Hier findet ihr die aktuellen Kritiken. Einige davon sind auf Englisch verfasst, damit die Bands, die uns aus dem Ausland eine CD eingesandt haben, auch ihre Kritik lesen können.

Here you find the current reviews. Some of them are written in English, so that foreign bands that have sent us a CD can read their review.

Schaut mal auf die Interview Seite, hier findet Ihr ein AKTUELLES und meines Wissens nach WELTEXKLUSIVES Interview mit Ricky van Helden von ATTACK, für mich DER herausragende deutsche Metaller überhaupt. (Dirk)

Brandneu sind die Kritiken zu Robin Brock und Charlotte.

There are new reviews of Robin Brock and Charlotte. (Ralph)

Und Neues von Battalion, Bastard Nation und Conquest of Steel. (Dirk)

 

Alsion: "A kingdom beyond..." (privat, D, 2001, 11tr, 47min)

Eine ziemlich truemetallene Band aus deutschen Landen, die vor numehr 9 Jahren ihr erstes Langeisen einspielte. Beim klassischen Intro von track 2 dachte ich noch: toll gemacht, schade, daß die Produktion so mau ist, 2min später fiel mir zusätzlich ein: schade, daß der Song so drucklos ist und der Sänger nicht mal ins recall kommen würde. Man spielt im Fahrwasser von älteren Blind Guardian, verhebt sich aber mächtig daran. Probleme: Songwriting, Gesang, Produktion, druckvolle Songs, also fast alles, schade, das Cover war ganz stimungsvoll. (Dirk)

Alsion: "Dawn of a new age" (privat, D, 2006, 10tr, 46min)Birth

Besseres Cover, neuer Sänger und sogar Texte im Booklet, das sieht erst mal nach Steigerung aus. Der neue Sänger trifft tatsächlich besser, aber 2 tracks vom Vorgängeralbum wurden neu verwurstet ohne verbessert zu werden, der Rest plätschert so dahin. Man kann einen Song nicht 'Under northern skies' nennen und ihn dann so dahin treiben lassen. Meine Pokolgep live CD von 1987 klingt besser produziert, sie läuft beim Schreiben der Kritik gerade nebenher. Leider nicht der Rede wert. (Dirk)

Bastard Nation: "Born a bastard" (privat, D, 2005, 4tr, 20'06min)

So ein 4tracker als Einstieg ist für junge Bands eine gute Sache, man kann sich durch eine begrenzte Songauswahl von seiner besten Seite zeigen und auch Bastard Nation beweisen mal wieder, daß 4 gute Songs viel mehr wert sind als 10x Durchschnitt. Stilistisch bietet man powervollen, schnörkellosen Metal mit viel Begeisterung dargeboten. Abgerundet wird dieser Erstling durch ein einfaches sehenswertes Cover mit einem großen 'Bastard Nation'-Schnuller. Das Songwriting könnte noch differenzierter werden, aber dazu: s.u. Eine sehr sympathische Eigenpressung.

Bastard Nation: "Birth of a nation" (privat, D, 2008, 10tr, 52'08min)

3 Jahre ließ man sich nach der gutklassigen MiniCD Zeit, ein Langeisen nachzuschieben und die Zeit wurde gut genutzt. Stilistisch deckt man jetzt eine größere Bandbreite ab: etwas weniger rotzig, dafür episch und hochklassiger. Gitarren und Drums haben einen großen Sprung gemacht. Der Gesang war bei der EP eher unauffällig, ist jetzt aber auch ein starker Pluspunkt. Vinland und Bastard Nation sind die beiden Schlusstracks und man hat sich hier das Beste zum Schluss aufgehoben. Vergleiche sind eher schwierig, was ganz klar für die Band spricht. Jeder Fan ehrlichen Metals mit TIefgang sollte hier Freude dran haben. Abgerundet wird diese Privatpressung durch ein passendes Artwork und Texte im Booklet. Sehr gut. (Dirk)

Battalion: "The fight for metal" (CH, 2006, Quam Libet, 9tr, 39'49min)

