STRAYBULLET - Trilogy

STRAYBULLET - Trilogy

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 16 December 2009

STRAYBULLET " Trilogy "
( Self - released ) 2009.
EP CD - BRAZIL
Rock/hard rock/power pop

Straybullet are newer Brazilian act. A some period ago, they have released an EP, with 3 songs in :" Hard Blood" ( mixed by legendary Beau Hill ), "Fields Of Sands" and " Awaken". A mentioned tracks found its place in some USA and UK radio programs, and also some indie distributors sell a band's EP.
Straybullet are pretty melodic act, but not in classical so call hittish way, and present songs also posses one pretty forgotten 80's power pop pastiche.
" Hard Blood" and " Awaken" are very radio friendly tunes, and band members has showed a vividly skillful knowledge in general arangments threathenings.
They are a promising act, and we'll see what the future brings, especially after realization of a full-length album in the first part of 2010 year.

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

SILVER CYPHER - Cryptic Characters

SILVER CYPHER - Cryptic Characters

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 16 December 2009

SILVER CYPHER " Cryptic Characters "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - USA
Dark power metal/progressive metal/various metal genres

Silver Cypher are Cincinnati, Ohio based band formed in 2005 year. Till now a USA fourpiece did a more than 100 shows across the state, and musically they found a specific performing genre's formula. Its actuelle offering "Cryptic Characters" are consists of 6 tracks in, basically done in dark/power metal mood, but fullfield with clear progressive traces and some other metal
additionals, as a 80's and 90's hard rock as well. Silver Cypher seriously has croosed in ambitious arrangments challenge, and its arrangments variants in many segments touches non-metal therithories.
A production work didn' t posses a modern look but a members from band finally did a lotta' efforts that its songs structurally find for them a well-known model. A fourth track " No Forgiveness" could be a favourable one, but it seems that more or less a group has offered an equalizing materials.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.silvercypher.net

BIG TERRIBLE - Face The Stone

BIG TERRIBLE - Face The Stone

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 08 December 2009

BIG TERRIBLE " Face The Stone "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - USA
Hard rock/70's rock/stoner/grunge

Out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania comes a newer very promising act - Big Terrible. They work as a trio - Jon Dumoff is vocalist and bassist, Tim Lynam is drummer and Dan Lynam is guitarist. They have received a pretty supportable reactions from collegues , press and radio editors, and it seems that they will have as a band a promising forthcoming future. Musically Big Terrible communicate with 70's rock, hard rock, stoner and even grunge lagacies, but all things they released on perfect way. All of 8 present songs posses convinceble approach and performing dimension, and as a band they have sounded pretty atractive and also as a well-experienced act. We can hear in its music influences comes out from Soundgarden, Black Sabbath, Gov's Mule kitchen, but trio has accepted standards of our time, and judging by authors offering, its views coming in modern ( rock ) therithory. " Face The Stone " absolutely satisfies in every exsisting elements, and as a album is more than recomandable for 70's hard rock and rock followers, but I' m sure that as a band Big Terrible will pleased also a newer rock fans.

Rating : 9 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/bigterrible

DIMMZ - This Is Life

DIMMZ - This Is Life

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 08 December 2009

DIMMZ " This Is Life "
( Blue Topaz Records ) 2009.
CD
Hard rock - SWEDEN

As a band Dimmz started out in 2005 year, and short after they have announced its arrival with first Demo offering. A band are consists of 4 youngsters, whose musical orientation leads to hard rock/classic rock tendencies. " This Is Life" is actuelle album where we can find a 9 tracks in. A band members are solid musicians and all of pressent songs posses a respectable performing energy too. Even of evident hard rock/classic rock 70's and 80's pastiche in its perfoming and authors works, part of materials posses some stylish variations, so we can find here and there some songs with stronger punk attitude, some thrashy includings, and some tracks with expandier arrangments approaches. On the other hand production is maximally modern for mentioned genre's variants, but finally it seems that simply a little more originalities miises in band's author's offering.

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

NEBULEYES - The Universal Being

NEBULEYES - The Universal Being

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 30 November 2009

NEBULEYES " The Universal Being "
( Orfeo Lab ) 2009.
CD - FRANCE
Progressive/sympho metal

Nebuleyes are French group, started out in 1999 year. During the October this year, they have released an actuelle album entitled " The Universal Being".
That was their third full-length offering, before actuelle one, they have released also " Digital Enfant" ( 2004 ) and " Divine Revolution" ( 2006 ). Nebuleys has offered a seriously done material, and in its album we can find a 12 mainly eqiualizing tracks.Nebuleyes are judging by stilish options progressive/sympho metal band, but with some differencies. Even of some
comparabilities with Therion or Nightwish legacies, Nebuleyes in different manner has threathed vocalizations in its compositions. A female singer sung in classical operetic manner with strong falceto includings, and all of present songs posses a same realizations. Also a playing elements of band members posses more symphonic and progressive details, than standard metal includings. Some interesting ideas passes through releasing materials, and band members has showed a respectable performing experience.
I' m not quite satisfied with productional work, and group didn' t clearly "defines" some intereting places on album. All other technical details has showed a seriousness of Nebuleye as a band.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.nebuleyes.free.fr

ONGO - Malice In Ongolanda

ONGO - Malice In Ongolanda

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 24 November 2009

ONGO " Malice In Ongolanda "
( Ongo Records ) 2009.
CD - PUERTO RICO
Experimental/progressive/crossover

Out of Puertorician Minor Outlying Islands comes a band ONGO. They were formed in 1999
year, and till now with actuelle one, they have released a 3 albums - " Aqui No Pasa Nada" ( 2001 ), " Negra " ( 2004 ) and "Malice in Ongolanda " ( 2009 ). Ongo members (they work as a quartet ) performs music with lotta' improvizations, many turnarounds, breaks, rhythm changes. Often atmosphere transformations also characterize its opus, and band also sung own materials part in Spanish, part in English language. A songs are different among them, most of present materials posses an agressive approach and "brutal" realizations, but some posses an easiest dimension too.
I have to mention that band has cited some influences taken from PRIMUS band kitchen, and especially a method of rhythm section lines threathenings reminds on Primus works. But ONGO as a band has offered a more interesting performing spheres, judging by its evident authors creativities, and present materials deserves more listeners challenges. Ongo is certainly uncommercial act, judging by so call mainstream standards, but " Malice In Ongolanda" is surely a pretty interesting product.

