CHAD KICHULA - Runners In The Night

CHAD KICHULA - Runners In The Night

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 30 March 2009

CHAD KICHULA " Runners In The Night "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - CANADA
Rock/roots/americana/songwritings

Chad Kichula is a songwriter, born and raised in Regina, Saskatchevan, Canada. He is discographically active from 2005 year, and also constantly performs around the country. His musical heritage was inspired by the legacies of Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle and John
Cougar Mellencamp. Even that all of his previous recordings has accepted a different approach, Kichula introduce himself as a honest lyricist with clear attitude.
"Runners In The Night" comphrises emotionally driven songs with rock/country/americana/roots hints. Chad's voice know to reminds on Springsteen and Mellencamp methods of vocalizations, and his tunes also has something of 70's touch. All of present songs has a similiar atmosphere and final realization, and also posses a evident radio acceptables. Even that Kichula did a lotta' effort to represent himself as a original songwriter, his works will hardly avoid comparabilities with mentioned Springsteen and Mellencamp.

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

PORTICO - First Neighbours

PORTICO - First Neighbours

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 30 March 2009

PORTICO " First Neighbours "
( Cooperspine ) 2009.
CD
Indie pop/rock - CANADA

Portico is Vancouver based band, formed back in 2004 year. Their line-up are consists of 2 females and 1 male. During the following period, a group's activities really impressed both domestic/foreighn critics and audience, and practically all of group's albums has received a very positive reactions. They have released with actuelle one, a 3 albums, and toured twice across Canada.
Portico in its specific and unique way blends indie pop/rock elements, traced from the late 80's and early 90's period, but with many original additionals. All of their songs has important and at the same time specific messages, even that lyrical themes finds inspiration in historical or
personal themes. Portico's sound is in the same time as one reviewer explain modest, but also a "big" enough. Their arrangments are different from song to song, and productional work mostly followed a group's emotionaly driven moods. "First Neighbours" comphrises a fine and eclectic materials, with many challenging places.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.porticonation.com
www.myspace.com/porticonation
www.cooperspinerecords.com

JOYFOCUS - Cyber Suburban Electro Rock Circus

JOYFOCUS - Cyber Suburban Electro Rock Circus

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 30 March 2009

JOYFOCUS " Cyber Suburban Electro Rock Circus "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - USA
Modern pop/power pop/indie pop

Joyfocus are Wheaton, Illinois based female fronted duo. Holly Joy is a singer, and her husband Rikk Currence is a author and he also plays practically all instruments. On first look, they could be a modern version of Eurythmics, but Joyfocus has offered own musical views.
"Cyber Suburban Electro Rock Circus" is their actuelle and 3rd independently released album, with 9 songs in. All of them, except one are authors work.Joyfocus brings positive energy, they deliver melodic and radio friendly tunes. Some of songs posses insightful threathenings, and christian approach too. Basically, Joyfocus materials accepts elements of modern and power pop traces, but also with the hint of 80's post new wave influences. They also made a hommage to mentioned Eurythmics, covering well-known song "Here Comes The Rain Again". Their songs are pretty listenable and fans of actuelle pop tendencies will be satisfied with Joyfocus offering.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.joyfocus.com
e-mail : joyfocus@sbcglobal.net

TENTH PLANET - Everything Is Never Over

TENTH PLANET - Everything Is Never Over

Written by Branimir Lokner

Monday, 30 March 2009

TENTH PLANET

" Everything Is Never Over "

( Self - released ) 2008.