Erst mal fällt bei dieser Schweizer Band ein Cover ins Auge, daß auf Death / Thrash der fürchterlichsten Machart schließen lässt. WEIT GEFEHLT. Powergeladener Metal mit EINZELNEN Thrashparts und EINGESTREUTEN Thrash-Gesangsparts, die sogar mir als heimlichem Bonfire-Anhänger gefallen. Der Titeltrack macht Freude, bietet melodischen True Metal. Alle Songs bleiben gut im Ohr und haben für sich eine Daseinsberechtigung. Sehr selten heutzutage. Vielleicht ist so eine kurze Spielzeit machmal besser als 'ne DoppelCD mit DVD, auf der wenige Ideen in einem edlen Digibook auf maximale Länge gestreckt werden (nein, ich meine natürlich keine konkrete CD). 'Stalingrad' als Songtitel ist natürlich 'ne Chance auf eine textliche Bauchlandung. Aber gerade dieser Track mit eingestreuter deutscher Sprache meistert die Band auf anhörenswerte Weise. Denkt nicht über das Cover nach, einfach kaufen. (Dirk)

Robin Brock : „Monsters“ (self-produced/Two Side Moon Promotions; 10 tr./39 min.)

Robin Brock is a Canadian melodic rock singer. She has already released two albums (“Blame It On Rock & Roll” and “Hidden Power”), so this is the third one. The title track opens the album and it sounds like a heavier version of Shania Twain. The following track “New Addiction” strengthens this impression. While “Two Words” after a balladesque start follows in this footsteps “Master And Slave” and “7 Pieces” sound a little bit different and show more of her own style. Even more originality shows the nearly acoustic and balladesque “Solitary Girl”. “Fuel” then again generally picks up the Shania Twain mood, mixed with a note of her own. “Power It Through” plays a little too much with technical effects and lacks of melody and hooks. A surprise is “Warrior”, sounding a bit like Deep Purple at the beginning, especially because of the Hammond organ sound, and the guitar riff reminds a little bit of “Nobody´s Home” from the “Perfect Strangers” album. In the same direction, but a little bit doomier sounds the final track “Witching Hour”. According to my taste I´d like to hear more stuff in the direction of the last two tracks. To sum it up, “Monsters” is a good option for fans of melodic rock or classic rock, but there´s still potential to make the next record a bigger one. For more information check www.robinbrock.com or www.myspace.com/robinbrockrocks or www.reverbnation.com/robinbrock. (Ralph)

Charlotte : “Medusa Groove” (Eonian Records/Fastball Music; 12 tr./45 min.)

Recorded at the end of the 80´s, now the American reissue label Eonian Records has picked up this record and released it on CD. Whatever happened years ago that we haven´t heard of this superb classic hard rock band must have its reason in deaf ears of some talent scouts, because the guys sound as good as Great White or Skid Row in their best years without copying any of those big names. Charlotte have a certain sound of their own and a good singer in Eric Ganz. It is hard to name some best songs, because they are all good, there is no filler. There are heavy rockers and stompers, mid tempo groovers and in “Changes” an acoustic ballad heavily following in the tradition of Led Zeppelin. Another stand-out cut is “ Ocean Of Love And Mercy ”, an acoustic groove monster with saxophone (!) solos. “Invisible Man” shows the funk rock side. A minor hit might be “Miss Necrophilia”. This cut would have been a big smasher on any Skid Row album. But there is more of that sort like the title track for example. So for any fan of classic hard rock this really is a must have. Fore more information have a look at the band´s myspace site  www.myspace.com/charlottelamusic. (Ralph)

Clairvoyants : „Word To The Wise“ (Valery Records/Promo: Two Side Moon Promotions; 10 tr./50 min.)

Clairvoyants are from Italy and started in 2001 – like the band´s name hints at - as an Iron Maiden tribute band. In 2009 they released their debut album with 9 songs of their own and of course a cover version of the true Iron Maiden classic tune “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, which is well done, but of course cannot compete with the original. Well, I have to say that one cannot overhear the big influence Iron Maiden has on the sound of this band, but Clairvoyants are far from cloning the big British heavy metal heroes. While the bass sound follows in the footsteps of Steve Harris, singer Gabriele Bernasconi doesn´t act like another Bruce Dickinson clone, has his own powerful voice. Another difference is that Clairvoyants do not sound that progressive- like Iron Maiden today - and offer more in-the-face heavy metal. So there´s enough room to create powerful heavy metal of their own. That they can also play softer tunes Clairvoyants show with the piano ballad “Closure”, which features only piano played by Kamelot´s Oliver Palotai as a guest player and singer Gabriele Bernasconi. Whoever likes powerful heavy metal with strong guitar melodies and names Iron Maiden, Iced Earth and other bands of this direction as his favourites, might check these guys. (Ralph)

