Review by Lisa Nash

Vengeance are a Dutch band who have been in existence for 30 years now. Leon Geiwie, Kerri Kelli, Chris Glen & Chris Slade also make up Steel Circle, a AC/DC tribute band. This CD also includes guest appearances from Michael Voss and Timo Somers (Delain).

It features a short recording of a guitar solo by Jan Somers, the original guitarist who died suddenly 28^th January 2011, aged 46, from a heart attack, guest guitarist Timo is his son. This recording was the last recording made before his death.

Many of these songs can be described in the same way, Me and You, Bad to the Bone, Shock Me Now, Five Knuckle Shuffle, Desperate Women and Whole Lotta Metal are all exactly what you would expect when an AC/DC tribute band make a record. In other words, it sounds like someone trying to be AC/DC. The 3^rd track is still AC/DC but its bizarre, Barbeque has to be spoof lyrics - its just so strange.

The last 4 tracks of the CD are different, and if there was this variety throughout, then it would be far better. Promise Me is a ballad, Bon Jovi would be proud of. Crystal Eye ventures into the epic storytelling style of metal and Missing is a typical power ballad with added Spanish guitar. The CD ends with the aforementioned guitar solo, Jan’s End Piece, just over a minute of widley guitar as a tribute to the late Jan Somers.

I am not saying the tracks are bad, its just if I want a tribute to AC/DC I can listen to Airbourne and it’s a shame, because the end tracks show there is a lot more this band can offer.

7/10

Review by Lisa Nash

German power metal quartet return with their 10^th album. Klaus Sperling, Chris Bay, Sammy Saemann & Lars Rettkowitz make up the current line up of the band begun back in 1998. I had not come across this band before, and had no idea what to expect, I certainly found many surprises along the way.

Age of the Phoenix would not be out of place in a musical pirate film, think Pirates of the Caribbean as a stage musical, I would go see that. Rockstars is fun and frantic and as catchy as hell. Crimson Dawn returns to the Pirate theme with grand group choruses and classic storytelling. 66 Warriors begins with mystical chantings and has a bass line that draws you in, the vocals remind me of Journey at times, whilst Back into the Land of Light is a victorious celebration. Things change for Sun in the Dark, its different in style, verses remind me of Nickelback, especially with the guitar, its followed by the very poppy, Glee meets Journey Hero on Video. Valley of Kingdom returns to the Pirates epic myths and legends, storytelling lyrics and a childlike innocence. Killer Gear takes the Pirates theme to a new place, this is Sinbad, Arabian Nights and turns out to be about playing Warcraft on computer. Rockin’ Radio is a visit to all the best 80’s bands, Kiss mixed with GnR, lively and fun, its like a happy jingle, slightly tongue in cheek. If I thought I knew where this was going, the next song was a surprise turn, Terra Liberty is grungy, more like Soundgarden in style. Eternity is a song with so many twists and turns in style it is hard to describe, but it made me feel good. Space Legends brings us back to computer gaming, jubilant and victorious. Power & Glory, party anthem, sure was not expecting the bagpipes (not sure they are bagpipes, just guitar riffs sounding like bagpipes, listened a few times and cannot make mind up), a classic New Years Eve drinking song in the making to end the album.

How can I sum this CD up, its happy metal, very European sounding for the most part. I am reminded at times of Magnum, Helloween, Scorpions, Rush, Journey and Iron Maiden, but then it also alludes to Kiss, GnR, Soundgarden, Nickelback, it’s a real surprise package. For a band I had never come across, I was completely won over, this is retro in many ways, but not buried in the past and has such energy and exuberance that you cannot help but be intoxicated by it.

I am addicted to it

9/10

Review by Dave Evans

For those of you with a keen ear, Kevin Bayliss was the vocalist with Voodoo Johnson, a Midland based hard rock band who released 2 E.P’s and  the excellent ‘10,000 Horses’, their 2010 debut album. These releases served to demonstrate the vocal prowess of Bayliss who decided to part company with the band citing the enemy of all musicians ‘musical differences’.

However not wishing to rest on his laurels Bayliss pulled together a group of musicians and set about writing and recording his debut solo album. And ‘The Project’ is the result of all those hours of soul searching and endeavour.

