Showing posts with label Jon Hernandez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jon Hernandez. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2015
ISSA - Crossfire
Band:Issa
Album:Crossfire
Date Released:Feb 20 2015
Tracks:
Crossfire
New Horizon
Raintown
Long Time Coming
Fight Fire With Rain
Heartbeat
Electric Lights
Ghost Inside My Heart
Red Lights
We Rise
Only You
Band Members:
Issa - vocals and bv's
James Martin – Keyboards
Tom Martin - bass and Guitars
Michael Cruise – Drums
Steve Overland – Duet on Raintown
Label:Frontiers Music Srl
Quality & Originality:Issa and her velvet sweet voice is back with her new album entitled Crossfire. The Norwegian beauty has taken her brilliant style of almost pop rock mixed with AOR and prog to a grand new level of a beautiful arrangements and melodies. The album was produced by John Greatwood & James Martin. Sessions started in early 2013 with a bunch of songs ISSA had co-written or demoed in the Martin Brothers songwriting sessions. Guest musicians include Daniel Palmqvist (XORIGIN), Alessandro Del Vecchio (HARDLINE), Steve Newman (NEWMAN), Robert Sall (WORK OF ART), Daniel Johansson (DEGREED), Stephen Chesney. As well as powerhouse choir including Pete Newdeck (IN FAITH/TAINTED NATION), Matt Black (FAHRAN) and Michael Kew (VEGA).
My Opinion:Issa has always been a hard artist to nail down for me cause she could have easily went for the full on pop road cause of her amazing voice but she stays just on this side of the rock road to blend into almost any style or genre she damn well pleases. ''Crossfire'' is easily my favorite album of this gifted singer cause she seems to have matured a bit in her singing and song writing giving just enough to melt any metal heads heart and soul. The duet Issa does with Steve Overland on the song ''Raintown'' is beautifully executed and performed almost taking a different approach then the rest of the songs on the album. If you are into pop to metal or prog to symphonic this is a great album that will satisfy your appetite for something pretty special.
Overall & Favorites:Raintown, Crossfire, Fight Fire With Rain. I give this beautifully talented singer a brilliant 8/10 for making another spectacular album!!!!
Contact:www.facebook.com/issa.oversveen
Monday, December 1, 2014
Graveyard Shifter - Brainwashed By Moonshine
Band:Graveyard Shifter
Album:
Brainwashed By Moonshine
Date Released:Oct 31 2014
Tracks:
Chicken Cage Of Terror
A Good Day To Die Hard & Loud
Graveyard Shifters (Necromance)
Molotov Cocktail
Play The Victim
Band Members:
J. Matilainen
J. Sumkin
A. Salmenoja
V. Vainionpaa
H. Kansonen
Formed:2013
Influences:Turbonegro, Disfear, The Hellecopters,
Label:Eternal Sound Records
Location: Finland
Quality & Originality:This booze infused punk rock meets heavy metal music is crazy over the top wrecking ball into a gasoline truck of metal riffs and attitude. The production is not the tightest I have ever heard but I think that was kinda the point to just play killer heavy music and do what they loved and throw the book so many go by out the damn window!!!!!
My Opinion:With a band name like Graveyard Shifters and a album called Brainwashed By Moonshine you are not going to be listening to the normal metal or punk or well anything I have ever heard in that fashion. With that said it is not a bad thing really, This band took the ''Song Witing'' book and peed on it burned it then burned it. The riffs and attitude is infectious on this album giving me the want to jump up and trash my studio every time I listen to it!!!!
Overall & Favorites:Chicken Cage Of Terror is my favorite song and I give this album a 7.5/10 cause of the brilliance of less is way way more!!!!
Contact:www.graveyardshifters.fi
www.facebook.com/graveyardshifters
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Soulbender - Soulbender II
Band:Soulbender
Album:Soulbender II
Date Released:Sept 30 2014
Tracks:
New Tracks
Turn Anger Up
Shoal
Slave To Reality
Seraphim
Remastered
Fix Me
Clockwork And Compass
Rabbit Hole
The American Dream
Samsara
Prime Time
Shoot Poem
This Ocean
Hunger Three Towers
Band Members:
Micheal Wilton
Nick Pollock
Wes Hallam
Dave Groves
Formed:2001
Originated:Seattle Washington
Label:Rat Pak Records
Quality & Originality:This album is partially a new release old release material but both have great production and sound with great clarity from the mixing and mastering. The songs are bold and brilliant with a huge step away from the Queensryche sound we have all fell in love with from Wilton. I hear a bit of that alternative sound that was huge in Seattle back in the 90's but still has the huge guitar leads that should be in any metal band. The vocals are gritty but powerful with tons of melody at times that really ties this album together.
