Archived Reviews: # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Reviews Index
What Matters Records 2002
9 August 2002
Seven 13 is a theatrical and very melodic, progressive rockband hailing from the cities of Massachusetts, USA. Formed by keyboardist Amanda Adams back in 1997 as an ideal outlet, for the numerous of compositions she was compiling throughout her life.
With the addition of Kenneth Michael (vocals), Justin Ballard (guitars), Brian Verrochi (bass), Brian Bales (drums) and theatrical choreographer/dance Lauren Doucette. They have created a elegant, dramatic, operatic, musical style, with almost carnival-like atmosphere of their stage show. They sent along a CDR video of the song "Drink" live and it's a... ehh... very special live show indeed.
They have a pretty unique thing goin' on here, even if I have Spock's Beard in the back of mind on some of the tracks. The piano/keyboard work of Adams is very much in the centre of attention as she twist, turn and pushes the music forwards all the time. You could say they are working in the same factory as Type O Negative from time to time. "Whenever You Close Your Eyes" reminded me of 'Type's' work, only that Seven 13 is way more melodic and with a softer sound. The ballads of "Venus" and especially "You Could Be Mine" are both great, with their sentimental vibe and grand piano. "Dianne" is darn catchy, uptempo track annd Michael's vocals really cuts like a knife here. With only a couple of fillers is "Unleashed" an interesting CD and if you enjoy marvelous piano work, you owe it to yourself to at least check 'em out. This is a fine package with a good production and artwork like any of the big shots out there. The song material still leaves something to wish for though... nice, but not quite there yet.
www.seven13band.com
Indie 2000
Germany´s SEVEN SEALS are back with their second independent release "Time after Time" Their first album "Bidin´ our time" was an fantastic AOR album filled with lovely songs a-la "RETURN, TREAT, BONFIRE" so I hoped and thought that this CD would be something similar.
But they have changed music style and plays now a more progressive/melodic hardrock a-la VANDEN PLAS/BLUE THUNDER/AXXIS/SAVATAGE but still very melodic and all the songs written by the two members FRANK TIENEMANN (vocals/guitars) & DANIEL SEEBASS (bass) are still pretty catchy and influenced by Scandinavian & German AOR.
TIME BEYOND TIME is (as many Prog-albums) a concept album and the main theme is dreams and the stuff that dreams are made of. Some of the songs tell a story for themselves while some describes the state of mind of a person that "dreams". Some really cool lyrics and good songs here! It´s always difficult to name the best songs from a concept album but highlights are "Serpent´s Kiss" with some great guitarwork a nice bridge and a good chorus "Janus", the complex "Kiss of death" with some lovely keyboards and best of them all "Deja Vu" a superb melodic rocker that sounds more like their first album! It actually sounds a lot like the Swedish band TREAT. Make sure to check ´em out at www.sevenseals.de
Sanctuary/Noise 2003
Review by
14 February 2003
Judas Priest is finally back with some good material huh??? Nah... it's only the new release by US metal act, Seven Witches. Do remove the smartass "only" remark as "Passage To The Other Side", is freakin' good metal actually.
This CD doesn't have much in common with their rather poor debut at Noise Rec. Everything is better, bigger, and stronger than before. It's the second release at Noise/Sanctuary and the fourth overall CD, I believe. This time with a renewed and improved line-up... I may add.
Guitarist Jack Frost (Metalium, Frost Bite etc.) is still the ringleader, with Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning) & Brian Craig (drums) as the rhythm section. By the way, Vera is also responsible for producing and engineering the album. The new kid on the block is power vocalist James Rivera (ex-Helstar, Destiny's End) and what a performance he does here!!! If you're not familiar with his past and voice? I maybe should mention that he fronted a Judas Priest tribute band, back in the days. In other words, a great metal vocalist with lots of similarities to Rob Halford.
Forget about the crappy Judas Priest CD's with Ripper and take a big bite into this instead. It's almost like they've been listening to "Painkiller" a lot lately. Decided that this is the way the follow up album should have sounded like. It's the headbanger's ball from start to finish as you simply can't help yourself from headbanging along to the music. This is real metal you know, not nu-metal, rap-metal, or any other lame version. Tracks like "Dance With The Dead", "Metal Messiah", "Fever In The City", "The Last Horizon", "Nature's Wrath", are all candy for fans of the "Painkiller" sound. Add some Sacred Reich, Helstar, into the mix and you're pretty close to the core. You can also find a cover of Def Leppard's "Wasted" here!!! There are unfortunately a couple of fillers included, but still a very cool metal CD indeed.
www.noiserecords.com
Massacre 2003
Review by
23 January 2003
"Between Two Worlds" is the first release on a major label by Germany's Seventh Avenue. Originally founded in Wolfsburg back in 1989, they've spent most of their days struggling to survive in the melodic power metal scene.
They are actually pretty big in Japan and South-America already, after several tours over there. Now signed with Massacre Records they are finally ready to conquer Europe. Well... at least they get a fair chance now, with new label and massive promotion behind them.
I say, they have an excellent high pitched vocalist in Herbie Langhans. Add some outstanding guitarwork by Florian Gottsleben with strong song material, makes this a winner in my book. Journalists always like to compere rockacts with each other in their reviews. However, I find that Seventh Avenue has really managed to create their own road to success(?!). Sure, you will always find some similarities to other German Metal bands, if you look close enough. Still, they tend to mix a lot of influences into one hot stew here. They've actually covered Styx in the past (Boat On The River), and like this wasn't enough, they do a smashing cover of Survivor's "Burning Heart" (from the Rocky movie) here. Who said that Power-Metal rockers can't be into AOR too??? The music is overall both melodic and catchy!! Take "Angels Eyes" for an example here, the melody reminded me both of Stryper and Helloween somehow. Powerful metal with lots of punch and riffs are the main ingrediences though. Don't expect it to be wimpy US rock all of the time [:-)]. "Wings Of Dawn" is German metal at its best with lovely melodies and sing-a-long choruses. The super tight rhythm section of Geronimo (really?) Stade [bass] & Mike Pluger [drums], is yet another reason to why I believe in this CD. "Touch Of Your Love" is again very much in the tradition of Stryper and other power ballads in the 80's. Man, is it me... or has 2003 been a great Metal year so far???
www.massacre-records.com
www.seventh-avenue.de
Massacre Records 2002
Review by
15 december 2002
East of the sun and west of the moon !! And so forth these Swedish and Norwegian guys brawl. Seventh One has been around since 1997, but “Sacrifice” is their debut album. The cover of the album was done by Markus Mayer and you can’t go wrong with his style (Nightwish, Metalium, Grave Digger, Edenbridge). The cover already tells you what you’re about to hear, which is the basic heavy/power metal, produced by Lars Ratz (Metalium).
“Spiritual Awakening (intro)” starts the album with a dreamy feeling and off we go with “Eternal Life In Lies”, a really fast power metal track with hails that just have to be there. It could as well be a goblin choir with mean attentions. “Sacrifice” is the third song and one of the best ones here. Again there’s defying hails, but here they are more convincing with more echo and power in them. The chorus is a sticky one and over-all this fast song is quite simple. Then we reach the sun and the moon, “The Seventh Eye”, a mid-tempo song with wicked, powerful vocal parts, heavy pounding and Iron Maiden-like guitars here and there. Rhino Fredh’s voice can sound really raw and crunchy at times, especially on this song. But also hollow and dry, same goes with the background vocals. Kinda gives the music it’s own touch, but also makes it sound a bit unfinished.