Rating : 8 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/ongoband
e-mail : ongoband@gmail.com

KERNEL - Servant Of God

KERNEL - Servant Of God

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 24 November 2009

KERNEL " Servant Of God "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - ITALY
Thrash/hardcore metal

Out of Milano, Italy comes a Kernel band, active some period on domestic underground scene. But, I have to say that during the brief period, a group did a lotta' efforts in promotional activities, so many worldwide webzines writes about its music. During the February this year, a group debuted with " Servant Of God " album, done as a self-financed issue, but helped with "Punishment 18 Records" distribution duties.
With 9 equalizing tracks, a group has introduced themselves as a thrash act with older school views, but with not so basic or uninteresting additional elements. A band performs on convinceble way, with interesting arrangments includings.On the other hand, a harsh vocalizations leads them to so call hardcore therithory and create an unstandardized atmosphere. A production work posses strong 80's and 90's approach, but band's realization
communicate with standards of our time too. " Servant Of God" is a promising debut, worth
listener's attention, especially acceptable for the thrash followers.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.myspace.com/kernelthrash
e-mail : info@kernelband.com
www.punishment18records.com

CENTRAL DISORDER - The Awekening

CENTRAL DISORDER - The Awekening

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 16 November 2009

CENTRAL DISORDER " The Awekening "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD
Death/thrash metal - USA

Central Disorder are Crestwood, IL, based band. They started out in 2003 year, and work in quintet formation. A some period ago, they debuted with album " The Awekening" done as a self-released issue. A band has introduced themselves with 12 tracks in, done mostly in death/thrash manner, but also fullfield with other metal genres stylish variations. Even of
presentations of mainly older school views, cos' its death/thrash options more or less communicate with 90's period, a band has offered some diversities in performing variants. Some interesting guitar diualities, some unexpectings bass lines and some unstandardized vocalizations exsists in parts of materials, and its evident that members from band did a lotta' efforts that all things get funkcionizes as well. A group also covered Metallica song " Creeping Death", with similiarities in playing elements, but with different vocalization methods.
" The Awekening" with present materials posses equalizing atmosphere, but with evident and also clear 90's orientation.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/centraldisorder666

TOUCH THE SPIDER - Souls For Sale

TOUCH THE SPIDER - Souls For Sale

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 31 October 2009
TOUCH THE SPIDER " Souls For Sale "
( Self - released / Where Are You Forom Records ) 2009.
CD
Doom/goth/psychedelic/crossover - GERMANY

Out of German Black Forest comes a two persons - Unholy Ghost and Cosmic Energy. They stands behind Touch The Spider band, and practically all the things they creates with own forces. During the brief periods, they have pressed a two albums, a first one was double, entitled " I Spit On Your Grave", and actuelle one - "Souls For Sale". A German guys has offered a pretty unique musical amalgam, and its sound comprises many different stillish options and elements. In its specific way materials from album delivers energy and strength of our time, with additional influental views traced from different musical periods. So, we can find clear doom elements, 80's gothic variations, 70's psychedelia, and post new wave includings as well. Arrangments threathenings as same as songs realizations posses clear convinceble line, even that production varies from place to place. A Germans also experimentizes, and some of offering themes has had an unusual finalizations. "Souls Of Sale" has showed a one side of musical conceptuality of German tandem, so we can see what the future brings in their case.

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

DoHM - Circus

DoHM - Circus

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 27 October 2009

DoHM " Circus "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - USA
Alt.metal/progressive metal

Out of Cleveland circuit comes a band DoHM. They work as a quintet, and formed back in 2005 year. They are more than active as a concert act, and during the years of existence, they did a more than 125 shows . A band also posses in own discography a two issues - " Watch The River Runs Red"( 2006), and actuelle one " The Circus".
A Cleveland mates are certain act in its attitudes, as same as in performing realizations. Musically they tries to combine alter metal with progressive metal tendencies, but with strong 90's includings as well. They sounds sometimes agressive, sometimes chaotic, but all the things they holds in own hands.
We can hear in its offering album materials some known influences from groups as a Soundgarden, Tool, or Deftones, but band's mixing chemistry has created something enough unique.They are also part-time melodic, but listening complete materials one thing come to mind, and that's a strong ( natural ) performing energy of each member from band. " Circus " suppose to be a some sort of concept album, but not in usual progressive ( conceptual ) way. Finally, even of mentioned 90's influental traces, a productional threathenings and all other releasing details shows modern aspects of its authors and performing views.

