Sunday, December 28, 2008

HEADEND - Sensoria


HEADEND - Sensoria

Written by Branimir Lokner
Sunday, 28 December 2008

HEADEND " Sensoria "
( Meniscus Music ) 2008.

CD

Progressive/progressive rock/fusion/experimental - USA


A newer important progressive adut could be a band Headend. Ray Bontempi and Joe Halgas are only members in formation. They hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and have spent a five years performing together, and three years in the making/creating album materials.
"Sensoria" is their debut issue, released during the October, this year. Many various and in the same time common things had occupied interests of Headend members. Ray and Joe has offered own vision of progressive music, where exists many things in-between, as a fusion, hard rock,
grunge, jazz-rock and many alter options. In some moments we can hear a "known" sequences comes out from earliest Pink Floyd or Rush legacies, but also breaking phrases known from Primus or in the other hand Dream Theater kitchen. Headend also has threathed arrangments approach in one specific way, and many so call "strange" or unexpecting challengies are presents on songs from a CD. As a album "Sensoria" is acceptable on first contacts and easily occupies listeners attention. But, also many hidden details simply need to be discovered. Under the progressive as a genres form, Headend has recorded an innovative and promising debut.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.headendband.com

www.myspace.com/headend

Saturday, December 27, 2008

MASS ECHO - Oblivion


MASS ECHO - Oblivion

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 27 December 2008

MASS ECHO " Oblivion "
( Self - released ) 2008.

CD
Psychedelic/alter - CANADA


A Hamilton, Ontario, Canada act Mass Echo, are consists of 2 persons - Michael David Stricker and Sebastian John Jurowski. They are 2 friends practically from childhood days, and its musical vision is some sort of post modern visionary. Actuelle full-length "Oblivion" could be their second
effort, a first one entitled "Musings In Between", also traced its performing ideas.
Practically, a mentioned fellows communicate among each other, and its performing options and musical views, are concentrate on some sort of unusual improvizations and general playing dialogues. We can find in its legacy, influences comes out from older period, as same as some newer tendencies, but older approach taken some advantages. Mass Echo delivers a tons of
psychedelic soundscapes, some monotonoues parts knows to reminds on kraut rock groups and its performing methods, but also some sort of genres and stylish crossover is evident in group's offering.
15 themes from album are done in different mood, even that songs are conceptually, but most psychologically similiar among them. "Oblivion" is interesting testament of two Canadians, worth listeners attentions.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.massecho.com

www.myspace.com/massecho

e-mail : massecho@live.ca

Confused 5 - Out Of Confusion


Confused 5 - Out Of Confusion

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 27 December 2008

CONFUSED 5 " Out Of Confusion"
( Sellaband ) 2008.
CD

70's rock/blues rock/rock/various rock genres - AUSTRIA


A Salzburg, Austria based band Confused 5 are comprise of well-experienced and long runnin' members. A group was formed first time in 1981, under the name Frust, and reunited in 2003 as a Confused 5. During the July this year, they have relased an album for "Sellaband" -Internet label, entitled "Out Of Confusion".
Austrian veterans are faithful to general one rock form, but its approach also has accepted a different other rock elements.Basically, they are orientire to 70's rock option, fullfield with blues rock and even soul and funk rock details. A presents songs are mostly done in mid to mid-up tempo, and generally one "coolie" and laid back atmosphere dominates through complete album materials.
Technically, as same as productionally, all things are done in professional manner. Most of present songs posses strong melodic includings and threathenings, and Austrians also lotta' energy has given in vocal harmonizations.
Finally, "Out Of Confusion" are consists of materials whose general message is mostly dedicate to midlle-age and older rock followers.