CD - CANADA

Rock/alter rock/90's/80's rock/pop

Out of Toronto, Ontario Canada, comes band Tenth Planet founded back in the begining of actuelle millenium. The have recorded a debut album " Retro Has No Future" in 2003, and had a sucessfull European tour in 2006. A band works in quartet formation, and during the previous year, they have released an actuelle album, entitled "Everything Is Never Over". Musically, a group has offered one interesting amalgam of rock/alter rock views, based on 90's and 80's rock/pop legacies. We can also find in its offering some influental traces taken form U2, Alice In Chains, and even of Australian band The Church legacies . Their materials are seriously threathed, and group also has offered an intelligent lyrical approach. A production, as same as arrangments were done in modern way. To my taste, even of presence of many valuable moments, its songs suffers of too maniristically threathed details. In "translation", in my opinion maybe a band's materials are too close to one 90's approach and referencies, even of mentioned modernly threathenigs of practically complete technical offerings. But, there's no doubt, that "Everything Is Never Over" is professionally done album, worth listener's attention.

Rating : 7/10

C / o : http://www.tenth-planet.ca/

GILLMORE - Rigor Mortis Of Souls

GILLMORE - Rigor Mortis Of Souls

Written by Branimir Lokner

Monday, 30 March 2009

GILLMORE

" Rigor Mortis Of Souls "

( Self - released ) 2008.

EP CD

Heavy/power metal - FINLAND

The activities of Finish band Gillmore dated back in 2005 year. They have suffered of some minor line-up changes, and during the following period , they have recorded a 1 Demo, 1 Single and actuelle EP, from previous 2008 year. "Rigor Mortis Of Souls" introduce them as a band with clear performing and authors ideas.

Their musical offering is something between classic heavy and power metal variants, with some traces in-between, as a stoner rock and melodic hard rock. A melodicity is also an important detail of its songs." Rigor Mortis..." comphrises 5 mainly equalizing tunes, without presence of
unimportant technical offerings, but also without any relevant so call hittish details, or specifically more valuable places.

Rating : 6,5/10

C / o : www.gillmore.fi

www.myspace.com/gillmoreband

BUILT BY SNOW - Mega

BUILT BY SNOW - Mega

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 26 March 2009

BUILT BY SNOW " Mega "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD - USA
Indie pop/alter rock

Out of Austin TX, comes band Built By Snow, founded back in 2006 year. They have in own discography one EP, and actuelle album entitled "Mega". A band works in quartet formation, and main focus in its conception is based on keyboards and programming. They are heavily influental by the indie pop and alter rock dated from 80's period. Also a main inspiration in its approach comes from new wave and post new wave period, and closest influences comes to acts as a Devo, The Rentals, and The Cars from its first album.
A band has recorded a shortened tunes, but with driven and colourfull screenplay, with lotta' offering ideas and similiar realizations.
"Mega" album has a 9 pretty equalizing tracks, duration a little longer then 21 minutes. A song with most potential hittish elements could be a "Something In 3D".

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

HAMLET AND HIS LATIN JAZZ EXPERIENCE - Descarumbiando

HAMLET & HIS LATIN JAZZ EXPERIENCE - Descarumbiando

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 26 March 2009

HAMLET & HIS LATIN JAZZ EXPERIENCE " Descarumbiando "
( Freiaudio Reords ) 2009.
CD
Latin jazz - AUSTRIA

Hamlet Fiorilli is a pianist and composer with Colombian and Italian origins. He is locate in Austria, and with his band, consisting of mainly Austrian and Italian musicians, he has recorded a pretty interesting debut album, entitled "Descarumbiando".
His first musical lessons, he has received from his father, and it's evident that Hamlet personally is skillful performer and musician with respectable experience behind. "Descarumbiando" as a album materials bring joy and happiness, and many enjoyable rhythms.
For all followers of latin variants a materials from CD should be only a recomandle product. All of ten instrumental tracks has showed a respectable performings of members from band , and we can not find any weacker or better to say boring place on album. In some aspects, Hamlet and his band knows to remind on Serbian Jazz veterans - Jovan Maljokovic Sextet, cos' similiar style and similiar mood characterize both groups interpretations. Hamlet and his fellows undoubtly, did a good and fine job.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.latinjazexperience.com
www.myspace.com/latinjazzexperience
www.freiaudio.com

