SWEETKISS MOMMA - Revival Rock

SWEETKISS MOMMA - Revival Rock

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 29 October 2010

SWEETKISS MOMMA " Revival Rock "
( Self - released ) 2010.
CD - USA
Southern rock/blues rock






In last months I have received a few CD's of groups with southern feel and southern rock approaches, and it's a real pleasure every new discovering of relativelly still unknown acts, whose style communicate with mentioned genre. SKM are Washington state based band, they works in quintet formation, and few month before, they have discographically debuted with " Revival Rock" album. A group has introduced themselves with 12 tracks , done in southern rock/ blues rock style. Their approach is fresh, also convinceble, and even of associations of album title, their musical views are done according to standards of our time.A songs posses an equalizing qualities, most of them are done in mid to mid-up tempo, and also exists faster up songs, as same as some half-ballads as well. Musically SKM satisfies, and their approach could be interesting equally for older and newer southern rock followers.

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

SLAVE TO THE DAY - Pushing Through The Still

SLAVE TO THE DAY - Pushing Through The Still

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 26 October 2010

SLAVE TO THE DAY " Pushing Through The Still "
( Self - released ) 2010.
CD - USA
Rock/hard rock/heavy metal







Slave To The Day are newer act on USA underground metal / rock scene. They are hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, and works in quintet formation. A few months ago, they have released a full-length, entitled " Pushing Through The Still". They are on own specific therithory, its songs are complexive, full of clear associations and interesting lyrical approaches . Musically they delivered a strong energy, and present songs are full of specific ambiental passages. Judging by style options, Slave To The Day communicate with rock and metal tendecies, and in some cases they have accepted influences from 90's period.In my opinion, a productional work also is more orientire to the 90's era, than to nowadays options.
A USA act offered an equalizing materials, but practiucally without any leading song.Their strongest weapon is exsistence of mentioned ambiental / atmospheric elements in performing variants

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

DERIN DOW - Retroactive

DERIN DOW - Retroactive

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 23 October 2010

DERIN DOW " Retroactive "
( Crapshoot Music ) 2005.
CD - USA
Melodic rock/AOR/classic rock







Derin Dow is Los Angeles based musician, songwriter and guitar player ( on his album he also played bass ), active from late 80's period.
During the 90's period, he began contributing to the musical scores of several independent films, and he has also been feaatured in "RECORDING" magazine on two occasions. Since 2005, Derin and his band have opened shows for artists as a : Asia, Shaw - Blades , Ambrosia...
Derin is a strong songwriter and fine vocalist. His interesting sphere are deeply in melodic rock / AOR / classic rock fields, and most of his songs posses late 70's and early 80's approach. In some aspects his musical legacy knows to remind on REO Speedwagon or Foreigner style, but he is enough convinceble in his performing attitudes. All of 13 present songs on " Retroactive" album posses radio friendly usings, and also are pretty attractive for concerts playings. Under the mentioned genre's tendencies " Retroactive" is more than interesting and acceptable album.

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

FAIRY TALE - Dream

FAIRY TALE - Dream

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 21 October 2010

FAIRY TALE " Dream "
( Hevhetia ) 2008.
CD - SLOVAKIA
Ambiemtal/electro/progressive/darkwave/melancholic pop





Formerly known as a duo, now with a band behind them, Slovakian Fairy Tale has still actuelle album, entitled. " Dream". As I reviewed its previous EP issue " Sound Mirrors", I have already known what can expect, but it seems that now expandier formation has also a something new to offer.
A key person in band is composer Peter Kravec, and his interesting and mainly original musical views elegantly introduce, promote and deliver a female fronted singer Barbora Kolarikova.A Slovakians are on the field of ambiental/ electro/ darkwave tendencies, and its sound is also fullfield with progressive includings. But, in actuelle album a Fairy Tale has sounded more mature, and some other musical variants as a rock, partly kraut rock, and even folk and pop, are presents as well. Like a previous issue, a " Dream" is also a complexive product, hardly available for avarage listener's ear. But, Slovakians has showed evidental progress in its actuelle offering, and " Dream " as a album, satisfies in many aspects.

