REVIEWS MAY 2023
«April | Index | June»RISIN SABOTAGE: Macabre
Interstellar Smoke Records on June 2 - Digital Album
RISIN SABOTAGE is an Ukrainian psych rock band, formed in 2015. Their sound is of course inspired by the bands from the 70s. And what they gives us here is an electrifying ride of heavy psych, desert rock, stoner and doom. It's simply heavy and psychedelic, as well as very retro. So if that sounds like something that you would like, then you should give these guys a chance, because this is good stuff.
An extra plus because they don't go on any unnecessary excursions. It kind of never freaks out.
risinsabotage.bandcamp.com
KÄRBHOLZ: Kapitel 10 - Wilde Augen
Metalville Records on June 2 - CD, LP
Germans are a little special.. This band released "Kapitel 11 - Barrikaden" in March this year, and now comes "Kapitel 10 - Wilde Augen".
Both these albums were written at the same time, and recorded in the right order (10 first, and then 11). But then they suddenly felt that "Kapitel 11" was much stronger or something, and wanted to release that album before "Kapitel 10". And so they did.
While "Barrikaden" was somewhere between rock and metal, I would say that this album is more like the little punk rock brother. It's still melodic and heavy guitars though. And there's still a combination of rock and metal. Not a bad album at all.
metalville.de
SMÅJÄVLAFÖTTER: Ingen Här Går Säker
Second Class Kids Records - CD, Digital
These Swedish punks burn off 15 tracks in 22:25 minutes. The vocals is raw, and the lyrics is like a manifest against everything that is wrong in the Swedish society, even though there's some other subjects too (like how ugly you are when you cry for example). They seems to have the right attitude, and the songs are good. Yes, this is something that I like. And it's not impossible that you might like them too.
SMÅJÄVLAFÖTTER hailing from Göteborg, and it seems like this is a compilation. But as their record label never includes any kind of information (ever), I don't know much else than that.
secondclasskids.com | facebook.com/people/Sm%25C3%25A5j%25C3%25A4vlaf%25C3%25B6tter/100032307236817
SMELLCORPSES: Slaughter Still Continue
Inhuman Assault Productions - Cassette, Digital EP
This sounds like a cheap demo recording from the 90s. I like the raw energy though. But how they menage to play intense hardcore/punk for 8:26 minutes straight is a mystery to me. I would have collapsed, haha. And I can't really see any reason to play such a long song, as it gets boring after a while.
Now it could happen that this is not just 1 song, but all 6 songs without any break. Well, then there's not much variation.
SMELLCORPSES is a duo from Thailand, and they play raw, unrelenting d-beat crust punk the Asian way. So if that sounds like something that you would like, then give these guys a try.
inhumanassault.com
The REVERBERATIONS: Half Remembered Dreams
Beluga Records - LP
The REVERBERATIONS hailing from Portland, Oregon, and this is their third album. Their music is described as psych-pop, with elements of The BEATLES and 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS. So it sounds a lot like something from the 60s of course. Very catchy and melodic stuff, but really good. And the songs that I got the chance to hear was not extremely psychedelic, so don't worry too much about that. I would rather describe this as 60s pop/rock than psych-pop.
belugarecords.com
VELVET INSANE: Damage Control
Wild Kingdom - Digital Single
This really sounds like a glam rock anthem from the 70s. Think SLADE and SWEET for example. It makes you happy. It makes you feel good for a while. And how many can make songs like that? Well, Swedish band VELVET INSANE can obviously do it. So what are you waiting for? Check out the song and dance at once!
VELVET INSANE are getting ready to release their third album, "High Heeled Monster", which doesn't seems to have a release date yet. "Damage Control" is the first single from the album. And if they have more songs like this on the new album, then it will be great.
youtu.be/WW6RYFBnrgA | facebook.com/velvetinsane
KIN WAGON: Sunrise Will Shine
Kin Wagon/GL Music/Ingrooves/Universal Music - Digital Single
This sounds a lot like a party anthem by VAN HALEN. But this is actually a song against alcoholism, but in a positive way. A feel good song you could say. And I really like it. You should absolutely check it out.
KIN WAGON is a hard rock/glam metal/hard n heavy band from Brazil, led by singer Lean Van Ranna. The band has just signed a contract with European label Dymm Records to release their full-length album next year. But before that they will release their debut EP, "First Arrival", in the second half of 2023.
youtu.be/27anTpJM7bA | facebook.com/kinwagonofficial
CORRODED: Monster
Despotz Records - Digital Single
This is the first taste of a new album, which will be released in the fall.
Swedish metal band CORRODED has released 5 albums so far, so they are hardly a new band. This song is very modern. They combine melodic vocals with heavy and groovy guitars. The result is actually not bad at all. This is a really good song, that I think many different kinds of metal fans could like. So give it a try.
despotz.se | facebook.com/corrodedsweden
RHAPSODY OF FIRE: Kreel's Magic Staff
AFM Records - Digital Single
Symphonic power metal masters RHAPSODY OF FIRE return with a majestic and melodic song, that I think will please most of their fans. This song simply have all the right ingredients that an anthem need. There's a powerful beginning, and then it becomes melodic without losing the power. This is a really good song that you have to hear.
youtu.be/3Mlu3zFBMqk | rhapsodyoffire.com
EVILE: The Unknown
Napalm Records - Digital Single
English thrash metal band EVILE will release what is said to be their most personal album to date, "The Unknown", on July 14. The title track has now been released as a single from the album. It's a heavier song, and it really doesn't sound like the old school thrash that I'm used to hear. Yet it's not bad, but maybe not so brilliant either.
EVILE formed in 2002, and "The Unknown" will be their 6th full-length album.
youtu.be/4i0mVlszDuQ | napalmrecords.com/evile | evilecult.com
BONFIRE: Who's Foolin' Who (MMXXIII Version)
AFM Records - Digital Single
German hard rock veterans BONFIRE deliver another single from their re-recordings. And this time it's a power ballad, that I don't think I have heard before. It's a o.k. song anyway, but they have better songs in their catalog. And now I should of course mention some titles here, but it was so long since I heard a whole album with them that I can't even remember any song titles (sorry).
youtu.be/UuVZrrO3wHc | bonfire.de | shop.afm-records.de/bonfire
BLOODBOUND: Drink With The Gods
AFM Records - Digital Single
On July 7, Swedish power metal band BLOODBOUND will release a new studio album, "Tales From The North". And "Drink With The Gods" is of course yet another single from that album. It has a touch of folk music, but is mainly a metal anthem that is easy to like. Very good and promising for the new album.
Not much else to add there..
youtu.be/Qpm14e5tWoc | shop.afm-records.de/bloodbound | bloodbound.se
KORITNI: Long Overdue
Verycords Records on May 26 - CD, 2LP, Digital
4 years after their last concert at Hellfest, Australian hard rockers KORITNI are back with their 6th studio album. And for this album frontman Lex Koritni (guitar/vocals) has got himself some new musicians: Tom Fremont (guitars) and Daniel Fasano (drums). Mathieu Albiac (ex-Laura Cox) will handle the bass guitar for live shows. The album was mixed by Kevin Shirley (IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, LED ZEPPELIN) and mastered by Ryan Smith (AC/DC, GRETA VAN FLEET).
While the vocals is melodic, the music get some extra dirt from elements of blues. You could say that it's Australian rock with a modern sound, because this is not another copy of AC/DC or ROSE TATTOO. Most of these 12 songs sounds really good, so you should definitely give them a try.
GODSNAKE: Eye For An Eye
Massacre Records - CD, LP, Digital
GODSNAKE hailing from Hamburg, Germany, and this is their second album. They have been playing since 2015, and their music is straight, powerful and riff-oriented heavy metal, but without missing the catchiness. It sounds more modern than old school, but they have some really good songs here, so it could still be worth a try, even though I'm so old that I prefer the classic stuff.
10 songs in 47 minutes is good. You don't need 15 songs and an hour of playing time.
godsnake.de
OCEANLORD: Kingdom Cold
Magnetic Eye Records on May 26 - CD, LP, Digital
OCEANLORD is a doom trio from Australia, and this is their debut album. Inspiration comes from the American, British and Swedish school of doom. Sometimes it's very laidback, sometimes mid-tempo with occasional outbursts of energy. On top of that, darkness and horror is lurking in the background. The vocals is clean and melodic.