“Hallowed Ground” is again one of the best songs here, crawling in the speed of a snail (in a good way) with wicked background vocals. The guitars have some interesting parts and those are heard everywhere in this album, it’s something a bit different from the normal power metal genre, really sticking into your ear and seems like they’ve been mixed a bit higher from the rest. “Eternally” is a fast, straight track with some demonic stuff, but doesn’t have much to say. “The Fall” is a normal speed, good track with some dreamy vocal parts and a bit futuristic and scary touch to it. “Remembrance” is a slower one, with a bit messy chorus. Somehow this band sounds like Nevermore at times, must be those dreamy parts and whispers and the somewhat unfinished and raw feeling to it. “Crimson Sky” and “Shadow Of Your Soul” are fast tracks and throughout this album Rhino’s voice reminds of Andi Deris (Helloween, Pink Cream 69), it’s those screams that sound as strange as Andi’s voice. And at times he sounds like Hansi of Blind Guardian.
Seventh One is a good band with songs that are as good as most power metal you hear these days. But there’s just too much bands like these around and only a few stick out with something fresh, and lots of it, in their music. The neat guitars and the vocals were the ones that made this experience a bit different from the rest. The vocals and background vocals had good spirit in them. But I’m not getting too excited with this album, it’s average power metal and most fans will probably be ok with this. But the way this band works now, they are capable of going further and they’re not exactly low on ideas either. Hopefully on their next one we’ll hear a bit more personality.
Frontiers/Now & Then
26 April 2001
The idea of a project led by Billy Greer, the bassist of Kansas, The Streets and The Sign, didn't sound that interesting on paper. I mean, sure, he might be a talented player, but as a songwriter or vocalist I didn't know what to expect from him. The first soundbyte from this album, "Missy" on the Union 3 sampler did sound promising, and the fact that Mike Slamer (Steelhouse Lane, Streets) joined forces with Greer raised the profile of this project quite a bit.
Now that I have heard the results, I have to say that I'm a positively surprised. Greer has come up with one of the best AOR releases you're likely to hear all year, with strong songs, tight production and explosive performances all around. Greer appears to be a good vocalist, and with a little help from his Kansas bandmates and Slamer, the instrumental side of things is taken care of very well indeed.
Musically this album is what you could expect: A bit of Kansas, a bit of Steelhouse Lane, maybe a touch of The Sign as well - yet sounding quite fresh and original. What I find extremely positive is the fact that all the songs have something going for them, there are aboslutely no fillers. Searching for highlights is a hard task here! However, a couple of trcks do stand out: "No Man's Land" is very probably on my Top Ten list this year, it's a magnificent piece of melodic rock with nice twists and turns, and "Forsaken" is another gem with a bombastic chorus. Neither of these tracks are written by Greer (they are written by members of Kansas), but don't let that fool you. Greer's own compositions are very good as well, just listen to "Only The Brave" or "When Love Is Dying", for instance. "Broken Home" is also from an outside writer, namely Mark Spiro, but Greer and Co. make it sound like their own.
A brilliant album, with only one - very minor - fault: the midtempo tracks are dominating it. As good as they are, I feel that a couple of faster tracks might have pushed this album to "a perfect ten". Anyway, I hope that the "Seventh Key" project doesn't remain an one-off thing.
Frontiers 2003
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallström,
25 January 2004
Believe it or not, but I was never *that* impressed by the debut album which Seventh Key released back in 2001. In fact, I didn't even have it in my possession anymore and had to track down a copy, just to refresh my memory. I can definitely say that vocalist/bassist Billy Greer (Kansas, Streets, The Sign), steps up to the plate and hits a homerun again. Not every time though as there are still a couple of poor strikes and misses to be found on "The Raging Fire".
Mike Slamer (City Boy, Streets, Steelhouse Lane, etc.), Greer's old band mate from the Streets days, is still very much a part of this project. Besides taking care of all guitar and keyboard work, Slammer also handle engineering, mixing, and production of the album. Not to mention co-writing all the songs with Greer. Needless to say, the guitarwork is simply stunning throughout the whole album and the same goes with the vocal harmonies (much thanks to Terry Brock). I wish I could say the same thing about the actual material.
Perhaps I ask for too much? I want this to be a perfect ten I guess? Especially after hearing "Always From The Heart", included on a Frontiers sampler last year. That's one truly scary monster song, with a hook that would send Tyson on a orbit around the sun. We're talking potential 'song of the year' contender here. You can't help to sing a long at full strenght with the marvelous chorus. The rest of the material doesn't really have that "instant" hit feeling as much as this track. Well, the power ballad "It Should Have Been You", should have been a massive hit back in the 80's. Lovely dut-dut keyboards with that special Foreigner sound and sing-a-long chorus. On the other hand, you can't really find any 'pure crap' songs either. Well, "Winds Of War", and the title track "This Raging Fire", are both pretty boring though and I tend to skip them every time. And with only ten tracks included, two 'fillers' is actually quite a lot. The uptempo rocker "The Sun Will Rise", the moody "You Cross The Line", the guitar rocker "Sun City", the Def Lep inspired "Run", and "Pyramid Princess", are all winners in my book. Fat guitars, fat production, and really fat harmonies, adds extra life and stamina to these songs. Not always blessed with catchy choruses perhaps as Greer/Slammer gives the full treatment to the material, where the verses becomes as important as the actual refrain. By the way, the bonus material includes the video of "Always From The Heart" and interview with the band. You can't go wrong with this release even if I prefer Streets & Steelhouse Lane in the end. Still very good though...
www.frontiers.it
Steelheart Records 2003
Review by
15 December 2003
Italian metal is a force to be reckon with nowadays... in opposite to the dark ages... during most part of the 80s, I guess??? The likes of Dark Star & Death SS, etc, never created much buzz or interest outside of Italy. Things are looking up though and especially Power Metal, with the likes of Rhapsody and Labyrinth upfront, is definitly on the rise.
Seventh Seal was formed back in 1996 and the band played classic metal with Italian lyrics, at the beginning. They switched however to using the English language during the later part of 1999. They actually add another dimension to the average 'trottle metal' material, with the aid of female singer Chiara Luci, and her very powerful vocal ability. Trust me... this kitten got claws and she's not afraid to use them either.
It's otherwise Euro Power Metal with amazing double-bass assault, and flashy twin-guitar work. The guitarists Pasquale Bianco & Francesco Fanciullotti, are swaping lead position with each other, like two race cars down at Monza, throughout the whole CD. This makes the guitarwork very interesting and you can almost compare them with Murray/Smith (Iron Maiden), and most of all Hansen/Weikath (Helloween). Produced at "Studio Zenith" by Frank Andver (Labyrinth, Shadows Of Steel, etc), "The Black Dragon's Eye", is a nice piece of craftsmanship. Highlights include the title track, "Only A Dream", and the smashing "Riding The Waves", with lots of Helloween and Gamma Ray influences. Besides the eight tracks of own material, you'll also find covers of Riot's "Thundersteel" and Helloween's "I'm Alive". Sadly, you'll also notice how superior these cover songs are comparing to the others. A nice debut album, even if they need to work more on their songwriting skills in the future.
www.adrenaline.it
Indie 2002
02-02-15
Here's a new, interesting band for all you (melodic) Prog-Metal lovers out there. SEVENTH WONDER from Stockholm/Sweden delivers some very professional material on their first 4-track EP. Three of the band members are all ex. Mankind, which demo I reviewed a year ago (see review in our archive).
I'm pleased to say this is yet another step in the right direction. Gone are the Power meets Yngwie Malmsteen influences and also gone are the average vocals. Roman Kaprovich is a way superior frontman with an impressive singing voice.