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

ASYLUM BEDLAM - Magma Mana Fetish

ASYLUM BEDLAM - Magma Mana Fetish

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 26 October 2009

ASYLUM BEDLAM " Magma Mana Fetish "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - CROATIA
Dark/electro/industrial/goth

Out of Vodice in Andra, Croatia, comes a band Asylum Bedlam, active from 2007 year. They have toured around Serbia, Bulgaria and homeland, ant till now, with actuelle one, they have pressed a 3 issues - 1 Demo, 1 EP and full-length.
" Magma Mana Fetish" finds them as a unsigned act. They have introduced themselves with 14 tracks in, and I would add seriously threathed and released.
A band tries to offer own views and creations. Musically, thay are on the field of dark/electro goth tendencies, with some industrial additionals as well.
They sung in English language, and its lyrical views touches the dark sides of truth,but in some so call abstract manner. The atmospheres in present songs varies from place to place and different shapes as same as arrangments options balancing through offering materials. Even of not so small present aspects of originality, they are mostly infected by the 80's wave and 80's dark/goth/electro tendencies. But, that was a their choice in final. "Magma Mana Fetish"
comphrises a not just simply or easiest materials for avarage listeners ears, but band has showed some pretty interesting authors ideas and fine realizations.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/asylumcro

TOXIC HEART - Ride Your Life

TOXIC HEART - Ride Your Life

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 26 October 2009

TOXIC HEART " Ride Your Life "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - SLOVENIA
Melodic hard rock/sleaze/glam rock

Toxic Heart are relatively newer act. They were formed in 2007 year, and comes out from Slovenia. A group works in quartet formation, and Slovenian boys has announced its arrival with debut album, entitled, " Ride Your Life". Slovenians are on the field of pretty melodic varaiants of glam/sleaze/hard rock, I would say that they have offered a very melodic option of mentioned genre's form. "Ride Your Life" are consists of 11 tracks, most of them posses radio friendly usings, and some of them could be find a place in hearts of melodic hard rock/glam followers. Its sound also associate on 80's period, but method of performings and what is more important, method of productional threathenings leads to newer Scandinavian acts. I have to say, that band's materials, and album in general mostly satisfies, but one of exsisting problem could be a evident manniristical authors views, presents practically from first to last song. All other things has showed a group's not small potentials.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/toxicheartofficial
www.metalrevelation.com
e-mail : marjo@metalrevelation.com

CORMORANT - Metazoa

CORMORANT - Metazoa

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 15 October 2009

CORMORANT " Metazoa "
( Saturnine Media ) 2009.
CD - USA
Progressive death metal/various metal genres

CORMORANT are San Francisco, Bay Area quartet, active some period on national underground metal scene. They have announced its arrival with actuelle full-length, entitled "Metazoa". A band has introduced themselves with pretty promising and releasing ideas. We can find in its album a 10 judging by qualities mainly equalizing tracks. A progressive death metal tendencies and melodic death metal variants structurally dinamize its performing options. But, also other metal stylish variants passes through its expandier arrangments includings, as a classic metal, neo folk traces and power metal offerings as well. Cormorant has offered a pretty unique sound, and one general progressive approach is present on each track separately too. A production is done according to standards of our time, and its imporatant to say, that also other technical elements absolutely satisfies. "Metazoa" realistically has introduced band in best possible manner.

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

STUPID IN STEREO - The Day The Earth Stood Stupid

STUPID IN STEREO - The Day The Earth Stood Stupid

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 12 October 2009

STUPID IN STEREO " The Day The Earth Stood Stupid"
( Unrepentant Records ) 2009.
CD
Punk/psychobilly - USA

Stupid In Stereo are newer hope of actuelle national punk/psychobilly movement. They were formed in 2007 year, and during the forthcoming period a group toured extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest. They started as a punk cover band, but later on a group finds its recognizable stylish approach.
Stupid In Stereo are fresh punk/psychobilly act influental by the british punk movement from the late 70's and USA horror psychobilly variants as well.
They have found its specific performing formula, and its debut " The Day The Earth Stood Stupid" mostly in relevant way describes a group's wantings and capabilities. They have offered a 15 mostly dinamic tracks, also in some way with evidental melodic traces, fullfield with simply but clear arrangments includings. Stupid In Stereo judging by its musical offerings on debut album are pretty promising act, with clear final messages and more than interesting performings.

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

SIPHER - One Remorse

SIPHER - One Remorse

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 06 October 2009

SIPHER " One Remorse"
( Self- released ) 2009.
Demo CD - FINLAND
Symphonic metal

Klaus Kangas and Toni Lukkonen are two guys behind the Sipher - band/project. A Finnish tandem has released a new Demo, after expandier silence of 4 years. Previously, they pressed a 4 Demo issues, and they are ready and willin' for new actions. Sipher are basically a studio project, and its musical viiews ae orientire to one option of symphonic/dark metal. Its actuelle offering are consists of 12 tracks, where Finnish fellows did a lotta' efforts that all things get funkcionizes as well. I have to say that according to so call symphonic metal standardizations, they more or less have offered a solid releasing attempts. Vocalizations and performings are also done in similiar stylish manner, but a production is weaker on some places.
Also, in some other places its arrangments went outside genre's tendencies. It seems that Sipher has offered some well-releasing ideas, but present materials doesn't posses an equalizing valuabilities, and that's a finally a key possible problem.

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

SUREFIRE MACHINE - Surefire Machine

SUREFIRE MACHINE - Surefire Machine

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 22 October 2009

SUREFIRE MACHINE " Surefire Machine"
( Self - released ) 2009.
EP CD
Rock - Canada

Surefire Machine are Toronto, Canada based quartet. They are active some period ago, and they are owners of self-financed and self-released EP.
This is also its debut issue, but a members from band evidentally did a god job. A group has introduced themselves with 8 pretty relevant edgy rock songs, done with punk energy and "metalic" enthusiashm. A Canadian mates speaks about everyday urban tales, where performing energy deliver the best parts of its inner capabilities.They sounds also as a modern rock act, who accepts a noramativities of our time. Its album comphrises an equalizing materials without any specific leading track, but also without any weacker or less relevant place. A band's debut is recomandable product, and also a promising discografical start.