Conquest of Steel: "Conquest of steel" (UK, 2004, No Face Rcords, 9tr, 42'26min)

NWOBHM erwartet Euch NICHT auf dieser CD, sondern True Metal at it's truest. Songtitel wie 'Bitch of steel' oder 'Heavy metal poisoning' lassen ja auch nicht gerade auf alternativen angejazzten Prog schließen. Pseudonyme wie Dan Durrant am Gesang und Viv Victory am Bass runden das echtmetallische ab. Leider halten die Songs nicht, was die Titel versprechen. Tempowechsel, Spannungsbögen oder ähnliches sucht man vergeblich. Unterm Strich bleibt eine nett aufgemachte Eigenpressung mit durchschnittlichem Material ohne echte Höhepunkte. Dies ändert sich allerdings mit den Folgewerken. (Dirk)

Conquest of Steel: "May your blade never dull" (UK, 2006, No Face Records, 5tr, 27'11min)

Es handelt sich hier nicht um neues Material der Band, sondern um Material, das bisher nur auf einigen Vinyl EPs zugänglich war. Obwohl die Stücke älteren Datums sind, klingt alles nach einer Weiterentwicklung seit dem 1. Album. Alle 5 tracks sind hörenswert, bieten alles das, was der Erstling schmerzlich vermissen liess. Es findet sich wieder ein tolles Artwork und ein Booklet mit Texten und Linernotes. Daumen hoch. An dieser MiniCD kommt eigentlich kein Fan wahren Stahls mehr vorbei. (Dirk)

Conquest of Steel: "Hammer & fist" (UK, 2007, No Face Records, 10tr, 40'04min)

Knackigen Metal, der mittlerweile nicht mehr dem formidablen Artwork hinterher hinkt bietet das 2007er Langeisen von Conquest of Steel. Die Songstrukturen sind sehr gut ausdifferenziert, Tempowechsel und Dramaturgie findet sich reichlcih, so macht Metal Spaß. Der gesang ist 'ne Idee höher, ohne daß Dan Durrant ausgetauscht wurde. Alles in allem eine empfehlenswerte Metal-CD zwischen 'Voll auf die zwölf' und komplexeren Arrangements. Ein Zusatzlob verdient die glasklare Produktion. (Dirk)

Elektradrive : “Living 4” (Valery Records/Promo: Two Side Moon Promotions; 14 tr./61 min.)

Elektradrive from Italy started way back in 1983. The first full length album – a single was released in 1984 - of this melodic hard rock outfit saw the light in 1986 being called “Over The Space”. The second album “Due” appeared in 1989, while the third album “ Big City ” was released in 1993. After almost ten years of silence Elektradrive started to write songs again. The result is “Living 4”, being released in 2009. Hailed by the press as the best Italian AOR band, I would definitely not describe their style as pure AOR. More I see Elektradrive as a groove-orientated hard rock band, highly melodic, with a laid back sound, slightly alternative  like for instance early King´s X (not the stuff they play today), especially with the multi-vocal arrangement in the choruses. Another plus is the powerful melodic voice of singer Elio Maugeri. Also guitarist and main songwriter Simone Falovo has a warm, melodic guitar tone. So they have it all: good melodic songs, originality, a well produced record. Whoever likes melodic hard rock of the laid back kind that doesn´t directly hit you in the face should check out this record. The band definitely deserves more listeners. (Ralph)

Fab Box : “Music From The Fab Box (Avenue Of Allies/ Promo: Two Side Moon Promotions; 13 tr./54 min.)