Another interesting fact is that Andreas Blomqvist - Bass (ex. Mankind, Blue Man Down) is taking private (bass) lessons by Marcel Jacob (Talisman, Yngwie, John Norum). While Johan Liefvendahl's (ex. Mankind) guitar teacher is Pontus Norgren (Talisman, Great King Rat etc.). I must say that I'm (still) very impressed by Liefvendahl's guitar work. Not to mention that Andreas Söderin adds an extra dimension to the music, with some excellent keyboards. "The Seventh Wonder", "Blinding My Eyes" & "Save Me" are all song material with both melodies and complex chords. You could say that Seventh Wonder is a even more melodic version of Dream Theater. Even if that's not the whole truth, since they play their own, Swedish style of very melodic, prog-metal. Believe me! Here's another band who's very close to being offered a record deal. Make sure to check 'em out at: www.seventhwonder.nu
Promo 2003
Review by
20 july 2003
Got this cd from the band’s guitarist/vocalist U.C.Voices, but no information along with it. So I can’t tell you much about the band here for you, except that I know this finnish band has been together for some time now and you can catch them playing gigs in Helsinki. The band’s homesite is quite plain and doesn’t offer much information either. There’s hidden buttons you have to search for too. The band members on this one song cd along with U.C. are Shabby Metamorphosis-bass and an ex-drummer Timo Diamonds.
I was hoping to catch more songs from the band, since you can’t really tell much about a band based on only one song. But here’s what I thought about ”Hope”; The song is about love and the lyrics are both depressing and couraging. The overall sound is echoing, the vocals too, which also sound hollow. The guitars sound rough and they’re quite on top and the leading rhythm is catchy but makes the song a simple one when the guitar solo is following the same lines. The drumsound is a bit flat and the vocals would be better if they were a bit more intense, now they’re a bit from the weak side. The overall atmosphere is a depressing one, but the basic idea is good here. I could imagine this being a mixture of Pink Floyd/The Beatles and the 80’ies hard rock. There’s some psychedelic features and the song would suite well on the radio since it’s so poppy and simple. I’m thinking this band should work a bit harder on their skills, ”Hope” does sound like a promise of something.
Boosweet Records 2001
17 July 2002
What can you expect from an album that features Slash's Snakepit, Gary Hoey, Vernon Neilly, Papa Roach, Blink 182, Bill Frisell, etc.? "Diversity" you might say and you hit it on the head, as the idea behind the whole compilation is to showcase how many different sounds one might get out of Seymour Duncan pickups. Obviously we - musicians - can't be fooled that easily and know that the sound of a guitar is far from being characterized by its pickups only but being a SD user and fan myself too I cheer the initiative and we got a great, entertaining record here after all.
The album sets off as good as it can only get, three great instrumentals, the latin sounding, partially acoustic "Nassau Nights" by Vernon Neilly; actually the album is Vernon's brainchild and he is the founder and CEO of the label too. Jennifer Batten (yes, the killer looking lady with the high hair in the Michael Jackson video - as most of the people know her) follows with the strange "Zulu Wedding" and Gary Hoey's "Bula Brain" should please even those who are not instru fans. 311 is another easy-listening with their moody "Life's Not a Race", a great melodic tune with soft jazzy touches, cool percussions, and a Santana sounding solo. To be honest new-breed bands like Blink 182 or Reel Big Fish and the alikes never really did it for me but fans of that sound should also check the Slash's Snakepit tune too cuz it's as far from the classic Gn'R sound as it can get. Papa Roach, Monster Magnet, and Alien Ant Farm complete the treatment that is way too modern to these ears though I have to admit "Movies" by Alien Ant Farm has some really cool and quite tricky riffing that caught my attention right away.
Some bands with experimenting sound follow, lots of computer overtones, technological tricks keep the listener's attention, especially if you are fellow-musicians or you are interested/involved in recording in your own studio. I'd like to point out Asphalt Jungle's "Red Dragon" here as the track is probably the most entertaining one full of great sounds and is a breath-taking product of high-tech recording. A shame I have not been familiar with them before! The jazzy and bluesy final part of the album was much to my pleasant surprise again, especially the modern jazzy "Baby Step" by Alain Caron and Jimmy Bruno's "Hypertension. Blues fans will love the Bill Frisell and Seymour Duncan tracks too.
My one and only problem with the album (and this is the reason the rating is not 9 or 10) is that when I hear a guitar orientated album, I expect ALL the musicians to be top-notch performers on their instruments and some of the new-breed guys are simply not in the same league (guitar)playing and songwriting-wise as all those well-known blues, jazz, or session musicians on the album. This pretty much kills the middle part of the album for me. Take away 4 or 5 tracks and you got the perfect album. Musicians, sound engineers: compulsory! Open minded fans with diverse collections: highly recommended.
DF Records 2002
25 July 2002
'Fiiire - The Best Of Sha-Boom' isn't really a comeback album or a band thing anymore. Indeed, this is a compilation with a couple of new tracks included, and the best from their two previous releases "R.O.C.K." & "Let's Party". Still, this is more about vocalist Dag Finn than anything else and you can also find three tracks from his solo album here.
Dag 'Dagge' Finn's comeback into the spotlight here in Sweden was mostly because of last years success with the lame TV show Baren/TV3 (The Bar). Yet another wannabe-TV show in the endless supplies of MTV - Real World copycats out there. I'm not sure this will bring us a new album release by Finn/Sha-Boom. However, Sha-Boom is touring all over Sweden these days (with ex. Europe drummer Ian Haugland etc.) and it's been quite a success. This CD is at least something to remember the band with and it's actually kind of fun to hear some of the songs again.
"R.O.C.K.", "Don't Steal My Heart Away", "Let's Party" (written by Per Gessle), "Wheels Of Rock'N'Roll", "Fox on The Run" (a Sweet cover) and "X-Ray Specs" (also recorded by Evenrude) are all nice party tracks for a sunny, summer afternoon... some of the others have lost their charm by now though. The production wasn't really as 'fat' as I remembered it to be either. The new song "Fiiire" isn't bad at all really, nu-breed rock but with the classic S-B sound. Still, Sha-Boom recorded two albums of simple, yet pretty effective rock with some help from guitarist/producer Andy Scott (Sweet), Ole Evenrude, Per Gessle (Roxette) etc. Let's hope there will be another release in the future. You can actually buy this CD (autographed) and other merchendise at their site, only in Swedish though.
www.sha-boom.net
Escape 2004
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallström,
10 January 2004
To be honest, Steve Overland (ex-FM) could almost getaway with murder with a voice like that. I don't believe there's ever been such a sadly underrated singer in business (at least outside of the hardcore community). When Michael Bolton became a household name to billions of hausfraus around the world, Overland stayed true? to his colours with hardrock and blues upfront.
Shadowman is the spanking new project of Overland and Heartland guitarist Steve Morris. With the steady and solid help of Thunder's rhythm section, consisting of Chris Childs (bass) and Harry "Hurry" James (drums). One thing's for sure though, everything from songwriting to vocal/instrumental performances, and back again to the production and mixing by Pete "Peewee" Coleman, simply pours of quality and class.
Do however not expect this to come out blasting like a machine gun in the hands of a terrorist. Most of the tracks are rather smooth rock with a lovely, laidback, approach. In fact, "Touched By An Angel" could almost have been done by Otis Reeding in the past or Ronan Keating of today. I'm not saying that Shadowman sound exactly like any of the above. Not at all, I'm only trying to make the point that this may not be dumb rock 'ala AC/DC or Poison. It's rather melodic hardrock with a lot of soul and influences that goes all the way back to the 60's and to presest date. This actually breathes of life and like vintage wine it'll probably only get better with time too. "Land Of The Living" comes through like a mix of Thunder, Heartland, and FM (which can easily be said about several other tracks too), with some nicely played horns by special guest Mike Walsh. "Shelter Me" is a very smooth ballad and opening track "Those Days Are Gone", is a great uptempo rocker with a nice hook. The only problem I have with Shadowman is the lack of uptempo tracks. The midtempo/slow songs isn't a winning team throughout the whole CD. You wont be feeling disappointed with this release and neither fully satisfied somehow. You will not find many finer or better melodic hardrock release this year though, when it comes to best over all performance (sound, musicians, writing).
www.escape-music.com
Point Music 2001
Surprise, surprise! Shakra's self-titled debut album left me cold but it wasn't more than a second-class Gotthard rip-off in my opinion. The follow up „Moving Force" from 99 was a bit better, but nothing really outrageous. So what's the difference with the new effort then you might ask me?