If you like it heavy but want something more laidback, then you should really check out this band.
facebook.com/oceanlordau | en.merhq.net
LOOSE SUTURES: Sado Sex For Dummies
Electric Valley Records on May 26 - LP, Digital
LOOSE SUTURES formed in 2019 in Sardinia, Italy. They blend their 70s riffs with a pinch of modern punk attitude, and then they also add some energy from stoner and garage rock. "Sado Sex For Dummies" is their third album.
Their music is heavy and riff-based, but with a energy that makes it catchy. It sounds more like yesterday (the 60s/70s) than today, and they seems to play loud. But I like what I hear on this album, so you should really check them out. Especially if you like it heavy.
electricvalleyrecords.com | loosesutures.bandcamp.com
KHANATE: Like A Poisoned Dog
Sacred Bones - Digital Single
This was the most useless shit that I have heard this month!
The so called song last for as long as 19:20 minutes, but there's no melody at all. It's just heavy and some screaming here and there. But then they call this band's music experimental doom, with influences from SUNN O)))), OLD and BLIND IDIOT GOD. Not something that I listen to.
It seems like they have been away for 14 years, but now they are back, and have just released a new album, "To Be Cruel". The album features 3 tracks, and last for a whole hour.
lnk.to/tobecruel | khanateofficial.com
PHLEBOTOMIZED: Clouds Of Confusion
Hammerheart Records on May 26 - CD, LP
Dutch veterans PHLEBOTOMIZED started as a grindcore/death metal band in 1989. So they are among the oldest death metal bands from Holland, and also among the first to use violin and synthesizers in extreme metal. This gave them their own unique sound, which soon developed to progressive death metal. The band have not been active all these years though, as there was a 16-year hiatus. Since 2013 they have been active again though.
But even though they have found their own sound, this will remind you of the death metal sound of the 90s. It's often heavy, but can also be fast once in a while. Lots of things are going on in these songs, and yet it's easy to like.
phlebotomized.lnk.to/cloudsofconfusion | hammerheart.com
OTAN RAW: Otan Raw
Audible Music on May 26 - LP, Digital
This is the debut album from this Danish power rock trio. They take inspiration all the way from JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE, CREAM and MOUNTAIN, through the 70s punk and 80s psych rock, to the 90s grunge with bands like NIRVANA. It might sound like a wild mixture, but those genres actually have more in common than you might think. I would say that what OTAN RAW play is mainly some kind of heavy rock, even though they make it catchy, and are not extremely heavy.
Most of the songs here are o.k., but I can't hear anything that is extra good, which would have been nice. This is probably more cool to experience live though.
audiblemusic.dk | facebook.com/fatdaughter
TRESPASS: Wolf At The Door
From The Vaults on May 26 - LP, CD, Digital
It's 5 years since their last album, "Footprints In The Rock", was released. But here's a new album.
The story of TRESPASS goes back to 1979, when the band was formed in Sudbury, Suffolk, UK. They released a few singles and an EP in the early 80s, before they went seperate ways. But in the early 90s they were back again, and finally released their debut album in 1993. Then the fans had to wait until 2015 before their self titled second album was released. So they have not been working fast.
Many of their songs have choruses that are easy to remember, and it's mainly catchy and melodic, but with heavy guitars. There's many good songs on this album, so I can really recomend you to check this out if you're a fan of NWOBHM.
facebook.com/trespassnwobhm | fromthevaults.dk
TROLD: Der Var Engang...
Mighty Music on May 26 - LP, CD, Digital
Danish folk metal band TROLD deliver their debut album. The storytelling and melodies are in focus here, while they also play with different instruments and heavy guitar rhythms to create the perfect atmosphere - Which is often a party atmosphere. We get stories about fairy tales and mythologies, as well as giants, gods, the animals of the forest, and the marvelous world of the sea.
The vocals is harsh and raw. The heavy guitars are mixed with folk melodies. And except for the usual metal instruments, they also use flute, mandolin and accordion.
Even though the vocals is harsh, there's a happy atmosphere somehow. They also succeed to make good songs, so this could actually be worth a try.
facebook.com/troldband | mightymusic.dk
WINGER: Seven
Frontiers Music Srl - CD, Digital (2LP on Aug. 4)
I always thought that WINGER was one of those silly bands. But with this album they show me that they are far away from a silly band, but rather a really good hard rock band in the heavier league. And they have lots of great songs here.
Now I don't know if they have always sounded like this though, but probably not. This album is really hot anyway, and absolutely worth checking out.
As you might know already, WINGER have been around since the 80s, and this is their 7th studio album. It',s their first new album since 2014 actually. Today's line-up features 4 original members and guitarist John Roth, who has been with the band for a long time now.
frontiers.it | wingertheband.com
HOT BREATH: Keep On Calling
The Sign Records - Digital Single
This song sounds very old school, and hardly like something from 2023. But I guess that was the whole idea. It's a energetic rocker which causes the heart rate to increase. Scandinavian garage rock as they call it, but with an extra dose of adrenaline and lust. It sounds like something from the 60s/70s sometime, and I really like it.
The group was formed in 2018 by ex-members of HONEYMOON DISEASE and HYPNOS. A self titled EP was released in 2019, and an album in 2021.
youtu.be/5sgDTFNzRsg | hotbreathofficial.bandcamp.com
H.E.A.T: Will You Be
earMUSIC - Digital Single
A new album, "Extra Force", is set to be released on September 1, and includes a collection of new studio tracks, unreleased live recordings, and H.E.A.T classics previously sung by Erik Grönwall (SKID ROW), now for the first time with original singer Kenny Leckremo on vocals.
"Will You Be" is the first single. And this is said to be a power ballad, but I don't know. It's not the kind of song that I think of when I hear power ballad. But it's not really the 80s hard rock that they use to play either, but something slower. Hard to explain, but it's a good song anyway.
youtu.be/5AJZbzB-grw | heatsweden.com
DUN RINGILL: Baptised In Fire
The Sign Records - Digital Single
This is the third and final single from DUN RINGILL's upcoming album, "Where the Old Gods Play: Act 1". The album will be released on August 4, and is a concept album.
This Swedish band's music is a blend of Nordic folk music, doom metal and progressive metal. When it comes to this song I would say that it's mainly doom and prog that we get. It sounds o.k. to me, so it can be worth a try.
DUN RINGILL are going on a European tour with PENTAGRAM in August.
dunringill.se
Lee Small: The Last Man On Earth
Metalville Records on May 26 - CD, LP
If you like soft AOR, then this little dude might be something for you. Because this album sounds just like the old legends of the genre, and it' also just as good as any of them. Fact is that Lee is often compared with singers like Glenn Hughes, Bobby Kimball and Steve Walsh.
Mr. Small's voice can be heard on as many as 40 albums. Some of the bands and projects he has been involved with through the years are PHENOMENA, SHY, LIONHEART and MAGNUM. He has also released 4 solo albums between 2008 to 2021.
The list of musicians on this album is long, so I'm not going to bore you with that. But it was recorded in London, Los Angeles and Texas.
Good old AOR for fans of good old AOR.
metalville.de
KINGS NEVER DIE: All The Rats
Metalville Records on May 26 - CD, LP
This hardcore band have no surprises to come up with, but they have all the right ingredients (heavy guitars, harsh vocals, gang choirs etc), and it sounds just like it should. And luckily that's good enough in this case. Because this is good stuff.
KINGS NEVER DIE hailing from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The original version of the band was born in late 2019, and they released an EP, "Raise A Glass", in early 2020. After the pandemic, the band returned with some new members, and released another EP, "Good Times And The Bad", in 2022.
Now they go for the full-length format with "All The Rats", which consist of 10 tracks that should satisfy every true fan of good old hardcore.