Within seconds of opening song ‘Your Hearts Desire’ it is evident that Bayliss has broadened his musical horizons and somewhat side stepped his heavy riffing hard rocking past. This however is by no means detrimental. The obvious thing to mention is the immediate similarity musically to pop rockers Savage Garden, the stripped down sound, the polished and heart felt vocals, and yes Bayliss does sound eerily like Darren Hayes on more than one occasion

The formula for this album has clearly been laid out. The vocals are honest and take centre stage, messers Lucky Singh, Nick Daniel, Kevin Bartlett and Kevin Drake keep things ticking away nicely, without ever overpowering Bayliss. Songs like ‘Quicksand’, the wonderfully emotional and passionate ‘Falling Down’ flow into your ear drums like sound waves dipped in honey. Within minutes this album has become your new best friend.

The quality continues with the sort of song Bayliss can seemingly write in his sleep, the majestic ‘Starchaser’ and a further nod to Savage Garden with the tender ‘One Day Older’. But before you think it is all syrup and polish, the likes of  the darker ‘My Sorry Cinderella’, a stomping track that moves up through the gears, and the tongue in cheek that is ‘Kung Fu Master’, which pays homage to martial arts without taking itself too seriously, serve to add variety to proceedings.

The strengths of Bayliss as a singer and songwriter are perfectly encapsulated with the soaring ‘All I Own’, once again musically it is stripped down allowing the lyrics to resonate beautifully. Bayliss cleverly bringing this heart felt song to an understated yet emotional crescendo. 

So will fans of Bayliss’ hard rocking past be alienated by his more main-stream approach? I for one don’t think so - in fact they will be rewarded for rediscovering an old friend who has released something very special indeed.

Track-listing; Your Hearts Desire / Quicksand / Falling Down / Starchaser / My Sorry Cinderella / One Day Older / The Beholder / Leave This Town / Kung Fu Master / All I Own / Revolution / Make A Difference

8 / 10

Review by Dave Evans

The blurb says Sons Of Icarus; “are all set to soar into rock’s heady stratosphere..”. It is a confident boast that befits the bullish attitude of a group of musicians still in their early 20’s. 

There is however no doubt the band have earned their growing reputation. Winners of Marshall Amplifiers ‘Ultimate band contest’ in 2010, and subsequent opening slots at Download and Sonisphere. Not to mention support slots with The Answer, The Black Spiders and Rival Sons. This already amounts to quite a C.V. So is all this attention warranted?

Well, as soon as the infectious riff of opening track ‘You Want It All’ pumps out of the speakers it becomes clear these youngsters are something very special indeed. The mid paced track has a distinct Zep’ feel with Quilly’s pounding the drums like a pocket sized Bonzo, and Andy Masson’s vocals soaring to the heights, sounding eerily like a hybrid of Myles Kennedy and Wolfmothers Andrew Stockdale. This 7 minute epic flies by and musically is tighter than a ducks arse and with a confidence that belies their years.

With the spiralling riff of ‘Not Myself’, a song that sits in Q.O.T.S.A territory, the band continue the momentum. The guitars of Steve Backwill are set firmly to ‘fuzz’, with some clean soloing to boot .The furious flurry of drums and Masson’s soaring vocals further enhancing the overall appeal.

The band don’t let up with the frantic ‘Can’t Let Go’, for the first time bassist Alex Masson stepping up to the plate with a pulsing sound so low it rattles the bridge of your nose. By contrast the slow building ‘Sick To The Teeth’ sees the band with a sound that evokes a hazy journey slicing through the desert on a dusty highway. The band are happy to sit back and patiently lets Masson’s vocals take centre stage with a range that would make many a seasoned front-man envious. 

With such an impressive opening gambit I have no hesitation in filing Sons Of Icarus in my ‘ones to watch’ folder. I await their full debut album with much anticipation.

Track-listing; You Want It All / Not Myself / Can't Let Go / Sick To The Teeth

8 / 10

Review by Brian McGowan

If you’re expecting a selection of tracks from the band’s albums, prepare to be disappointed. Yes, the Big Ones are here, upfront, loud and proud. ‘Once Bitten…’ leads off disc 1, closely followed by ‘Rock Me’ and ‘Save Your Love’. Just what it says on the gatefold. So far, so good. But then, Great White turns into a covers band.

