Tuesday, October 21, 2014
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
Emil Bulls - Sacrifice To Venus
Band:Emil Bulls
Album:Sacrifice To Venus
Date Released:Sept 30th 2014
Tracks:
The Grave
Hearteater
Pants Down
I Wanna Feel You
Rainbows And Butterflies
The Way Of The Warrior
The Reckoning
The Age Of Revolution
Sacrifice To Venus
Gone Baby Gone
Man Or Mouse
Keep On Dreaming
Behind The Sun
Band Members:
Christoph v. Freydorf
Stephan ''Moik'' Karl
James Richardson
Andy Bock
Genre: Alternative Metal
Label:AFM Records
Quality & Originality:Sacrifice To Venus is a bit of a change then the band has done in its long 19 year run. The music on this album is very original and being called alternative metal is really a miss cause this band is all over the place but in such a kick ass way. They are heavy almost hardcore then split into a great symphonic sound then back into a great hard rock then back over to the land of prog. The song writing is some of the best to date this band has done. The production is amazing the album was produced by Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Young Guns, Bury Tomorrow) Mixed by Florian Nowak (DailyHero Studios Berlin) Mastered by Alex Kloss (Time Tools Mastering Studios Hannover).
My Opinion:Emil Bulls is a band I have had so much respect for cause of how they sound like no one. The veteran rockers have been beating out the metal for 19 years now and have a massive following from there native land of Germany. This album is a must for you that love it heavy but also are in the mood for something you will never hear anywhere else. This emotion on this album is intense and bringing in the mix of so many styles of music wraps this band into a masterful bow that will please even the most critical heavy metal fan!!!
Overall & Favorites:The Way Of The Warrior, Hearteater, The Age Of Revolution. I give this album a solid 8 cause of the metal journey that really drags your heard and soul into so many directions!!!
Contact:www.facebook.com/EmilBullsOfficial
http://www.emilbulls.com/
Kissin' Dynamite - Megalomania
Band:Kissin' Dynamite
Album:Megalomania
Date Released:Sept 30th 2014
Tracks:
DNA
Maniac Ball
VIP In Hell
Fireflies
Deadly
God In You
Running Free
Legion Of The Legendary
The Final Dance
Ticket To Paradise
Band Members:
Hannes
Andi
Steffen
Ande
Jim
Genre:Hard Rock/80's Hairmetal
Influences:80's Hardrock, Melodicrock, Glamrock, Hairmetal
Label:AFM Records
Quality & Originality:This album has such a nostalgia from a era of the 80's rock and hair metal mixed with almost a prog/melodic style of modern day music. Kissing Dynamite really brings back a old school feel and sound with powerful writing and production that sets them apart from the rest of the pack. The mix on this album really lets all instruments blend extremely well and let Hannes vocals shine!!
My Opinion:Megalomania is the fourth installment from Kissin' Dynamite and this band has really pushed things a bit further crossing and blending the melodic sound they have clawed out explode. I really fell in love with this album from the first time I listened to it. I have been a fan of this band from the first album and have enjoyed seeing how the band has changed and grown over the years. Fans from 80's hair bands to hard rock and prog will all find this to be such a stellar album loaded with great riffs and hooks mixed in with some amazing rhythm and vocals. The Final Dance also shows how they are more then just a rocking band but they can ballad with the best of them. I also love how each song has such its own identity to it and really stands on its own.
Overall & Favorites:Running Free, Manic Ball, The Final Dance. I give this album a solid 9 cause of how original a drive to the past can rock so damn much!!!
Contact: http://www.kissindynamite.de
www.facebook.com/Kissindynamiterocks/timeline
Work Of Art - Framework
Band:Work Of Art
Album:Framework
Date Released:Sept 19th 2014
Tracks:
Time To Let Go
How Will I know
Shout Till You Wake Up
Can't Let Go
How Do you Sleep At Night
Over The Line
The Machine
Hold On To Love
Natalie
The Turning Point
My Waking Dream
Band Members:
Lars Säfsund – vocals
Robert Säll – guitars, keyboards
Herman Furin - drums
Located: Stockholm Sweden
Formed:1992
Genre:AOR Melodic Rock
Influences:Toto, Journey, Giant, Big Money
Label:Frontiers Music
Quality & Originality:Framework is a great melodic rock album that has such great overtones of bands like Toto and Journey. Work Of Art spent roughly a year and a half on this album and it shows in the magical passionate songs that are so well produced and written. The Swedish band has put together such unforgettable songs with soaring melodies that AOR fans will find this to be a must have album to rock out with.
My Opinion:Work Of Art really hit big with there third release bringing back that old school melodic rock that fans have loved since the mid 80's. Since there first 2008 release ''Artwork'' the band have grown and matured so much and it shows in the amazing song writing on the new album. Framework will please soft rock, AOR, and melodic rock fans alike.