My Opinion:Wilton and company took a very bold move in rehashing out songs from basically ten years ago then adding four new tracks. In most cases this would lead up to a total flop but it works and works very well cause the music does not seem dated at all. They prove that they are not just another grunge/alternative band rehashing out the 90's by having songs that are brilliantly written and performed. I hear so many styles from alternative, rock, metal, blues and classic overflowing into just a great album. If you love what Wilton has done in the past chances are you will really take to this album and have it a constant in your player!
Overall & Favorites:Turn Up Anger, Slave To Reality, The American Dream. I give this album a 8.5/10 because of the brilliance of the music bringing the old mixed with the new era of Soulbender!!!
Contact:http://www.ratpakrecordsamerica.com/michael-wilton
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Metal Machine - Free Nation
Band:Metal Machine
Album:Free Nation
Date Released:Oct 24 2014
Tracks:
Skull And Bones
Nailed To The Cross
Detox
Morning Star
World Of Temptation
Lord Of War
Black Sun
Free Nation
Band Members:
Csaba Zvekan
(Various Studio Musicians)
Genre:Heavy Metal
Label:Dream Records
Promotion:Rock N Growl
Quality & Originality:Csaba Zvekan (Raven Lord, Zvekan, Exorcism) is back with a riff heavy towering inferno of a metal album. Free Nation has great song writing and bold production that is tight, crisp, heavy and passionate. The anthem style songs are fresh and bold and hold the essence old school heavy metal while retaining its own identity. The album could almost be considered a solo album with Csaba Zvekan taking on roles of musical composition, arrangements, lyrics and producer. The music is amazing but Zvekan's vocals is what really ignites this album with a bad ass performance that mixes styles of everything from Dio, Jon Oliva, Ronny Munroe, Rob Halford and Ralf Scheepers and Robb Flynn. Free Nation has eight songs that take us on a massive metal journey across the 40+ years of metal done only how Csaba can do it!!!
My Opinion:This is a brilliant album that pushes Csaba and his amazing studio musicians into a massive world of metal done at its finest. I have listened to Zvekan really harness his vocals abilities from his bands Raven Lord and Exorcism and he really pushes himself into entire new tonal territory making this the best the metal singer has done to date. I really enjoy how many styles are written into this album from a dash of prog, heavy metal, classic metal, rock, hard rock and thrash. Free Nation is everything I love about metal and can be considered a instant classic ranked up with the metal gods. If you have not got on the METAL MACHINE yet chances are you will!!!!!!
Overall & Favorites:Free Nation, Morning Star, Nailed To The Cross. I give this bad ass metal album a 9.5/10 for its headbanging fist pumping fueled riffing bad ass journey!!!
Contact:www.facebook.com/MetalMachineBand/timeline
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Allen/Lande - The Great Divide
Band: Allen Lande
Date Released:Oct 17th 2014
Tracks:
Come Dream With Me
Down From The Mountain
In The Hands Of Time
Solid Ground
Lady Of Winter
Dream About Tomorrow
The Hymn To The Fallen
The Great Divide
Reaching For The Stars
Bitter Sweet
Band Members:
Jorn Lande: vocals
Russell Allen: vocals
Timo Tolkki: guitars, bass, keyboards
Jami Huovinen: drums
Genre:Melodic Heavy Metal/Hard Rock
Influences: Primal Fear, Masterplan, Symphony X, Timo Tolkki's Avalon
Label:Frontiers Records
Quality & Originality:Allen/Lande is back with ''The Great Divide'' that has some major changes since the last album with Timo Tolkki handling song writing and production duties. The band from start to finish is veteran muscians from Jorn (Masterplan, Solo) Russell (Symphony X), Timo ( Stratovarius, Timo Tolkki's Avalon) Jami (Ring Of Fire, Sentiment). This is a bit different then the previous albums but in such a great way. The depth and song writing is simply amazing. Russel and Jorn are in top form making this one of the best albums I have had come across my desk this year. Timo has brought the very best out of each artist and produced one of the greatest prog metal albums this year!!