Rating : 7/10
C/o : www.confused5.com

www.sellaband.com

Friday, December 26, 2008

Arbra Hill - Stand Tall

Arbra Hill - Stand Tall

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 26 December 2008

ARBRA HILL
" Stand Tall "
( Self - released ) 2008.
EP CD
Indie/pop/rock - CANADA

A Winnipeg based band Arbra Hill is active on national indie scene from 2002 year. Till now, they have released a 3 issues : "Taste Test" ( 2004.), "Evolution Of Note" ( 2007.) and actuelle one "Stand Tall", dated from July this 2008 year. They are very active concert act, and on domestick therithory they performed a lot. Arbra Hill offers crafted pop songs with variety of emotional statements. Elements of British and as same as USA indie pop/rock traces are evident in its authors creations.Also we can find here and there something taken from jazz therithory as same as from country fields. A pleasent arrangments and fine female voices has occupied a songs structures on practically complete materials from its EP . All of 5 present tunes are nearer judging by psychological threathenings. For all fans of dreamy and catchy songs with strong emotional moods, Arbra Hill's musical offerings could be surely important.

Rating : 7,5/10

The Bastards - Scheming In The Backroom

The Bastards - Scheming In The Backroom

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 26 December 2008

THE BASTARDS
" Scheming In The Backroom "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD-R
Rock/crossover - HONG KONG


The Bastards are "veterans" from Hong Kong, formed back in 1990 year. During the years, they have received a specific status on homeland scene, as same as in the some parts of South East Asia. A first album " Welcome To The Royal", a band has recorded in 1996, and actuelle one looks the light of day, a some months ago. The Bastards are faithful to generally rock option and rock views, nearer to psychology of 70's period. But, its performing option also communicate with many other genre's variations, as a garage rock, 60's rock and many things in-between. Their sound also posses one raw approach evident equally in performing as same as in vocal threathenings. A production also isn' t "polite" and producer Rob Porter mostly has threathed its sound closest to so call garage variants. Finally, The Bastards did a lotta' effort that all things funkcionize acording to its musical visions, and they haven't too much reasons for dissatisfaction.

Rating : 7/10

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

BRADFORD - The Ninth Ring


BRADFORD - The Ninth Ring

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 24 December 2008

BRADFORD " The Ninth Ring "
( Self - released ) 2008.

CD

Instrumental rock/metal/fusion - USA


Out of Denver, Colorado comes Bradford, a long-runnin' profesionals and instrumentalist. As a guitarist he has performed with many groups/artists during the years, and he posses a huge experienced status. A some period ago, he decided to start a solo, and during the August this year he has released an album materials, entitled "The Ninth Ring".
All things on album Bradford did with own forces, and all instruments except drums he performed by himself. "The Ninth Ring" are consists of 12 instrumental themes, similiar psychologies and with equalazing offering standards. Bradford is refine performer, he is not schreder, and he also posses a well-education about studio techniques/equipments. A main concentration of his performing/authors views he did in general arrangments harmonizations, as same as in melodicity. A mentioned melodicity is also an important adut of his genreal offering views. As a album., "The Ninth Ring" is plenty of pleasent moments/details, fullfield with strong
arrangments threathenings and modern productional realizations.
There's no doubt that "The Ninth Ring" deserve a recomandations and more than a positive reactions.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.bradford-music.com

e-mail : bradford@bradford-music.com

HOLYLAND-L.I.F.E.


HOLYLAND-L.I.F.E.

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 24 December 2008

HOLYLAND " L.I.F.E. "
( Rising Works ) 2008.

CD

Heavy/power/melodic metal - ITALY


Italian act Holyland isn't a newer metal exponent on national scene. They started carrear back in 1996 year, and during the years, they have released a several Demo issues and actuelle full-length. In their native Florence a band secured a respectable status, and excluding Italy, they also performed in Bulgaria.
Holyland are certain heavy/power act with clear melodic includings. In its line-up group has very refine and convinceble vocalist/frontman, and his name is Gianni Miccinesi.Even that band has offered in many album places convinceble performing parts, as same as strong arrangments
works, its materials also suffers from evident maniristic problems. A band has threathed production in expecting way, a songs are generally similiar among them nearer to established genres standards, and mentioned elements could be a possible problems for die hard followers.
Holyland has offered a clear message, but musically they also have lack of originality.