Rating : 8 / 10
C / o : www.surefiremachine.com
www.myspace.com/surefiremachhine

THE DOWNSPIRAL TO HELL - The Advent Of Neurosis

THE DOWNSPIRAL TO HELL - The Advent Of Neurosis

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 22 September 2009

THE DOWNSPIRAL TO HELL " The Advent Of Neurosis "
( CDG Records ) 2008.
CD - SPAIN
Death metal/crossover

A very interesting act comes out from Spain, whose line-up are consists of only 2 persons - Aneliria and Jose L. Miranda. The name of the band is The Downspiral To Hell, and its activities started out in first part of new millenium. Durng the 2004 year, a duo has recorded and released a " Thorn" issue.
With mentioned CDr, a group has introduced its unexpecting offerings to wider underground audience. During the previous, 2008 year, The Downspiral To Hell has recorded an actuelle full-length - " The Advent Of Neurosis", pressed by Scottish label " CDG records".
A Spanians has offered own original variant of extreme music/tendencies, where basically its sound circulate around death metal options/variations.
A guttural vocalizations and unexpecting often rhythm changes and transformations characterize its concept in general.But, pretty unusual arrangments offerings and agressive performing includings also describe its authors views. A Spanish act also in modern way recapitulate death metal as a genre, and their album materials are full of challengies.

Rating : 8 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/thedownspiral
www.cdgrecords.co.uk

LUST UNDER VIRGO - Both Sides Of The Dime

LUST UNDER VIRGO - Both Sides Of The Dime

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 21 September 2009

LUST UNDER VIRGO " Both Sides Of The Dime "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD
Glam rock - ITALY

Out of Milan, Italy, comes a band, maybe it's a better to say a project LUST UNDER VIRGO. A key person and brainchild of Lust Under Virgo concept, is Izzy Lust- composer, guitarist, singer . He formed a band, and with his instructions during the previous year, a group has released an album, entitled " Both Sides Of The Dime". Musically, Izzy's offerings balancing between 70's glam rock and hard rock, with pretty rawness realizations. His materials posses melodicity, but
realizations of present songs are different from case to case. I have to add that production isn' t inspirative, maybe is better to say that is wrongly thrathed, and some interesting ideas had to failed in final mix. In some cases, a present materials posses complexivities, and arrangments works were done with lotta' efforts. A band has also recorded Roxette hit - " The Look", but without too much recognizing qualities. Even that Izzy and his collaborators has showed some posibilities to " reconstruct" glam rock in own manner, final results aren' t satisfying .

Rating : 6 / 10
C / o : www.lustundervirgo.com
e-mail : mgmt@lustundervirgo.com

THE WHISKEY SAINTS - West

THE WHISKEY SAINTS - West

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 18 September 2009

THE WHISKEY SAINTS - " West "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - USA
Rock/americana/alt.country

The Whiskey Saints are relatively newer name on USA indie scene. They comes out from L.A., and work as a quartet.A band has in its discography actuelle full-lentgth, entitled " West", but before that, a group announced its arrival with EP issue - "The Bootleg EP".
The Whiskey Saints delivers fine songwritings in the manner of rock/americana tradition with some alt.country traces as well. Its material posses evident melodicity, where some positive influental recognitions comes out from the 70's and 80's legacies as well. A group has offered a 12 mainly equalizing and radio friendly tunes, where basically simply, but pleasent vocalizations and similiar playings, characterize complete releasing materials. The Whiskey Saints has offered a more melodicity that the case is with many similiar acts, and that is their key weapon. Finally, "West" is a group's promising adut for future happenings.

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

MOSAIK - Stille Nacht

MOSAIK - Stille Nacht

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 18 September 2009

MOSAIK " Stille Nacht "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - GERMANY
Progressive metal/ progressive rock/crossover

Mosaik is German based band formed back in 2003 year. Till, now they have released a 2 CD's, a first one "Schiksal" in 2005, and actuelle one " Stille Nacht" during the previous 2008 year.A group work as a quartet, and its stylish option basically communicate with progressive tendencies.
But, they aren's a classical progressive metal, or progressive rock band, cos' in its musical offerings we can find many other crossing elements, as a art rock, folk rock, fusion.... Atmosphere in present songs is different from case to case, and generally a songs are different among them. Also we can find in its conceptions influences from various periods and musically a band has accepted 70's legacies, as same as 90's and newer standards.
"Still Nacht" comphrises some interesting ideas, even that offering materials aren' t easy to acceptables for avarage listener's ear.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.mosauk-band.de
www.myspace.com/mosaik1

TEMPESTA - Rivoglio Il Mio Futuro

TEMPESTA - Rivoglio Il Mio Futuro

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 16 September 2009

TEMPESTA " Rivoglio Il Mio Futuro "
( Self - released ) 2009.
EP CD - ITALY
Heavy/speed/thrash metal

Italian act Tempesta isn't a new name on national underground metal scene. Their roots are in 1992 year, and they comes out from island of Grado, not far away from Gorizia. With actuelle one, a band has offered a 5 issue, so, we can sat that thay are discographically pretty relevant. Also a group shared a stage with acts such as a : Garden Wall, Vison Divine, Eldritch, Pino Scotto.... and till now they received a respectable attention in homeland metal circulation. Musically, a Italian trio has offered own variant of heavy/speed/thrash metal, with clear 80's and 90's influences, and same traces as well. I have to say that vocalizations in songs posses in some aspects a different performing level, and some comparazitions with punk and hard core
approaches comes to mind. They posses melodicity, but also its songs are done with evident rawness and similiar playing energy. They have offered a 5 tracks on its actuelle EP, and complete material are sung in Italian language. A possible most influental track could be a 4th song " Parole Come Fucili".

Rating: 7 / 10
C / o : www.tempestaband.it
www.myspace.com/tempestaband

RYDELL & QUICK - R.O.C.K.O.H.O.L.I.C.

RYDELL & QUICK - R.O.C.K.O.H.O.L.I.C.

