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

STIMULATOR - Stimulator 2

STIMULATOR - Stimulator 2

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 15 July 2009

STIMULATOR " Stimulator 2 "
( Stimulator Records ) 2008.
CD - USA
80's pop/power pop/melodic pop

Stimulator is a L.A. based band fronted by well-known Susan Hyatt. Her collaborators and partners in crime with equal duties are drummer Chad Stewart, and bassist Sean Tichenor, both with respectable previous experience. "Stimulator 2" is a group's second effort, released on its own label, but as a informations confirmed, album is also out now on "Genepool/Universal Records" . A hittish orientations and pretentious belongs to band's wishes, so we'll see what the future brings, but judging by musical offerings, Stimulator are on therithory of 80's pop/power pop. Maybe more psychologically, but realizations of present materials and productional work also confirms mentioned statement. One tipical "summer" atmosphere circulate through present songs, and I would add that technically a band did a god job. On the other hand, a band didn' t show a same quality in every aspects of offering materials, and some of present songs are simply better than others. A band successfully covered Neil Sadaka''s tune "Love Will Keep Us Together", and mentioned song is in my opinion a best album track too.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.stimulatortheband.com
www.myspace.com/stimulator

BLUES DIVINE - Shine Like The Sun

BLUES DIVINE - Shine Like The Sun

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 15 July 2009

BLUES DIVINE " Shine Like The Sun"
( Wide Eye Music ) 2008.
CD - USA
Blues / various genres

Out of L.A comes a newer band with bluesy approaches. But, a Blues Divine aren't a classic blues act, even that its performing options communicate with "normal" blues elements and standards.Fronted by key person Philip Franchini , world traveller and musician, during the relatively brief period of exsistence, a band has offered a 2 albums. Actuelle one is "Shine Like The Sun", where we can find 11 tracks in. Blues Divine performs blues with gospel manner, also with southern feel, and generally artistic approach. Its songs are melodic, pretty emotional, where also exist a briliant arrangments works of complete members from band. A fine atmosphere dominates through complete offering materials, and one enjoyable aspect is present when songs passes through listeners ears. "Shine Like The Sun" is also full of melodic choruses, and generally most of the present songs posses radio acceptables. "Shine Like The Sun" is a pleasent surprise and fine product too.

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

SEIZURE CRYPT - Under The Gun

SEIZURE CRYPT - Under The Gun

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 07 July 2009

SEIZURE CRYPT " Under The Gun"
( Bad Elephant Productions ) 2008.
CD - USA
Thrashcore/hardcore/grindcore

Sezure Crypt are New York City horde, active continiously some period on underground circuit. "Under The Gun" is their actuelle offering from previous year, and before mentioned one, a band was recorded a 2 more issues. Seizure Crypt directly and without compromises shows its capabilities. They hits you right in a face, and its songs speaks about reality. A group is musically so far of any trendy elements, and its views posses enough original segments.
A band combines elements of thrashcore, hardcore and grindcore, and some other things in - between. But, more important is their positive psychology and general positive attitude. Its song also has an unbeleiveble energy, and there's no doubt that special parts of its approach are concerts and contacts with crowds. " Under The Gun" is an album with little more than 21 minutes of unorganized brutality, but with present ideas they have a certain future.

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

FANTASY OPUS - Beyond Eternity

FANTASY OPUS - Beyond Eternity
Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 07 July 2009

FANTASY OPUS " Beyond Eternity "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - PORTUGAL
Heavy/power metal

In last few years, I haven' t enough oportunity to listen a materials of some Portugal metal groups . So, Fantasy Opus and their actuelle offering will be the first reviewing album in a years, if we speak about the groups/artists from mentioned country. So, as we can see, a Portugese fellows had a some not just a "shortened" history behind, cos' their story started out in 1999 year. But, their actuelle album, is its first full-length too. Fantasy Opus are on therithory of European style of heavy/power metal, established in late 80's and the begining of the 90's period. Their songs also posses strong melodic level and some hidden progressive parts too. Technically, they did a quite solid job, maybe with more releasing additional unimportant manniristical elements.
But, a members from band also did a lotta efforts that all things funkcionizes as well. They are also a very prominent instrumentalists, and they played songs in good technical manner. I also didn' t hear too much originalities in its offering opus, but on the other hand they introduced themselves as a convinceble act in the field of heavy/power metal, and also recomandable for the followers of mentioned genre's forms.

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