Overall & Favorites:Hold On To Love, Time To Let Go, My Waking Dream. I give Framework a solid 7 for such a melodic passionate album that lifts the soul and pleases the ears!!
Contact:www.facebook.com/musicofworkofart/timeline
www.woa.se
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
Sept 2014 Spotlight Artist Mindcage
Sept 2014 Spotlight Artist
Mindcage
Mindcage formed in 1996 but the core members of the band Dietrick Hardwick (guitar), Brian Howell (bass) and Craig Nudo (drums) — have been connected personally and through music for almost thirty years. With the addition of power vocalist Jeff Hignite in 2012 the circle become complete to form this stellar band with a very original sound. Mindcage had some of there music from the latest release debut at ProgPower and have a fast growing loyal fan base.
Mindcage's sound revolves around Harkwicks guitar style that draws influences from icons of the 80's metal like Micheal Schenker, Uli Roth and Wolf Hoffmann. Brian Howell and Craig Nudo's roots lie more with prog bands like Yes, Rush and Irom Maiden. When adding in powerful vocals of Jeff Hignite the band takes on its own personality and style while paying tribute to there influences.
Reviews By Jon caught up with Jeff Hignite and talked a bit about the band the music and his own personal music journey!!!
RBJ
When did you start singing?
JH
I had this old black 84 Firebird when I was a teenager. When I was alone cruising around I would try and belt out tunes from what I now call my influences. No formal training....Just went for it. I always played guitar and did the band thing. I ended up working with a group of guys and the guitar player was much better then I, So I tried the lead mic. Meanwhile....20 years later lol
RBJ
Was there a lot of music in the home growing up and other musicians in the family?
JH
Not really at all, My Dad once taught me how to make a kazoo out of a hair comb and a tissue paper...lol. As a kid I had one of those small organs that had the note letters above the keys and a song book with a bunch old crusty tunes that were super simple to play. I remember that was a cool feeling to be able to make music that I heard before. It was not long before I was making up stuff. Once I seen Kiss and Ace's guitar catch fire and fly away....I focused on guitar, I chased it!!
RBJ
What is the band up to right now any shows coming up?
JH
We just released the special edition for the digital download, The last two years have been very busy. I think this next month or so we are going to kick our feet up and relax a bit. We have some stuff lined up between California and Texas after the first of the new year. Something could come up between now and then and we will post it, Keep an eye on us though.
RBJ
The new album is amazing what was the writing process on it and is it a concept album?
JH
Thank you man, The writing was a crazy thing. Dietrick and I met back in early 2012 we exchanged some song clips that had us knowing we wanted to work with each other. He sent me one of the songs that is now one of the tunes on Ow Own Devices. In August of that year he had the concept idea and using that ...I ran with it. He sent me more songs and within the first week or so I had already scratched out two of those songs and we knew we were on to something. I knew he was friends with Micheal Wagener and I suggested Deke to send him one of these scratch tunes to him. Deke was not sure about that because he did not think Micheal would be into the whole progressive type of metal we had going on. I pushed a bit more with the thought that at least we may get some advice,, You know,, Who would be the right person to talk to about something like this. Dietrick agreed and sent Micheal an email with one of those songs and a couple weeks went by and we got a response. He wanted us in the studio at the beginning of December and told us we had a chance to make it happen....get to work on it!!! By then it was already well into September and we had the rest of the album to write!!! From that moment on every free moment I had was writing the vocal melodies and recording scratches. Deke would send me lyric ideas and I would chop them up and add my own, make it work with that melody flow I had. I wrote a lot of lyrics on my own as well and together we tweaked everything into line with the concept. The writing process continued even after we walked into Micheal's studio on December 4th. It was chaos and somehow it all fell into place. Meeting Julie Westlake (Hydrogyn) settled the nerves when she nailed her parts in a way we never imagined...So Yeah Crazy!!
Micheal Wagener
JH
RBJ
Our Own Devices has some amazing artwork who designed it and how did it come together?
JH
Mattias Noren is the man Dietrick works with the most. I'm not sure about any of the rest, That would be a question for Deke.
RBJ
You did a amazing video for the track ''The Human Race'' Tell us about what filming that video was like and where did you film it?
JH
We filmed it between the Pensacola Little Theater and a scrap yard. It was directed by Jason Thomsen and produced by Kinematic Music. That crazy outfit was hot as hell...but it was fun. Jason is a great guy to work with. Jeanna Kapetanis did an amazing job and brought the character of ''Arabella Vash'' to life in the video. Good people and good times.
RBJ
Why music? Why not a lawyer, doctor, accountant or pizza delivery driver?