The members have previously worked with acts like DOG EAT DOG, MUCKY PUP, BIOHAZARD and WISDOM IN CHAINS.
metalville.de
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE: Emotion Sickness
Matador Records - Digital Single
It feels like it was many years since I heard anything with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE last time. But I'm actually not sure, so I guess that they have not impressed me if I have heard anything during the last years. They had a few good songs in the beginning of their career though. But after that it has been weak.
Now a new studio album, "In Times New Roman...", will be released on June 16. And the first single is "Emotion Sickness". To me it sounds very much like QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, and to my surprise it's actually not so bad. If I will remember this song is hard to tell though. But I think there might be some hope again for this band.
youtu.be/LIejWJ1rsgU | qotsa.com
TEENAGE WRIST: Diorama
Epitaph Records - Digital Single
No, this wasn't really what I expected. It's a ballad more or less, and sounds too much like a pop song. I expected some cool garage rock, so I'm very dissapointed of course.
TEENAGE WRIST is a rock duo from L.A. When it comes to this little song, they talk about a merrige between alternative rock and shoegaze in the press release. And I still haven't figured out what the hell shoegaze is. Probably something I don't like anyway..
youtu.be/u2RtirYbUIw
IVY GOLD: Broken Silence
A1 Records/Golden Ivy Records on May 26 - CD, LP, Digital
This is a natural continuation of what they did on their debut album, "Six Dusty Winds" (2021). But unfortunately it's not as interesting as the debut was. For some reason the material is not as strong this time. And even though this is mainly a blues rock album, we also get influences of funk, gospel and R&B.
But with that said, it's not total crap that we have here. Just a less good album that still works fine in the background, both in sunshine and darkness.
ivygold.net
DISHONOUR: Erasing The Rats
Theogonia Records on May 25 - MCD
Portugese band DISHONOUR deliver 4 tracks of blackened death metal on this debut EP. It's hard and heavy, as well as intense and powerful. It sounds very familiar somehow, so they are not doing anything unique here, but I can't remember the name of the band that I think of. It sounds o.k. though, and could be worth a try.
Not much else to say..
facebook.com/dishonour.pt | theogonia-records.com
DeVicious: Code Red
Metalapolis Records on May 26 - CD, LP, Cassette, Digital
This is the fifth album from these Germans. And the music that this band play is melodic hard rock, which also includes influences of AOR. And there's also a touch of the 80s of course, which is nothing unusual when it comes to this kind of brew. But they are also experimenting with bombastic choir arrangements and a big production on this album.
Their vocalist Antonio Calanna left the band after the last album. His replacement is the former TNT singer Baol Bardot Bulsara. This guy is said to have a wider range, and can sing anything from melodic ballads to power metal.
Well, this is absolutely not bad at all. So if you like more melodic stuff, then this could be something for you.
devicious.band | metalapolis.eu
Almost DEAD MEN: Going And Gone
Bogus Records - Digital Single
This band consist of 5 men from Uppsala, Sweden. They has released 1 album, 2 CD-EPs and a string of digital stuff. Main influences comes from 70s rock bands, like Dr. FEELGOOD, DEAD BOYS and The DICTATORS. But there's modern influences too. Lead singer Sören G Andersson comes from the band RÄVJUNK.
How do I describe what I hear here then? Well, some kind of rock in the alternative league. And then I don't mean alternative rock from the 90s, but rather something older than that. Not easy to describe actually.. But luckily it sounds pretty good anyway, so it could always be worth a try.
almostdeadmen.se
KSMB: Bröderna Bengtssons Hatt & Mössfabrik
Wild Kingdom on May 26 - CD, LP, Digital
Swedish band KSMB began their journey in the late 70s, and then they played punk and punk rock. Mainly covers that they translated to Swedish actually. Since then they have reunited a couple of times, but no new music have been punk, but more like rock instead.
Now they have made a covers album, where they (just like in the beginning) make their own interpretations in Swedish of songs originally made by bands like 999, HEAVY METAL KIDZ, BLONDIE, The 101'ers, DEATH, Johnny Thunders etc. And to my surprise they are more punk rock than they have been in many years. The best songs are the 3 first tracks and the 3 last. Between those songs we get some weaker tracks, even though it's not totally hopeless, and it's not always punk rock there. I would rather call it fake ska, rock and.... country?
Too bad with those few weaker songs in the middle, as I think that this album could have been even better. It's absolutely not crap though. But I think you should give it more than 1 try.
orcd.co/ksmb-album | facebook.com/ksmbofficiella
UNDER ATTACK: Fury Of The Thunder God
Lake Of Fire on May 26 - CD, Digital
"Fury Of The Thunder God" is the debut album from this Swedish heavy/speed metal band. The band features current and ex-members of bands like NIDHÖGGR, PAGAN RITES and STYGGELSE.
What we get here is a pretty traditional kind of heavy metal, and not that much speed metal according to me (the last song, "As Abaddon Strike", is speed metal though). There's much guitar melodies and solos. It's good, but hardly a masterpiece. And they could have worked a little more on varying the songs a little more. Which doesn't mean that everything sounds the same, but anyway.. A song like the title track, which is heavier, is a nice variation for example.
I get a feeling that they can do much better than this, so maybe next time?
SETTLER: Settler
Settler - Digital EP
From the Irish metal scene comes SETTLER, which is a heavy metal band who deliver powerful riffs and thunderous drums. On top of that we have a singer who explores every facet of his voice to give an electrifying, energy charged performance.
This self released EP is their first release, where we get 3 really good tracks. It's like they really want to show us all that they are here, and they are definitely ready to deliver. Give them a try.
settlermetal.com
SCREAMIN'DEMONS: The New Era
Pure Steel Records on May 19 - CD, Digital
SCREAMIN'DEMONS was founded in 2021 by 3 members of the Italian metal band DEATH SS (which stands for In Death Of Steve Sylvester). On this debut album they gives us a powerful and melodic kind of heavy metal. But I would not say that it's the traditional sound that we get here, but rather something modern. It's absolutely not bad at all. The songs are strong, and I really like what I hear. They are also very skilled musicians with a great singer. You should really check them out.
facebook.com/screamin.demons.band | puresteel-records.com
The GROUND SHAKER: Rogue Asylum
Fastball Music on May 19 - CD
The GROUND SHAKER are from Switzerland. They formed in 2016, and already in January 2017 they entered the studio to record their first album, "Down The Hatch". Now their second album, "Rogue Asylum", will be released.
What we get is something that I would describe as powerful and melodic heavy rock, but with a modern sound. Not sure if that gives you an idea of what they really sound like, but it's often catchy with strong choruses, and it sounds pretty good actually.
But even though it's good, maybe they should have been satisfied with just 8 tracks instead of 13. Because this is a very long album, and you know their sound after half of the songs.
fastball-music.com
CHRONICLE: Where Chaos Thrives
Mighty Music on May 19 - LP, CD, Digital
This is the third album from these Danish death metallers. Their music is melodic and technical, yet brutal enough to scare your mother. Fast drums are mixed with catchy guitar harmonies. And on top of that brutal death metal vocals.
Yes, this band is doing everything right, and they seems to be very good at it. This is an album that you really have to check out.
I would have liked to write some more about this record, but I guess there's too much other stuff right now, so it's a little hard to think.
facebook.com/chronicleofficialband | mightymusic.dk
ALLAMEDAH: Desvanescente
UPRISING! Records - Digital Single
What kind of crap is this then? This was too modern and most of all too much pop for me. And I hate modern pop! The only thing that is metal here, is the guitar solo in the end of the song.
Portuguese band ALLAMEDAH are said to pick up "the best elements from progressive metal, groove metal and alternative music". But there's also layers of pop and prog rock.
orcd.co/alla-des | soundcloud.com/allamedah_official
WEAPON: New Clear Power
Pride & Joy Music on May 19 - CD
WEAPON was actually formed in 1980 already. Within 6 months they had signed a worldwide publishing deal with Virgin Music and opened for MOTÖRHEAD on their 32-date "Ace Up Your Sleeve" UK tour. They released the double A-sided single "It's A Mad Mad World"/"Set The Stage Alight". But due to poor management the band split after a couple of years.
In 2005 they were invited to play at the Headbangers Open Air festival in Germany, which was a succees. They started to work on some new material, and in 2010 they reunited on a permanent basis with some new members. They has released 3 albums between 2014-2019.