Rating : 8 , 5 / 10
C / o : www.fairytale.sk
www.myspace.com/musicfairytale

WHITEBOY JAMES AND THE BLUES EXPRESS - Last Time Was The Last Time

WHITEBOY JAMES & THE BLUES EXPRESS - Last Time Was The Last Time

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 16 October 2010

WHITEBOY JAMES & THE BLUES EXPRESS
" Last Time Was The Last Time "
( Rip Cat Records ) 2010.
CD
Blues / rockabilly - USA





Whiteboy James And The The Blues Express was the band firstly known with its activities on the Southern California Blues Explosion scene during the late 80's and the begining of the 90's . Unfortunatelly their carreare was on hold some period, but luckilly, they are ready and willing for new battles.
" Last Time Was The Last Time" is a band's second effort, released for newly formed label " Rip Cat Records" ,of group's guitar player Scott Abeyta.
A band is fronted by the vocalist and harmonica player Whiteboy James, and judging by present album material, they delivered a fresh and optimistic sound. A group is on therithory of blues rockabilly , or better to say rockabilly blues tendencies . A 50's and 60's feel and spirit is also recognized in its approach. A pretty melodic harmonizations and catchy songs also characterize a group's musical views, and it's also evident that all other technical elemensts satisfies in general. " Last Time Was The Last Time" is more than recomandable album, and deserve a wider attention.

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

GRIMLORD - Dolce Vita Sath-an-as

GRIMLORD - Dolce Vita Sath-an-as

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 16 October 2010

GRIMLORD " Dolce Vita Sath-an-as "
( Trident Harmony ) 2009.
CD - POLAND
Progressive metal/various metal genres





The activities of Polish metal act Grimlord dated from 1999 year. They have released several Demos, and with still actuelle one, a 2 full-lengths.
They changed conception during the years and editions, and " Dolce Vita Sath-an-as" finds them in a different mood. In contrary of previous issues, actuelle material shows sounds modifications to progressive metal variants. A mentioned genre option is also fullfield with known thrashing elements and some other power metal and classic heavy metal includings presents in its approach as well. Most of present tracks are consists of connective instrumental parts, constant rhythm changes, and breaking transfers. I have to add that band's promotional activities are still on high level, and for promotional work they deserves only recomandations...

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.grimlord.eu
www.myspace.com/grimlordband

US 32 - Tumblin Home

US 32 - Tumblin' Home

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 13 October 2010

US 32 " Tumblin' Home "
(Anthony Avenue Records) 2010.
CD
Country/roots/americana - USA





US 32 are Chirsty and Michael Kline, wife-husband team and singer/sogwriter duo from Elliot City, Maryland. They had some previous experiences, especially Michael, but " Tumblin' Home " is their debut album under the US 32 name. " Tumblin' Home" is an album with 13 equalizing tracks, done in country / roots manner, fulfield with some americana traces as well. A duo are also influental by the classic country, and 60's, 70's country rock movement, and some comparabilities could lead to first Eagles works. But what we have here, is seriously done strong melodic tunes, very listenable, and acceptable for radio usings. A vocal choruses are perfectly done, as same as instrumental parts, and all other technical elements sastisfies as well. As a album, " Tumblin' Home" is mainly acceptable for the country music fans of older school, but evidental melodic elements is their strongest weapon too.

Rating : 7 , 5 / 10
C / o : www.us32music.com
www.myspace.com/us32

CHASING JONES - Stay Tonight

CHASING JONES - Stay Tonight

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 13 October 2010

CHASING JONES " Stay Tonight "
( Self - released ) 2010.
EP CD
Pop / rock - CANADA





Chasing Jones are four piece act formed by Di Lullo brothers - Nick and Adam , during the 2007 year.They are hailing from Canada,and during the period of exsitence, they have released a two EP's, " The Lie" from 2008 year and actuelle " Stay Tonight".
Canadians are pop rock band with modern flavour and serious lyrical messages.Musically, they accepts 80's and 90's views, and some comparabilities could lead to acts as a U 2 or R.E.M as well. But, band mainly sucessfully gives own signiture, and its songs are full of pleasent atmosphere and enjouable melodicity. Opening track " Anniversary" maybe posses a more listenable elements than the others, but its material in gemeral, is pretty available for radio usings. Another recomandable track for their EP could be a song " Amelia".