The more Gotthard changed into a band for housewives (don't get me wrong, I love „Homerun") the more I knew what I was missing. There isn't enough great „Kick-ass" Rock N' Roll released these days. Lucky enough, we have Shakra from Switzerland. Add some Thunderhead and Krokus here and there , you're definetely into the „Power Ride". Vocalist Pete Wiedmer sounds like a deadringer to Bonfire's Claus Lessmann (listen to „Why Don't You Call Me" and you'll know what I mean!).
But enough now of all those comparisons! This CD offers everything a hard rock fan is longing for. Great work by axemen Thom Blunier (producer as well!) and Thomas Muster (not the former tennis professional!), catchy hooks on every song and some haunting ballads for the hours with the beloved one. „Power Ride" is the perfect album title and even better than the extremely brilliant „Soul Doctor" debut earlier this year. A red hot contendor for my personal favourite record of the year!
Point Music/Rock Inc 2003
Review by 
29 July 2003
Their first three albums, “Shakra”, “Moving Force” and “Power Ride”, all got great reviews from the press, especially in Germany and Japan. After their highly appreciated third cd they made their first headliner tour in Germany. However singer Pete had to leave the band due to health reasons and the future wasn't looking not bright anymore. Shakra found the perfect replacement in Mark Fox, who convinced the fans at Bang Your Head and Wacken Open Air in 2002.
“Rising” is their first album with Mark as a singer (release date:11 August)and now their sound approaches the “old” Gotthard sound even more. Listen to the opener called “Now Or Never” and sometimes you have the feeling that you are listening to their fellow countrymen. Furthermore influences like Bonfire, Pink Cream 69 and Vengeance come to mind if you listen to up-tempo rockers like “Done Me Wrong”, “Run Away”, “Fight The Fire” or “Rising High”. But I rather prefer those bands I mentioned before, because Shakra tends to become boring after another power rock song. Besides that in my opinion there are too many choruses, too many refrains and too much singing anyway...add to this the too nasal sound of singer Fox and you know what to expect from this album.
It really is a shame because I liked their previous album very much and now they are taking a step back, instead of moving forwards and developing their musical
career. Of course there are also some good songs on this album, like the two powerballads “I Will Be There” and “Anything”. And just like many bands, Shakra saves the best for last; “Trapped”, also the longest track, is filled with excellent guitarriffs, beautiful instrumental passages and is also the track with the most variation. Why could the rest of the songs not be of the same high quality?? Then my rating would have been much higher, maybe next time...
www.shakra.ch
MTM Music 2000
Will The GLAMorous people please stand up, please stand up, please stand up! It´s time to put on your best high heels, lipstick, leather and not 2 forget the glitter! Cuz the SHAMELESS boys are back in town and Eminem better runs home to his Mama before the party begins. Let´s face it... you need to be a really SLEAZY/GLAM dude to wear your make-up with pride?
Eeehh... Nevermind!!! The Main Man behind it all is German born ALEXX MICHAEL (bass player/songwriter) the only member left from the original band that started out in Germany in the Mid-80´s. The rest of the line-up are really impressive though. We can find STEVE SUMMERS (Pretty Boy Floyd) & STEVIE RACHELLE (Tuff) on vocals, guitars were mostly done by KERRI KELLI (Warrant, Ratt, Pretty Boy Floyd) but we also find both BRUCE KULICK (KiSS, Union) & TRACII GUNS (L.A.Guns) and behind the drums STEVE REILEY (WASP, L.A.Guns) & ERIC SINGER (KiSS, Alice Cooper, Badlands etc.) pretty cool, huh?
Add that it´s produced by GILBY CLARKE (Guns´N´Roses) and that the song "American Man" was written by GENE SIMMONS (KISS) and the fun can begin. It´s almost like a Dream-Team of sleaze/glam rockers from the 80´s and the only downer is that a couple of songs are a bit too corny (like: You cant stop me) even for my taste, but tracks like "Shock The World, Queen 4 A Day, Lonely Nite in Paradise & Steal the Girls" are all future glam classic´s. All these 4 tracks has the vocals of STEVE SUMMERS and they do sound like PRETTY BOY FLOYD with a lotta influences taken from the classic MÖTLEY CRUE album "Too Fast for Love", great stuff. "Nonstop City, American Man, What U want is what U get" are some of the songs that STEVIE RACHELLE gets to sing and while GENE´s "American Man" is nice but not really anything special the other 2 are really catchy.
Add a couple of good power ballads "Far Away (Summers) & A Place Where Love Can´t Go (Rachelle)" and you´ll have a really good album that fans of 80´s sleaze/glam (PGF, Mötley Crue, Tuff, etc.) really can´t be without. So get your glitter outta the gutter as the SHAMELESS boys are ready to shock the world once again. www.shamelessrock.com
Nuclear Blast/Magic Circle 2003
Review by
5 June 2003
"Ashes To Ashes, Lust To Lust" Well, someone apperently rewrote the whole concept of funerals I believe??? Some of you out there may remember David Shankle as the Manowar guitarist from the years of 1988-1995. This is Shankle's return to the scene and his CD is filled with virtuosic high-speed guitar playing and metal hymns. Wimps and posers better leave this review etc. etc.
After leaving Manowar, David went to Roosevelt Music University in Chicago to study jazz and classical guitar. The music of "Ashes To Ashes" is of course related to his previous act, especially since Joey DeMaio both produced and released it. Indeed, this epic sounding album is published by DeMaio's own label Magic Circle Music (with the help of Nuclear Blast).
Do not expect this to be just another "Manowar" album though. Lead vocalist Trace Edward Saber is obviously more inspired by Rob Halford (Judas Priest) than say Eric Adams. The main difference is however keyboardist Eddie "Shreddy" Bethishou and his marvelous work at the ivory's and ebony's. You'll notice flashy duels between him and Shankle all over this CD and this gives a totally different dimension over the material. Without the keys this would have been just another metal album, now it's more progressive with neo-classical influences. "Ashes To Ashes" features a broad mix of pure metal, some classic rock of Rainbow, speedy instrumentals, and neo-classical songs. The title and opening track do actually sound like Yngwie Malmsteen on steroids somehow, while "Secrets" reminded me a lot of Judas Priest in the late 70's/early 80's. "Back To Heaven" show a lot in common with the most uptempo tracks by Rainbow (Spotlight Kid). The lovely ballad "Calling All Heroes" could almost have been a TNT (!!!) song in the 80's. "The Tolling Of The Bell" is a great power metal tune a'la Manowar though and the rest of the material, is solid power metal without any major up's or down's. Shankle's playing is more impressive here than during all his years with Manowar and the classical influences really shines through. The variety of music on this album is indeed a nice suprise and the result is quite good.
www.nuclearblast.de
Epic 1989
I remember seeing Shark Island’s “Paris Calling” video on MTV back in 1989 or 1990 and the song caught my attention right away. I needed to search a lot till I could put my hands on the album but I was very satisfied when finally I managed to add it to my collection. It is still one of my favorites of that era so I decided to dig it up for you, because it stood the test of time and the professional musicianship and production of the album raises it above the majority of the hair metal/MTV melodic rock years. The sound of the band is characterized by Richard Black’s vocals and Spencer Sercombe’s guitar work. Both of them classic in their fields. They had already got good reviews before the release of this album in a L.A. band Sharks that only got as far as an EP.