This new album has a new line-up. Vocalist Danny Hynes have teamed up with Robert Majd (METALITE, CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD). Some of the other musicians on the album are Steve Mann (MSG, LIONHEART), Tino Troy (PRAYING MANTIS), Oscar Bromvall (PALACE), Magnus Ulfstedt (GINEVRA), Marcus Johansson (DEATHSTARS) and Mano Lewys.
WEAPON play heavy metal in the old school, which might not come as a surprise as the band was born during the NWOBHM era. But their vocalist is actually singing and not screaming, which makes it melodic somehow. It sounds really good anyway, and is definitely worth a try. And I don't have much else to add there..
weapon-uk.com | prideandjoy.de
STORMBURST: III
Pride & Joy Music on May 19 - CD
Swedish band STORMBURST formed in 2014, and features members from SIX FEET UNDER (the Swedish band), KEEN HUE and ETERNAL OF SWEDEN among others. They have previously released 2 albums (in 2017 and 2020), and the music that they play is melodic hard rock. It's catchy and melodic, and it sometimes reminds me of SCORPIONS somehow. The songs that they have here are mainly fantastic stuff, so this is something that you really should check out if you like melodic hard rock and want something extra good.
prideandjoy.de
IMPERIUM: Never Surrender
Pride & Joy Music on May 19 - CD
IMPERIUM is the solo project of Finnish drummer and songwriter Mika Brushane. In this project he is responsible for the song-writing and playing all drums, keyboards, Vst-bass and singing all backing vocals. And he is of course also the producer. All the lead vocals are sung, and guitars are played, by various musicians from the rock and metal scene all over the world. And on this album they are Robbie LaBlanc (T3NORS, FIND ME, FURY, BLANC FACES, EAST TEMPLE AVENUE), Michael Bormann (Michael Bormann's JADED HEART, SILENT FORCE, JADED HEART, BONFIRE, J.R. Blackmore, ZENO, BLOODBOUND, REDRUM, RAIN), Stefano Lionetti (LIONVILLE) and Mikey K Nilsson (ARKADO, SAPPHIRE EYES, ALYSON AVENUE, Anette Olzon, BAI BANG). But we also find Joel Hoekstra (WHITESNAKE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, Cher, NIGHT RANGER) as special guest on 1 song.
The music is melodic rock/AOR with that 80s feeling which is common in this genre. They are of course very good at what they are doing, and deliver one good song after the other. So there's not that much to complain about here. This is simply a really good album that you really should check out.
prideandjoy.de
HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN': Control Yourself (reissue)
Pride & Joy Music on May 19 - CD
This album was originally recorded between 1990-1991 as the follow up to their debut album from 1989. But with the changing musical trends of the early 90s, the album was eventually shelved, and the band soon moved forward to other projects. It was actually released though, but not until 2001. That record is hard to find though, so Pride & Joy Music decided that it was time to do something about that.
This new version of the album has new artwork and 3 additional bonus tracks.
HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN' play melodic hard rock/AOR with a typical 80s sound. But somehow they seems to have their own sound. It sounds good though, so it's a shame that this album didn't get a release until 2001. But it's nice that this album get another chance. You should give them a try.
prideandjoy.de
BAD SISTER: Out Of The Business (reissue)
Pride & Joy Music on May 19 - CD
"Out Of The Business" is the second CD by this Hamburg band, and it was originally released in 1991. It has not been available on CD for years, so Pride & Joy Music decided to change that. It has now been remastered, and will be available again, with a bonus track as well.
BAD SISTER play AOR and melodic hard rock in the same style as HEART, JOURNEY, FOREIGNER, GIANT, SURVIVOR and similar. But I would say that they have more than just that to offer here. I think there's a touch of blues in some of the songs for example. We get as much as 14 tracks here, and most of it sounds good. So this could of course be worth a try.
The band is still alive, and released their latest album, "Where Will You Go", in 2022.
prideandjoy.de
NATTEHIMMEL: Mourningstar
Hammerheart Records on May 19 - CD, LP
NATTEHIMMEL is a Norwegian black metal band, with members from bands like IN THE WOODS... and STRANGE NEW DAWN. "Mourningstar" is their debut album. They have been very creative here, and there's many different elements in their music. The vocals is also varied, and hardly the same screaming all the time. They blend the brutality of black metal with more epic moments, and the result is something really good according to me. I can really recomend you to check this out.
nattehimmel.lnk.to/mourningstar | hammerheart.com
MILLENNIUM: The Sign Of Evil
No Remorse Records on May 19 - CD, LP
This band were formed in 1982, and comes from England. Their self titled debut album was released in 1984, but after that they just recorded demos. The band split up in the late 80s.
When the debut album was re-released on CD in 2014, the band began to wake up again. A new album, "Caught In A Warzone" (a compilation with unreleased material from the 80s), was released in 2016, and then "Awakening" in 2017 and "A New World" in 2019.
"The Sign Of Evil" is described as "a riff-driven, aggressive, traditional heavy metal album, recommended for fans of bands such as SATAN, AVENGER and SAXON". They have a powerful sound, and we get 10 tracks, just like in the old days. It sounds just as good as anything from the 80s. So yes, this is something that you really should check out.
noremorse.gr
MAD DOGS: Solitary Walker's Blues / A New Dawn
Go Down Records - 7" EP, Digital
While the fans wait for the next album (which they are working on), Italian action rockers MAD DOGS has released this 2-track EP. "Solitary Walker's Blues" is as the title says a raw blues number, while "A New Dawn" is more like power pop instead. Both songs are good and could be worth a try. And it could be nice to hear some more with this band in the future.
MAD DOGS was formed in 2009, and they has released 3 albums so far.
maddogsrnr.bandcamp.com | godownrecords.com
SMACKBOUND: Hostage
Frontiers Music Srl - CD, Digital
Another modern band that sounds like pop. And as usual I don't like it at all. But they have a few songs here with some more action. They are way too few though.
SMACKBOUND are said to play melodic metal, but as I just said, those songs are few here. I could possibly agree to call this pop/rock metal or something stupid like that.
This is a Finnish band, formed in 2015. "Hostage" is their second full-length.
frontiers.it | smackbound.com
REVOLUTION SAINTS: Eagle Flight
Frontiers Music Srl - CD, Digital (LP on Aug. 4)
REVOLUTION SAINTS is centered around vocalist/drummer Deen Castronovo (JOURNEY, BAD ENGLISH, HARDLINE). And with this new album he return with a new line-up, featuring bassist Jeff Pilson (FOREIGNER, BLACK SWAN, The END MACHINE, ex-DOKKEN) and guitarist Joel Hoekstra (WHITESNAKE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA). Now we talk all-star band and power trio at the same time.
This is the 4th album with the band. And what we get is melodic hard rock in the good old tradition, but without sounding like a product of the 80s. Very good stuff, that I really think you should check out.
frontiers.it | facebook.com/RevolutionSaints
ONE DESIRE: Live With The Shadow Orchestra
Frontiers Music Srl - CD/DVD, Blu-ray, Digital (2LP on Aug. 4)
This is a live concert featuring the band performing with a symphony orchestra. Hardly a new concept. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it don't. And then it can be like in this case, that I'm not familiar enough with their material, so I can simply not tell if it works or not. Yes, I have heard ONE DESIRE before. But that doesn't mean that I can remember every song, as I'm listening to hundreds of records a year.
The whole thing was filmed in Vaasa (Finland) at Elisa Stadium in the summer of 2022, and was aired on YLE TV in Finland in late December of the same year. And if you always have wondered what it would sound like if you combine melodic hard rock with a symphony orchestra, then you have the result here. It sounds really good though. I like this band's songs, and the orchestra never take over and sound too much (if you get that).
ONE DESIRE is currently working on the recording of their upcoming third studio album.
frontiers.it | facebook.com/OneDesireBand
MECCA: Everlasting
Frontiers Music Srl - CD, Digital
This is the first new MECCA album since 2016. But it's nothing unusual that it takes a few years between each album from this AOR band. The first album came out in 2002, the next in 2011, and then the third in 2016.