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 16 September 2009

RYDELL & QUICK
" R.O.C.K.O.H.O.L.I.C."
( RQ Records ) 2006.
CD - SWEDEN
Hard rock/melodic hard rock/rock

Rydell & Quick are Swedish band, consists of two persons - lead singer/guitarist Christer Rydell and saxophonist Malin Quick A mentioned rockers have a following musicians behind, and as a act, they are on special mission - to spread a rock message worldwide. They are constantly on
tour, and till now a band performed beleive or not on 3000 concerts/gigs. They are always ready and willin' for bikers meetings and similiar manifestations, but its music is also enough convinceble with one absolutely positive approach and same realization. They have offered a 10 songs on its album, which oriantation mainly apsorbs hard rock/rock and melodic hard rock elements as well. But, they are not a group with old-fashion manniristical intentions, their sound is pretty near to nowadays standards, and all other technical aspects from its album satisfies as well. " R.O.C.K.O.H.O.L.I.C." also comprises a radio friendly songs, equally acceptable for studio and concert usings/performings. For all followers of sincere and basicaly simply, but at the same time convinceble hard rock/rock, Rydell & Quick album is a real gift

Rating : 8,5 / 10
C/ o : www.rydellquick.se

PSYDOLL - 10 Spyglasses

PSYDOLL - 10 Spyglasses

Written by Branimir Lokner

Saturday, 12 September 2009

PSYDOLL

" 10 Spyglasses "

( Psydoll Products ) 2009.

CD - JAPAN

Industrial/goth/punk/crossover

Psydoll are trio from Tokyo, Japan, fronted by pretty interesting and charming female singer Nekoi. Other two persons responses for sound and vision are Ucchi and Loveless. A group is continiously active a respectable period, and also they did a lotta activities in promotional segments. A band also performs not so rare in Europe, and its works are noticed with attention in critical and audience circulation. " 10 Spyglasses" is its actuelle album offering, where we can find 10 various tracks, done with evident artistic approach and same realizations. Psydoll communicate with few genres forms as a industrial, goth and punk, but its stylish views also touches a few other elements. They are pretty original and in many aspects unique. Their songs and general present materials aren't easy to acceptable, but they have showed enough artistic challenges and few interesting ideas as well.

Rating : 7,5 /10

C / o : www.psydoll.com

www.myspace.com/psyberdoll

THE KRAIG GREFF GROUP - Hammond' Eggs

THE KRAIG GREFF GROUP - Hammond' Eggs

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 11 September 2009

THE KREIG GREFF GROUP " Hammond' Eggs "
( Tonal Vision LLC ) 2008.
CD - USA
Jazz/blues/r'n'b/groove music

Kreig Greff is a skilful performer on Hammond B-3 instrument. He is also a longest period in a saddle, and his musical experience is really impressive.
With his 3 assistents, he has recorded a still actuelle album from previous year, entitled " Hammond' Eggs", where we can find 8 nicely done instrumental tracks. The Kreig Greff Group musically has offered a portion of keybord orientired amalgam of 60's flavoured jazz/blues/r'n'b, fulfield with strong groovy pastiche as well. A followers of keybord groovy instrumental works will surely find many interesting places in "Hammond' Eggs" materials. A production of album is modern and musicians have found an inspirative connective lines between 60's period and actuelle mentioned stylish tendencies. Some comparabilities logically could lead to Jimmy Smith and his legacies, but general Greff's performing approach sustein also many other different technical elements. " Hammond' Eggs" is also a pretty pleasent and enjoyable album for possible wider listeners population, and there's no doubt that Kreig Greff and his assistents has introduced themselves in respectable manner.

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

TOP JOHNNY! - Top Johnny!

TOP JOHNNY! - Top Johnny!

Written by Branimir Lokner
Sunday, 30 August 2009

TOP JOHNNY! " Top Johnny!"
( Star Brite Productions ) 2008.
CD - CANADA
Hard rock/metal/rock

Top Johnny! hails from Montreal, Canada, and they are a newer hope in not only national metal/rock scene. A band work as a quartet, they are active continiously some period, and firstly, discographically, they announced its arrival with EP, entitled " Kick It" from 2005 year. Its self-titled album is also actuelle one, and members from band doing promotional activities, receivimg mainly a positive feedbacks.
With fantastic productional work, a fine and convinceble performings, a band has introduced themselves with 12 equalizing and melodic tracks. Its stylish offering can be described as a variant of modern metal/hard rock/rock . A band has sounded as a pretty modern act, and its fresh sound and unclassical performing energy also shows its original side. "Top Johnny!" is a more than a promising full-length and Canadians steps in to certain future.

Rating : 9/10
C / o : www.topjohnny.com
www.myspace.com/topjohnny

THE SUNWASHED AVENUES - The Sunwashed Avenues

THE SUNWASHED AVENUES - The Sunwashed Avenues

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 13 August 2009

THE SUNWASHED AVENUES " The Sunwashed Avenues "
( Self - released ) 2009.
EP CD - SWITZERLAND
Hardcore/crossover

Some period ago, I have received a materials from Zurich, Switzerland based band, named The Sunwashed Avenues. This is an EP, done in Digi format. A group works as a quartet, and its musical approach isn' t easy for general categorizations.
A Swiss fellows are crossover band, and its views mainly covers hardcore elements. They have introduced themselves with 6 tracks in. Its performing method is also aggressive, psychologically nearer to 80's variants of hardcore. Screamo vocalizations, and lotta' noise includings also characterize its performing options. A songs are done in so call slower to faster up tempo, where often rhythm transformations changes a songs structures. A group also delivers through its sound enough nihilistic elements, and also in mentioned variants knows to remind on 80's
hardcore acts. A band's EP isn' t easy to acceptable, but a Swiss youngsters has offered pretty enough portions of originality.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/thesunwashedavenues

M.I.C - Made In China

M.I.C - Made In China

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 12 August 2009

M.I.C. " Made In China"
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - CHINA
Classic rock/hard rock