JH
Well, I never wanted to be a doctor or lawyer, I did my time delivering pizza many years ago...lol. This day in age it takes some really great things happening to get music to pay the bills. Especially music you wrote. I did my time in the cover band thing too. I'm not saying I'd never do it again...Maybe in the nursing home circuit, If I live that long...lol. Maybe the right question to ask a musician in an original band that has not scored a gold record is ''So, what do you actually do for money'' lol. Yes we all have our ''Day Jobs'' for now'' We are all seasoned musicians and we have all done the due paying...aka Living out of a van and thriving off the dollar menu. We have been taking steps in the music world that makes sense for us. I don't believe there is one only way to do things in this biz. The whole industry has changed from what it was into something that is hard to get going without 1. A great product, 2. Some money to pay people to push PR and promote it for you. Full service recording contracts for non main stream bands are pretty rare these days. So we do what we do and wait for those right moments to throw everything we got into it. I choose music because it is part of me, I would not consider doing anything else if I could sustain life as just a musician. That sure...is my dream. To be nothing but....a musician, minus the ten can on the street corner.... lol
Julie Westlake (Hydrogen) and Jeff Hignite
The band Mindcage is such a great band with so much passion that flows into there music. The latest release is such a great concept album that really shows off the pure raw talent this entire band has. I for see this band pushing there way into the ears and hearts of the metal and prog community cause they are the real deal in every way. Jeff was a pleasure to talk to and he really is such a amazing singer and music is his life and his love!! Reviews By Jon has also done up a review of the album cause it is not every day we get albums like this that come in that show such power and diversity.
You can find Mindcage on the web at
http://mindcageofficial.com/
www.facebook.com/mindcageband
Mindcage
Mindcage formed in 1996 but the core members of the band Dietrick Hardwick (guitar), Brian Howell (bass) and Craig Nudo (drums) — have been connected personally and through music for almost thirty years. With the addition of power vocalist Jeff Hignite in 2012 the circle become complete to form this stellar band with a very original sound. Mindcage had some of there music from the latest release debut at ProgPower and have a fast growing loyal fan base.
Mindcage's sound revolves around Harkwicks guitar style that draws influences from icons of the 80's metal like Micheal Schenker, Uli Roth and Wolf Hoffmann. Brian Howell and Craig Nudo's roots lie more with prog bands like Yes, Rush and Irom Maiden. When adding in powerful vocals of Jeff Hignite the band takes on its own personality and style while paying tribute to there influences.
Reviews By Jon caught up with Jeff Hignite and talked a bit about the band the music and his own personal music journey!!!
RBJ
When did you start singing?
JH
I had this old black 84 Firebird when I was a teenager. When I was alone cruising around I would try and belt out tunes from what I now call my influences. No formal training....Just went for it. I always played guitar and did the band thing. I ended up working with a group of guys and the guitar player was much better then I, So I tried the lead mic. Meanwhile....20 years later lol
RBJ
Was there a lot of music in the home growing up and other musicians in the family?
JH
Not really at all, My Dad once taught me how to make a kazoo out of a hair comb and a tissue paper...lol. As a kid I had one of those small organs that had the note letters above the keys and a song book with a bunch old crusty tunes that were super simple to play. I remember that was a cool feeling to be able to make music that I heard before. It was not long before I was making up stuff. Once I seen Kiss and Ace's guitar catch fire and fly away....I focused on guitar, I chased it!!
RBJ
What is the band up to right now any shows coming up?
JH
We just released the special edition for the digital download, The last two years have been very busy. I think this next month or so we are going to kick our feet up and relax a bit. We have some stuff lined up between California and Texas after the first of the new year. Something could come up between now and then and we will post it, Keep an eye on us though.
RBJ
The new album is amazing what was the writing process on it and is it a concept album?
JH
Thank you man, The writing was a crazy thing. Dietrick and I met back in early 2012 we exchanged some song clips that had us knowing we wanted to work with each other. He sent me one of the songs that is now one of the tunes on Ow Own Devices. In August of that year he had the concept idea and using that ...I ran with it. He sent me more songs and within the first week or so I had already scratched out two of those songs and we knew we were on to something. I knew he was friends with Micheal Wagener and I suggested Deke to send him one of these scratch tunes to him. Deke was not sure about that because he did not think Micheal would be into the whole progressive type of metal we had going on. I pushed a bit more with the thought that at least we may get some advice,, You know,, Who would be the right person to talk to about something like this. Dietrick agreed and sent Micheal an email with one of those songs and a couple weeks went by and we got a response. He wanted us in the studio at the beginning of December and told us we had a chance to make it happen....get to work on it!!! By then it was already well into September and we had the rest of the album to write!!! From that moment on every free moment I had was writing the vocal melodies and recording scratches. Deke would send me lyric ideas and I would chop them up and add my own, make it work with that melody flow I had. I wrote a lot of lyrics on my own as well and together we tweaked everything into line with the concept. The writing process continued even after we walked into Micheal's studio on December 4th. It was chaos and somehow it all fell into place. Meeting Julie Westlake (Hydrogyn) settled the nerves when she nailed her parts in a way we never imagined...So Yeah Crazy!!