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

GOMORRAHIZER - Pseudo God Induced Cephalgia

GOMORRAHIZER - Pseudo God Induced Cephalgia

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 13 October 2010

GOMORRAHIZER " Pseudo God Induced Cephalgia "
( Fuk 52 ) 2010.
CD
Grindpunk - USA






Out of Mentor, Ohio comes a trio Gomorrahizer, a band whose activities dated from 2009 year They are explosive act, and members from band has labeled its music as a grindpunk. They have introduced themselves with " Pseudo God Induced Cephalgia" album, and 25 minutes of furiously done music. Gomorrahizer are infected by the 80's, 90's grind movement, but they also tries to explore a genres boundaries, so its offering is full of blasting riffs, uptempo breakbeats, guttural and screaming voices. A punk and hardcore psychology also exists in its approach, so band has offered an interesting concept in final. I can not compare them with any of well-known genres acts, and USA band has showed that its offering posses an original views.

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

CORVUS - Fragile Moments

CORVUS - Fragile Moments

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 13 October 2010

CORVUS " Fragile Moments "
( Self - released ) 2010.
CD - USA
Progressive / alter metal





A Glendale, Arizona based band Corvus, started out its carreare in 2006 year. A group was formed by frontman/singer/songwriter Brock Brown during the 2006 year. Even of some personal changes, Corvus is discographically active act, and during the forthcoming period, with actuelle one, a band has released a 3 albums : " We All Fall Down", " An Affair With Tragedy" and " Fragile Moments".
A band works in quintet formation,and its music can be labeled as a a sort of progressive / alter metal. A pretty unique sound characterize its offering, as same as under the mentioned genres tendencies - moderm views.A songs are done in faster / fuster up tempo, where thrashing riffs and melodic vocalizations dominates through complete materials. A band has also offered an interesting design of its CD covers, and I have to add that other technical elements also satisfies. Corvus are undoubtly a band with original approach, and their albums deserves lesteners attention.

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

MODEST MIDGET - The Great Prophecy Of A Small Man

MODEST MIDGET - The Great Prophecy Of A Small Man

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 06 October 2010

MODEST MIDGET " The Great Prophecy Of A Small Man "
( Multi - Polar Music ) 2010.
CD - HOLLAND
Progressive/rock/pop/various genres




Modest Midget are very interesting act, fronted by key person - guitarist, singer and author Lionel Ziblat. Discographically, a group started out with EP issue, entitled " Partial Exposure". " The Great Prophecy Of A Small Man" is actuelle full-length from this year. Musically, a Holland band has offered unusual crossover, where exists free space for many genres variants as a progressive , psychedelic, classic rock, beat, and even folk.
They are influental by the 70's period, but the 60's traces are also present in its music. In one hand we can hear earliest YES associations, but partly, a sound of 60's British beat groups is also evidental. A strong arrangments , clever and interesting texttures,clear melodic lines, and convinceble production satisfies in general, and practically Modest Midget did an excelent work. Recomandable.

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

THE ROCKFORD MULES - From Devil's Spit To Angel Tears

THE ROCKFORD MULES - From Devil's Spit To Angel Tears

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 06 October 2010

THE ROCKFORD MULES " From Devil's Spit To Angel Tears "
( Self - released ) 2008.
CD - USA
Rock/southern rock/post grunge





During the late summer this year, I have received a couple of CD's of Minneapolis, Minnesota based band - The Rockford Mules. A group strated out its carreare in 2005 year, and first discographical step was EP " Crooked Tooth" from 2006 year. A band established themselves not only in local area with explosive and convinceble performances, and pretty strong approach. Their still actuelle full-length from 2008 year " From Devil's Spit To Angel Tears" confirms that as a act posses own sound and in some way unique style. Musically they combines elements of 70's and 90's music, but with modern look and same attitude. In their music exists lotta' elements of southern feel and southern rock in general, but band mixes mentioned options with post grunge details as well. A stoner rock traces as same as classic hard rock tendencies are also important part of band's message. I have to add that group also deliver a specific energy in each track from album, and didn' t find any weacker place in its offering. " From Devil's Spit To Angel Tears: is more than recomandable product, not only for southern rock freaks.