Fab Box is the brainchild of two Italian musicians: Fabrizio Ugolini and Massimo Bozzi, who are working together since ten years. Mostly they have composed songs with and for other artists. So they did work with ex-Toto singer Joseph Williams on his Vertigo 2 album and with Danny Vaughn (Tyketto, Waysted) on the first album under the project name From The Inside. Now they wrote songs for themselves and released it under the moniker of Fab Box. They also shared the vocal duties and played many instruments themselves. The result is an album full of high quality Westcoast AOR music. Unlike many other artists or bands from Italy , especially in the hard rock and heavy metal genre, you won´t guess this is a record by Italian artists while hearing it first. This could also be a record from US-artists. All songs from the opener “Tell Her I´m Alright” until the final cut “Yesterday” (not a cover of the Beatles track!) are ear friendly tunes ready to get airplay by numerous radio stations – if we still were in those good old radio days like in the eighties, which sadly isn´t that way anymore in Germany. I hope that is different elsewhere. At last today there are many radio stations broadcasting via the internet. But you have to admit it: that´s not the same. So I hope without the help of radio airplay these two guys will make it to the top. After having heard these songs for the very first time, songs like “Nobody Tonight” or especially “Inside” won´t get out of your mind and you´ll find yourselves singing it or at least humming the melody. “The Key” for instance is a rockier song, whilethe following “A Matter Of Time” is a beautiful softer Westcoast song. Another highlight is “Together”, a song that has been written with Joseph Williams for the second Vertigo album. “I Still Believe” is a ballad in the style of Richard Marx. “Reason Of The Heart” is another one with a great hookline. If there is one thing left to say it is: if you like Westcoast, AOR or simply ear friendly music in the mix of rock and pop and you like to have a well produced record with high quality songwriting: go out and get it! (Ralph)

Free Spirit : “Pale Sister Of Light” (Carpel Music Oy/Import; 11 tr./46 min.)

This is the debut album of a new six piece melodic hard rock band from Finland . With two guitarists and a keyboarder they deliver full melodic hard rock sound while singer Sami Alho can concentrate on the vocal duties. From the first note of the first song “Shadow Of A Man” Free Spirit offer lots of melodies and hooklines. A very catchy rock song one is the title track, the third song. Then follows a bit more pathetic sound accompanied with acoustic (and also electric) guitars in “Heroes Don´t Cry”. The seventh song “Easy Days” also shows a mixture of hard rock and acoustic elements including not only guitars but also flutes. But still it stays a rock song. “Strangers” is classic melodic rock stuff, could have been on an 80´s album of Def Leppard or Whitesnake. There are no fillers, just killer songs on the album. One can hardly believe that this is a debut album of a new band. Get your own impressions via www.freespiritrock.com or www.myspace.com/freespiritrock. (Ralph)

Halor: 'The power's breaking loose' (privat, HU, 2003, 6tr)

Unbekümmerten Power Metal auf technisch hohem Niveau präsentieren uns die 4 Ungarn in klassischer Besetzung hier. Man wechselt gerne mal das Tempo. Speedige, beinahe Underground Symphony würdige Parts wechseln mit Judas Priest lastigem Material. Herausragen tut 'Hurricane', der 5.track. Akos Komondi ist ein sauberer Sänger, manchmal ein bißchen zu clear, aber mit der nötigen Power. Leider ist das Booklet sehr spartanisch, aber let the music do the talking. An den Instrumentalisten gibt es nichts auszusetzen. Sehr schöne Eigenpressung aus dem Metalwunderland des Ostens. (Dirk)

Noize Machine : “The Jumping Clown” (Valery Records/Promo: Two Side Moon Promotions; 11tr./48 min.)

Noize Machine are another band from Italy . They feature the guitar work of Dario Mollo, who came to fame via his work with ex-Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin resulting in the Mollo/Martin album “The Cage”. The band´s sound is hard to describe because the style changes from song to song. The first two songs are melodic rock, while the nest two songs are something like sleazy hard rock. The fifth one “Turn The Stone” starts like a Rainbow tune, but continues ton become a melodic rock song. The next song “So Far Away” starts with a distorted bass line like Motörhead and becomes an up-tempo hard rocker. “Go Away” plays with different vocal lines – high and low – like Axl Rose did on some Guns N´Roses classics. To sum it up: there are some good songs, but together on an album they appear as a slightly confusing mixture. For the next record it might be better to concentrate on one general direction. Another confusing thing is the cover, showing a clown with a crazy (or angry?) look on his face. If one sees this cover and reads the name of the band with Noize being spelled with a “z”, one will think this might be another nu metal band. So this time is is neither fish nor flesh. But there is potential, so maybe the next record will be better. (Ralph)

Optimystical : “Distant Encounters” (Avenue Of Allies/Promo: Two Side Moon Promotions; 12 tr./51 min.)

