We have in our hands the first national launch of 2012. This is the eponymous debut album of the quintet Arkgabriel Madrid, a young band that shows in this issue an undisguised affection for melodic power metal and epic orchestral tints eleven cuts created mostly during the past 2011, but the last two CD dated to 2009. And certainly notice the difference between them, but curiously have pleased me more than the couple of older songs that I find in the strongest terms and freshness in the other nine most recent that I find somewhat hollow and artificial, despite show a clear evolution in their complexity and both compositional and instrumental technique.
Besides the five members of the band could be considered almost as a sixth member of the same Sergio Canovas, lead singer of the Order of Kaos that besides producing the disc correctly puts his deep voice with the staff and pompous of Juanky Alvarez on the topic "I feel," one of the cuts that I liked for his good vocal and instrumental melodies into a good rhythm changes creating a winning combination of power and melodic progressive metal that reminds me slightly soft to the longing Ankhara. Some Ankhara also represented on disk by the presence of vocalist currently Hybris, Pacho Brea, sharing vocal duties with the Justito Juanky and predictable "Miserable" good with outstanding guitar melodies Rasquin Giscard clearly on a power metalera but not as unequivocal as is his letter full of rage and anger, which is not to say that Jose Ramon Morales bassist and drummer Alberto Lopez do evil, but do not sound all that requires aggressive message.Completes the trio of collaborations with Dani Aller, Ars Amandi singer who takes his spot with his dull voice and flute arrangements folkie proper court as "My Last Sin" always on a power line and even metalera something sinister dark by the use of keyboards by Javier Hidalgo. In addition to the aforementioned "feel" the song that I liked from that of 2011 was "Is there anybody there?" Cut less pompous, more direct but not without attention to detail of keys and guitars, and shows Juanky voice somewhat forced. One detail that's too baroque vocal in my opinion I do make quite heavy at times melodic themes as the overriding rhythm "Acrobat" or the more lilting symphony and live "Navigator" which opens the album. Less pretentious and serious but I find in the nostalgic and sad "You're Still Here" quite monotonous feeling but in the harsh and gloomy "World of Pain", and the romantic ballad "You" adorned by a tormented arrangements Juanky orchestral itself that stand above its sustained, deep voice. Left for the final issues of 2009 have definitely been the ones I have arrived.
This is the emphatic and convincing "a bet" with a live rhythm bordering on thrash mostly by the sound of guitar and percussion without losing melody and heavy substance, and the soft "With Name Woman" that wraps the warm soft voice guitars Juanky to be growing in their instrumentation with a beautiful and intense guitar solo that breaks away briefly relaxed sugarcane. If these guys are able to properly mix your current technical quality with the strength and dynamism of the beginning I think they can start earning a metalhead staff consideration, for now I offer more insights than certainties, to continue working hard on that I think there's potential.
1. Navegante
2. Acróbata
3. ¿Hay Alguien Ahí?
4. Siento
5. Aún Estás Ahí
6. Miserable
7. Mundo de Dolor
8. Mi Último Pecado
9. Contigo
After a fantastic CD-Releas Party in Pratteln, we again devoted entirely to the songwriting.Also, the booking will continue to hit you properly to our Mucke in your town by the ears. If you have any ideas or knows someone of us would like to have in his bar, then get in touch with our booking .
[FROZEN ROOM] Hard Rock From Svizzera
BTW: buy buy buy!
1. Your Pain
2. You Don't See
3. Arise
4. What If
5. Shattered Lies
6. Intoxication
7. Get Away From Me
8. Don't Let Me Down
9. Media Insanity
10. Mindless Creation
11. Out Of Control
Venice Beach, California (USA) crossover thrashers Beowülf are self-releasing their sixth album on December 23, 2011, entitled Jesus Freak, produced by founding member, vocalist/guitarist Dale Henderson and ex-FEAR FACTORY guitarist, Christian Olde Wolbers. The tracks were cut at LiL’ Antwerp Studioz and Wolbers is credited as the engineer. It’s been a long time since the early breakout of this band during the mid 80?s from the legendary “Venice Scene”. They had their first album produced by ST’s Mike Muir and released via Suicidal Records. Flash forward to now, after several lineup changes, and this reviewer finds that Dale and the boys can still bring it with the best of them. Former ST bassist Louiche Mayorga is even thrown into the mix here, so any fan of the old school, true grit feel of “Taste The Steel” will simply love what they are throwing down today.
Personally, I think Dale Henderson has grown as a performer over the years and continues to push the envelope with his completely unique style of singing and songwriting. While others just go the safe route, this guy has always been daring, somehow managing to keep the Beowülf sound ‘real’ from a street perspective. However, let it be known that Henderson and Beowülf’s music has morphed over time into a much more serious and grown-up statement. The drum work from Rich Rowan here is solid. As always, Henderson’s guitar playing is mean as hell sounding… snarling punk-fast riffs, cutting to the nerve of its listener like a cold metal blade pierced into someone’s throat. My favorite songs are the totally rocking “Mad Man” and the absolutely stellar “Front Door Smoking”. On the latter I dig the way the bass line starts out alone and then Henderson’s guitar comes thundering in. Forget punk rock… that’s just plain metal. All in all, I am just stoked as hell that Beowülf is still going after all this time, and this reviewer seriously hopes everyone gives Jesus Freak a shot, because it’s a clever rocker indeed.
01. Peacemaker (02:16)
02. In Captivity (02:33)
03. Jesus Freak (04:11)
04. Front Door Smokin' (03:12)
05. Mad Man (02:38)
06. Godsend (03:03)
07. Sunday (Killer Comez Home) (04:18)
08. Righteous, Righteous (04:41)
09. Bitter Song (04:08)
10. Just Passing Through (03:54)
11. 13 Past the Hour (04:42)
12. Anything (02:05)
Band Stone Fury
Info: Burns Like A Star
Style: Melodic Hard Rock / AOR
Years: 1984
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 101,2 Mb
Info: USA
Tracklist:
01 - Break Down The Walls.