My Opinion:There have been some amazing super groups in the years but this is hands down one of my very favorites. I have been a fan of Allen/Lande since day one. This album is a new direction but in such a metaltastic awesome way. I would put this album up against any rock or metal album that has come out this year cause every song is a masterpiece in its own right. The guitars are fresh and brilliant the keys are bold the drums are full and distinct the bass is solid and bold and the vocals are seriously out of this damn world!!!!! It is rare that I give out perfect masterpiece but The Great Divide delivers in every aspect!!!!!!
Overall & Favorites:Down From The Mountain, The Great Divide, Reaching For The Stars. I give this album a 10 for being so damn brilliant and bold with a team of musicians that are the top of there game on every song!!
Contact:www.facebook.com/pages/AllenLande/19550548398?sk=timeline
Thunder Tribe - War Chant
Band:Thunder Tribe
Album:War chant
Date Released:Oct 15, 2014
Tracks:
More wicked Than Not
Part Of The Black
Say Goodbye
The Light
War Chant
Believe
Watching It Burn
Above The Blue
Echoes Of A New Day
Fly
It's A Lie
Band Members:
Micheal Duncan
Ronnie Duncan
Rock Sargent
Tom Dawson
Chad Osborne
Located: Kentucky
Genre: Heavy Metal/Prog Metal
Influences:Queensryche, Triumph, Iron Maiden, Dokken, Journey, Dio, Black Sabbath, Kiss
Label:Nightmare,Sony,Red
Quality & Originality:War Chant is a great right in the pocket recreation of all the legendary bands that we have all rocked out to for the past 40 years. I would not call them original per say but tell you that they are trying to carry a mighty metal torch that bands like Zepplin, Maiden, Sabbath, Priest and so many more lit that they want to pay there metal respects to. The songs are as tight as anything us headbangers would want and it is even mixed to almost have a bit of that analog feel to it. The mighty metal grasp this band of veteran rockers has put together is great listening for classic rockers to thrash and prog rock and rollers.
My Opinion:Thunder Tribe have created a great album that even some of the bands they pay tribute to cannot sound like anymore. The guitars have so much harmony to them with also a great rhythm section that backs up the mighty vocals of Micheal Duncan. This is classic metal done the right way with a full and rich songs that will make you tune up that air guitar of yours and head bang the entire neighborhood with the volume on ten. What I love is they go full bore and then slow things down a bit with the song ''Above The Blue'' to show you they are so much more then just a heavy band. Thunder Tribe might not be a brand new fresh sound but I honestly would not want it any other way.
Overall & Favorites:Above The Blue, Part Of The Black, The Light. I give this War Chant a 8 for taking me back to a time when music was more then a guy with a shirt tied around his waste just standing at a mic and only played two chords!!!
Contact: Thunder Tribe Facebook page link
Thunder Tribe Website Link
Stryper - Live At The Whisky
Band:Stryper
Album:Live At The Whisky
Date Released:Sept 19th 2004
Tracks:
Legacy
Marching Into Battle
You Know What To Do
Loud And Clear
Reach Out
Calling On You
Free
More Than A Man
The Rock That Makes Me Roll
No More Hell To Pay
Jesus Is Just Alright
All For One
The Way
To Hell With The Devil
Soldiers Under Command
Band Members:
Michael Sweet: Lead vocals, guitar
Oz Fox: Vocals, guitars
Tim Gaines: Bass, vocals
Robert Sweet: drums
Formed:July 1983
Genre:Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
Label:Frontiers Records
Quality & Originality:Stryper is alive and well with a new live album that shows that this band is not just a studio band. Stryper is about as original as a band can be but have always graced us with more of a christian spiritual metal that is like a gift from God himself. This is a great live album that makes you feel you are in the front seat watching the band. So many live albums are cold and stale but Stryper made sure to give the fans the best of the best from all sides.
My Opinion:For the die hard fans this goes hand in hand with a DVD (I have it on order). Stryper has always gone against the grain and done things there way. Most bands in the metal community that are open about being christian usually get sunk to the bottom of the sea but Stryper has always had a massive following that realizes that there music is about as metal as any band on the block. This is such a great album that will rock and roll the soul and remind us why we fell in love with the band back in the 80's. Having the original band playing on this live album is a show of strength cause not many bands can roll 30 plus years and then have the same gang rocking them black and yellow instruments. I love the cover they do of ''Jesus Is Just Alright'' Stryper pays tribute but adds that flair they do to any song!!!!