The music is very melodic of course, and the songs are totally o.k. to me. I just don't have much else to say about this though. But I think that you can like this if you like good old AOR, so give it a chance.
frontiers.it | facebook.com/joe.k.vana
ARCHON ANGEL: II
Frontiers Music Srl - CD, Digital
ARCHON ANGEL is a collaboration between vocalist Zak Stevens (CIRCLE II CIRCLE, SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) and producer/guitarist Aldo Lonobile (SECRET SPHERE, EDGE OF FOREVER). Their debut album, "Fallen", was released in 2020. And now their second album is here, which is a continuation of what was started on the debut. So in other words a mix of power/heavy metal and progressive metal.
They have succeeded to make some really good songs here, and are doing a really good job of course. This is a very strong album, that I really recomend you to check out as soon as possible.
frontiers.it | facebook.com/ArchonAngelBand
VOMITHEIST: NekroFvneral
Transcending Obscurity Records on May 19 - CD, Digital
This is very nice stuff for those of you who like old school death metal without any modern ingredients. And who doesn't like that? Just like so many other bands in this genre, they blend fast and heavy parts in a good way. And they succeed to make their songs catchy, even though it's hard stuff.
On this debut album, Swizz band VOMITHEIST seems to blend the HM-2 driven Swedish death metal sound with the more filthy sound of the American bands. They also succeed to make excellent songs, which makes this a must for every fan of the genre.
vomitheistdm.bandcamp.com | tometal.com
SABBAT: Mad Dogs And Englishmen
Noise Records on May 19 - LP/DVD Box Set, CD/DVD Box Set
This NWOBHM band started as HYDRA in June 1985, and are from Nottingham, UK. They soon changed the name to SABBAT, and after 2 demos they signed to Noise Records, who released their debut album, "History Of A Time To Come", in 1988. Another album, "Dreamweaver: Reflections Of Our Yesterdays", was released in 1989.
This box set includes their 2 full-length albums, as well as a recently found Radio 1 session that preceded them, unavailable since its original broadcast in 1987. Completing this collection is their historic performance at the Thrashing East Live concert in East Berlin from 1990, which is presented here on DVD for the first time and also as an album of the show which is released in its entirety for the first time, including a song left off the DVD. But that's not all. The box also includes a double sided poster and book containing all of the lyrics from these songs.
My opinion is that SABBAT sounds more evil than many others of the NWOBHM bands. Probably because they were more of a thrash metal band than a heavy metal band. And they were obviously very good at what they were doing.
The studio albums are really good, but the live recordings have that extra raw live energy, which I also like. So you simply have to hear all these albums to know what you prefer.
sabbat.lnk.to/madgodsPR
SERVERS: The Vertical Plane
Undergroove on May 19 - CD, Digital
South Yorkshire quintet SERVERS release their 4th album. And this is the first album with new guitarist Will Price.
This is said to be something for fans of acts like GOJIRA, Devin Townsend, BARONESS, MASTODON, KILLING JOKE, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and THERAPY?. So something alternative and heavy you could say. But is it metal or rock? I guess it's both actually, even though I would say that it's mainly rock.
This band's music is a bit tricky, so it's actually a little hard for me to describe their sound. But I can at least say that it's mainly melodic and not bad at all. I think of a band like BOMBUS for example.
servers1.bandcamp.com
YAKUZA: Sutra
Svart Records on May 19 - 2LP, CD
From Chicago comes YAKUZA, who formed in 1999. And this band is in it's own league. Their music is a heavy hybrid of everything (more or less), and it has been described over the years as everything from avant-garde metal, progressive metal, alternative metal to experimental rock, jazz metal, art metal and post-metal. And fact is that it seems to be all of them (not at the same time though). They blend psychedelic rock jams that sprawl into heavy, sludging doom with jazz influences, while also incorporating breakneck grind riffs and grooves.
This might not be an album for the one who want straight and simple music, but more for those of you who want it to be alternative and experimental. So I'm pretty sure that fans of progressive metal will like this.
It seems to be over 10 years since their last album was released.
svartrecords.com
SAVAGE GRACE: Sign Of The Cross
Massacre Records - CD, LP, Digital
SAVAGE GRACE released a couple of demos, EPs and albums between 1982-1987. So this is hardly a new band. In 2010 they were back again with a new EP, but it's not until now that a full-length will be released. And on this album they introduce their new vocalist Gabriel Colon, who is described as a blend of a early Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST) and a young Ian Gillian (DEEP PURPLE).
SAVAGE GRACE play old school heavy metal. Many songs here sounds much like good old JUDAS PRIEST, which is not bad at all. Other tracks are more melodic, but yet powerful, and they are really good too. Yes, I really like this album. You should really check it out!
savagegracemetal.com
SATAN TAKES A HOLIDAY: Satanism
Despotz Records - CD, LP, Digital
You can take band name and album title with a pinch of salt. Because this is not any satanic crap, but rather a danceable rock trio from Sweden. It's not impossible that they are inspired by a band like QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE for example, even though there's so much more than that here. But when it comes to the Swedish rock scene, I think they have a unique sound (as far as I know anyway).
They blend rock n roll and 60s garage rock with dark modern pop. And they have a beat that makes me think of disco or modern pop, which makes me want to call this disco rock. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't work so good. I like it better when there's more rock than pop. But luckily most of the songs are on the right side for me.
satantakesaholiday.com | despotz.se
GRIEF COLLECTOR: In Times Of Woe
Grief Collector - Digital Album
American doom metal band GRIEF COLLECTOR has been around since 2017, and started out with world renowned doom vocal icon Robert Lowe (CANDLEMASS, SOLITUDE AETURNUS). In 2022 the band introduced their new singer, Julian Kuster.
GRIEF COLLECTOR play a pretty traditional doom, with a singer who is actually singing and not growling. And then you need a really good singer, which this band have. Everything seems to be perfect here actually, so there's nothing to complain about. At least not when it comes to the music.. Why this is just released digitally is a mystery. Lots of labels should be interested in a good band like this. But maybe in the future?
linktr.ee/griefcollector
BORIS & UNIFORM: You Are The Beginning
Sacred Bones - Digital Single
Japanese doom band BORIS have teamed up with American industrial punks UNIFORM for an album, titled "Bright New Disease", which will be released on June 16. "You Are The Beginning" is the first single. And it's a raw and explosive song that goes in through one ear and out through the other. I guess we can describe it as some kind of alternative metal, and then it's not so easy to describe the sound. I don't get this, but you might.
youtube.com/watch?v=x6y5y-CO7Fc
The DAMNED: Darkadelic
earMUSIC - LP, CD, Digital
The first time I heard this album, I thought that it was mainly a pretty tired album. There was simply too many soft songs. But already the second time I heard it, I found out that it wasn't so bad after all. Sure, there was still many soft songs, but they were not as bad and boring as I first thought they were.
Third time then? Well, now I would say that it only gets better and better. Now I like this album, both the uptempo and the softer songs. And I can actually recomend you to give it a try (or 3). Not bad for a band that's been around since 1976.
This is the 12th studio album from these British punk rock and goth veterans. And as they do whatever they want to, it's actually hard to put this new album in 1 specific genre. But it's always some kind of rock anyway, there's no doubt about that anyway.
officialdamned.com | ear-music.shop
CITIZEN RAGE: Harsh Reality
Cursed Blessings on May 17 - LP, CD, Cassette
After releasing 6 EPs, Canadian hardcore band CITIZEN RAGE are happy to release their first full-length album. Mainly good stuff here in the good old way, but I don't really get that "tribe shit" in the second track. Otherwise nothing to complain about. They have the heaviness, the energy, the angry singer and gang choirs. Plus that they know how to make good songs out of those ingredients. So yes, this is something that you should check out.
I don't think I have to say much more than that..
linktr.ee/citizenrageyyc
BJÖRNARNA: Historierevisionism
Second Class Kids Records - LP, CD
More trallpunk of the traditional kind. And once again it's a little too much, as there's as much as 28 tracks here, and a playing time of 76:42 minutes. Long records with bands in a very narrow genre like trallpunk should not make too long records. It's better to keep it short.