The above mentioned video track “Paris Calling” opens the album followed by “Shake For Me” and both songs are carved from the same wood: great melodic rock anthems with huge production, catchy refrains and extremely tasty guitar work and guitar sound. Both Richard and Spencer have worked on various studio projects before and after this album and their experience is audible on all their recordings. The strength of the song material is clearly shown by the fact that three of the songs were co-written by Jack Ponti (Loud & Clear’s favorite storyteller… if you do not know what I mean check the Beast Side Story archives) but Matt Bisonette and Dave Sabo are also credited with one song. One of the ballads of the album “Bad For Each Other” surfaced on the all star Contraband album too, that also features Richard on vocals (and Spencer helping out with some guitars) so not much of a difference. Anyway, any version you can put your hands on will blow you away. A great ballad with an extremely catchy refrain and wonderful vocal melodies.
Probably the only filler of the album is “Spellbound” that is missing out on arrangement; a bit of keyboards could have helped the weak chemistry of the song. “Get Some Strange” washes the bad taste away with a very thick guitar sound and energetic uptempo riff. The other ballad “Why Should I Believe” is a bit darker than “Bad For Each Other”, tons of reverbs make the mix sound a bit psychedelic, recalling early Kingdom Come or Cult ballads. I admit that originality is not the strongest point of the record but if you want to have a professionally written, played, recorded, produced melodic rock album, you can’t go wrong with this one. Old timers might want to know that a Fleetwood Mac song of the 70s, “The Chain” is also covered on the album, however not knowing the original I can’t compare the two versions. Being a CBS/Epic release and having MTV promotion I suppose the album must have been printed in considerable amount so you might have luck checking out bargain bins. Be sure to pick it up if you come across.
Insideout 2001
01-08-29
Oh Yeah! I am in general not a big fan of all-instrumental albums (that´s Bandi´s obsession) but Derek Sherinian´s (Dream Theater, Kiss etc.) album "Inertia" really struck the right chords for me this time. This is a lovely mixture of fusion, prog, heavy metal and pretty much everything in-between.
And what about the rest of the musicians on this CD? Well, with a lineup of Simon Phillips (drums), Tony Franklin (bass) and the two legendary guitar players Steve Lukather (Toto) and Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne) it simply just can´t go wrong or bad... now can it? Add that Sherinian runs like a demon over the keys and you´ll get one of the best instrumental albums I´ve heard in later years.
You can even find a cover of the Edgar Winter Group classic "Frankenstein" here, I never thought the someone would record this old tune in the year of 2001 though!! Then again, many of the songs here (like "Astroglide") do show a lot of influences from bands such as Edgar Winter Group and Emerson Lake and Palmer (ELP). Don´t expect this to be like ELP all the time though, as with players like Lukather, Franklin and Sherinian you´ll get a very melodic side too. Tracks like "Inertia", "Mata Hari" and "Evel knievel" are filled with melodic melodies, powerful riffs and metal fusion. Oh, and nobody rocks like Zakk Wylde! Recommended !
www.insideout.de
Z Records 2002
Review by
19 December 2002
I guess there's no need to eat my own shorts now? Thank God for that as I never really expected doing this in the first place either... really. I knew from the first time I heard Shiva, that it would just be a matter of time before they were signed. Here they are at Z Records in UK and Santa brought me an early present this year. Rumors actually says that someone at AOR-Europe decided to play Santa themselves, helping out with bringing this package to the children (OK, enuff with the mumbo jumbo, bozo).
Try and imagine one of the most powerful female vocalist you've ever heard (Anette Johansson), together with one helluva riff master at the guitar (Mats Edstrom). Throw in lots of those lovely Swedish melodies and harmonies at eleven and crack it all up to twelve. What you'll end up with is Shiva and eleven tracks of pure hardrock. It really doesn't matter if you're not really into female vocalists either. Since Anette is far from being one of those shy pussycats. Nah, this kitten got claws and knows how to use 'em too (miao!). She sings with both strenght and power that not many female rockers before her has managed to do.
The pure energy of this CD is pouring out through the loudspeakers as you play "Free My Soul" or "No Place For The Living" etc. The latter is about the horror of war which you can almost tell by the loud guitars. That would actually have to be my description of the CD, with only two words: Loud Guitars. Don't think for a minute this would mean, there's less of catchy hooks or harmonies here. Not at all, Edstrom have managed to combine the two nicely and every song is blessed with a sing-a-long chorus. I can't believe that Z decided to open up this CD with the semi AOR song "Marilyn" though. A really nice song it is!!! But it's not exactely typical for the 'Shiva' sound at all. Track #2 "Stay Out" is on the other hand, pedal to the metal from the first breath and it leaves you gasping for air in the end. "Dow Jones Index" is guitar based, melodic hardrock at its best. Superb songwriting with sexy verses and ultra cool chorus. The chorus does sound a bit like "Hide Your Heart" with KISS, only almost better somehow. "Another Mans Wife" is another fantastic rocker with a lovely intro. Anette sings like a Goddess and those guitar riffs are bloody marvelous. Need I say that still I find "Shame On You", to be one of the hottest songs on earth right now? That struttin' guitar and Anette's voice makes this one helluva' striptease tune. Like a metal version of Shania Twain mixed with some Whitesnake a-la 'Dancing Girls'. Add that "One More Day" is one fine ballad and "Would I Lie To You" is the same song that Renegade did earlier. There you have it, It's from Sweden, It rocks, and fans of guitarbased rock wont be disappointed here. One of the highlights of the year.
www.zrecords.net
www.shivahardrock.com
Indie 2001
02-01-10
Hot Stuff!!! Do you remember the Swedish band 'Yankee Heaven' who released the independent album 'Unclassified' back in 1994? They were also included on the Megarock Records compilation "Melodic Mayhem Volume Three" with the song 'No More Cry'. Well, hold on to your hats, as the main force behind that project is back... better than ever.
Indeed, both Anette Johansson (vocals) and Mats Edstrom (guitars, keys) have grown a lot (musically) over the years. While Yankee Heaven were sometimes a bit too 'wimpy' SHIVA will take control with some delicious power rock. Believe me when I say, this is the next 'big thing' from my homeland.
The demo contains seven tracks and the overall sound is really sensational! You could say they mix the best of the 80's (Swedish) Melodic Hardrock. With some modern influences (Shania Twain, Skunk Anansis, Britney Spears?) I'm really impressed by Anette, as she sings like a possessed demon here. Just check out "Dow Jones Index" where she spits out the words, like a rapid fire gun. The song is a marvelous rock song, with some killer guitar work by Edstrom. The chorus is darn catchy and reminded me a bit of 'Hide Your Heart' by KISS. "Shame On You" is a sexy, rock tune. Like a metal version of Shania Twain actually. Yeah! Bring on the dancing girls!! Love that struttin' guitar work! Love that voice... this girl can really sing and she's not afraid to show it. Songs like: 'Free My Soul', 'Would You Lie To Me', 'Lead You On', 'Marilyn' and the ballad 'One More Time' are all winners in my book. Heck! I even promise to eat my own shorts, if these guys do not land a recording contract sometime, soon. OK! Enough with the raving! You can contact them at: ake.edstrom@spray.se
MTM Music 2004
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallström,
12 January 2004
Faster! Harder! Louder! Errr... get your mind out of the gutter as these words sums it all up pretty darn good. The Swedish duo Shiva, consisting of female vocalist Anette Johansson & Mats Edström [guitars/songwriter], returns with a marvelous follow up album and 2004 is off to a fine start indeed. However, keep in mind that "Desert Dreams", is a rather big step from their debut album in 2002, as they've gone for 'total metal' this time.
