Norway hasn’t really provided that many international shredders, besides Ronnie Le Tekro and a handfull others. Now, young stringsman Jarle H Olsen is here to change that. His first solo albumQuadrasonic is a really impressive affair. It’s actually been some time since I found an instrumental progressive album this interesting. With Jarle it’s not just the shredding that is in focus, it’s just as much about the songs. What I really like is that this actually feels more like a band effort, than a regular guitarist-shredding-his-ass-off album. Sure, there is tons of great soloing, but the songs are structured more like songs with vocals. You have your verses, choruses and bridges, although quite a lot of bridges here. The songs, like Dark Matter for instance, have great build ups, with nice dynamics happening. Here Jarle also shows a softer and more balanced side, without any overpowering distortion. There’s also a great explosive technical part in the end, where things happen all over the place. I also love the fact that he’s using real live, and outstanding, musicians to back him up. They do need to be mentioned, so here it goes: the outstanding technical drummerBjarte K. Helland, Norway’s answer to Mike Portnoy, bass playerRodrigo Garcia who lays down a great foundation, plus proves he’s quite the technical player as well, and finally keyboard player Alex Argento whose playing may not be highly noticeable in some songs (you would definitely notice if it wasn’t there, though), while he really shines in songs like Event Horizon. Quadrasonic is a great album, at times in the same vein as George Bellas, before he started experimenting too much. Great songs, great playing, great production, a sure buy! Janne Stark
01. Exordium 01.24
02. Pro-10 05.59
03. Dark Matter 06.25
04. Enigmatic Mind 06.39
05. From Deep Within 05.34
06. Event Horizon 05.59
07. Chimerical Moments 07.18
08. Osiris - The Omnipotence 06.18
09. Osiris - Reawakening 02.10
10. Osiris - Journey To Duat 06.07
Today is a great day in AVO land, folks We proudly introduce “In A Minute…”; our new EP. For those following the progress of this album, it’s our first endeavor into recording and mixing an album all on our own. Currently in digital release, we will soon be offering hard copies but so many folks have asked that we’re making it available digitally first. We will also be adding it to iTunes, Rhapsody, and your other favorite online services. Below is a link to our new logo, which also happens to be In A Minute…’s album cover Currently the album is available on Bandcamp and you can check it out to the right. We’re letting our fans name their own price for the album. All we ask is that if you like it, make a donation to help us keep making new music. Enjoy!
Genre: Hard Rock
Country: USA
Format: 320Kbps
Tracklist:
01. In A Minute 04:15
02. Crucial 04:19
03. The Blade 05:09
04. Wake Up! 03:41
05. Do As I Say, Not As I Do 03:48
06. Thieves 03:52
07. I Was Not 02:56
Just like Steve Senes (also reviewed this month) Emanuele Perilli also releases an instrumental guitar album, however on three songs there is some vocals. “Manny” Perilli too wrote, arranged, and produced everything but released his debut not through a label and financed it himself. It is clearly all about the guitar playing for this Italian guitar teacher (who also is a sound engineer and graphic and web artist). The arrangements are put together with the accent on his playing, not too uncommon for an instrumental album, but on some songs the backing music sounds inferior to the guitar playing. Something one can see on many YouTube clips, a tape rolls and the relevant guitar player plays his part. Not so weird as one knows his guitar playing is recorded in the “Badroom studios”, the bedroom of “Manny” (nice wordplay by the way). Also Perilli explores more styles and genres en knows all the techniques, from speed picking, sweeping, legato and tapping until shredding, that is clear.
What should make, and keep, an instrumental album interesting are the melodies and colouring of the songs and that is well done by Manuele Perilli. Whether it is a heavy, funky song like ‘The Noise Of The Bliss’, a sensitive, atmospheric song like ‘Tears That Taste Of You’, a song that is being pushed forward by a disco like up-tempo beat like ‘Across The Universe’ or a heavy rock song like ‘The Truth’ (including speech from JFK), “Manny” gives them the needed, catchy melody, power when needed and colours them with lovely solo’s. ‘An Ivory Moon’, which starts and ends with the sound of crickets, sounds sweet as the summer and reminds of Joe Satriani, but that is more like a compliment. Perilli too dares to play a tropical reggae tune in ‘A Perfect Place’ with vocals by Rudy B. The song sounds like a mix between Santana and The Police and that too is not meant harmful. Strong debut album and - good - stuff for guitar players, or those who appreciate it.