BJÖRNARNA have been around for a few years now, and I guess that this is re-recordings of some of their early material (they had a other singer in the beginning). And that's at least a small excuse for the number of songs. But luckily most of the songs are good. Most likely because they succeed to vary the material, which sometimes can be hard in this genre.
If you want old songs in new versions, then this is something for you.
secondclasskids.com
FRUKTANSVÄRLD: Fruktansvärld
Second Class Kids Records - LP, CD
FRUKTANSVÄRLD play classic Swedish trallpunk, with fast drums and melodies. Unfortunately they seems to have too many songs and too little variation, so I get bored after half of the songs. Just because you can have as much as 15 tracks on a CD, you don't have to. Because it's hardly ever a good idea (unless it's a best of collection or a live album). It will probably work very good in small doses, but I think they could have thrown away at least half of all these songs.
secondclasskids.com
NIGHTHAWK: Prowler
Mighty Music on May 12 - LP, CD, Digital
NIGHTHAWK started as a solo project by Robert Majd (bass player in METALITE and CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD). The idea was just to have some fun, play guitar and write some energetic rock n roll. The debut album, which was released in the summer of 2021, featured a bunch of different singers. But when he wanted to do a second album, he wanted to take it all up a few levels. So he booked nothing else but the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, and Björn Strid (The NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, SOILWORK, DONNA CANNONE) joined on lead vocals, Magnus Ulfstedt (GINEVRA) on drums, John Lönnmyr (The NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA) on keyboards and Christan Ek (CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD) on bass.
What we get here is a blend of classic AOR and hard rock. They gives us 9 original tracks and 2 covers (KISS and Bruce Springsteen). It sounds mainly like a melodic hard rock album from the 80s, and it's full of great songs. This band should be a lot more famous. But it's not impossible that this album will change that. So discover this before everybody else.
facebook.com/nighthawkrocknroll | mightymusic.dk
BRING THE HOAX: Single Coil Candy
Lövely Records on May 12 - LP, Digital
Hm, some of these songs sounds very familiar. And that's because they have included 4 tracks from last year's self titled EP (which was just released digitally). But we also get 6 new songs on this full-length debut.
The music is guitar-driven indie/alternative rock. And I hardly talk about the Seattle sound here, but rather something more melodic. Inspiration is said to come from the 90s, and bands like SONIC YOUTH, DINOSAUR JR, BUILT TO SPILL and SMASHING PUMPKINS, if that might give you an idea?.
The songs I like best here is those from the EP, but the rest is not so bad either.
bringthehoax.bandcamp.com/album/single-coil-candy
DJÄVULEN MÖBLERAR OM: Trubbelmagnet
Bollmora Rekords on May 12 - LP, Digital
DJÄVULEN MÖBLERAR OM is a Swedish punk rock band, and they have been around for many years now. They sing in Swedish, and the main subject of their lyrics is party and life. And it's not always any happy stories that we get (but I guess it depends on how you look at it). Most songs that I have heard with them have been good (as far as I can remember), and this new album is also really good.
I would say that they have their own sound somehow, even though it might not be totally unique. Sometimes they are a little heavier, and sometimes more energetic. There's also some rock n roll in their brew.
djavulenmoblerarom.com
MIMIKRY: Det Finns Hur Många Svin Som Helst
Krypton Records on May 12 - 12" EP, Digital
The 2 first tracks here are more raw than what I'm used to hear from this band, but without losing their catchy and melodic sound. But just to not make me too happy about that, there's a song like "Västerås", which is more like singer/songwriter instead of punk rock - Not my thing. After that it's much better again though. So in the end this is a very good punk rock EP in the Swedish tradition.
Swedish band MIMIKRY has existed since 1994, so they are almost veterans now.
mimikry.ffm.to/dfhmssh | facebook.com/mimikrysverige
GATUPLAN: Välkommen Till Underjorden
Wild Kingdom on May 12 - CD, LP, Digital
Inge Johansson (KNUGEN FALLER, AGAINST ME!, The (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, TOTALT JÄvLA MÖRKER, CSS) has many branches on his musical tree. We get punk rock, power pop, ska and garage rock for example. Some songs also have what I call hip hop vocals, and it all sounds happy somehow. GATUPLAN have their own sound, and doesn't seems to care too much about trends and categories. But it's mainly catchy and melodic music that they make.
GATUPLAN is Inge's solo band where he is the lead singer, but among the other people on this album are Jouni Haapala (DE LYCKLIGA KOMPISARNA, PERKELE) on drums and percussion, Simon Dahlberg (DE LYCKLIGA KOMPISARNA) on guitar, Lars Ekman (STILETT) on keyboards and Anna Philipsson (KNUGEN FALLER) on background vocals. But we also get guest apperances from Dennis Lyxzén (REFUSED, The (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY etc.) and Jonas Kullhammar on saxophone.
Well, this is a good album, and absolutely worth checking out.
facebook.com/people/Gatuplan/100063715355022 | wildkingdom.se
STRUCTURAL: Your Damnation
ViciSolum Records - Digital Single
STRUCTURAL is a melodic death metal band from Israel, and this seems to be their first new single in 5 years. It's taken from their upcoming album, "Decrowned", which will be released on June 23.
These guys seems to be really good at what they are doing. It's hard and heavy, and it sounds pretty good. You should absolutely check this out.
I tell you more about them in June..
youtu.be/FbxgrHH9_Cc
RISING WINGS: Lonely Is The Night
Pride & Joy Music - Digital Single
RISING WINGS was founded in 2006 by Florian "Flo" Bauer, and is a melodic rock/AOR band from Germany. They has previously released 2 EPs and several singles. But on September 22 they will release their first full-length album, "Reach". And this single is a first taste of that album.
Well, the music is not such a big surprise as it sounds like something from the 80s. It's a really good song though, with a perfect chorus. So yes, this is something that you should try.
youtu.be/Z4YhCP8E8H0 | risingwings.de
RING OF GYGES: Metamorphosis
ViciSolum Productions on May 12 - CD, Digital
From Reykjavík, Iceland comes this young progressive rock band. Their new album is melodic and ambitious, and filled with a passion to push the boundries of the genre. They take the classic sound of the 70s progressive rock, and transfer it to a modern sound with elements of metal. Their mission is to create epic and grandiose music with unconventional song structures and vast soundscapes, often accompanied by philosophical lyrics.
Their first album, "Beyond The Night Sky", was released in 2017. But it's not until now that their second album, "Metamorphosis", is ready to be released. And this is absolutely not bad at all. Especially for being progressive rock, which is a genre that I'm not always a fan of. But once in a while there's a band that surprise me by being good at making songs. What I mean is that they are not just complicated without knowing how to make a good song as well.
ringofgygesband.com
The STRIDERS: Woman
Raw Street Noise - Digital Single
The STRIDERS is a Swedish band with its roots in blues, soul and rock. They has released 1 album so far, "Out Of The Blues". "Woman" is the first single from their second album. And this is a catchy and cool rock song with a touch of blues. Not bad at all. You should give it a try.
I'm not really sure what I should compare this band with, so let's end it there..
facebook.com/stridersmusic
KSMB: Skärholmen 127
Wild Kingdom - Digital Single
This is the second single from KSMB's upcoming covers album, "Bröderna Bengtssons Hatt & Mössfabrik", which will be released on May 26. This time they make their own version of BLONDIE's "Detroit 442", but move the story to their neighbourhood. And for some reason I think this is more punk rock than the first single, "Mördare", was. Really good and promising for the new album.
youtu.be/n3gtHn4JgBk
RÖD REVOLVER: Svartmyra
GrönPeppar Records - Cassette, Digital
The original line-up of Swedish punk band RÖD REVOLVER did their last gig at last summer's Hygget festival in Svartmyra, Sweden. And this summer's festival will be the last they say. So as a tribute to Hygget and the members who have left RÖD REVOLVER, the rest of the band decided to release this recording on good old cassette and digital.
As it's a live recording, the sound is raw, but absolutely not bad. They play a angry but catchy kind of punk, and they definitely have some good songs here. It's simple and straight. This is really something that you should check out if you like Swedish punk.
