Bad Habit. Hear-Say
The unique, heavy and at times mechanical sound makes this one a challenge but in the end it settles as a very cool disc. The band is best when they crank up the ultra melodic stuff; The Air That I Breathe is completely overwhelming.
 
Bad Habit. Above And Beyond
Their new one is more classic AOR in both production and song writing and the result is astounding. A part from a few OK songs this 13-track piece is filled to the top with overcharged catchy wonders nicely varied and added those minor cool details.
 
Calie Cox. Obvious
Clearly a lot of Rush inspiration to be found here. With a mellow, progressive and harmonious nature it smoothly flows by, not too many "wow moments" along the way but overall a good album.
 
Dare. Out Of The Silence
Harmonious Melodic Rock with a distinct symphonic touch, nicely varied approach.
 
Jeff Scott Soto. Lost In The Translation (Re-release)
This is simply a fantastic release. Stellar production, crisp song writing, monster grooves, screaming guitars, impressive vocals...This is a must have for fans of Mr. Soto and Melodic Hard Rock.
 
Jeff Scott Soto. Prism (Re-release)
Not as full-bodied and in your face but also a fine piece of work, as with the above the bonus tracks are of very high quality.
 
Kreator. Hordes Of Chaos (CD+DVD)
The title track is no less than brilliant, melodic but uncontrollably heavy. The album goes for a direct, cut to the bone formula and succeeds. A few more songs would have been nice but the guys sound enormously vivid laying down the songs live in the studio.
 
Melodica. Love Metal
A pretty cool round of Melodic Rock with Ted Poley solidly handling the up front vocals. Production and the general level of creativity leave something more to wish for but Summer Nights is non-the less than a superb rocker.
 
Perennial Quest.  Persistence
Progressive Metal covering a lot of ground. Very technical but with a large dose of harmonious passages as well. Worth checking out.
 
Places Of Power. Now Is The Hour
Quite atmospheric with keyboards used creatively and strong guitar structures in abundance, unfortunately the album lack focus from time to time. Final result: Solid AOR / Melodic Rock from Bruce Turgon and Phillip Bardowell but nothing really special.
 
Ted Poley. Collateral Damage
Vic Rivera is responsible for most of the song writing credits and the result is a cool, groovy and very melodic album with an unpredictable edge. I keep coming back for it and that's always a healthy sign.
 
Testament. The Formation Of Damnation
The amount of great, heavy riffs is quite impressive and luckily most songs have enough quality on other fronts as well. Competent Thrash.
 
The Trophy. The Gift Of Life
Heavy Melodic Rock! It may sound weird but it works out surprisingly well.
 
Two Choices. Longest Journey (EP)
Easily digested but rather tasty catchy Rock with a poppy undertone. Next stop: A full-length album.
 
U.D.O. Faceless World
One of my favourite U.D.O. discs, the superb melodies, underlying keys and positive glow of the album is quite infectious.
 
Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. Perpetual Flame
Tim "Ripper" Owens does a god job here; I just don't understand why his vocals are mixed so low and why the rhythm guitar sounds rather hollow. It has some cool songs, but I can't help but feel that some tracks simply hasn't got enough meat on them.

Written by Tommy
Monday, March 30, 2009