Optimystical is a Swedish project led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Robin Vagh, who has released two album under his own name. The music is a perfect mixture of typical Scandinavian melodic hard rock, AOR and melodic metal with catchy hooklines like we best know from Europe , Treat, Pretty Maids and all those other Scandinavian hard rock heroes. The lead vocals are mainly handled by Ronnie Hagstedt, while Jonas Blum (Pole Position, Majestic) handles the rest with his rougher sounding voice. Melodic hard rock songs with strong hooklines are for example the opening cut “Sunburst In The Midnight”, “Happen”, “Tonite” and “The Storm”. The final track “I Go Blind” is pure AOR. There is also a ballad in “Face In The Window”. An outstanding track is the seven minutes track “The Unexpected”, which shows more progressive elements. “In Our World” is a heavier track in the neo-classical direction. A good album for friends of Scandinavian melodic rock, although in direct comparison Free Spirit´s “Pale Sister Of Light” is a little bit better. (Ralph)

Orpheus : “Orpheus” (Sidehorn Records/Promo: Two Side Moon Promotions; 8 tr./40 min.)

Orpheus are from Trondheim/Norway and their roots range back to 2002. The founding members hailed bands like Iron Maiden, In Flames and Guns N´Roses. They went to different line up changes with guitarist Kristian Drivenes being the only remaining founder member. Finally in 2009 they released their debut album. Always an important factor for a heavy metal band is the lead singer. Since 2005 vocal duties of the band were handled by a female singer. Now the vocal spot is held by Ingrid Galadriel, who has a powerful rock voice. Orpheus play heavy metal in a powerful direction with several influences. Of course the guitar section sometimes still hails their influences by Iron Maiden, but there are other influences like for example the bass-laden heavy grooving sound of Black Sabbath like in the opening track “Fuck Me Over”. The next two tracks “Constructing” and “Bygones” show a heavier punch, while the fourth track “Mr. Manipulative” starts like a Death Metal track and then turns a little bit into crossover with influences by old school Faith No More, then continues in the heavy metal direction. But these are only hints at what the huge mixture of influences Orpheus are integrating in their sound. As if that isn´t enough, the next track “Peepin´ Tom” starts like a doom song, but doesn´t stay that way of course, developing into a faster metal song. The next tracks also offer that variety. So what can we say about a band with several influences, but that cannot be compared to any other band: they definitely have an original factor of their own. You can check their sound via www.myspace.com/orphmo, where you can listen to four of the eight tracks of this album. (Ralph)

Pokolgep: "Koncert! Live Budapest 1987 +Demos" (Steeler 2010, HU, rec 1982-87, 2CD, 32tr (!), 133min)

Wahre Meister der Musik findet man in Ungarn und Pokolgep sind die ungekrönten Könige, die CD bekommt Ihr bei auf Osteuropa spezialisierten Versänden und scheut weder Kosten noch Mühen, sie Euch zu besorgen. Die Studioalben, besonders die frühen sind schon echte Offenbarungen: hart, melodisch, eigenständig. Dieses Live-Album brennt aber ein absolutes Feuerwerk ab und brilliert Endstehungsdatum und -ort mit einbeziehend mit einem tollen Sound. Eine überkochende Atmosphäre, in der überragender Stahl kredenzt wird. Dieses Livewerk kann mit den großen 80er Werken a la 'Live after death' mithalten, außer in Sachen Artwork. Als Sahnehaube gibt es noch andere ältere Livetracks, Demos und die praktisch für Geld und gute Worte nicht zu bekommende 7' mit dazu. Kaufen!!! (Dirk)

Praying Mantis : “Sanctuary” (Frontiers/Soulfood; 10/51:  )