Rating : 6,5/10
C / o : www.holyland.it

www.myspace.com/metalholyland

Monday, December 22, 2008

THE VAGRANTS - Be True

THE VAGRANTS - Be True

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 22 December 2008

THE VAGRANTS
" Be True "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD
Power pop/rock - AUSTRALIA

Out of Melbourne comes a band The Vagrants. They are very active concert act, and during the previous years they have played in many places around domestic therithory and abroad. Till now, they have released a 2 EP's and 2 full-lengths. "Be True" is a newer one, and last few months band did a lotta' promotional activities to introduce its work to wider audience. As a band, The Vagrants are faithfull I would say equally to power pop tendencies and rock options. An interesting and convinceble rola in its approach belongs to female fronted singer Renate Ludwig, and her method of vocalizations posses evident energy as same as emotional statements. In some aspects, musically The Vagrants knows to reminds on classic rock acts from the 70's and 80's, and in the other side on power pop groups, comes out from the post new wave era period.Its offering materials posses similiar valuabilities, without weacker places, but also without some tipical hittish tunes. One general pleasent atmosphere, as same as vibrations has offered Aussie band, and "Be True" even of planty of positive moments, as a album is mostly nearer to 80's psychology than to nowadays options.

Rating : 7,5/10

Thursday, December 18, 2008

ELIS CASADO - Ripples


ELIS CASADO - Ripples

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 18 December 2008

ELIS CASADO " Ripples "
( Sile ) 2008.

CD

Jazz/fusion/instrumental - SPAIN


Out of Bilbao, Basque Country comes a keyborder, piano player and composer Elis Casado. He is well-experienced musician, and his first musical steps he did at his youth age. A first lessons received from his father, but during the years he has included himself in many projects/groups
and recordings. With his following band, comprise of 3 adding musicians, as a : guitarist Mikel Sasia, basist Rik Barnabe and drummer Aritza De Castro during the end of September, he has released an album materials, consists of 6 instrumental themes, entitled "Ripples".
With his colaborators, Elis has offered a fine portion of instrumental themes, balancing between classic jazz, fusion and groovy tendencies.
Elis has also drawed elements of 50's jazzy approach, where many aduts has given to some sort of so call atmospheric threathenings of present themes. There's no doubt, that we can find here and there refine work of Elis and his friends, and surelly his authors offering is absolute recomandable.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.eliscasado.com

www.myspace.com/eliscasado

Andrew Roussak - No Trespassing


Andrew Roussak - No Trespassing

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 18 December 2008

ANDREW ROUSSAK " No Trespassing "
( Mals ) 2007/2008.
CD

Progressive/symphonic rock


There's no doubt that Andrew Roussak is nowadays one of the most prolific keyborder/pianist on progressive therithory. Born in Russia, and relocate to Germany in 2001 year, he is active as a free lance artist, studio musician, and composer. He won the "German pop & rock award as the best keyborder and instrumental soloist in 2006 year. He is classically trained performer, but his technique also clearly communicate with modern musical heritages. "No Trespassing" is his debut, recorded in various studio locations in France, Germany and Russia.
Together with his collaborators, he has created an album materials full of colorfull themes, a fine keybord passages, and more than convinceble arrangments creations. His progressive/symphonic offering finds inspiration in 70's sympho rock legacy, and as a performer Andrew also use to name it his older collegues - Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson as a leading
influental tandem. I would also like to mention another keyborder as a possible comparabile to Andrew's performing style and that's a nowadays maybe underrated Dutchman - Rick Van Der Linden from TRACE/EKSEPTION fame. Except two classical transpictions, complete other
present materials belong to Andrew's authors work.
In very refine and inteligent way Andrew knows to connect 70's period with nowadays options, and his album clearly confirms that opinion.
"No Trespassing" is more than recomandable issue, acceptable also for the followers of older as same as newer progressive tendencies.

Rating : 9,5/10
C / o : www.andrew-roussak.com

e-mail : andrew_roussak@yahoo.com

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

THE SQUIRES - Fiction & Theory


THE SQUIRES - Fiction & Theory

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

THE SQUIRES " Fiction & Theory "
( Vesper Records ) 2008.

CD
Rock- USA


Even that they are practically 4 years together, The Squires are newer band on USA scene.A some months ago, they have released a debut, entitled "Fiction& Theory" for "Vesper Records". A main thing about band is their line-up,comprise of 4 teenagers. They aren't a classical teenage band ( judging by established views of teenage acts, comes out from the past ), but they likes to performs and create music with general positive messages for teens. They have offered one primary rock approach, where exists also some evident melodic and vocally narrative aditionals.A songs are under the mentioned view different among them, but some of present tracks posses an interesting arrangments threthenings. As a band they surelly need more experience, but its first discographical step has showed evident potentials and some positive
details at last .