Great covers, I have to say, well chosen, ideally suited to the band, slickly and powerfully delivered, but covers nevertheless. And suddenly, we’re dissecting and debating the meaning of the word “Essential”.

Let’s be generous, gracious even, and assume that the choice of covers confirms the band’s/Jack Russell’s decision to discard any Hair Band or Glamrock pretensions, or indeed any public misconceptions of the band, and focus on the blues and soul sides of rock’n’roll.

Emphatic covers of The Georgia Satellites ‘Keep Your Hands to Yourself’ and Otis Reddings’ ‘Too Hot To Handle’, both worked up with big guitars into rock monsters, follow in rapid succession. A trio of tracks, central to Disc One, take in Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC and Aerosmith.

As any fan knows, the key to these bands’ longevity is an enduring ability to write great songs. That and the talent to leave more out than they put in. Clearly, Russell and a shit hot team of musicians know that. First we get a genuinely exciting cover of ‘Saturday Night Special’, one that emphasises the song’s bass note thunder and barbed, biting axework. Second we get a pedal to the metal, yet somehow controlled rush to the finishing line with ‘Sin City’ and thirdly, we’re treated to an effortlessly propulsive groove on the band’s suitably respectful cover of ‘Same Old Song’.

And if covering these bands might seem passé to jaded ears, ‘Burning House of Love’ - originally written and performed by seminal punk poets, X - will grab your waning attention.

Bravely (or foolishly) the band fly in the face of the universally held opinion that you should never cover a Led Zeppelin song by tackling not one, not two but five, yes five, LZ songs, over the 2 discs.

And the five are the usual suspects:  ‘Immigrant Song’, ‘Stairway To Heaven’, ‘Ramble On’, ‘Dazed And Confused’ and ‘D’Yer Maker’. Anyone who bought or merely heard GW’s ‘Tribute To Led Zeppelin’ will know what to expect as these tracks are lifted from that album.

Recorded live at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, California in 1996, it’s the sound of a really good rock band playing the music of a really great rock band.

Elsewhere, there are several more outstandingly good covers. A blissful version of Thin Lizzy’s ‘Sarah’ from Russell, Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen; a pounding, resounding cover of Harriett Schock’s ‘No Way To Treat A Lady’, sounding more like Cinderella than Great White, and a paint stripping version of The Cult’s ‘Love Removal Machine’, which was a pretty fair LZ approximation in the first place.

Over the piece – 2 discs and 30 tracks – you have to conclude that this works as a showpiece for these rock survivalists, and great entertainment too.

What more could you ask for.

Review by Kimberley Easton

I must admit, I had never heard of this band till I started this review. I done some searching online for some background stuff and previous records and what I found was quite interesting. The band,(who hail from Jacksonville, FL and made up of; Shawn Fisher: Vocals, Guitar. Jordan Allen Davis: Guitar, Vocals. Brett Barley: Bass, Vocals. Brad Moxey: Drums) like most others out there, were broke but they were passionate about the music and started a KickStarter Campaign and asked fans to donate some money to help them produce and record the album, hoping to raise $2000 for it, they actually managed to get over $4000 in donations, some dedicated fans out there, guys. This album is a follow up to their 2010 self-titled EP which never seen a physical release.