Out of Chinese town Chengdu comes a band M.I.C. fronted by key person Yvon Serre. A group also has in its line-up some other non - Chinese musicians, so we can not threat them as a "normal" Chinese band. But, nevertheless, a group are consists of some other also well-experienced performers, and its album doesn' t sounds as a usual debut issue of some newer act." Made In China" comphrises mostly classic rock songs, fulfield with hard rock elements and some melodic rock includings as well. M.I.C reminds on 80's hard rock acts, and psychologically,they are judging by offering materials musically nearer to mentioned period, than to nowadays options. Its general rock attitude is also evident, and most of present songs posses strong performing approach. A production isn' t inspirative enough, but band has showed relevantly its capabilities . A closing track "Let's do it", could be a favourable one, also pretty acceptable for live performance.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.yvonserre.com/mic/
www.myspace.com/madeinchine

EVOLUTION - When Serenity Ends

EVOLUTION - When Serenity Ends

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 11 August 2009

EVOLUTION " When Serenity Ends "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - GERMANY
Heavy/thrash/power metal

German act Evolution is on the saddle practically from 2001. year. Even of not so rare personal changes, frontman Maik Nirmaier keep the flame all the time, and nowadays, positions and status of Evolution as a band in national underground circuit are better than ever. A group has released till now with actuelle offering a 3 albums and 1 EP. "When Serenity Ends" are consists of 13 tracks in, done with modern productional views and realizations. A band still communicate with same passion with 80's thrash variants of mainly By Area school, but its performing options also has accepted classic heavy and power idioms as well. It seems also that band passes through specific stages, and offering materials posses evident stronger emotional includings, and practically unexpecting clear and pure energy too. So, in mentioned circumstances, "When Serenity Dies", judging by many aspects, is different product than its previous albums. This is surely not bad, and generally German fellows did a solid job.

Rating : 7,5 / 10
C / o : www.evolution-metal.de
www.myspace.com/evolutionofficial

DAVID MARTINEZ - David Martinez

DAVID MARTINEZ - David Martinez

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 11 August 2009

DAVID MARTINEZ " David Martinez "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - USA
Rock/americana/country rock

David Martinez is a Corpus Christi, Texas based songwriter. At age 15 he did his first steps as a musician, and during the years he tasted himself through many crossing music forms. "David Martinez", actuelle S/t album is also his debut. David has introduced himself with 10 self-penned songs which oriantations balancing between rock/country rock and americana idioms. Storytelling psychology occupies his lirical approach, and his songs are mostly done in mid to slower mid-up tempo. A specific pleasent atmosphere also characterize his materials, where we can not find any so call weacker places.
David's method of performing and songwriting also reminds sometimes on successful 70's authors, but his originality is also evident . More or less, on David's debut we can find an equalizing materials, without any classical hittish song, but with plenty of fine-driven' tunes.

Rating : 8 / 10
C / o : www.davidmartinezmusic.com
www.myspace.com/davidmartinezmusic

THE ZOO - We Can't Wait

THE ZOO - We Can't Wait

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 11 August 2009

THE ZOO " We Can't Wait "
( Manhoover Records /Universal ) 2009.
CD - SWEDEN
Power pop/ 80's pop/modern pop

The Zoo are Swedish band, formed some years ago by two key members - Albin Johansson and David Eriksson. Firstly, their style was quite different, but later on, a band has accepted a more popish elements and traces.When two Demos were putted on rotation, a group has received some recognitions, both from labels and press , and that was a signal for real begining. "We Can' t Wait" is a debut full-length, and band's album will be also publish in August this year for Japanese market. The Zoo are pretty melodic act with clear 80's flavour. They have introduced themselves with 11 songs in, with more or less similiar equalizations. Basically, its approach mostly cover power pop idioms, but also with strong modern includings. A keybords threathenings associate sometimes on playing methods of post new wave acts, and its arrangments aren't boring and doesn' t suffers from manniristical problems. "We Can' t Wait" is also listenable product, with many radio friendly songs . I would recomand one of them - "One Of A Kind " whose hittish tendencies, comes out from the second plan.

Rating : 8 / 10
C / o : www.thezoo.se
www.myspace.com/thezooworld

SARIS - Curse Of Time

SARIS - Curse Of Time

Written by Branimir Lokner
Sunday, 09 August 2009

SARIS " Curse Of Time "
( Duck Dive Music ) 2009.
CD - GERMANY
Progressive rock

Out of Bochum, Germany comes a band SARIS. They formed back in 1981, but its carrear suffered from longest periods of non-exsistence. They recorded a first album in 1991, entitled "Dead And Street" , and after a period of practically 18 years in waiting, and some line-up problems, actuelle second album looked the light of day. "Curse Of Time" has introduced them as a precise progressive rock act with some clear progressive metal additionals and also AOR includings as well.
A fine male-female vocalizations and briliant keybord drivin' work characterize its songs. Saris in many places knows to reminds on 70's acts and its musical approach excluding production, mainly associate on mentioned periods/times. In some aspects they reminds me in other parts of world less known German act EINSTEIN, but some comparabilities also leads to Canadian group SAGA. But, Saris has showed that as a group knows how to put right thing in right place, and its album posses many inspirative places. A melodicity is also strong element of its works , and I would mention a refine arrangments capabilities of members from band. "Curse Of Time" as a album has maybe strongest oriantations to mentioned 70's, but that element doesn' t change a
general positive opinion about its musical realizations.

Rating : 8 / 10
C / o : www.saris.mu
www.myspace.com/sarisband

RANDY RUSK - Innocent Grace

RANDY RUSK - Innocent Grace

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 05 August 2009

RANDY RUSK " Innocent Grace "
( Omega Music Production ) 2008.
CD - USA
Rock/country rock/songwritings

Songwriter Randy Rusk is active as a muscian for 34 years, and his carrear has accepted a variety of professional musical combinations. Among other activities worth mentioning are his "duties" as a professor at Saddleback Comunity College, where he teaches classes in both songwritings and guitar playing. As a performer, he was opened for many well-known and established names , and he is author with respectable experience.
" Innocent Grace" is his latest issue, where we can find portion of self-penned songs ranging between rock, country rock and some other similiar genre's variants in-between. Most of his songs has a strong 70's flavour, and his method of songwritings knows to reminds on successful artists from mentioned era. Even that some of his songs posses a provoking lirical tendencies, in many aspects Randy's authors creations associate on legacy of James Taylor . Practically, all things on "Innocent Grace"album except drums passages, Randy did with own hands. He has showed a respectable authors qualities, and "Innocent Grace" deserves often repeatable listeners attention.