The first three tracks are very powerful with a sound similar to Judas Priest [Painkiller era], mixed with some Skew Siskin. And those vocals... wow! You know... I can't recall any better female metal vocalist to ever come out of Sweden, or any other part of Europe for that matter. Anette Johansson chews 'em all up and spits 'em out as she sings like a possessed one. I'll gladly take my hat off [among other things], for this marvelous metal-goddess. You really can't compare her with someone else right now as she is truly 'one of a kind', with a voice both stronger than steel and louder than hell [I need to stop playing those Manowar albums]. Doro is remarkably pale in comparison and you really shouldn't go there in the first place either. "Unjustify The Truth" hits ya' right between the eyes with its enchanting chorus and heavy approach. This is Priest with female vocals and throw in some riffs a'la Malmsteen, while you're at it.
Almost every track are still blessed with catchy melodies and big choruses though. Especially track 4-10 are very 'hit friendly' with their roots firmly grounded, into 80's melodic metal/rock. "Completely Strangers" is a superb rocker, while "Losing My Child", is a semi ballad that goes straight to the heart. The lyrics are really touching and you can't hardly imagine the pain of someone who's losing a child. "Passanger Of Life" is another winner, while "Porno Star" is almost like part 2 of "Shame On You", from their first CD. Heavier than their debut in certain parts, but still very impressive.
www.mtm-music.com
Earache 2003
Review by
15 March 2003
According to the record company write-up Shortie are "Sacramento's Emo-core sensations". "Emo-core"? Another "cool" genre has been invented, I guess. Anyway, what you'll get is heavy modern rock with quite melodic vocals and thankfully without rapping. This isn't Nu-Metal, this isn't punk, but something in between. "Worthless Smiles" is the band's first album, and already they are making an impact on the rock scene stateside, with appearances on compilations such as The Ozzfest/Streetwise DVD and "Big Air Experience", that also features bands like Slayer and Queens Of The Stone Age.
Onto the album: the band has wisely placed their one of their most appealing songs as the opener, that being "5 Seconds", an agressive track with a good hook. "Kill The World" is okay too, but after that the songs start to blur into each other somehow, especially "Open Season" (track 7) creates a weird deja-vu effect, as it is quite similar to "The One" (track 5)...or was it "Waiting"?
"David Bowie" is a little better with a different kind of chorus (reminds me of The Foo Fighters actually), and "Getting Over You" seems to have a bit more melody in it as well. Finally, there's a Portishead cover "Sour Times" that doesn't sound that much different to the band's own stuff, maybe a bit more complex. Can't say that I'm familiar with the original, so I won't comment on the version and its' faithfullness.
All in all I'm a bit disappointed. The press release for this album stated that the band plays "emotionally-charged songs that stick in your head" - well they don't! Still, it might just be my head that's to blame.
USG Records 1999
Review by
Paul Shortino is the former vocalist of cult LA rockers Rough Cutt. He was also in Quiet Riot for a while, and he is featured on their "Quiet Riot" album (1988). This album is a live recording, kind of a "Best of" compilation featuring Rough Cutt and Quiet Riot songs (well, two from RC and one from QR), as well as songs form Shortino's studio album "It's About Time".
I can not say that I am very impressed by the performance of Mr. Shortino on this album. He has a good and unique voice, but I think he wasn't in his prime when these songs were captured on tape. He sings a lot lower than on records, and when he tries to go for the high notes, I can almost feel the pain...
The songs then...The first two songs are straight-forward rockers, of which I prefer "love Line Annie", which is written by Mike Slamer and Harry Paress. The QR song "Stay With Me Tonight" is a good one, even though this live version leaves a lot to be desired. "This Much Be Love" is a bluesy midtempo song with a melodic chorus. It's not a bad song, but a little dull. "Where There's A Will" is the next song I like, a bluesy ballad. The vocals sound weird though, almost like the tape is rolling too slow...Next in line there are some rather average songs, including the two Rough Cutt songs. That band had better songs than these, where's "Take A Chance"?
I guess it's a bit ironic that the best two songs here aren't live songs at all, but the bonus tracks that are from the "Badd Boyz" release. "Leave It To The Law" is a very cool melodic rocker, and "I Don't Want To Hear Your Heart Break" is brilliant ballad a bit in the vein of Cinderella's "Nobody's Fool". Even Paul Shortino sounds damn good on these tracks!
I doubt that Shortino will win a lot of new fans with this release, but I guess it's a must for the die-hard fans. Me, I think I will try to locate the Shortino and Badd Boyz CD's instead!
Music Work 2000
01-04-15
One of the most underrated(?) hardrock singers in the world PAUL SHORTINO (ex.ROUGH CUTT, QUIET RIOT & BADD BOYZ) is back with a new album. Now together with his band "The Rhythm Junkies" and not with the German guys who he recorded two albums with. But this is a pure BLUES album and nothing else. Yep... unfortunately this is a BLUES album and not melodic hardrock that most of us really want. SHORTINO sings as always like a small GOD and there´s no doubt about it... The Boy can sing the blues but I´m still a bit disappointed.
Yeah... I know... it´s selfish but what can I say? I love him when he plays the melodic hardrock and I... ehh... love him less :-) when he sings the blues. But is this a bad album then?? Not at all... if you like BLUES a-la GARY MOORE and stuff.
Opener and title track "Stand or fall" is a really good blues-song that fans of MOORE will really enjoy. "Devil in my heart" is a more funky-blues song that I (strange but true) think sounds like something that could have been on PETER CRISS´s solo album from 1978 (KISS). "All of my life" is a good song with a cool bass, a really good "Whitsnake" verse but a little weaker chorus. So if you like BLUES or if you´re a die-hard SHORTINO fan, don´t miss this album. PAUL is right now busy in the studio, working on his next album together with guitarist JIMMY CRESPO (Aerosmith, Rod Stewart) and YES(!) it´s a return to melodic hardrock again! Find out more about this CD at www.musicworks1.com or give TEDDER at www.egotripent.com dave@egotripent.com a shout... or two ;-P
Rock Inc 2003
Review by
27 October 2003
This is a re-release of the original album of 1993, only it has 4 bonus tracks. Furthermore, if you also have the album “Best Of JK Northrup(2002)” then you will notice that seven are also featured on this album; so maybe it is a bit too much...
Well, what can I say about this album, short and sweet: great vocals, great guitar playing, 4 great bonustracks and great guest musicians like Bobby Kimball, Carmen Appice, Jeff Pilson and Matt Bissenette. Best tracks: “When There’s Smoke”, “Forgotten Child”, “Pieces” and “Wishing Well”. Nothing more to say really...
MTM 2004
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
20 May 2004
"Afterlife" is the brand new title with vocalist Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot, Badd Boyz), and guitarist J.K. Northrup (King Kobra, XYZ, Cage). They have once again teamed up to work together, eleven years after the somewhat successful Shortino album "Back On Track". And they have even managed to come up with a couple of classy rock songs this time. The title track was included on a MTM sampler earlier and I still find it similar the Quiet Riot album with Shortino (the closing of the song is definitely Whitesnake though). I was actually surprised to find out, exactly how much this reminded me of Whitesnake/Blue Murder on certain tracks. Check out "Gypsy Soul", "Slave", or "Prisoner", for your daily dose of Coverdale/Sykes material.
There's unfortunately not enough goodies to go around the entire album. Shortino's voice is quite shot and raunchy nowadays, I guess he's not actually supposed to sound like Brian Johnson (AC/DC), every now and then? (a bit harsh I know). Nevertheless, dull and boring moments like "Crossfire" or "As I Fall", doesn't add much to the big picture either. "Crazy Mind" is (boring) rock in the Led Zep tradition, and the fact that ex-King Kobra/Foreigner vocalist Johnny Edwards, sings on this duet, doesn't really help much I'm afraid.
