchy guitar parts, catchy vocals and powerful bass playing. The refrains are wonderful and the title track so caressingly tender.

Leatherwolf. World Asylum
Solid old school Heavy Metal, nothing really exceptional but clearly powerful.

Prototype. Continuum
Technical, compact and ultra tight Metal with a unique direct force. It just misses something a bit more memorable to become very successful.

Shark Island. Gathering Of The Faithful
Some standard stuff to be found but also some nice Melodic Rock songs: Looking For The Sun is quite compelling.

Street Talk. V
My first but certainly not last encounter with the band, tons of sweet ear candy and harmonious Rock. The vocals are fantastic, the keyboard playing enhancing and the songs so addictive that I can't stop listening to them. It's sing-a-long time. big time.

Ten. Ten
Brilliant and melodic Hard Rock of the finest kind with one captivating song after the other.

Ten. The Name Of The Rose
Not quite as thrilling but still solid and with some delicate epic touches.

Vanishing Point. In Thought
Re-release of their debut album. The song writing is not as mature and firmly structured as now a days, but it's an interesting album with some cool melody lines.

Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force. Alchemy
Raw, heavy and epic.a fine effectual release.

Written by Tommy
Wednesday, August 16, 2006