AC/DC. Let There Be Rock
The title track is a monster and Bad Boy Boogie has such a groovy pace.
 
At Vance. Ride The Sky
Decent Power Metal but not exactly impressive.
 
Auras. New Generation
A really promising AOR disc full of lush atmospheres and catchy hooks.
 
Autograph. Sign In Please (Remastered)
Classic eighties Melodic Rock/AOR. Great stuff.
 
Bad English. Bad English
A coherent and pleasant round of crafty Melodic Rock/AOR.
 
Brian Howe. Circus Bar
Bad Company singer Brian How is back with a real treat. I have had the chorus of Holy Water (remake of an old Bad Company track) stuck in my head for days now, and most important, the new songs appear varied and memorable.
 
Cheap Trick. The Latest
Another joyful splash of smooth Melodic Rock. Some passages go too much in circles but it surely cheers you up.
 
Constancia. Lost and Gone
Not an easy album to dig into but it has its melodic moments.
 
Danger Danger. Revolve
I just can't leave it behind. Melodic Rock at its absolute best...Never Give Up!
 
Farcry. High Gear
Some solid compositions and ideas, it just doesn't leave a lasting impression.
 
Fair Warning. Aura
Definitely a solid and comfortable disc. Station To Station is a clear highlight.
 
Giant. Promise Land
Sizzling and strong hearted, Promise Land is a delightful release with Terry Brock in absolute top form.
 
Hartmann. 3
I must say that this is a disappointment after two strong releases (especially the first one). Some of the slower songs are really good, but as a whole it's uneven and without the same melodic flow.
 
Hibria. The Skull Collectors
Tiger Punch kicks some serious ass and the rest of the album is pretty good as well, Classic/Power Metal injected with fierce intensity.
 
Herman Frank. Loyal To None
Old School Heavy Metal with a gritty attitude and sleazy sound. Quite good.
 
Impulsia. Expressions
Diverse and atmospheric Rock. Mellow, comfortable and fitting after a long stressful day.
 
Jon Oliva's Pain. Festival
It has some deep and heavy riffs and even though Jon's voice isn't what it used to be he still sounds great. But I'm missing a few more really strong tracks as the stirring closing ballad Now.
 
Last Temptation. Better Late Than Never
After the magnificent Marcello-Vestry disc I had to dig out Frank Vestry's former band. Classic eighties Hard Rock and a pretty solid disc.
 
Mastedon. 3
Fantastic production, amazing vocals and strong song writing. The 10-minute One Day Down By The Lake (See You Real Soon) is in every aspect spellbinding.
 
Metallica. ...And Justice For All
Such a lovely sepulchral mood and that structuring, just phenomenal...over the top but that's exactly what makes it so cool.
 
Muse. The Resistance
You can't blame them for being uninteresting. Some of it gets too spaced out for my taste but there is a strange kind of coolness about the whole thing.
 
Pretty Maids. Hard Luck Woman (Single)
Why release a cover version single (Kiss) when you just made the best album of your career (Spooked)...Anyways the non album track A Love And A Fiction is a real melodic gem.
 
Rebellion. Arise- From Ginnunga Gap To Ragnaroek- The Gistory Of The Vikings - Volume III
Former Grave Digger members Uwe Lulis and Tomi Göttlich with the third chapter of their Viking saga. Singer Michael Seifert has a deep raspy voice that kind of fits in, but on the other hand it also becomes a bit monotone after some time. The music is Power Metal with a steadfast rhythm section, nice but nothing special.
 
Rebellion. The Clans Are Marching (Single)
I don't really see the point in releasing an old Grave Digger song as a single. Apart from a solid but close to the original version of The Clans Are Marching you get two songs from the Arise album and a previously (and mediocre) unreleased song.
 
Richie Kotzen. Peace Sign
Not the best sound and the song writing is also seen better from him, but its Kotzen and his charisma and drive takes things a long way.
 
Riverside. Anno Domini High Definition (CD + DVD)
As expected this is dreamy, intriguing and almost depressive. They have carved out a niche of their own and even though it gets a bit too much the same colour it's well done. The live DVD is quite enjoyable, if a bit short.
 
Transatlantic. The Whirlwind (2 CD)
Harmonious and well put together Progressive Rock, you can clearly hear that Neal Morse has had a lot to do with this.
 
Treat. Coup De Grace
Great album, no wait, amazing is more fitting. The phenomenal drive and memorable chorus coming from No Way Without You gets me every time. Superb comeback.

Written by Tommy
Sunday, February 21, 2010