Blackwood Creek. Blackwood Creek
An old school approach to Rock from the Winger brothers. Presented in a crisp production there's a lot to like here.
 
Blanc Faces. Blanc Faces
A nice and safe effort. AOR fans will find something to enjoy here even though Falling From The Moon is a better disc in my book.
 
Brainstorm. Memorial Roots
It seems like the band has run out of inspiration, some intense playing but most songs are soon forgotten.
 
Delany. Blood And Ashes
New epic project featuring Volker Leson (Wizard), David Readman (Pink Cream 69) and other solid folks. It's a diverse and rather interesting album, Web Over London pulls you in immediately.
 
Foreigner. Can't Slow Down (2 CD)
Super album. Especially the slower songs really lights up with Kelly Hansen sounding magnificent. I'll Be Home Tonight is simply magical.
 
Jeff Scott Soto. Live In Madrid (2 CD)
Fun and energetic performance with a few surprises towards the end.
 
Lynch Mob. Smoke And Mirrors
Too much material makes for an uneven journey, some good crunchy Hard Rock along the way though.
 
Marillion. Misplaced Childhood (2 CD)
Great progressive rock with thick atmospheres and soothing melodies.
 
Metalium. Grounded - Chapter Eight
Gosh, are we already at number eight. Well it's straight ahead Power Metal the Metalium way, no surprises here and I guess that's the biggest problem after so many albums. It's decent music but not really interesting.
 
Narnia. Course Of A Generation
Powerful well structured. No revelation but worth checking out.
 
On The Rise. Dream Zone
A cool and melodic disc with a comfortable flow.
 
Radio Silence. Whose Skin Are You Under Now
It just kept growing, rich and smooth AOR/Melodic Rock.
 
Savage Circus. Of Doom And Death
Following in the steps of the debut this is also fast and intense Power Metal, nothing extraordinary but steady.
 
Slayer. World Painted Blood (CD + DVD)
No bullshit Trash, predictable but blistering and fierce. The production is gritty, and too much so for my taste, but it's still a very good album. The DVD is a short partly animated movie, bizarre and definitely not essential.

Sonata Arctica. Days Of Greys (2 CD)
An over the top symphonic/orchestral approach sets this apart from older Sonata Arctica albums even though you could sense the change with Unia. Challenging and rewarding.
 
Street Legal. Bite The Bullet
Pretty anonymous Hard Rock that doesn't leave much of an impression.
 
Taz Taylor Band. Straight Up
See above.
 
The Poodles. Clash Of The Elements
The wonderful Don't' Rescue Me is worth visiting on daily basis. The album is pretty varied but it's mostly just great catchy Hard Rock.
 
Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Night Castle
The story is pretty cool but theres too much uneven materiale on these two discs
I must say that I expected more high quality material after all this time.
 
Wig Wam. Non Stop Rock And Roll
A fun and catchy round of Melodic Hard Rock. Wild One invites you to sing a long and all in all the album puts you in a better mood.
 
Wolf. Ravenous
High quality Classic Heavy Metal with attitude and splendid melodies. All Hail Caesar!

Written by Tommy
Monday, January 18, 2010