The opening track on the album, ‘Can’t Have You’ is a great track to start with and really shows the talent that they own. With raspy, Rod Stewart-esque vocals and great guitar riffs, and awesome drumming techniques, it gets you excited to hear the rest of the album. The next song, ‘Idea of Me and You’ is a fun, upbeat summery love song. The vocals move away a little from the raspy ones we heard before, and they can be very repetitive in places, but that isn’t a bad thing. It works really well. “Miracle Jet” Is one of the slower songs on the album, along with ‘Die Alone’, ‘Over It’ and ‘Nobody Tells You ‘Bout Goodbye’ and they all portray real emotion and heartbreak with the vocals. They pull you in and are rather depressing songs, but the other songs on the album soon cheer you up. A few songs really stand out for me on the album, ‘Love Like Mine (feat. Runner Runner)’ with the opening a soft whistle, followed by an upbeat, awesome riff with shouty type vocals. It just makes me smile. A nice, feel-good song. ‘Soldier With A Song’ shows the country-side of these boys, back with the raspy vocals and the awesome riff once again. It has a real country feel to it, and once again, showcases the talent these boys possess.  And lastly, ‘Harvest (feat. Jordyn Jackson)’ the contrast between the different vocals is just brilliant; they work so well together and it’s such a beautifully sung song. The slow, melodic vibe with female vocals from Jordyn and the gentle strumming of the guitar is just stunning. Easily my favourite track on the album. Once the song has finished though, don’t turn off as we are given a hidden track to listen to. It’s a nice, slow relaxed number, thanking all the people who made this album a reality and be where it is now. The other two songs on the album; ‘Shrug It Off’, which shows a bit of comedic values within the lyrics and ‘I Still Do’ really shows the talent within the drumming and the riffs. The vocals are nice and clear throughout and this album has a really feel-good vibe and makes me want to smile, even if I am feeling down! Such a great debut. I honestly can’t think of a bad thing to say about these guys, they’ve worked hard and produced an amazing album that I am sure the fans would be extremely proud of. Well done.

Track listing:

1.       Can’t Have You

2.       Idea Of Me And You

3.       Miracle Jet

4.       Love Like Mine (feat. Runner Runner)

5.       Over It

6.       Shrug It Off

7.       Nobody Tells You ‘Bout Goodbye

8.       I Still Do

9.       Soldier With A Song

10.   Die Alone

11.   Harvest (feat. Jordyn Jackson) (plus Bonus hidden track)

Review by Andy Boden

Shropshire based melodic rocksters M.A.D.I.S.O.N. are currently pulling up trees on the live circuit here in the UK, as well as making in-roads to the radio networks in the States. The current line up (Aaron Collyer/Bass, Dan James/Vocals & Acoustic, Jenny Ford/Drums, Dave Sylva/Guitar) release this, their second album, following the critically acclaimed release of their first album Walk The Streets last February.

So, how does the album shape up?  

‘Gimme Some More’ – an up-tempo opener that sets the tone beautifully for the rest of the album. Reminiscent of Def Leppard at their best.

‘Black Page’ – current release, with accompanying video (available via YouTube). Radio-friendly and totally commercial, brings together all of the M.A.D.I.S.O.N. trademarks – three part harmonies, swirling guitar, throbbing bottom-end – beautifully.

‘To Know You’ – Harder and heavier, still with emphasis on melody, this also contains elements of the Lepps, albeit with the harmonies taking centre stage in the choruses.

‘What If I Wasn’t Me’ – More melancholic than the three openers. Dan’s acoustic guitar takes the place of the swirling lead riffs. Beautifully written, another track that the radio stations are likely to pick up on.

‘Where Are You’ – Edging dangerously close to Hanson, this is again uber-melodic and bounces along nicely.

‘For Her’ – Gentle instrumental interlude overlaid against the sounds of the ocean lapping on the shore. That is all.

‘My Little Town’ – opening slowly with acoustic guitar, this is another melancholic meander that is over almost as soon as it started.

‘Home Part I’ – A wistful track that has the style and feel of The Eagles, with a little Brian May guitar thrown in for good measure.

‘Home Part II’ – Very much in the style of the wonderful Del Amitri, beautifully constructed and showcases the M.A.D.I.S.O.N. talent perfectly.

‘Fairytale’ – Another quality chunk of AOR, brings to mind REO Speedwagon.

‘Good For Me’ – The album closes in similar style in which it opened, with an up-tempo barnstormer. Featuring their characteristic three part harmonies, this has the feel of early Queen but with a contemporary production. Great way to sign off.

‘Classic rock with a modern twist’ is what they say, and that is exactly what you get. What we have here is a quality follow-up album, which is notoriously difficult to achieve, an album which embraces all that is good about the song-writing art. Although there are influences, the album keeps well away from resorting to the blatant plagiarist tendencies so common in some quarters.

Expect to see and hear more from these guys because they have the look, the sound and the temperament to make it big. This all starts at Cordingley Hall onthe 3rd March with the album release party which, if last year’s event is anything to go by, will be a cracker. Put it in your diary, see you there!