02 - I Hate To Sleep Alone.
03 - Life Is Too Lonely.
04 - Don't Tell Me Why.
05 - Mama's Love.
06 - Burns Like A Star.
07 - Tease.
08 - Hold It.
09 - Shannon You Lose.
Band Night
Info: Long Distance
Style: Melodic Rock / AOR
Years: 1980
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 100,15 Mb
Info: USA
Tracklist:
01 - Dr. Rock.
02 - Don't Break My Heart.
03 - Love On The Airwaves.
04 - The Letter.
05 - Callin' Me Back.
06 - You Cried Wolf.
07 - Stealin'.
08 - Miss You (Like I Do).
09 - Day After Day.
10 - Good To Be Back In Your Arms.
11 - Hot Summer Night (single A-side,1979).
Band Dreams
Info: Once Is Never Enough
Style: Melodic Hard Rock
Years: 1994
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 84.95 Mb
Info: USA
Tracklist:
01 - One track mind.
02 - Sugar & spice.
03 - No more only nights.
04 - Hard times.
05 - Once is never enough.
06 - Victim of the night.
07 - Can you feel the fire.
08 - Changes.
09 - Free.
10 - Jodys song.
The Swedish / American combo OSUKARU finally hit the streets with their full length debut album "Salvation".
Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Osukaru was founded by ex Eye / Katana guitarist Oskar 'Oz Osukaru' Petersson together with L.A. drummer Ryan Coyle.
They have already impressed the AOR community with the previous EP's 'GBG2LA' and 'Never Too Late', but when the band entered into studio to track down "Salvation", the singer left the band for personal reasons midway through the recording process.
But they found a more than adequate replacement in Chris Tiann (ex Dirty Dixx), as his powerful pipes and vocal tone really fits this material.
And what kind of material we have in "Salvation"? Just a wonderful bunch of fantastic classy AOR / MR tunes.
From the first sounds of the cool instrumental intro "Exit", you'll will be transported straight to the classic '80s rockin' AOR.
As on all the classic albums of the genre, the intro is chained with first track "Highway To The Stars," a huge radio friendly AOR tune to die for. The song hasn't a proper chorus, but the catchy refrain is driven by great rock-laden guitars and awesome keyboards.
Follower "Hot Blooded Woman" is more Melodic Rock oriented, with an insistent riff all over and a British scent. Same vibe is found on next track "City Lights", a re-worked song from the last EP, much more effective this time, thanks to Chris Tiann vocals to a great extent.
"Till The End Of Time" is the album's ballad, a midtempo filled with nice harmony vocals and a good melody that reminds me Danger Danger. A good one, although the production on this particular song doesn't match the rest, probably the music tracks come from a previous, different session.
"Never Too Late" is the first single, and one of the more melodic songs of the entire CD. This sweet melodic rocker has equal parts of guitar / keys, really well balanced to grab your ears instantly.
My favorite track on Salvation is the catchy "Change Of Heart (2012 version)". Appeared previously on one of the EP's, here clearly we can appreciate how much Osukaru has evolved musically. This is the best arranged and performed track of the album. It has all we love in a pure AOR tune; a fat bass / compressed drums, soaring vocals (reinforced by a dreamy background chorus), elegant guitar and phenomenal shynths. The even include a smooth saxophone line that adds more texture. A really great track and my pick of the album.
Then the band returns to the melodic hard rock sound with "Tear It Down". A marching rocker mounted over a very good drumming, strong guitars and swirling keyboards. On the chorus it turns more AOR 'fight-movie' style, bringing back the eighties in full form.
"Promised Land" is another winner, as this kind of AOR fueled by trepidating guitars and candy floss keyboards are gold in my book. The vocals are superb here, specially on the catchy layered chorus, and the rhythm guitar / solo are amongst the best of the album.
For the end, Osukaru goes acoustic and intimate with the likeable melody of "T.M.Y.S. [Elevator Version]", which is no other than a completely re-worked version of their song Tell Me You'll Stay.
As bonus, we have a good cover of Alien's classic "Tears Don't Put Out The Fire", recorded by Osukaru for the forthcoming "Brave New World: A Tribute To Alien" tribute CD.
I celebrate that in the mew millennium there's a band still playing classy AOR / Melodic Rock in its purest form. This is what Osukaru offers on "Salvation".
They have dramatically improved here the sound and musicianship from the previous EP's. This new vocalist is what the band needed and the arrangements really nails the point now.
In short, if you - like me - are a sucker for the lovely chorus/keyboard driven '80s AOR, you must have Osukaru's "Salvation".
Highly Recommended.
01 - Exit
02 - Highway To The Stars
03 - Hot Blooded Woman
04 - City Lights (2012 version)
05 - Till The End Of Time
06 - Never Too Late (2012 version)
07 - Change Of Heart (2012 version)
08 - Tear It Down
09 - Promised Land
10 - T.M.Y.S. [Elevator Version]
11 - Tears Don't Put Out The Fire (Alien Cover)
Oz Osukaru - guitars, backing vocals
Chirs Tiann - lead vocals
Emma-Lee Gunnari - bass
Ryan Cole - drums, percussion
Carl Dahlberg - keyboards, piano, Hammond organ
Guest Musicians:
Kristopher Von Wachenfeldt - keyboards
Erik Jardenmark - sax on "Change Of Heart" and "Promised Land"
David Neil Cline - right speaker guitar solo on "City Lights"
Alexander Strandell, Johan Bernspang, Martin Ryder - add. backing vocals
The Magic Eden String Quartet - strings