This band really doesn´t need to be explained to any fan of melodic hard rock. Part of the NWOBHM, Praying Mantis started it all with the highly acclaimed debut album “Time Tells No Lies”, which has been re-released at the end of the nineties in a very well done version by High Vaultage Records. By the time of its original release date at the beginning of the eighties everyone thought this group surely will make it right to the top. But sadly it didn´t work out that way for the guys. After quite a few years of being out of the scene, the nucleus of Praying Mantis, the brothers Tino (lead guitar, vocals) and Chris Troy (bass, vocals) started anew with new mates, well known of other bands like guitarist Dennis Stratton (formerly with Iron Maiden on their first album) and lead singer Paul Di`Anno (also formerly with Iron Maiden on their first two albums). Another famous lead singer was Gary Barden (then formerly of MSG and now again back with MSG). But since then there has always been trouble with the line up, especially with the lead singer position. So they suffered from what many call humorously the lead singer disease. Now they are back with an over-the-top comeback album and a new lead singer in Mike Freeland. Though I never heard of him before I wonder where he has been all those years, because it seems he is the singer this group has always been searching for. His highly melodic voice fits like a glove to the melodic rock songs the Troy brothers still deliver in such a high quality after all those years. Then there is Andy Burgess on the second lead guitar and vocals – very important for the twin guitar sound Praying Mantis always offered – and Benjy Reid on drums and percussion. Now to the songs: you could sum it all up in the well-known formula “no fillers – all killers”, but let me tell you a bit about the songs. The opener “In Time” is a modern up-tempo melodic rock song with only few laid back parts in the typical Praying Mantis manner, not very far from Scandinavian melodic hard rock. Next comes “Restless Heart”, rockier than the opener and with a good hookline. “Tears In The Rain” is a bluesier affair and the third track that crosses the five minutes border. “So High” starts with a keyboard melody intro, then twin guitars break in, after that the song hits the punch and becomes a smash rocker. What follows then simply would have become a hit single in better days and so the album also features a bonus video clip of “Turn The Tide” with a sad story told. This song mixes balladesque parts and acoustic guitars with rockier parts, but is generally laid back. What overall impresses on most of the songs is the arrangement for several voices, especially in the choruses. Then the tempo goes upwards with “Touch The Rainbow”. The next song “Threshold Of A Dream” starts with acoustic guitars and becomes a melodic smash rocker. “Playing God” is melodic hard rock with hooklines and a catchy chorus, sharing relationship with the Scandinavian melodic hard rock scene. “Highway” directly starts with a hookline (I do like that kind of stepping guitars) and is an AOR ear catcher. Finally the title track closes the album, highly melodic with wonderful guitar melodies, yet a little bit rougher than the other songs and with six and a half minutes the longest track – a worthy closing of a brilliant comeback. In another world this would have brought Praying Mantis to the top of the album charts. But we are living in the real world where melodic rock doesn´t top the charts but is a fine thing for a community of real fans. It´s a shame that this record won´t be a multi-million selling album while others, in my eyes real bad ones of so called stars without any substance make it to the top. You are holding it in your hands – go out and buy this one! More information you´ll get via www.praying-mantis.com or www.myspace.com/prayingmantisrock. (Ralph)

Secrecy : „OF love AND sin“ (Ethereal Sound Works/Independent Portuguese Label; 10 tr./40 min.) 

Secrecy are from Portugal and play Gothic rock / metal. They started in 2001 with a self-released demo. Another one followed in 2002, when they also recorded the song “Falling” which was released on a Coca-Cola Garage Bands compilation. In 2004 Secrecy released their debut album “Beneath The Lies”. After the release of the promotional EP “Sweet Dark Love” in 2007 they released their second album ”OF love AND sin” in 2009, which I am now holding in my hands. The opener “Last Embrace” is classic gothic rock stuff with singer Miguel B. Ribeiro getting additional female vocal support by keyboard player Lisa Amaral. Another additional vocal support comes from lead guitarist Bruno Miguel Silva, but here in a rawer form by growls. Lead singer Miguel has a low and dark voice, just what you need in this genre like many other successful gothic vocalists like Andrew Eldritch of the Sisters Of Mercy or Ville Valo of HIM proved. Well, I know a lot of combinations of two vovalists in Gothic rock, but I think this is the first one with three different voices (of course with one main voice). Listening to the album track by track you notice that there is a good flow. There´s no disappointing song, all songs fit in well. There are some songs with a more hit appeal like for instance “Don´t Leave Me Scarred”, “Shadows Call” (which actually has been released as a single offering a radio edit and a non-album track in “Sands Of Despair” apart from the album version of the title track), “A Taste Of Love And Sin” or “Sweet Dark Love”. I think every fan of Gothic rock should love this album, because it offers such a wide variety of that genre on just one album. Of course there are parts reminding of HIM and other parts reminding of the Sisters Of Mercy, but I never have listened to a band offering such a good mix of influences with a touch of their own. The reason this record has no boring song or second might be the playing time of 40 minutes. If you look back to good old vinyl times with the limited capacity of that medium, a record mostly offered up to ten songs and 40-45 minutes music. So what can we learn out of this? First that a record with 15 songs or even more tends to be boring sometimes, second that the old formula 10 songs – 40 minutes still works well. So all you freaks from the darker side of rock music go and check this band. For further information have a look at www.myspace.com/secrecymusic. (Ralph)

Spank : „Get Bent“ (self-produced/Two Side Moon Promotions; 10 tr./33 min.)

