At Vance. No Escape
Olvier Hartmann's voice is always a joy, Die In Your Arms being a stunning example of his skills. All in all this is a nice album but nothing more.
Always lots of fun with their ABBA mania, this time it's Money, Money, Money that gets a rocking treatment.
Brazen Abbot. Bad Religion
Moody Melodic Hard Rock with a stench of Metal, three great singers gives way for inspiring versatility. Cool album but I miss songs that really stand out.
Dominici. 03 A Trilogy - Part 3
Former Dream Theater singer fulfils an apocalyptic trilogy elaborately. A really close-knit album with a tense story line that add that something extra to the whole thing. Review on its way.
Don Dokken. Up From The Ashes
A super line-up delivering a groovy and solid Hard Rock album.
Gypsy Pistoleros. Wild, Beautiful, Damned
A fun, highly energetic and spicy Salsa Hard Rock dish. Not all courses get the consistency right but it's definitely an ingenious experience.
Harem Scarem. Big Bang Theory
It's classic melodic Harem Scarem and thereby highly enjoyable, just not as memorable and over the top melodic as many of their other albums.
House Of Lords. Come To My Kingdom
A from start to finish fantastic album, I simply can't stop spinning it. I love James Christian's semi-rough voice, the guitars are so crunchy and the choruses catchier than I could ever have dreamed of.
Jon Oliva's Pain. Global Warning
A different, challenging and diverse piece of classic / modern Heavy Metal. Jon's strong voice still holds up amazingly well and the album has more beneath the surface than the first impression suggests.
Khymera. The Greatest Wonder
A stunning package of pompous wonders that keeps coming your way. Dennis Ward's sedative and yet vivid voice fits this kind of music so well. Borderline is a perfect melodic masterpiece and the album a safe buy for anyone with a taste for Melodic Rock.
Magnum. On A Storytellers Night (2CD)
Some albums just have an embracing aura that takes you in and never lets go, this is one of those. Just Like An Arrow is a magnificent Rock anthem.
Mercenary. Architect Of Lies (CD+DVD)
It's less progressive than last time around, a bit heavier and still tight and trashy as hell. I liked the two previous ones better but this is still quality Metal with a harsh bite and that deep, unmistakably melancholic vibe.
Platitude. Silence Speaks
Thrilling keyboard work and a weighty and powerful rhythm section, a real grower of an album. Awaiting the new one impatiently.
Rage. Carved In Stone (CD+DVD)
With a four and a half minute average song duration, a stripped down approach, crunchy production, technical guitar passages and comfortable song writing skills Rage returns with their sixteenth "real" studio album. Sixteenth!!! Gotta hand it to Peavy.
This isn't among the bands best but it settles as a strong, ballsy album.
The DVD show from Wacken is spectacular, the orchestra and band are just perfectly melted together and the sound outstanding. Seeing it again makes it clear why they delivered the best show (Yep, I saw everything ;)).
Only scar is that they left out the encore Refuge, which completely killed, I'm left with an incomprehensive why?
RPWL. The RPWL Experience
World Through My Eyes was a really strong album, compelling atmospheres in a grand scope. This new one has a different feel, a bit more focused around a tight rhythm section but also quite dreamy at times with lots of variation and vast structures going around. An album that breathes in a tempo of its own, slowly but firmly taking in each breath.
Loverboy. Six
Some songs haven't got enough character to keep them above water, but overall this is an enjoyable disc, having a range of groovy melodic treats. 2 Euros at Hang Loose Records.
Sin. The 13th Apostle
Hush singer Patrick Simonsen first album with S.I.N. (Somewhere Into Nowhere) is a decent Melodic Metal/Rock deal. Solid band performance but only with a few highlights.
Starbreaker. Starbreaker
Superband delivering a super album with a captivating drive. Talking about a crisp and heavy production.
Stone Lake. Uncharted Souls
Melodic Metal balancing between raw overdrive-charged guitars and easily accessible refrains. The band is not afraid of experimenting with different inputs and has a high degree of originality. There is room for improvements but I like this piece.
The Flower Kings. The Sum Of No Evil (2CD)
When you're in the mood to mentally just drift off and leave the wolrd behind for a while, this comes as the perfect soundtrack with its comfortable positive aura while still being a musically complex journey.
Tiles. Fly Paper
Pretty interesting Progressive Rock in the vein of Rush. In some instances it drifts to far off, but all in all a good disc.
Whitesnake. Good To Be Bad (2CD)
Ohh yes, classic Whitesnake wrapped in a killer production. Some songs never really develop but the majority are delightfully vivid. All I Want All I Need is sung in a raspy and yet so delicate tone, the breezy atmosphere of Summer Rain touches you with a warm caress and Lay Down Your Love just kicks good old ass.
Work Of Art. Artwork
A most impressive debut. It's impossible not to sing along with these harmonious and energy-charged tunes. Fans of Melodic Rock/AOR should check these guys in a hurry. Why Do I? is a candidate for song of the year and the album is up there too... life confirming art.
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