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

FRACTURE - Dominate And Overload

FRACTURE - Dominate And Overload

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 04 October 2010

FRACTURE " Dominate And Overload "
( Self - released ) 2010.
CD - NORWAY
Heavy/power/progressive metal






Fracture is newer unsigned band, consists of 5 well-trained musicians. Their destination is Norway, but undoubtly a promotional activities through net, reaches a worldwide attention, so many webzines and reviewers recognizes them as a potentially pretty interesting act.
They debuted with " Dominate And Overload" album, where we can find 9 tracks and 41 minutes of music. A band is on therythory of heavy/power/progressive metal, and that's a basic opinion. But, evidental mainstream metal referencies a group mixes with power/thrashing riffs and progressive performing includings. A vocalizations on their materials reaches a high levels, and same standards were done in productional way. A group posses also a specific performing "energy", but I have to say that a similiar mannirism follows complete album in general, too." Dominate And Overload" is a good discographical start for Norwegians, and we'll see what the future brings for its carearre.

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

PATHFINDER - Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time

PATHFINDER - Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 04 October 2010

PATHFINDER " Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time "
( Media Factory/ RedTone Japan ) 2010.
CD
Symphonic / power metal - POLAND






Pathfinder are hailing from Poland, a country also known as a destination of many interesting newer death and black metal groups, and during the August this year, they have released actuelle album, entitled " Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time". A Polish fellows works in sextet formation, and judging by genres options, they are faithfull to symphonoc / power metal tendencies. They introduced themselves as a power/symphonic metal act of older school, or better to say as a group whose orientation is nearer to classic genres tendencies. So, some traces could lead to established acts as a Rhapsody, Kamelot or Blind Guardian, and more or less originality isn' t a Pathfinders middle name.
But, in the other hand, their performing realizations is simply convinceble. Production is also modern and all other thechnical elements are pretty recomandable, among others a brilliant cover artwork with 12 page booklet confrms a groups seriousnes and professionalism.
A pretty equalizing materials characterize album in general, and there's no doubt that power/symphonic metal freaks will find many interesting moments in Pathfinder's offering.

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

FEEDING THE FIRE - DisInfoNation

FEEDING THE FIRE - DisInfoNation

Written by Branimir Lokner
Sunday, 26 September 2010

FEEDING THE FIRE " DisInfoNation "
( Ownlifemusic ) 2010.
CD - USA
Rock/progressive





Feeding The Fire is another interesting act, whose musical concept belongs to rock/progressive tendencies. They are four-piece company from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, active some period continiously. Their actuelle offering " DisInfoNation" combines emotional moods and serious performing variants. Lyrically, they deliver own eclectic socio-political messages, and in the other hand, musically we can find rock/progressive traces fullfield with complexive arrangments includings. Melodicity is also evident and strong, and practically complete materials posses an equalizing qualities. A production is also done in modern way, and I have to add, that complete other technical elements funkcionizes as well. Even that band's authors realizations aren' t acceptable for avarage listener's ear, they are undoubtly group whose musical offerings deserves a wider attention.

Rating : 8 / 10
C / o : www.feedingthefire.com
www.myspace.com/feedingthefire
www.slwpromotions.com

Wrath Attack - Wasted

Wrath Attack - Wasted

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 23 September 2010

WRATH ATTACK " Wasted "
( Self - released ) 2010.
EP CD ( Demo )
Thrash metal - NORWAY






Wrath Attack are Norway act, faithfull to old school thrash metal tendencies. They have founded in late 2007 year, and till now recorded a 2 Demos, firstly 2-track " Bringing Out Of Thrash" ( 2008. ), and actuelle one " Wasted". 2 persons are practically did a complete jobs - Jan ( vocals, guitars, bass ) and Martin - drums. Author of 4 tracks ( 1 is cover ) was Jan., and what we can find here on complete 5 tracks and about 17 minutes of music, is 80's variants of thrash metal equally done in performing and psychological way.. Underground tendencies are also present in complete iconography, as same as garage variants. Nothing special, but at the same time pretty optimistic, Wrath Attack bringing back the period of 80's, and its message is mainly acceptable for the followers of old school thrash variants.

Rating : 7 / 10
C / o : www.wrath-attack.net
www.myspace.com/wrathattack