ENDYIUM - Eye Of The Storm

ENDYIUM - Eye Of The Storm

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 24 March 2009

ENDYIUM " Eye Of The Storm "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - CANADA
80's heavy metal/hard rock

Out of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada comes band Endyium, founded back in 1999 year, firstly as a strictly cover act. Later on, they started to create own materials, and its first discographical step was a Demo, with 3 tracks in. During the previous year, a debut full-length looked the light of day, entitled "Eye Of The Storm".
Endyium works in quartet formation ( momentally without a drummer ), and its line - up are consists of well-trained musicians and performers.
Musically, they cover one maniristacally evident approach, nearer to psychology of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Judging also by its performing capabilities , a Canadians has offered own vision, which realization leads to mentioned NWOBHM and golden 80's period.
Their hard rock and heavy metal posses quite enough interesting elements and convinceble attitudes, and productionally, they have captured nowadays tendencies. Even that some similiarities in its performing methods could be comparabile with the styles and approaches of British acts as a : Gaskin, Jaguar or Dark Star, Endyium are band with clear qualities . Technically, also all other details satisfies as well, and I would add finally, that listening of their album was a real pleasure. For all folowers of 80's hard rock and metal, "Eye Of The Storm" is a
real pearl.

Rating : 8,5/10
C /o : www.endyium.com
e-mail : pat@endyium.com

JIMMY ANDERSON BLUES BAND - Long Train A Comin'

JIMMY ANDERSON BLUES BAND - Long Train A Comin'

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 23 March 2009

JIMMY ANDERSON BLUES BAND " Long Train A Comin' "
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD
Blues - USA

Jimmy Anderson isn' t a new kid in town. He is in the saddle practically 30 years, and as a musician he has explored a many genres fields, from metal to disco. But, as he explains, a blues was always in his heart . With his friends he was formed a Jimmy Anderson Blues Band, and a some period ago, a band has released album entitled "Long Train A Comin' ".
Anderson is a key person in formation, he is guitarist/vocalist/author and with his collegues and assistents he has introduced to audience as a interesting performer. There are 14 tracks on album, some of them were recorded "alive" in few southern venues, others are studio recordings.
Anderson and band are influental mainly by the 80's and 90's sort of blues, and key influences leads to artists as a : Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray, Budy Guy. But, also in some aspects their offerings could be comparabile with British blues invasion from late 60's and the begining of 70's period, and with the groups/artists as a Chicken Shack or John Mayall from his earliest stages."Long Train A Comin' " mostly comphrises an equalizing materilas without any weacker or less interesting places. If you are somewhere in central Europe during the summertime this year, you can watch them, cos' band will have some concerts in Poland.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.jabband.com
www.myspace.com/jimmyandersonbluesband
e-mail : blues@jabband.com

INFINITE TONE - Impossi - Bull

INFINITE TONE - Impossi - Bull

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 20 March 2009

INFINITE TONE " Impossi - Bull "
( Burn ! Records ) 2008.
CD
Rock/classic rock - CANADA

Infinite Tone are Montreal, Quebec, Canada based band, consists of 2 members - Inno Fabbro and Bruno Di Medio. Both of them are in music business in some way from its earliest ages, but generally a real new begining and something quite different belong to its actuell activities.
With 6 additional musicians in following band, they have recorded an album material, entitled "Impossi- Bull".
Infinite Tone in its way tries to create an original music view, based on rock and classic rock elements. For them, a 70's period is main inspiration , but productionally a songs posses standardizations of our time. All of 11 tracks are in some aspects listenable, but without hittish traces. Melodicity is also clear, but without so call stronger symphonic or "orchestral" includings. A mentioned Canadians has threathed offering materials, I would say in one pretty serious way, and its evident after listenings a complete album. As a band, Infinite Tone with its approach could be more valuable for the older listeners, or for the fans who supports a 70's music legacies.