01. The Vision
02. Trails Around The Sun
03. The Noise Of Bliss
04. Tears That Taste Of You
05. Midnight Thrill
06. Across The Universe
07. An Ivory Moon
08. Vortexes In My Mind
09. The Truth
10. A Perfect Place
11. Infinity
Dec 3, 2011 14:54
Hard Rock Heavy Metal |Power Metal
Stone Sonic is a Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Band from Hayward, in Northern California. Stone Sonic has a unique retro sound that is a blend from the 1980’s and the 2010’s. The music has a Queensryche flavor that meets Stone Temple Pilots combined with Velvet Revolver and then had unprotected sex with The Cult.
The Stone Sonic band members started as Deleon in the 1990’s with Gerry de Leon as the lead singer. Over the years the band evolved and then finally disbanded in the late 90’s. in 2008 the core group of writers and musicians from Deleon came together for a reunion concert at the SaddleRack nightclub in Fremont, CA. The newly formed Stone Sonic is Gerry de Leon - Vocals, Brooks Ramsdell - Guitars, Steve Coulthard - Drums and new bassist Randy Bridges.
Band Stone Sonic Info: Not Your Typical High Years: 2011 Time: Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Info: USA Info: mp3 192 kbps Info: 61 mb
Tracklist:
1. Evolution 03:37
2. Drive 03:34
3. Blood Shot Eyes 03:39
4. Dreams 04:17
5. What’s Your Typical High? 04:55
6. Silent Deceit 02:51
7. Wall of Anger 04:25
8. Camel (Instrumental) 03:19
9. Who Am I 05:44
10. Slide into Peace 03:58
Dec 3, 2011 13:55
Hard Rock Heavy Metal |Power Metal
Band Era & Concurrent
Info: BG Rock 2 (Split)
Style: Hard Rock / Heavy Metal
Years: 1989
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 100,96 Mb
Info: Bulgaria
Tracklist:
01. Era - Divorce.
02. Era - A Fable.
03. Era - Where Are You Going.
04. Era - Bureaucracy.
05. Concurent - The Cavalry.
06. Concurent - I'm Waiting For Better Days To Come.
07. Concurent - Dead-End.
08+09. Concurent - A Rival + Representative Of Public Opinion.
Band Asia
Info: Arena
Style: Progressive Rock
Years: 1996
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 184,62 Mb
Info: UK
Tracklist:
01 - Into The Arena.
02 - Arena.
03 - Heaven.
04 - Two Sides Of The Moon.
05 - The Day Before The War.
06 - Never.
07 - Falling.
08 - Words.
09 - U Bring Me Down.
10 - Tell Me Why.
11 - Turn It Around.
12 - Bella Nova.
13 - That Season.
14 - Two Sides Of The Moon (Acoutstic).
Hey Folks. We're back! Here's the official press release, courtesy of our PR department and his trusty canine companion:
DOMAIN is the second CD release from progressive metal band, Oceans of Night. Mixed and mastered by Joey Vera (Fates Warning, Armored Saint, Engine) DOMAIN features a refined focus on the staples of the Oceans of Night sound: soaring vocal melodies, evocative guitar solos, sophisticated rhythm structures, and dynamic song arrangements wrapped in a tapestry of percolating ambience. Epic and cutting edge, this is music that makes a bold and powerful statement.
Track Listing:
1. Domain: 17:39
2. Don't Look to Me: 5:10
3. So Near Yet So Far: 5:28
4. Dreams in Artificial Sunlight: 3:32
5. Divisions of Time: 5:17
6. Seven Days of Rain: 6:12
7. The View to You: 8:28
8. Instruments of Fear: 4:14
9. The Future Remembered: 4:20
10. Ghosts of the Past: 4:25
Rising from the ashes of the eponymous solo band lead by musical mastermind Scott Mosher, from 1996 through 2004, Oceans of Night also features vocal powerhouse Scott Oliva and the drum mastery of the talented Alan Smithee. Oceans of Night released their crushing debut CD, THE SHADOWHEART MIRROR, in 2009.