Overall & Favorites:No More Hell To Pay, The Rock That Makes Me Roll, To Hell With The Devil. I give this christian bands live album a full on 9 for giving us a long set list of the best rocking songs ever made!!!
Contact:www.facebook.com/Stryper/timeline
www.stryper.com
Friday, August 22, 2014
Elegantly Wasted - The Dog Years
Band:Elegantly Wasted
Album:The Dog Years
Date Released:Dec 12 2013
Tracks:
Fire Away
Stolen Moments
The Dog Years
Tattoos And Memories
Morning Fog
Dead End Street
Love Is A Killer
World Gone Insane
Rising Sun
Under The Tide
Bella
Band Members:
Lenny J
Queen D
Garner Knutson
Influences:Foo Fighters,Stone Temple Pilots,Guns'n'Roses,
Hanoi Rocks,
Label:Flaco Music
Promotion:Rock N Growl
Quality & Originality:The Dog Years is a great late 80's early 90's high energy rock n roll that has a great Guns N Roses/Slash guitar sound. There is a great bluesy feel on the songs that have amazing hooks and almost a bit of grunge at times. I love the song writing on this album it is straight forward and really easy to get into songs. The band has a original sound of great feeling songs that all rock lovers will enjoy and take a trip back to the good ol rock n roll days!
My Opinion:Los Angeles band Elegantly Wasted is back with there third album that really is a great trip for the ears. The good ol fashion rock n roll they deliver is such a great listen. I can hear such a tribute to bands like Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, Foo Fighters but still keep there identity. This band has grown so much over the years from there first release and it really comes thru on this release. I love how the songs are arranged they have such a great straight forward full balanced fusion to them that generations of rockers have spent there entire career to get this sound that this band has nailed in such a short time!!
Overall & Favorites:Stolen Moments, Rising Sun, Love Is A Killer. I rate this rock n roll energetic album a solid 8/10 for taking me back to a time when bands knew how to play there instruments!!
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/elegantlywastedband/timeline?ref=page_internal
http://www.elegantlywasted.net/#!
Mykoman - It's About Time
Band:Mykoman
Album:It's About Time
Tracks:
Awakend
(Drums: MykoMan, Guitar & Bass: George McGrew)
Been Wastin'
(Vocals: MykoMan, Drums: MykoMan, Guitar & Bass: George McGrew, Backup Vocals: Velvet Thunder)
Simple State Of Mind
(Vocals: MykoMan, Drums: MykoMan, Guitar & Bass: George McGrew, Keys: Bill Terry, Backup Vocals: Velvet Thunder)
Brings Out My Human
(Vocals: MykoMan, Drums: Joe Vitale & Mykoman, Guitar: George McGrew, Keys: Joe Vitale, Backup Vocals: Velvet Thunder)
Drivin' Me Crazy
(Vocals: MykoMan, Drums: Mykoman, Guitar: George McGrew, Bass: James Walker, Keys: Joe Vitale, Backup Vocals: Velvet Thunder)
Time
(Vocals: MykoMan, Drums: MykoMan, Guitar & Bass: George. McGrew, Horns: Bill Terry, Backup Vocals: Velvet Thunder)
Band Members:Mykoman
Online Agent: Loud And Loaded Promotions- Ms Kathy Dunn
Influences:Elvis, Beatles, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk, Kiss, Queensryche, Motown
Label:MykoMan
Quality & Originality:It's About Time is a really great written blues, rock, R&B, classic rock, pop album that has so much depth from many levels. The songs have a great production and are very fluid that flow well with each song. I love how each song really stands on its own merit but Mykoman pays tribute to the musicians that have influenced him.
My Opinion:This is a great written album that has so many levels that if you love everything from disco to blues to rock you are going to find something you will love from this. The blues guitar filled songs have such a natural sound to them that really take this album to places I rarely hear in artists like this. Mykoman does not just write hook songs he writes songs that have so much soul and depth to them. I honestly cannot wait to see what is next for this artist cause it is going all up hill for Mykoman!!!!
Overall & Favorites:Time, Been Wastin' are a great listen I give this blues guitar infused album a 7.5 for giving me a toe tapping good time I will enjoy for years to come!!
Contact: www.facebook.com/mykomantime/timeline
http://mykoman.com/
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