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

NOFUCK - Existenzminimum

NOFUCK - Existenzminimum

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 20 March 2009

NOFUCK " Existenzminimum "
( Self - released ) 2007.
CD
Thrash metal - ITALY

Italian act NOFUCK is active on national underground scene from 1997 year. A band introduced themselves with 3 Demo issues, 1 bootleg and actuelle full-length. Also they did a lotta' efforts in promotional activities with its still actuelle album from 2007 year "Existenzminimum", and many national and foreighn webzines/magazines has reported about band's CD.
Nofuck are musically on therithory of thrash/speed metal, influental equally of 80's and 90's period, where more stylish associations leads to European school. A band has offered one pretty basic option of thrash metal, where present songs posses a similiar performing methods, and generally has accepted an identical "look". On the other hand, their attitude is clear . A production is done in same manner, as same as arrangments. A band plays present materials with strong passion and same energy, and mentioned elements are better side of its approach in general. A problem lays in missings of originality,and that's also realistically evident. We'll see what the future brings in their case.
A band expects to realize a new album in forthcoming months.

Rating : 6,5/10
C / o : www.nofuck.it
www.myspace.com/nofuckthrash
e-mail : info@nofuck.it

THE ARCHIBALDS - Easy Living

THE ARCHIBALDS - Easy Living

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 20 March 2009

THE ARCHIBALDS " Easy Living "
( Despair Rib Music ) 2008.
CD - USA
Rock/folk/country/soul/americana

Out of San Marcos, Austin, Texas comes band The Archibalds. They work in quartet formation, and till now they have received respectable followings in local circuit. Till now, they have released a two albums - "O Camellia", was a first efforth, and actuelle one entitled "Easy Living".
A band draws influences from different fields as a rock/folk/country/soul and even americana, but one clear southern approach is evident in its offerings . Some songs posses a provoke lirycal approach, but generally a different atmospheres varies through its materials/conception.
In the other hand, songs were done in one so call coolie manner, and band performed them in mid, rarely in mid-up tempo. The Archibalds has showed an expandier authors visions/views, and "Easy Living" comphrises some pretty interesting ideas and realizations.

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

PROJECT 7 - Paradigm Shift

PROJECT 7 - Paradigm Shift

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 16 March 2009

PROJECT 7 " Paradigm Shift "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - USA
Fusion/jazz - rock/rock/instrumental

Project 7 is a brainchild of guitarist/composer Dan Begelman, a well-known artist in the world of music. His instrumental works touches a many different fields and genres areas, and Project 7 band is just a one of his products. Till now, a mentioned band was released except actuelle one a two albums - "Lost For Words" and "Birth/Death/Infinity". "Paradigm Shift", actuelle issue, Dan had recorded with his assistents and also skillful performers - drummer Tony Gallino and additional bass player John DeCesare. With Tony Gallino, Dan has spent a 3 full years in the
making a materials for actuelle CD, and as he explains, a "Paradign Shift" comphrises a little different authors creations, than the case was with mentioned 2 previous issues.
"Paradigm Shift" are consists of 9 tracks in, all of them are Dan authors works, except a well-known track - "Theme From An Imaginary Western", penned by legendary bassist Jack Bruce, and also known from the repertoire of USA band Mountain . With his collegues, Dan has
offered an distinctive and eclectic portion of fusion/jazz-rock and rock performings with pretty atmospheric realizations. A present themes were done with colourful arrangments approach and complete album materials posses listenable dimension. Even that Dan and his collaborators
musically draws influences from different decades and areas, and specially from 70's to 90's period, "Paradigm Shift" brings fine realizations, and satisfies in manny aspects.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.project7.net
www.myspace.com/project7cds
e-mail : dan@project7.net

TDW - The Haunts

TDW - The Haunts

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 16 March 2009

TDW " The Haunts "
( Nano Music ) 2008.
CD - HOLLAND
Progressive rock/progressive metal/alter rock