8/10

Review by Brian McGowan

Constantly panned outside of their native Australia for being nothing more than Bowie/Roxy wannabes, Icehouse’s worldwide breakout moment came with 1987’s ‘Crazy’, written by main man Iva Davies and guitarist, Bob Kretschmer.

The single, taken from their 6^th album, ‘Man Of Colours’ charted all over, a success that was further cemented by the follow up, ‘Electric Blue’, a Top Ten hit in the USA and the UK.

Prior to that, as those who were in the know will know, there leads a long trail of high calibre synthpop/new wave single releases, starting with 1980’s ‘Can’t Help Myself’. Hits in Oz but nowhere else (except NZ).

For every irritatingly eighties’ Walls’ and ‘Glam’ there are timeless rock tracks like ‘Great Southern Land’ and ‘Street Café’, with Davies showing a lyrical awareness that escaped most of his contemporaries. His insights on life in his native land - inside and outside the city limits - resonated with the listening public.

The singles to follow, 84 through 86, ‘Don’t Believe Anymore’,  ‘No Promises’ and ‘Cross the Border’ were dark, dramatic affairs, contrasting sharply with the upbeat, feel good songs of the eighties. The band’s fourth album, ‘Measure For Measure’ was released during this purple patch. The clue is in the title. Davies was ramping up to an artistic peak, his songs sounding like the work of a wiser, more worldly writer, amply backed up by lushly textured production landscapes, courtesy of Rhett (Roxy/Genesis/Eno) Davies and David Lord.

The band reached their commercial peak with 1987’s ‘Man Of Colours’. Apart from ‘Crazy’ and ‘Electric Blue’, three more singles – featured here - were released, all charting in Australia, but nowhere else.

Three singles were released from 1990’s ‘Code Blue’. Surprisingly bad judgement was shown in the selection, with ‘Mercy On The Boy, ‘Miracle Mile’ and ‘Jericho Bay’ – where Davies showed his deftness and versatility as a songwriter - all ignored in favour of less lyrically audacious tracks.

Sandwiched between is ‘Touch The Fire’, a “previously unreleased” track from the 1986 compilation, ‘Great Southern Land’. A personal favourite, where a memorable melody and a yearning lyric are joined together by a perfectly pitched production, filled with driving rhythms, impatient guitars and a sensuous saxophone solo.

Arguably, Davies’s finest moment.

1993’s less than satisfying ‘Big Wheel’ also yielded 3 singles, not among the band’s best work. Consequently, this single collection would end with a whimper not a bang, if not for the shrewd inclusion of the 1992 single release, a re-recording of ‘Love In Motion’, a duet with Christina Amphlett of Divinyls’ fame.

The DVD comprises of the videos of all the singles released 1980 – 1994.

Where relevant, the Australian, UK and International versions of particular tracks are all included, making this DVD a nirvana for Icehouse completists.

Review by Lisa Nash

Si Wright, Pete Harwood, Damien ‘Daymo’ Sweeting, Andy Smith & Paul ‘Gibbo’ Gibbons make up Yorkshire 5 piece Morpheus Rising. The band refer to themselves as NWOBHM- TNG ( The New Generation), emulating classic British Heavy Metal, with powerful riffs, pounding drums and vocals that soar beyond the atmosphere.

Daylight, Lord of The North, Let the Sleeper Awake, Fear of Nothing, Shades of Grey, Those Who Watch, Fighting Man, Gypsy King, In the End, Quench Your Thirst, Save the Day, Hold On.

These are songs that can be described as a whole, Mythological, Viking and Epic in nature, each a strong contender for favourite track, and yet hard to individualise.

There is the same quality to each, laden with guitar solos and heavy with bass. Nothing stands out, not that in this case this is a bad thing, they are just what they are meant to be, traditional storytelling lyrics without and desire to be fashionable, exciting and they would stand up against the songs of the time they reflect back upon.

Nothing wrong with this album, its not modern, its very 1980’s but for the older rockers this will remind us of good times and for the younger metalheads, this is new & fresh compared to the menu of Nu -Metal and Screamo that has been on offer for so long.

Either way this is good and worth a listen.

8/10