Astral Doors. New Revelation
Another dose of Classic Metal served with a present nerve, not exactly spectacular but well performed.

Awake. Illumination
Tom S. Englund has produced a quite interesting album, and the band does in fact sound a bit like Evergrey. Some songs miss something to set them apart but there is clearly potential here.

Cirucs Maximus. Isolate
Progressive Power Metal laid down by competent musicians; unfortunately around half of the songs lack exciting ideas and leading melodies.

Europe. The Final Countdown
There is just something about these classic Rock songs. Carrie has a smooth melodic scent that makes it irresistible and Rock The Night simply rocks.

Fates Warning. A Pleasant Shade Of Gray
If you're in that special state of mind, this dreaming, hypnotic and rather sensitive journey is very compelling and works well as soulful recreation.

Hush. Mirage
Out goes the keyboard, in goes a darker, edgier but still melodic treatment. Solid disc.

Icon. Night Of The Crime
Classic eighties Hard Rock with an infectious nerve and huge choruses. Not all tracks leave the same strong impression but a cool disc.

Kotipelto. Serenity
It's a bit too predictable and lacking a good dose of catchiness. Not that most songs aren't quite pleasing but that's just not enough for me to come back and visit it regularly. The first solo album is clearly his best.

Mikkel Schack Band. ...About To Destroy Something Beautiful
A very enjoyable acquaintance. The style is unique, thoughtful, slightly progressive, acoustic toned, melancholic and very catchy Rock with a Richie Kozten feeling to it. Definitely worth checking out with refrains that stubbornly stick to your head.

Poverty's No Crime. Save My Soul
I'm a bit let down. The Chemical Chaos was a vibrant, creative and cunning disc, this one has a few great songs but otherwise it appears too static and with a range of OK tracks.

Richie Kotzen. Slow
A looser, slightly bluesy and less comprehensive album. Cleary not among his best but it has some captivating moments.

Riverside. Rapid Eye Movement
Thickly layered melancholic Progressive Metal/Rock, not as thorough as Second Life Syndrome but well worth a listen.

Sieges Even. Paramount
New album and again something special with Eyes Wide Open as a phenomenal melodic piece of "feel good music". As opposed to The Art Of Navigating By The Stars, everything doesn't click with this one but the musical ideas are vast and highly ingenious. High quality album.

Talisman. Cats And Dogs
Fairly good Hard Rock album with Outta My Way as a real energy booster and Sorry displaying a more melodic touch.

The Beatles. Help!
A fine disc offering a relaxed and positive vibe. Ticket To Ride is amazingly uplifting.

Tribuzy. Execution - Live Reunion
Most of the guests from the debut album join the band onstage here. It's powerful, well played and mostly interesting.

Winger. Pull
A diverse and rather successful formula, bringing along a modest experimental element. Favourite and memorable tracks include Down Incognito and Spell I'm Under.

Written by Tommy
Tuesday, September 25, 2007