TDW ( Tom De Wit ) is a composer/vocalist/keyboarder from Holland, and he strated his carrear as a author in 2003 year. Till now, he has recorded a 2 albums "First Draft " ( 2004 ), " Up Close And Personal " ( 2006 ) and 1 Single issue. "The Haunts" is his actuelle album from
previous 2008 year. This is a conceptual CD about a guy Juan Jacobson who suffers from specific emotionals stages, and he feels quiet different than other peoples/citisens. Musically, with his assistents De Wit has offered an interesting materials , where progressive symphonic
rock and progressive metal elements balancing between some other alter rock and electro variations. A songs are different among them, and some similiarities in TDW approaches leads to Porcupine Tree, Gentle Giant and even earliest Dream Theater legacies. But, De Wit introduced himself as a talented composer/author, and surelly his actuelle album deserves attention and also a positive reactions.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : http://www.tdwmusic.com

EVERETT FOX BAND - Everett Fox Band

EVERETT FOX BAND - Everett Fox Band

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 16 March 2009

EVERETT FOX BAND " Everett Fox Band "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - USA
Modern pop/indie pop/electronic/alter pop

In last 10 days I have received a few very interesting albums, and among them was a S/t issue of New York City artist - Everett Fox.
He is a keyborder/author/vocalist, and his small band also include a percussionist - Dave Salce. Everett Fox is in music business from his earliest age, and during the years he had performed with bands and also alone. He has played in many New York City venues, and his experience is huge.
Musically, Everett communicate with many different so call pop variants. He is original author, and his songs touches elements of modern pop, alter variations, indie views and electronic performing psychology. Some of his songs posses insightfull threathenigs, but all of present tunes are different among them, judging by arrangments modifications. I would add that some of Everett authors views knows to remind on Beatles-que productional/arrangments visions "taken" from Liverpool's fellows last albums legacies. His materials also are hard to acceptables
on first listenings, but after few repeatable attempts, many things easily comes to right place. Everett Fox is a unique author, and he has offered an interesting authors creations.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : http://www.everettfoxband.com

WEINBAUER - New Wave Of Finnish Heavy Metal

WEINBAUER - New Wave Of Finnish Heavy Metal

Friday, 13 March 2009

WEINBAUER " New Wave Of Finnish Heavy Metal "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD
Metal/glam/hard rock - FINLAND

A roots of Finnish band Weinbauer dated back in 1998 year. Some line-up changes passed during the years, but generally band didn' t change its " a little strange" and weird conceptual offerings. Weinbauer surelly enjoy in its performing and lyrical solutions, and its messages reaches also a so call unserious sexual/pornographic variants. But musically, they are faithfull to 80's legacies,
and some influences equally comes out from British and Usa known acts. Also, they have offered
some original authors traces, and each of offering songs from album posses different arrangments threathenings. Weinbauer as a band has accepted hard rock and glam elements, and their sound mainly comphrise one present 80's psychology. "New Wave Of Finnish Heavy Metal" , judging by title, should be a provocative issue, but elements of fun dominetes in general.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.weinbauer.bravehost.com
www.myspace.com/weinbauerfin

LISA SMITH' S POWERHAUS - Maze Of Souls

LISA SMITH' S POWERHAUS - Maze Of Souls

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

LISA SMITH' S POWERHAUS " Maze Of Souls "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - CANADA
Hard rock/heavy metal

Out of Toronto, Canada comes band Lisa Smith's Powerhaus, formed by two key persons, female singer Lisa Smith, and her partner-in-crime guitarist/author Chuck Page. A mentioned pair had a respectable previous experience and during the years received a same status in
national circuit. Together, they formed a band in 2006, and during the previous year, actuelle album "Maze Of Souls" looked the light of day.
A Canadian pair with their friends and musical assistents has created an equalizing album materials, consists of 11 tracks in.
Their musical and performing option is faithfull to one variant of 70's hard rock and hair metal, and in the other hand also elements of 80's hard rock/metal are presents on its views too. And one thing is also important, and that's a present psychology of mentioned era in rock history, which band has reflected through its messages. Chuck Page is skillful performer, and " Maze Of Souls" also comphrises an excellent arrangments approaches of band. I would also add that all other technical details satisfies, and generally "Maze Of Souls" realistically defines a groups' valuabilities.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.myspace.com/lisasmithspowerhaus
www.chuckpagemusic.com
e-mail : chuckpagetwo@yahoo.com