Through the course of 6 CD’s, multi-instrumentalist Scott Mosher has bridged the worlds of progressive metal, melodic hard rock and ambient sounds to create an experimental yet complimentary style of music that is at once as subtle as it is powerful, aggressive as it is dynamic and timeless as it is modern. Scott Oliva continues to perform in legendary NY Iron Maiden tribute band, Live After Death and The Nightmare Stage. He has also written, performed and recorded with Wind Wraith and Inner Strength. The Scott’s had first worked together on Mr. Mosher’s 4th CD release, Deep Horizon, in 2006. This is the first metal project for drummer, the Talented Mr. Smithee.
How much of a good thing is too much? Arrayan Path returns with their third album,Ira Imperium, with 13, count them, tracks of melodic and epic power metal. Thankfully, as in the case of their previous album, Arrayan Path is quite good at what they do. Nevertheless, my ultimate question with this album was, 'What are they doing, the third time out, that distinguishes them from whole European power metal pack?' Persistence and consistency in their craft, while important, aren't enough.
Nevertheless, against my reluctant speculation (or criticism), there are some noteworthy moments here. Before speaking to those, there seems to be a loose theme running through these songs: many relate to legend, history, and mythology. Certainly, these themes are the makings of classic power metal. This leads to the first of several notable songs: K(C)atherine of Aragon, the first, and most significant, of Henry VIII's six wives. This piece is heavier than expected, but remains epic. The segue at 2' 30" with the addition of female bgvs over lighter guitar and drums add significant color.
Above, Arrayan Path: a six man powerhouse of epic and melodic power metal.
For more melodic (and fast) heavy metal with some big hooks and a clever groove, both Ira Imperium and 77 Days Til Doomsday are two more notable songs on Ira Imperium. Honestly, the latter, with the lyrical hooks and strong vocal arrangement, is quite inspired.
The final notable songs are at the end. The Fall of Mardonius reminds of the pattern that Iron Maiden gave to this genre. It's epic and diverse, and has a strong male choral background vocal arrangement. The bonus track weighs against the heavy and fast paced power metal motif, offering a lighter arrangement: mostly vocals with pianos, synths, and carefully dramatic drums. Yet, it fits and, as a part of the whole, makes the entire album more pleasing.
Don't get me wrong here. Every song on Ira Imperium stands on its own, offering its own definitive characteristics. Generally, and perhaps significantly, this is, once more, Arrayan Path's strength: persistence and consistency in the abundance of their creative output. Thirteen songs of well-crafted melodic power metal? Over an hour's worth of tunes? It's hard to quibble with that.
Recommended, even if it's more of the same.
Band Arrayan Path Info: Cyprus Info: Ira Imperium ????: Epic Power Metal Years: 2011 Info: MP3 CBR 320 Info: 145 ??
01. Dies Irae (04:35)
02. Gnosis Of Prometheus (03:50)
03. Ira Imperium (The Damned) (04:14)
04. Kiss Of Kali (04:02)
05. Katherine Of Aragon (06:26)
06. 77 Days 'til Doomsday (04:20)
07. Emir Of The Faithful (05:34)
08. Hollow Eyes Of Nefertiti (05:54)
09. Amenophis (03:31)
10. Lost Ithaca (05:32)
11. I Sail Across The Seven Seas (04:54)
12. The Fall Of Mardonius (06:30)
13. The Poet Aftermath (Bonus) (04:11)
Nicholas Leptos - Vocals Alexis Kleidaras - Guitars Socrates Leptos - Guitars George Kallis - Keyboards Vagelis Maranis - Bass Stefan Dittrich - Drums
Legendary KISS drummer Eric Carr was an integral part of the band for over 11 years. His powerful drumming rocked the music world through the metal Eighties. Carr is still an influence on drummers and rock fans alike.
Due on November 8 through a label imprint set up by Eric's sister Loretta Caravello, "Unfinished Business" is a special 20th-year commemorative CD release that features over 17 rare Eric Carr recordings, including previously unreleased music, live performances, interview clips and more. Guests include current and former members of KISS, TWISTED SISTER,SEETHER, ZO2, EUROPE, DANGER DANGER and more.
This CD is a testament to a man whose personality and heart were as big as his enormous talent. Eric's spirit is alive in each and every song.