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

JAKE LEAR - Lost Time Blues

JAKE LEAR - Lost Time Blues

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 01 August 2009

JAKE LEAR " Lost Time Blues"
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD
Blues - USA

Out of Vermont comes a blues artists, guitar player, singer and author Jake Lear. His carrear is actuelle a last few years, and both of his albums - "Love And Charm" ( 2007 ) and actuelle one "Lost Time Blues ( March 2009 ), received a mainly positive reactions fom worldwide blues
communities/followers/journalists. Jake Lear prefers live and direct studio perfomings, without any unnecessery overdubs, and his style is orientire to well-known Texas variants and generally older school. His songs are sincere, pretty clear, with evident emotional approach, and in many aspects his voice has accepted a narrative approach, similiar to methods of earliest folk singers, and some comparisons leads also to Bob Dylan, as a one of influental icons. "Lost Time Blues" are consists of 11 tracks, done in mid to mid-up tempo, where 2 of them are covers. "Lost Time Blues" is very interesting album with many pleasent places, but listening a few times Jake's materials, one relevant think comes to mind - and that's a evidental 70's approach present in practically every corner of Jake's songs. But, that is only another positive element, and "Lost Time Blues" as a album deserves recomandations.

Rating : 8 / 10
C / o : www.jakelear.com

MOTHERFUNKY - Demo Record

MOTHERFUNKY - Demo Record

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 31 July 2009

MOTHERFUNKY " Demo Record "
( Self - released ) 2008.
EP CD - BOSNIA
Nu metal/metal core/rap core/ alter

Motherfunky are horde from Prijedor, Bosnia, and participients of this year, a second " Nektar demo Fest" in Banjaluka. During the previous year they did in their own a Demo offering, where we can find a 4 songs in : " Under pressure", "Why", "Did You", "Jump". A mentioned tracks suppose to show its actuelle ( from previous year ) shape and possibilities as a band. Motherfunky are on the field of few genre's forms, traced between nu metal, metal core and rap core elements as well. They are also infected by the grunge movement, and especially by the 90's period too. In its sound we can also recognize some other alter details. A songs are sung in English , and listening a group's materials, we can feel a specific enthusiashm and passion, when they performs its songs. They maniristically more or less, did what they want to on expecting level, and they are pretty convinceble in its attitudes. But, on the other hand, they simply suffers from less originalities, and mentioned detail could be a serious problem for them in near future.
All other elements mostly satisfies, and band has showed some evident potentials....

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/motherfunkymusic
e-mail : bandmotherfunky@yahoo.com

HEAVEN RAIN - Far And Forever

HEAVEN RAIN - Far And Forever

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 31 July 2009

HEAVEN RAIN " Far And Forever "
( Moonwolf Records ) 2008.
CD - BOSNIA
Melodic/power metal

A Banjaluka based band Heaven Rain, should be a newer hope on not only national/regional
metal scene. They works as a quintet, where members from band has had a previous experiences. During the 2008 year, they have recorded a debut issue, entitled "Far And Forever", and mentioned album mostly pleased a worldwide reviewers. Basically, Heaven Rain communicate with pretty melodic forms of metal, fulfield with clear power and progressive metal tendencies as well. Judging by technical knowledges, all members from band has showed a respectable performing qualities, and its sound as same as arrangments threathenings, were leading by keybord drivin' motorizations. There are 9 tracks on album, and judging by performing as same as technical realizations, a band has accepted a standards of our time.
We can hear also a hidden AOR traces in its approach, but generally, a group has offered a colourful and convinceble works. "Far And Forever" is a promising debut of Banjaluka mates, and certainly deserved attention of genre's followers.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.myspace.com/heavenrain
www.moonwolfrecords.com

ZONA ISKLJUCHENJA - 13. Soba

ZONA ISKLJUCHENJA - 13. Soba

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 31 July 2009

ZONA ISKLJUCHENJA " 13. Soba "
( Hayat Production ) 2008.
CD
Rock - BOSNIA

Out of Bosnian small town Gorazde comes a band Zona Iskljuchenja. Their activities dated back
from the 90's period, and members from band posses some previous experiences. "13. Soba" is its second discographical effort, and well-known Sarajevo based label "Hayat Production", was released album during the 2008 year. As a band Zona Iskljuchenja covers rock idioms, and basically they are rock group. But, they aren' t a classical rock band, and in its performing realizations we can find another additional elements as a pop includings, ethno views, but also in some segments, they have sounded as a hard rock act. But, basic element in its concept belong to lyrical approaches.Their lirical messages are oftenly pretentious, maybe too serious, also evident in cases when band sing about "normal" emotional relationships. But, that was a their choice, and what is more important, its general attitude. As a title announce, "13. Soba" are consists of 13 songs, whose technical realization mostly satisfies, but unfortunatelly, that wasn' t a case with its final message. I have to recomand a band's version of well-known song"Emina" ( traditional/A. Santic lyrics ), which realizations brings a newer specific atmosphere. But that wasn' t enough at all for final opinion.