Rating : 6,5/10
C / o : www.squiresrock.com

e-mail : booking@SquiresRock.com

THE DOGZ - Let It Burn!


THE DOGZ - Let It Burn!

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

THE DOGZ " Let It Burn!"
( SKC Novi Sad ) 2008.

CD

Garage rock/garage punk/rock - SERBIA


A Sremska Kamenica/Novi Sad based band The Dogs a some months ago has released actuelle full-length, entitled " Let It Burn!". The Dogz, formerly Mighty Dogz are active on local/national garage scene last few years, and they are well-known to followers of domestic garage tendencies.
A new album brings some different tendencies, if we can compare with its previous recordings. They are still faithfull to garage rock/garage punk options, but maybe more with some so call "normal" rock additionals as well. A productional work of band's old friend and collaborator Comandant Adam ( preciselly he did production with members from band ) in his well-known
studio is maybe "softier" than potential follower could expect, but finally that was a group's decision. A songs are done in faster, to little more faster-up tempo, in same manner, and in some motorization. A band has offered own materials, whose members has given a strong effort in each tacts of present songs. A new Dogz album is little less distinctive than its previous recordings, but without doubt, they steped out in wanting therithory.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.skcns.org.yu

www.myspace.com/thedogzrock

Vexillum - Neverending Quest


Vexillum - Neverending Quest

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

VEXILLUM " Neverending Quest "
( Self - released ) 2007.

EP CD

Epic/power/heavy metal - ITALY


A few days ago, I have received a Demo EP from Italian act Vexillum, active on domestick scene from 2004 year. They were formed by 2 guys, Luca "Akira" Torelli and Michele Gasparri. Actuelle Demo issue with 4 tracks in, has followed in 2007 year, and band received a many mostly positive reactions from national press/webzines. They are still unknown outside Italy, and it's also importat to say, that after a realization of EP, a band has added some new names on its line-up.
Vexillum are on the field of epic/power metal with clear heavy additionals and melodic includings.A melodicity is, like the case is with many other national acts , a band's important adut, even that I couldn' t find any weacker details in its performing offerings. But, a weacker side of offering materials lays in productional threathenings. A production is mostly maniristically threathed, with many failures in taping of rhythm section.
Many refine parts in its performings, has suffered of unquality production, and that's a reality. All of 4 tracks are judging by performing and stylish options similiar and comparabile among them. Cover artwork of its EP also deserve positive opinions and reaction, but mentioned production amortize complete view of band's debut.

Rating : 6,5/10
C / o : www.vexillum.biz
www.myspace.com/shadowvexillum

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Pete Herzog - Homestyle


Pete Herzog - Homestyle

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 11 December 2008

PETE HERZOG " Homestyle "
( Hartkop Productions ) 2008.

CD

Blues/roots music/bluegrass - USA


Out of Trail, Oregon comes a guitarist/songwriter/troubadour - Pete Herzog.His carrear is mostly unknown, but there's no doubt that his performing style and general musical background, posses evident experience. During the years, he has performed solo, as same as with the bands, but one day, he decided that best solution for him is to perform alone with his instrument. He is faithfull to blues and roots music, even that most of his materials he has penned as a author. Pete uses bootleneck technique, but in my opinion a key element of his performing capabilities lays in specific vocalization, full of atmospheric and mood changes.So, as a result we can oportunitty to hear, that each song from album has sounded specifically, and different among them, judging by various emotional statements. "Homestyle" are consists of 18 themes, where three of them are traditional covers.
Most of listeners will surelly accept Pete's version of song "House Of The Rising Sun". As a album, "Homestyle" is full of pleasent moments, unexpecting atmospheres, and without any weacker places.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.peteherzogmusic.com

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Kingdragon - Fire In The Sky


Kingdragon - Fire In The Sky

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 10 December 2008

KINGDRAGON " Fire In The Sky "
( KD/ZAR Music ) 2008.