Bottomline, I can't help feeling disappointed as I expected more to come out of this project. It's nice, safe, without those really great songs of the past. At least Shortino can fall back upon that cameo role in Spinal Tap - The Movie, huh?
Relativity 1991
The new "trendy" melodic rock album sound (see my Eclipse review for more) pretty much reminds me of this album from 1991. Unfortunately, this band never made it as big as they should have; still they carved their name in stone with this album. The band have already showed its claws with their self titled debut, however it contained too many fillers, so bombastic tracks like "Shout It Out" and "Nowhere Fast" got lost among them. A line-up change between the two albums: Tim Skold (former bassist took vocal duties) and the Harry Cody (guitars) Tim Skold duo delivered a bombastic album. They weren't only responsible for the songwriting but for the production too, and this is the field where they absolutely broke through, and became forerunners of today's aggressive melodic rock sound. Later on they kept on experimenting with more industrial sound (with less success).
Straightforward guitar sound supported with a bombastic drum and a heavy bass sound, rough vocals and rich, shout-out choruses are characteristic for the whole album. Somehow the guys managed to squeeze zillion joules of energy into the sound; almost each and every track explodes when playing the CD. This is a record you HAVE TO crank your stereo with, it is a necessity to enjoy full pleasure of it. The first three tracks run you over like a freight train. "Sexdrugsrockn'roll", the perfect heavy rock anthem, "Red Hot", to make your blood pressure crash through the roof, and "Nobody's Home", to make you go totally crazy are just appetizers cuz the rest of the album rocks even more. A short slowdown with "Living Without You", the perfect power ballad with a wonderful melodic solo like the ballads of the first Skid Row album had before. "Heartbreak Blvd" takes the role of the accelerator to take us to the next highlight of the album: "I Want More", a bombastic midtempo anthem with a huge shout-out refrain. The drum and bass sound of the track could tear a house down. Play it really loud, but tie your mother down before!! . And by the time the song gets to the second verse and you shout it out together with Tim "Mother cries and wonders where she failed" you'll have learnt what rock n' roll is all about! :-)
You say I'm troubled? Well, not until you've heard "Trouble", another bombastic midtempo rocker with all the characteristics mentioned just before. "Ride The Storm" is another power balladesque anthem that could have sold the band to a wider audience. Neither the uptempo "I Wanna Know" nor the heavy crushing punk-ish "Babylon" could do that but they definitely make the album a rocker favorite. "Free" is the least modern, most classic rock track of the album in the vein of the band's first record, it reminds me a little bit of the second and third White Lion albums, catchy as a flue! "You & Me" and "Can't Fool Me" speed the album up for the finish. The latter one is the stronger, early Guns n' Roses on steroids with some dirty punk attitude and a goddamn heavy sound. As I mentioned above, the album explodes of energy, perfect music for cruising, dirty parties, or just letting some anger out. Forgot how to bang your head? Get this one and you'll revise everything you have learnt about it before, might even get to a higher level of expertise!
Frontiers/Now & Then 1999
Review by
This is the fourth album from Shotgun Sympohny, and it is supposedly a return to the AOR style of their first album, after a couple of rather grungy efforts. I haven't heard earlier material so I can't comment, but I can tell you that "Sea Of Desire" has no traces of grunge. It's more in the vein of Dream Theater or Prophet, progressive hard rock with some AOR touches.
I can't say I am very impressed with this album. Most of the songs just plod along without making much of an impression. The likes of "Sea Of Desire", "Dancing On Fire" or "Inside Out" make it very hard to believe that this band once created "an AOR masterpiece", as their first album has been called. However, there are a few tracks that do impress me: "Believe In Me" is a great track with a strong hook, and I quite like "S.O.S." and "Heart Of Glass" too. A few more like them and this album could have been so much more exciting.
Atenzia Records 2003
Review by 
30 November 2003
What a nice surprise once again. Atenzia has proven to pick up some really good bands lately and Shugaazer is no different. Paul Laine with his band is doing a fantastic job with a really modern sound. This is not Danger Danger but still, got to love the music. Good music is always good no matter what. The only problem I first had was the name but I’ll find out where the name comes from Paul. The word is so hard to say. Is someone staring at their shoes or what does it mean? Anyway please remember the name because the record is worth every euro. Yes I paid for my copy of course. How else do the musicians live if we don’t buy their products. Ok to the record itself.
The record is well balanced with 10 great songs and my favorites are “Kozmonaut”, “Stepped Into My Universe” and possible the song of the year for me: “Beautiful”. This just gets better every single time I listen to it. Paul & Co. have done a really good job with the songs and for a very long time I have waited a album from Paul and he sure doesn’t disappoint me and I know that the ones who have waited for this record are not disappointed at all. One just has to remember that this a new band and it has a new sound. I can see some relations to the songs that Paul has penned for D2 like “Six Million Dollar Man”, but this just sounds so fresh that it really amazes me every time.
Now we need to get to hear these songs live and see this band on the stage. Atenzia should get the guys over here because they could easily do a little tour over here and get new fans and might even fit the current radio playlists in Europe too. “Beautiful” needs to be played all over, it is that good of song. I know I’ll try to get some radio station to play this.
Someone might to want to know what this sounds like but it sounds like Shugaazer to me so I really can’t give a very good comparison. New, fresh good poppish rock music and very well played, sang and produced. Oh yeah and excellent lyrics. They seem to fit my life at the moment really well. That is all I can come up with, sorry. This is one of the albums of the year on my list. Please check their site for more info: www.shugaazer.com
Phoenix Music 2001
01-04-23
I know ... it´s only rock´n roll but I like it! Here´s the latest release from British rock legends SHY who´ve been around in the melodic hardrock scene for the last 18 years or so. Well, it´s actually a re-release since "Welcome to the Madhouse" first came out in the early 90´s when Kurt Cobain and his grunge music had its peak.
Phoenix Music (Owner: Roy Davis / Shy bassist) decided to give it a proper release, this time re-mastered, re-packed and with two bonus live tracks. This is the only SHY album without original vocalist Tony Mills behind the mic and instead we can find John "Wardi" Ward (Madam X, Oliver-Dawson Saxon etc.) at the frontman position.
Wardi is a good singer even if he´s not a high pitched screamer like Mills and maybe it´s for the best here, as this album sounds (of course) like Shy in the 80´s but you can also find some funky horn sections like Extreme, Little Angels and even some sleaze rock. The hooks are still there though and uptempo tracks like "Crazy Crazy", the very catchy "What would your Daddy do", "Angel", "Everybody", and the funky "Something for the Weekend" are all winners in my book. "Tonight" is a nice Alice Cooper inspired (?) ballad and let´s not forget the great cover of Rolling Stones' "It´s only Rock´n´Roll"; so much better than the original as this version simple kicks a** . Bottom line this is a fun party album that will do fine at your next 80´s revival garden (?) party, even if a couple of the tracks don't really stand the test of time. [Note from Bandi: Where the hell is that party? And how come I'm not invited?] This will do fine until the new album is released by Z-Records later this year. www.phoenixmusicuk.com
Z Records 2002
Review by Jorge "Vigilante" Antonaya 22 August 2002
It was about time! Another brand new studio album from the band that released "Excess All Areas" back on mid 80's, an album considered by many, including yours truly, a classic. That one followed "Brave The Storm", a more pure AOR sounding disc, and was followed by "Misspent Youth" which failed to be such good as EAA, later on, after lead singer Tony Mills departure, they released the mediocre "Welcome To The Madhouse", plus a number of compilations, remixes, and a live album, but no new material, till now...