This is not the end for RÖD REVOLVER though, as they will continue with new members.
gronpepparrecords.bandcamp.com/album/r-d-revolver-svartmyra
SUPERHORROR: Devilish Whisper
Burning Minds Group/Atomic Stuff - CD, Digital
Italian horror punks SUPERHORROR has released their last album, which features special guests like guitarist Casey (The BROKENDOLLS, ex-THEE S.T.P.), singer Jack (SPEED STROKE) and bassist Mr.4 (ex-SUPERHORROR). It seems like they have been around for almost 20 years, but this is the first album that I have heard with them. It all sounds like it should though, and they have many fantastic songs on this album, so it's a little sad that there won't be any more records with the band.
Even though I call this horror punk, it might actually be more punk rock and just rock sometimes. It's still damn good though.
facebook.com/Superhorrorofficial | burningmindsgroup.com/atomic-stuff
METAL CROSS: Anger Distorted
From The Vaults on May 5 - Digital Single
It all began in 1983 for this Danish heavy metal band. They released 2 demo tapes and participated on 2 compilation albums. The band broke up in December 1989.
In 2014 their 2 demos and their last concert was released on a double album, and they were asked to play at the Metal Magic Festival the same year. After that the band was back again, and an album, "Soul Ripper", was released in February 2022.
Now a new single, "Anger Distorted", is here. It sounds powerful and heavy, so this could be something for fans of harder heavy metal. The song is good and could be worth a try.
bfan.link/anger-distorted | targetshop.dk/metalcross
RÄVJUNK: Uppsala Stadshotell Brinner (reissue)
Transubstans Records on May 12 - LP/DVD
RÄVJUNK comes from Uppsala, Sweden, and this album was originally released in 1977. It will now be re-released on vinyl, with a bonus DVD featuring a concert from 2008 that they did at Katalin in their hometown.
This band is said to have been a fresh breath of air in the late 70s, as they were blending impressions of the krautrock movement together with heavy psych, fuzzed out guitars and rock n roll attitude.
The vocals is very rough and punky, while the music is period-typical raw rock, even though there',s more genres than that involved here too. The instrumental songs are more psychedelic for example, and there's also a blues number. I'm not really sure why there's so many instrumental songs though. Didn't they have enough lyrics or something?
Some songs are good (the 3 first are the best), while some are not so interesting. But if you want the real sound of the 70s, then this could be worth a try.
transubstansrecords.bandcamp.com/track/sherry-vermouth-vin-l
Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion
Frontiers Music Srl - CD, Digital (2LP on Aug. 4)
My only experience with WHITE LION is a copy of one of their albums, that I had on a cassette when I was a kid in the 80s. I can't even remember the title of that album, and not many of the songs either (I don't think I still have it).
What WHITE LION frontman Mike Tramp have done here is to re-record some of the band's songs. And he has done it as close to the original as possible, even though the vocals might not always be exactly the same (he's not 26 anymore). It's a very melodic kind of hard rock, but it sounds better than I thought it would. This is much more interesting than his solo stuff, which is pretty lame soft rock. And there is unfortunately a couple of songs here that fits in to that category. But I like most of the songs on this album.
WHITE LION formed in 1983. They released 4 albums before they disbanded in 1992. Tramp formed FREAK OF NATURE, who released 3 albums before they disbanded in 1996. In 1998 Mike's solo career began. But between 2004-2008 he toured as Mike Tramp's WHITE LION, and eventually WHITE LION, who released an album, "Return Of The Pride", in 2008. In 2009 he went back to his solo career instead.
Mike will support this album with a U.S. tour in May. Dates can be found on his website.
frontiers.it | miketramp.dk
MIDNITE CITY: Someday
Pride & Joy Music - Digital Single
MIDNITE CITY is a British hair metal band, formed in 2017. They have released 3 albums so far, and "Someday" is the first single from MIDNITE CITY's upcoming 4th album, "In At The Deep End", which will be released on June 23.
It's much 80s and party when this band is playing, but it can also be melodic or a power ballad. This song fits in to the melodic category, and it's really good. You should absolutely check this out. And if they have more songs like this on the new album, then I really look forward to hear it.
youtu.be/H60ZfsdUMtk | midnitecity.lnk.to/deepend | midnitecity.com
Magnus Karlsson's FREE FALL: Hunt The Flame
Frontiers Music Srl - CD, Digital (2LP on Aug. 4)
This is the 4th installment of Magnus Karlsson's FREE FALL. And he has once again invited a small army of melodic singers to the party: Alexander Strandell (ART NATION, CROWNE), Jakob Samuel (The POODLES), James Durbin (DURBIN, CLEANBREAK), Kristian Fyhr (SEVENTH CRYSTAL, GINEVRA), James Robledo (SINNER'S BLOOD), Michael Eriksen (CIRCUS MAXIMUS), Girish Pradhan (GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES), Raphael Mendes (ICON OF SIN), Terje Haroy (PYRAMAZE, MANTRIC MOMENTUM), Jake E (CYHRA), and Antti Railion (CELESTY, DIECELL, The WILDFIRE). All are doing an excellent job. But we also have Anders Kollerfors on drums, while Magnus Karlsson himself take care of all other instrumentation.
The music is a wild mixture of melodic hard rock and melodic heavy metal. Everything is of top quality. Not 1 single bad song on the whole album! So this is of course something that you really have to check out if you like it melodic. Because I don't think that your life will be complete without this masterpiece (haha).
frontiers.it | facebook.com/MAGNUSKARLSSONOFFICIAL
EXTREME: Banshee / #Rebel
earMUSIC - Digital Double Single
These multi-platinum veterans will release a new album, "SIX", on June 9. And that's where these 2 singles comes from.
"Banshee" is described as "a seductive classic hard rock tune with a chugging rhythm section, playful guitar wizardy and electrifying vocals that testify to the power and inspiration of the female form and spirit". And it's said that "#Rebel" "takes on scathing so-called keyboard warriors with its head-nodding beat and searing dive bomb lead guitar runs serving up the harder edges of EXTREME's sound".
Well, my experience of EXTREME is not that big, but this wasn't what I thought they would sound like. I always thought that they were one of those pathetic bands, but then they surprise me by being a heavy hard rock band instead. And these 2 songs are actually not bad at all. I think I like "Banshee" more than "#Rebel" though.
youtu.be/gYQ6MIjoY_k
DARKER DAYS: The Burying Point
Massacre Records/Fiend Force Records - CD, LP, Digital
Very catchy and melodic punk rock that reminds me of bands like MILLENCOLIN and similar. So what they used to call skate punk in the 90s. But as the lyrics have a horror theme, they want to call this horror punk. But it's not according to me. Because to me, horror punk is a specific genre with MISFITS as the most famous example (if you want a more modern example, then check out SUPERHORROR). And DARKER DAYS doesn't really sound like that, as I compare them with MILLENCOLIN.
But with that said, this is absolutely not a bad album at all. They have many good songs here that they can be proud of. So if you like catchy and melodic punk rock, then this is something that you really should check out.
The band comes from Salem, Massachusetts (the capitol of Halloween as they call it), and this is their debut album, which also features guest apperances from TB Monstrosity of BLITZKID and Rod Usher of The OTHER.
facebook.com/drkrdys
Champlin Williams Friestedt: Carrie
Black Lodge Records on May 5 - MCD, Digital
Well, as you might know, this is a collaboration between TOTO singer Joseph Williams, former CHICAGO singer Bill Champlin and Swedish guitarist/producer Peter Friestedt. This 6-track EP also includes contributions from CHICAGO vocalist Jason Scheff, drummer John JR Robinson (Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones), Randy Goodrum (TOTO, CHICAGO), and Tamara Champlin.