EP CD

Melodic hard rock/AOR - GREECE


A Greek web pages are full of informations/reviews about Kingdragon band last months. A key reason could be that band is fronted by veteran of national metal scene, keyborder and vocalist - George Aspiotis, well-known not only on domestic field. Kingdragon's first discographical effort is
EP with 4 tracks in, entitled simply "Fire In The Sky". A band has introduced themselves with 4 coherent tracks, nearer to psychology of 80's/90's melodic rock/melodic hard rock, and also close to legacy of American heroes from the past - Foreighner, Survivor, Toto... A productional work is professionally done, and all things get funkcionized as well. But, maybe too maniristically to my taste. It's probably the only real exsisting problem, evident on its EP issue. A Greek mates has offered enough certain and expecting moments, but with very few present elements of originality. In spite of that, "Fire In The Sky" posses other details, whose valuabilities could be pleased a followers of melodic rock/AOR tendencies.

Rating : 6,5/10
C / o : www.kingdragon.gr

FROMUZ - Overlook


FROMUZ - Overlook

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 10 December 2008

FROMUZ " Overlook "
( 10 T Records ) 2008.
CD

Progressive/progressive rock/jazz-rock/fusion - UZBEKISTAN


Out of Tashkent, Uzbekistan comes pride and joy of national and world progressive scene, a band FROMUZ. They were formed back in 2004 year.
Its line-up are consists of technically well-trained instrumentalists, equally convinceble in authors creations. During the 2007 year, they have released a CD/DVD issue "Audio Diplomacy", and some period ago, an actuelle second effort - "Overlook".
"Overlook" is absolute instrumental album, consists of 5 longest themes, where we can find really exciting performing moments, done by members from band. Fromuz are deeply on therithory of progressive/progressive rock, but with many fusion/jazz rock includings and threathenings. They are skillful arrangers and complete offering material characterize often tempo and mood changes as same as performing challengies. A production of Jeff Hodges is modernly threathed, and band has sounded as a modern act, even of many includings and influences from so call older school/options.
"Overlook" is quite convinceble album, and band surelly did a good job.

Rating : 9/10
C / o : www.fromuzband.com

www.10trecords.com

NERONIA - Blue Circles


NERONIA - Blue Circles

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 10 December 2008

NERONIA " Blue Circles"
( Self -released ) 2008.

CD

Progressive rock - GERMANY


German act Neronia was formed out of the ashes of band Ulysses. Through previous period under the actuelle name, they have released one Demo, full-lenght album "Nerotica" ( 2003 ), and actuelle "Blue Circles" CD.
A band has offered quite interesting portion of progressive/neo progressive music with fine keybord threathenings. A songs are done mostly in mid to mid-up tempo, with clever realizations and pretty promising arrangments includings. In some cases, Neuronia approaches reminds me on performing phrases, comes out from legacy of well-known Canadian act Saga, but "Blue Circles" as a album also offers quiet interesting themes as same as authors creations. A followers of progressive tendencies can find here and there many challenging moments. I also haven't too much places for dissatisfaction, but possession of little more originalities, could be better for German fellows at last.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.neuronia.eu

e-mail : falk.ulmann@neuronia.eu

Saturday, December 6, 2008

STONE CARPET - Silence


STONE CARPET - Silence

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 06 December 2008

STONE CARPET " Silence "
( Self-released ) 2008.

EP CD

Rock/melodic rock/grunge/hard rock/alter - SWEDEN


A newer adut on national Swedish scene could be a band Stone Carpet.It`s carrear started back in 2006 year, but under the different name.
During the brief period, a group suffered of some personal problems, but at the same time, they worked hardly on a songs, and soonly an EP has followed.
A Swedish guys has introduced themselves with 5 coherent tunes, well produced and done. Basically, its approach covers melodicity as a main thing, then in the other side, judging by stylish options, a members from band are faithfull to rock forms. Their materials are listenable, and at the same time acceptable, but we can find here and there also some other influences, comes out from grunge and alter rock therithory as well.
In my opinion, a s/t track "Silence" and song " Still I Am Mine", are maybe "stronger" than others, but generally "Silence" as a debut issue relevantelly discover its aduts.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.myspace.com/stonecarpet