Rating : 6 / 10
C / o : www.hayatproduction.com
www.zonaiskljuchenja.com

SILVERSAFE - Automatic Heart

SILVERSAFE - Automatic Heart

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 21 July 2009

SILVERSAFE " Automatic Heart "
( Self - released ) 2008.
EP CD - USA
Rock/90's rock/hard rock

Out of Portland, Oregon comes a Silvesafe band.They are active some period, and as the informations confirmed, a band constantly performed around not only local circuit for 6 years. A group are consists of 4 well-trained musicians and conviceble performers, and I would mention a frontman Jonny Davidson as a certain singer with strong vocal capabilities and pretty interesting method of interpretations. His voice certainly is a stronger side of general band performings. Musically, a band has offered songs which oriantations mostly leads to 90' s period. In my opinion a group has accepted equalizing influences both from British and USA sides. Their songs also posses strong melodic level and band performs them in mostly mid-up tempo.
On the other hand, a group did a lotta' efforts in productional segments, and productional work has accepted a standards of our time. But in some aspects, its songs has suffered from 90's stylish mannirism, and that's clear and evident too. Technically, all things funkcionizes as well, and band also shows that all musicians in formation posses releable experience. Finally, I would mention a song "Fear" from band's EP, as a recomandable one.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.silversafe.net
www.myspace.com/silversafe

EPITAPH OF SEIKOLOS - Comes The Angel Of Death

EPITAPH OF SEIKOLOS - Comes The Angel Of Death

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 21 July 2009

EPITAPH OF SEIKOLOS " Comes The Angel Of Death"
( Self - released ) 2008.
EP CD - USA
Black metal/experimental

Out of Missoula, Montana comes a Epitah Of Seikolos band. They are consists of three members , sharing the same passion and artistic approach.
" Comes The Angel of Death" is band's first offering, demo with 4 tracks in. A group deliver some clear harsh black metal ideas, darker visions, and minimalistic performing threathenings. Their black metal is faithful to 90's legacy, but some other crossing and experimental traces, passes through offering themes. A similiar performing level characterize all of present tracks, and everything is more or less clear , after listenings of just few tacts.
But, they didn' t fail in manniristical trap, and some interesting ideas can be heard in its performings.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.myspace.com/epitaphofseikolos

FAB BOX - Music From The Fab Box

FAB BOX - Music From The Fab Box

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 21 July 2009

FAB BOX " Music From The Fab Box"
( Sounds Of Pisces Music ) 2009.
CD - ITALY
AOR/melodic rock/pop

Fab Box are consists of two persons - Fabrizio Ugolini, who was formerly member of the Italian 80's hard rock act Revenge,and Massimo Bozzi, whose carrear as a producer, arranger and musician is more than respectable. As a musicians with huge experience behind, they decided to start writing own songs. So, as a result, we have here its actuelle offering, entitled " Music From The Fab Box". Italian fellows are on the field of AOR/melodic rock, with some west coast includings. Its songs also posses a clear pop pastiche and strong melodic level. There are 13 mostly equalizing tracks on album, productionally satisfying, where technical realizations deserves only a recomandations. Songs are mostly done in mid to mid -up tempo, and I would add that present materials aren' t band's answer on nowadays genre's tendencies. They choose to record own vision of AOR music, and there's no doubt that they have offered an original views. I have to say that listening a Fab Box songs, comes to mind that one thing is simply missing - and this is energy.
All other things Italians did with a similiar convinceble realization, and surelly technical perfection.

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

IF - Morpho Nestira

IF - Morpho Nestira

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 16 July 2009

IF " Morpho Nestira "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - ITALY
Progressive/progressive rock

Italian IF are relatively known act not only on domestic field, even that all things they did ( and still do ) with own forces. They were formed back in 1993 year, and released 4 albums till now. Actuelle one is "Morpho Nestira" , and judging by net informations, they did quite a god job in
promotional activities and so call media marketing. They works in quintet formation, fronted by key person, guitarist and author - Dario Lastella.
" Morpho Nestira" is a conceptual product, where lyrical approach speaks about inhumanities in modern world. Musically, a band has offered own views and visions, even that some influences comes out from the legacies of 80's Genesis and Pink Floyd as well. But, I would add that mentioned comparativities aren' t important for general description of its music and concept. They have offered a fine melodc levels, and its performings also deliver tipical Italian energy and emotionals. Arrangments creations are also colourful, and unexpecting in many album places. Some of foreighn reviewers wrote that band didn' t productionally sastisfies, but I must disagree with mentioned statements. A production simply follows up conceptuality of album, and what is more important, psychologically sustain a group's ideas. "Morpho Nestira" deserves repeatable listeners attention, but this is very recomandable album , and litlle masterpiece in newer progressive production.

rating : 9/10
C /o : www.ifsounds.com
www.myspace.com/ifitalia

ARCHAIC - The Time Has Come To Envy The Dead

ARCHAIC - The Time Has Come To Envy The Dead

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 15 July 2009

ARCHAIC " The Time Has Come To Envy The Dead "
( Vic Records ) 2009.
CD
Thrash metal - HUNGARY

Archaic is one of most prominent modern metal band from Hungary. They comes out from capitol Budapest, and were formed by 3 ex-members of band Braindeath, whose carrear lasted between 2001 and 2004 year. A band has recorded still actuelle album "The Time Has Come To Envy The Dead" as a self-release with own forces during the 2006 year, but, later on a group signed to "Vic Records". So, we have here a re-release of band's debut.
This is an album with 10 tracks in, and 2 additional video clips. Archaic is on therithory of very own sort of thrash metal, maybe basically rooted in late 80's and the begining of the 90's period, but with many unclassical additionals. The voice is dark and brutal, also powerful, band performs its songs with organized discipline and with colourful arrngments includings, and often up-tempo changes. Some death metal traces are also present in its performing repertoire. One of the most respectable element is very modern productional threathening, which realization helps that all other things funkcionizes according to nowadays standards. Hungarians expects in next forthcoming period a new album, and we'll see their next steps soonly.

Rating : 8/10
C /o : www.vicrecords.com
e-mail roel@vicrecords.com
www.myspace.com/thearchaic
www.archaic.hu