RBJ
The
latest album is mixed and pre-mastered by rock legend Micheal Wagener
(Metallica, Ozzy, Skid Row, Dokken, Megadeth) How was it working with
someone that has been involved with some of the most legendary stuff
ever made?
JH
Micheal
is a fine tuned, seasoned, battle hardened, creative, direct
professional. He has an awesome personality and adds just the right
amount of intensity into a recording situation that makes you want to
deliver all you've got. If you have a solid idea...that man will help
you turn it up a notch or ten. He can hear what is needed where and
you're like wondering ''Ok where is this going'' while he is pulling out
different instruments to add to the mix. I can say my time working with
him has been a complete honor. I hope to one day work with him again
with a good load of work, and a budget that can keep us at it longer
then a month.
RBJ
The music is different then most music in similar styles what would you classify the music as far as genre?
JH
I
call it ''Metal'' I have heard other call it classic metal, and
progressive metal. The guys count past 4 so yeah, it has a prog elements
to it...lol. I hear some of everything I like in metal in what we do.
I'm not a fan of the whole genre label stuff. Of course your influences
will show...some bands it stands out more then others. I'm happy that
OOD seems to be translating to people a sense of being taken back to the
day they first got into certain types of metal. But saying at the same
time that Mindcage does that wile being unique, and original. I seen
review after review with comparisons that just blow my mind I'm just
happy people like it!
RBJ
Our Own Devices has some amazing artwork who designed it and how did it come together?
JH
Mattias Noren is the man Dietrick works with the most. I'm not sure about any of the rest, That would be a question for Deke.
RBJ
You did a amazing video for the track ''The Human Race'' Tell us about what filming that video was like and where did you film it?
JH
We filmed it between the Pensacola Little Theater and a scrap yard. It was directed by Jason Thomsen and produced by Kinematic Music. That crazy outfit was hot as hell...but it was fun. Jason is a great guy to work with. Jeanna Kapetanis did an amazing job and brought the character of ''Arabella Vash'' to life in the video. Good people and good times.
RBJ
The band had there music debut at Progpower last year what was it like and what all happened
JH
We were one of the sponsors of the event. We came into the fold a little late and there was already a huge list of amazing bands playing. We set up a meet and greet booth there and each night between the two main acts of the night they played our video on the big screen for everyone. That venue was the actual video debut. Dietrick has many years and old ties with friends in the prog community I met a lot of awesome people there. I'm a newbie to the prog stuff, I wish I could make it this year. Jon Oliva would be amazing to see live, That is one of my influences.....For Real.
JH
We were one of the sponsors of the event. We came into the fold a little late and there was already a huge list of amazing bands playing. We set up a meet and greet booth there and each night between the two main acts of the night they played our video on the big screen for everyone. That venue was the actual video debut. Dietrick has many years and old ties with friends in the prog community I met a lot of awesome people there. I'm a newbie to the prog stuff, I wish I could make it this year. Jon Oliva would be amazing to see live, That is one of my influences.....For Real.
RBJ
Why music? Why not a lawyer, doctor, accountant or pizza delivery driver?
JH
Well, I never wanted to be a doctor or lawyer, I did my time delivering pizza many years ago...lol. This day in age it takes some really great things happening to get music to pay the bills. Especially music you wrote. I did my time in the cover band thing too. I'm not saying I'd never do it again...Maybe in the nursing home circuit, If I live that long...lol. Maybe the right question to ask a musician in an original band that has not scored a gold record is ''So, what do you actually do for money'' lol. Yes we all have our ''Day Jobs'' for now'' We are all seasoned musicians and we have all done the due paying...aka Living out of a van and thriving off the dollar menu. We have been taking steps in the music world that makes sense for us. I don't believe there is one only way to do things in this biz. The whole industry has changed from what it was into something that is hard to get going without 1. A great product, 2. Some money to pay people to push PR and promote it for you. Full service recording contracts for non main stream bands are pretty rare these days. So we do what we do and wait for those right moments to throw everything we got into it. I choose music because it is part of me, I would not consider doing anything else if I could sustain life as just a musician. That sure...is my dream. To be nothing but....a musician, minus the ten can on the street corner.... lol
The band Mindcage is such a great band with so much passion that flows into there music. The latest release is such a great concept album that really shows off the pure raw talent this entire band has. I for see this band pushing there way into the ears and hearts of the metal and prog community cause they are the real deal in every way. Jeff was a pleasure to talk to and he really is such a amazing singer and music is his life and his love!! Reviews By Jon has also done up a review of the album cause it is not every day we get albums like this that come in that show such power and diversity.
You can find Mindcage on the web at
http://mindcageofficial.com/
www.facebook.com/mindcageband
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