TRIXX - The Riddled Rail

TRIXX - The Riddled Rail

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 9 March 2009

TRIXX " The Riddled Rail "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - CANADA
Rock/hard rock/melodic hard rock

Trixx is a newer name on Canadian rock market. They are female-fronted band, and its line-up are consists of 4 musicians. Judging by informations from its press material, they worked hardly and they have received some very positive recognitions both from collegues and audience."The Riddled Rail" is their debut album, and band introduced themselves with 13 tracks in.
The have very talended female singer Jessica Crowe, and her optimistic energy and emotional approach is a strong band's weapon.
"The Riddled Rail" comphrises very fine songs, and band has showed a respectable authors capabilities. Musically, they are on therithory of 80's rock/hard rock, and in many segments thay know to reminds on well-known acts, established in mentioned era as a Girlschool, Rock Goddess, Lee Aaron...Melodicity is also a leading element in its approach, where many of present songs posses a radio acceptables and potential hittish dimension. "The Riddled Rail" is recomandable album, especially for the followers of 80's hard rock and melodic hard rock tendencies. Their works surelly deserve a chance...

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.myspace.com/trixxonline
e-mail : trixxrock@hotmail.com

EMPTY PLAYGROUND - Empty Playground

EMPTY PLAYGROUND - Empty Playground

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 7 March 2009

EMPTY PLAYGROUND " Empty Playground "
( Self - released ) 2008.
EP CD - POLAND
Industrial death metal

Polish band Empty Playground is active some period on national underground metal scene. Their conceptual vision are based clearly on antitheist message. Musically they combines elements of death and electro/industrial metal. In its sound is evident also one approach, nearer to 90's psychology.A group has offered strong and brutal sound, where vocal tendencies are accepts one growl/screamo variant.
In some of offering songs of its EP, arrangmments were done in non-metal dimension. Also in some of offering tracks, electro/industrial tendencies are more present, then death options. Nevertheless, Empty Playground has showed some interesting ideas, and its EP comphrises relativelly equalizing materials.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.empty-playground.muzzo.pl
www.myspace.com/niemaboga

EDEN - Eden

EDEN - Eden

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 5 March 2009

EDEN " Eden "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - SLOVENIA
Melodic hard rock/AOR

Eden aren't a newer name on Slovenian metal circuit. A nucleus of band had strated carrear in its teenage days, but "real" things had happened after the 2000's. Previously they knowned as a Forgotten Eden, and later on, they shortened its name. Slovenian fellows firstly has recorded a Demo in 2005, entitled "Forgotten Eden". A 3 years later, actuelle "S/t" full length looked the light of day.
A Slovenians works in quintet formation. They have introduced themselves with 10 + 1 bonus track in. Technically, as same as productionally and even maniristically, mostly satisfies, and I would add that all members from band are relativelly well-trained performers.
Their materials are mostly done in melodic hard rock/AOR mood, with also evident 80's hard rock and 70's rock traces as well. In many aspects they knows to remind on Swedish and generally Scandinavian legends as a Europe,Treat or Pretty Maids, but on the other hand, its material unfortunatelly also suffers from less originalities. Maybe, that element nowadys isn' t too important for possible newer followers or fans, but for its further carrear, it is undoubtelly important detail. It's also evident that Eden members did a lotta effort in general album realization, and I will repeat that maniristically its music could be comparabile with approaches of well-known acts. But, a mentioned originality is a real problem for this very moment.

Rating : 6/10
C /o : http://www.forgotteneden.com
www.myspace.com/forgotteneden
e-mail : forgotteneden@gmail.com