Greg Prato, the author of such books as "Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History Of Seattle Rock Music", "Touched By Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story" and "A Devil On One Shoulder And An Angel On The Other: The Story Of Shannon Hoon And Blind Melon", last year released "The Eric Carr Story", the first-ever book to tell the life story of KISS drummer Eric Carr. Comprised of all-new interviews, the book also doubles as a study of 1980s-era KISS. You'll find insight into all of KISS' albums that featuredCarr (from producers Bob Ezrin, Michael James Jackson, and Ron Nevison), as well as those closest to him (sister Loretta Caravello, girlfriend Carrie Stevens, KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick), and music-related friends (Eddie Trunk, DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy, ANTHRAX'sCharlie Benante). Also included is one of the last-ever interviews conducted with KISS' original manager, Bill Aucoin, and for the first time ever, KISS fans will be able to learn what the real story line to KISS' controversial release "(Music From) The Elder" was all about (thanks to an explanation from Ezrin).
With the 20-year anniversary of Eric Carr's passing (November 24, 1991) approaching in 2011, what better way to celebrate the subjects than with all-new book? The book is set up in an "oral history" format (in other words, you're getting the story straight from the source) and is chock-full of rarely seen (or, in many cases, never-before-seen) photographs.
The Eric Carr book is 256 pages long and priced at $19.99 (ISBN # 978-0-578-07424-5).
For ordering information and to view samples from the book before purchasing, go to this location.
Band Newman
Info: Dance In The Fire
Style: Melodic Hard Rock / AOR
Years: 2000
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 122,45 Mb
Info: UK
Tracklist:
01 - Every Moment.
02 - Jealousy.
03 - Dangerous.
04 - Anything At All.
05 - Pray For The Day.
06 - Burned.
07 - Love Is The Drug.
08 - Must Have Been An Angel.
09 - I'm Not Your Lover.
10 - Remember The Night.
11 - Call My Name.
12 - Follow Your Heart.
Band Asia
Info: Silent Nation
Style: Progressive Rock
Years: 2004
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 139,44 Mb
Info: UK
Tracklist:
01 - What About Love.
02 - Long Way From Home.
03 - Midnight.
04 - Blue Moon Monday.
05 - Silent Nation.
06 - Ghost In The Mirror.
07 - Gone Too Far.
08 - I Will Be There For You.
09 - Darkness Day.
10 - The Prophet.
Band Johnny Logan
Info: Irishman In America
Style: Lite AOR / Country
Years: 2008
Info: VBR ~190-210 kbs
Info: 82,62 Mb
Info: Ireland
Tracklist:
01 - Rocky Road.
02 - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.
03 - Belle Of Belfast.
04 - Dancing With My Father.
05 - This Land Is Your Land.
06 - Piece Of My Heart.
07 - The Alabama Song.
08 - Bridges Of My Heart.
09 - Sorry.
10 - Paddy On The Railway.
11 - Waxies Dargle.
12 - Irishman In America.
13 - Why Me (Bonus Track).
Norway hasn’t really provided that many international shredders, besides Ronnie Le Tekro and a handfull others. Now, young stringsman Jarle H Olsen is here to change that. His first solo albumQuadrasonic is a really impressive affair. It’s actually been some time since I found an instrumental progressive album this interesting. With Jarle it’s not just the shredding that is in focus, it’s just as much about the songs. What I really like is that this actually feels more like a band effort, than a regular guitarist-shredding-his-ass-off album. Sure, there is tons of great soloing, but the songs are structured more like songs with vocals. You have your verses, choruses and bridges, although quite a lot of bridges here. The songs, like Dark Matter for instance, have great build ups, with nice dynamics happening. Here Jarle also shows a softer and more balanced side, without any overpowering distortion. There’s also a great explosive technical part in the end, where things happen all over the place. I also love the fact that he’s using real live, and outstanding, musicians to back him up. They do need to be mentioned, so here it goes: the outstanding technical drummerBjarte K. Helland, Norway’s answer to Mike Portnoy, bass playerRodrigo Garcia who lays down a great foundation, plus proves he’s quite the technical player as well, and finally keyboard player Alex Argento whose playing may not be highly noticeable in some songs (you would definitely notice if it wasn’t there, though), while he really shines in songs like Event Horizon. Quadrasonic is a great album, at times in the same vein as George Bellas, before he started experimenting too much. Great songs, great playing, great production, a sure buy!