Spank is a hard rock quartet from North Carolina/USA. This is the second album, the first one is is called “The Monkey”. All four members are sharing vocal duties. As influences they quote classic hard rock heroes like Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Queen, Black Sabbath, Van Halen and with the Foo Fighters also a “younger” band. The mixture of these influences – classic hard rock on the one side and alternative hard rock on the other side - is a pretty good description for Spank´s sound. With the multi-part vocal harmonies they add a unique element and show originality. This is solid hard rock with dynamic guitar riffing and a pounding bass. More informations you´ll get via www.spankonline.com. (Ralph)

Titan : “Steps” (self-release/Two Side Moon Promotions; 6 tr./18 min.)

At the end of 2009 five young guys from Sweden – the median age is 18 – acting under the moniker of Titan released their debut EP “Steps”. If you don´t know these facts, you won´t have a guess at a new release by a new band consisting of young guys who might have just left school. I bet you would rather say this might be a forgotten jewel of the 80´s, because it just sound like the AOR and melodic rock of those glorious days. They offer a mixture of typical Swedish melodic rock like in “ When Evening Falls ” and American AOR like in “Top Of The World” or “One More Night” – the latter a potential hit. To drop names is neither easy nor fair but imagine for example a mixture of Treat and Toto. This EP offers six songs, to be honest five plus the “title track” being a keyboard dominated instrumental interlude. And before I forget to mention it: the other two tracks “Hero” and I Want You” are also pure quality AOR / melodic rock. After such a high class debut EP I am really looking forward to hear the first real album. Further information you can get via www.titantheband.com. In Germany you can order the EP for instance at AOR heaven. (Ralph)

ToJa : “Train Of Life” (Avenue Of Allies/Promo: Two Side Moon Promotions; 10 tr./51 min.)

This is the third album of ToJa, a German hard rock band. ToJa released their first album called “First Step” in 1999 and the second one called “The Spirit Of…” in 2006. The band´s name is a combination of the first names of founder members Thomas “Tommy” Rinn (vocals) and Jan “JJ” Thielking (guitars, keyboards). Bass player Oliver “Ole” Dietz and drummer Tim Dierks complete the band. The songs are well produced, often with orchestral arrangement, which adds a bombastic factor to the music. There are ballads like “Just a Love-Song” and “Hold My Hand” – a duet with Tommy and his daughter Melanie – and rockers like “Slave To The Machine” or “Night To Remember”. There are also a lot of mid-tempo tracks like “First Love” with a Gospel intro or “No Cross” with a kind of Gregorian-like intro chant. But despite the variety and ability of the involved musicians according to my musical taste the material is a little bit too over-arranged and lacks of simple melodies. In other words: this album is an ambitious work, but to me it is a little bit to constructed, not easy to listen to. (Ralph)

Trick Or Treat : “Tin Soldiers” (Valery Records; 11 tr./47 min.)

Trick Or Treat are an Italian band heavily influenced by German metal heroes Helloween of the era with Kiske and Hansen. Funnily the band´s name is a hint at that. They have a powerful sound and of course come close to the original. After having listened several times to this record – by the way it is the second album – I thought this might have been the record Helloween should have recorded after the first two parts of the “Keeper Of The Seven Keys” saga. Another thing I noticed was that singer Alessandro Conti sometimes reminds me of Dennis DeYoung (ex-Styx) or Michael Sweet (Stryper). Trick Or Treat are honoured to have Michael Kiske guesting on the two tracks “Hello Moon” and “Tears Against Your Smile”, the latter a ballad. Another guest is Michele Luppi (ex-Vision Devine, Los Angeles ) on “Take Your Chance”. The title track, consisting of two parts – the first one being an instrumental introduction – closes the album, with a funny acoustic ending. A well done record, though following in the footsteps of old school Helloween. Whoever is disappointed with what the original band has released after the first two parts of The “Keeper Of The Seven Keys” saga, now has a chance to hear the stuff he could have expected as the next record all those years ago, but now with a little bit more modern sound and production. (Ralph)