Well, one often tends to be a bit sceptical when it comes to old glories from the past reforming and releasing new stuff, specially lately. But fear not, as "Unfinished Business" is nothing sort of brilliant. Let's put it straight on: IMO this is their best release to date. Songs equally as good as those on EAA, plus a much more balanced sound (when you listen back to their classic record, you can hear the keyboards where way too loud and not well balanced on the mix, for instance), makes of UB an album that shouldn't be missed by any melodic hard rock fan. Well, I know for sure Tony Mills' high-pitched vocals are not for everyone, but I can assure you it chills you to the bone and gets deep into your skin as they are so passionate! I always loved his voice, I have to reckon it, but this time it's really amazing. Take the opener Skydiving for a melancholic melody line or the uptempo ass-kicking rocker Breakaway (featured on the 5 track EP released last year), as a sample. He does a great job on the slower songs as well, Maryanne, and specially Storyline, which is a serious candidate for Ballad of the Year for me. I could go on naming all the tracks on the album as there are really no fillers in there, But to those highlights already mentioned I'd add Communicate and No Other Way (the other track featured on last year's EP). Can't Stop Loving You is catchy as hell too. And up to this point I would like to remark the extraordinaire work done by Steve Harris (no, not THAT Steve Harris!) on guitars. The best I've listened to this year by far! It's really hard to describe this guy's style, but I would define it as "shred with feeling" as he has managed to produce some of the best riffs, licks and solos of the last five years or so on this genre. The absolutely perfect example would be Breakaway, the way he makes a one riff based song (and a really simple one), then adds another one for the bridge, and develops it to become a thrilling end for the guitar solo it's just gorgeus, and shows how talented songwritter he is. You don't listen to a 3 riffs based songs so beautiful like this every day.
The production is really good by today's standards, with the band sounding tight as hell and, (this time they got it right), the keyboards well placed on the mix. Tony Mill's vocals are given the right treatment and the guitars are right in your face. The only real downside of the album would be that songs tends to seem too long, not really that the clocking, apart from No Other Way, is too long, but you get the feeling some songs should end earlier than they do, kinda Ten's The Name Of The Rose (the song) issue, if you know what I mean. But that really shouldn't bother you after a few spins. All in all, an album that melodic hard rockers out there can't miss, and I'm pretty sure it will end up on many Best of Year's list. It will for sure be in mine!
MTM Music 2001
01-10-12
Are you still crying over Fair Warning´s split up with singer Tommy Heart? Dry your tears, mate as MTM Records bring you a new melodic hardrock band from Germany, in the similar style of music. Shylock may not be a household name yet, but give them a couple of years and a couple of albums... and who knows?
Now, don´t go thinking they´re a couple of copycats... but vocalist Matthias Schenk works in the similar field as Heart (not quite as good though), not to mention that his tone is very smooth and warm. The best (and easiest?) way to describe the music, would actually be as a mix of Fair Warning, Jaded Heart, Bonfire and GOA (Guild Of Ages) as they like to blend in some progressive influences on a couple of the tracks.
The song material doesn´t really stand the quality test, throughout the whole album though. It works great on tracks like "Blood Sister" a nice opener with marvelous keys and catchy chorus. Not to mention that typical German accent with roaring "don´t ya knoooooew" screams!!! Don´t worry! Schenk is not a new Klaus Meine! "Lovers In Chains" continues with swirling guitars and haunting keys and this does sound a lot like Fair Warning mixed with Jaded Heart. "Lost In A Dream" is a lovely mid-tempo track, while "That Kills Me" simply kills me!! This is Shylock at their best, including some lovely keys by Oliver Thiergärtner, outstanding guitarwork by Johannes Löhr and Schenk voice fits perfectly to this marvelous catchy track. Eat your heart out Fair Warning!! On the other hand tracks like "Desperation Song" or "In Vain" do very little or nothing to me. The horrible "Bad ´N´ Sad" shouldn't have been released in the first place, since the song is just... simply awful! Then again... one man´s poison is another man´s etc. etc. This may not end up on my top ten albums of the year, but I´m pretty sure the song "That Kills Me" will be on the top ten song list.
MTM 2004
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
2 March 2004
Bonfire, Fair Warning, Pink Cream 69, Victory, and now you can surely add Shylock to the same category and style. In other words, quality rock from Germany with that typical sound and matching lederhosen outfit. They may not quite match the best efforts from above mentioned acts, but this is a safe pick up, if you're into that German style of rock... and life in general?
"Welcome To Illusion" is their second release at MTM Music and third over all I believe. The music is quite similar to previous attempts and vocalist Mattias Schenk does actually (still) sound a lot like Tommy Heart (Fair Warning). I really do enjoy that accent in his singing voice as it gives the music a special feeling of something familiar, yet foreign.
The songmaterial is a notch better than on "Pyronized" and you won't find anything as shocking bad as "Bad'N'Sad", from that very album. Instead you'll get 15 tracks of solid hardrock where highlights include the Fair Warning style opener and title track. "Closer" and especially "But I Like It" are both blessed with catchy hooks and flashy guitar work. The production is also very nice, even if it's perhaps a tad too sterile in certain places. It's however very similar to Bonfire and Fair Warning productions in the past and no major complaints here at all really. I miss however a couple of real uptempo rockers like "Blood Sister" or "That Kills Me", from their previous record. Many of the tracks here are moulded around the mid-tempo formula and you'll get a feeling of deja vu, at the end of the disc. Nice, solid, rock though, without any hickups or sudden changes.
www.mtm-music.com
Front Row Seat Media 2004
Review by Satu Reunanen,
6 April 2004
Hailing from California, the spawning place of great hard rock and metal acts, Sick Trigger sounds exactly like many of those promising bands that have had their roots there and succeeded. Eighties were the glory times for those bands and it could be that the ears are turning over there again in this eighties flashback. Sick Trigger have gotten great feedback from the magazines and fans, such as they stole the show from other bands, and they’ve even shared stage with acts such as Ratt, George Lynch (Dokken/Lynch Mob), Pretty Boy Floyd, and Pat Travers band and performed in such famous clubs such as Whiskey A Go Go and The Viper Room.
These guys are the grand blender of influences: Ministry on a few songs, then suddenly sounding like an underground glam band with FNM-twist or Rage Against The Machine with Ugly Kid Joe-like vocals with the same, spitting words out-attitude, giving it some funky kick along the way and really nasty, pompous backing vocals, then offering smooth and fragile vocals again with a nice haunting echo and aggressive guitars. Sick Trigger has a good drive and wibe in their music, a very good mood to the songs, getting you tap your feet, especially ”The Stand” has that effect. Sick Trigger takes influence from many things and Alice In Chains and Ugly Kid Joe-like harmonies certainly are the carrying thing with their music. Even in scooping influences so vividly, the music gets an incredible hold of you with its catchy groove. That is if you like the bands I’ve mentioned here.
Along with the main six tracks the cd has five bonus demo tracks, which sound exactly like demos, the mixing is ok, though a bit distorted and drums coming on top. ”The Stand” is also featured in this section as an industrial mix, and amazingly this version also works. Eventhough the demos don’t have a perfect sound, they’re still a nice addition to this cd. In a case like Sick Trigger it’s quite hard to say what kind of success they will get. The band is very inventive and has working songs, but this kind of music might not work for the bigger masses, even their name doesn’t have that bigger ringing to it. Of course you can never really tell what the masses want and it’s all up to the record label how they support their bands. If bigger success never happens, the guys still have a crowd for their music. As a reminder, even FNM made it big with their amazing cacophony of experiences and Red Hot Chili Peppers made it with their strange funk. Never say never.