Let's just say that if you like softer stuff like TOTO and CHICAGO, then this could be something for you. The first song, which is the title track, was o.k. But the songs after that didn't impress me. Not even their live version of "Pamela" impress me.
orcd.co/carrie | blacklodge.se
ANGELS IN VEIN: Long Time Coming
Perris Records - CD
ANGELS IN VEIN is said to be a classic rock band with mainstream elements. The band was formed in 2015 by founding members Chris VanDahl (CHERRY ST., PACK OF WOLVES, L.A GUNS) and Todd "Taz" Anthony (CHERRY ST., SPINNING CHAIN, The UNION UNDERGROUND). They were soon joined by bassist Adam Kury (PACK OF WOLVES, LEGS DIAMOND, CANDLEBOX) and drummer Troy Patrick Farrell (WHITE LION, Gilby Clark, ENUFF Z'NUFF, TANTRIC).
Even though they call this classic rock, I would rather call it hard rock instead. It's catchy and sounds like something from the 70s or 80s. And there's lots of good songs among these 11 tracks. So if you're tired of all the modern bands, and want something that sounds old, then this could be something for you.
Some of the artists that I think of when I hear this album are VAN HALEN, T-Rex and KISS. But there's more than that here..
perrisrecords.com | angelsinvein.com
ALL FOR METAL: Mountain Of Power
AFM Records - Digital Single
ALL FOR METAL have made another great song. Somehow it reminds me of both HAMMERFALL and MANOWAR. This is what you could call a heavy metal anthem. Perfect for your summer party or as a soundtrack for your trip to a festival. Check it out at once!
ALL FOR METAL will release their debut album, "Legends", on July 7. That will be interesting to hear!
youtu.be/ZYzuEY4lJGU | facebook.com/allformetalofficial | afm-records.de
PILE OF DEATH: Introducing Our Impending Doom
Jawbreaker Records - LP, Digital
PILE OF DEATH is a death metal trio from Sweden, formed in early 2019. 1 of the members is a former member of VERMIN, while 2 are also playing with heavy/doom metal band el CAMINO. This is the second full length album with PILE OF DEATH.
The music is mainly old school thrash/death metal, so there's lots of good stuff here if you like that (and who doesn't?). The odd number here is the song in Swedish, "Pestens Tid", which is heavier and a bit different from the rest. Not bad though, and a nice "break".
facebook.com/pileofdeath
STATUES: Black Arcs Rising
Lövely Records on May 5 - LP, Digital
This band seems to have the same problem as DIVISION OF LAURA LEE have for me. You can listen to 1 song and think it's o.k. But if you listen to more than that, then it immediately becomes boring. So I guess this is not my kind of stuff, even though small portions once in a while seems to work better.
"Black Arcs Rising" is the third studio album from this Swedish trio. They have a sound that will remind you of the indie rock from the 90s. You could call it pop with more guitars.
The album features guest vocals by Per Stålberg (DIVISON OF LAURA LEE) on 3 of the 12 tracks.
statues.bandcamp.com
The MORLOCKS: Easy Listening For The Underachiver (reissue) / Play Chess (reissue)
Go Down Records/Improved Sequence - LP / LP
"Easy Listening For The Underachiver" was recorded in Los Angeles in 2006, and released in 2008. It's by far the most popular of their albums. A pure garage rock album that will make you wonder if it's something forgotten from the 60s. I really like cool stuff like this, so I can really recomend you to check this out.
On "Play Chess", which was released in 2010, they pay homage to the roots of the Chicago sound and Chess Records. It's in other words a covers album full of cool songs from different genres, much blues. It might not be as great as the previous album, but it sure ain't bad.
godownrecords.com/the-morlocks
MINDLESS SINNER: Keeping True Alive
Pure Steel Records on May 5 - CD, LP, Digital
This is a recording from the Keep It True festival in Germany, when Swedish heavy metal band MINDLESS SINNER entered the stage in April 2015. And the Swedes gave the Germans a powerful and raw dose of pure heavy metal from the 80s. Plenty of great songs were delivered, so there's really nothing to complain about. Almost a must for every fan of true heavy metal. That's how good this is!
MINDLESS SINNER originally existed in the 80s. But since a few years they are back again. How about a new studio album?
facebook.com/mindlesssinnerofficial | puresteel-records.com
The HIP PRIESTS: Roden House Blues
The Sign Records on May 5 - LP, CD, Digital
Action! This band deliver their garage rock with lots of punk energy. The tempo is often high, and there's lots of adrenaline. Yet it's also catchy as hell and wonderful. And luckily they also slow down a little once in a while, so that not just themselves, but also me as a listener, can catch the breath. Otherwise it would probably have been too much action at once.
UK's The HIP PRIESTS formed in 2006, and has since then released as much as 30 7" singles, 4 albums, 2 compilations and 3 EPs on various independent labels from all over Europe and USA. Now it's time for their fifth album, "Roden House Blues", to be released through The Sign Records. And that's something that you don't want to miss.
thehippriests.com
HIGH LEAF: Vision Quest
Riffslayer Records on May 5 - Digital Album
With a name like that, I guess it's not so hard to figure out that it's stoner with elements of heavy psych that we get from this Philadelphia band. 8 tracks is what we get - The title track is 8:41 minutes long, while the rest is around 3 and a half to 5 minutes.
"Vision Quest" is HIGH LEAF's debut album. They keep it on the right track, and succeed to make really good songs. So I can't do nothing but recomend you to check this out.
highleafband.com
SEVERED ANGEL: Severed Angel
Sliptrick Records on May 2 - CD, Digital
SEVERED ANGEL is a melodic heavy metal band from Northeastern USA. On this debut album they gives us 10 tracks - 9 are original songs (even though 1 of them is just a intro), and 1 is a cover of a GHOST song. Songs like "In The Red", "Dogs Of War", "Wide Awake In Screamland", "With Wings Anew" and the GHOST cover are good, while some of the other stuff is not so interesting. So a half good album you could say.
This is not a band that will achieve any great success, but they will probably still have their devoted fans.
severedangel.com | sliptrickrecords.com
TYGERS OF PAN TANG: Bloodlines
Mighty Music on May 5 - CD, LP
There have been some line-up changes for this British band since they formed in 1978, but guitarist Robb Weir has always been there. And even though there's new members once in a while, the last records have been really good. In other words, they are still a band to be reckoned with. Which they prove with this new album, which is full of good songs. Yes, the quality is really high here. So if you like hard rock and heavy metal with powerful and melodic vocals, then this is a must.
targetshop.dk/tygers-of-pan-tang | tygersofpantang.com | mightymusic.dk
VELVET INSANE with Harpo: Sunglasses
Velvet Insane - Digital Single
Who would have expected this collaboration? A young Swedish glam rock band team up with a Swedish pop artist who was as most famous in the 70s. Interesting..
The result is a catchy and pretty kind summer song, that sound more like Harpo than VELVET INSANE. There's both glam rock and pop, as well as a touch of the 70s. It sounds good though, and it has a chorus that will get stuck in your head.
open.spotify.com/track/06QEDyv31FnoVwwfhcmxSV
LASTKAJ 14: Står Stött
Second Class Kids Records - May 2 on CD and Cassette, May 5 also Digital
The story about this EP is that somebody thought that they did not develop enough, but was doing the same thing over and over again (something like that at least). So they decided to do something different than the traditional Swedish trallpunk that they use to play.
And what we get is almost a hardcore/punk record, even though there's elements of more melodic stuff too. It's often fast and angry, but not all the time. I like what I hear, even though I prefer their classic trallpunk.
8 tracks in 14 minutes is a perfect dose.
secondclasskids.com | lastkaj14.com
Second Class Kids Magazine #4
Second Class Kids Records - Magazine
First out is a interview with Swedish trallpunk band BJÖRNARNA. It's done by Rille, and he obviously like to talk (a lot). Sometimes his questions are 10 times longer than the answer that he get. And sometimes it's actually too deep and nerdy. He should calm down!
Mikael Ström is more normal though. He has inteviewed the man behind the podcast Döda Katten, Swedish ska band The LIPTONES and Swedish hardcore/punks SOCIALSTYRELSEN. Much easier to read than Rille's interview.
We also get an insight into the Swedish fanzine scene and the hardcore scene of today, as well as a song talk (where Rille have some funny stories instead of the right answer, haha).
Mainly a very good magazine, all in Swedish. You get it for free if you order a record or 15, but you can also buy just the magazine if you want to.
secondclasskids.com
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