MOB RULES - Radical Peace

This is the new album of the Germans, their sixth full length so far and, and is one release that will please all fans of the band, while holding some surprises for everyone else as well. First of all, the style of the band is close to their previous releases, Power Metal at it's finest, only this time it's heavier than before. The trademarks of the band are still here, a very solid rhythm section, excellent vocals, enough well written melodies and parts to sing along, but on this album, everything sounds and feels a bit more heavy, as if the band wants to enrich their music with various influences and explore new music paths. Slower parts, excellent keyboards, and a touch of Epic into some of their songs, make things even more interesting. What's most impressive on this album is the 18 minute song dealing with the assassination of J.F.K. Diverse in all aspects, this album is definitely one of those that a Melodic Metal fan should check out. This album leaves a feeling that the band is on a continuous journey to new musical borders, something that makes it a must have. We all know that re-inventing the wheel is not always possible, but it's always nice to listen to artists that don't afraid to evolve, and add new things to their music.

9/10

SANDSTONE - Purging The Past

This a band that comes from Ireland, and practically are playing Heavy Metal, although their music is enriched from song to song with various influences, something that makes this album diverse enough, and fun to listen to. Blending enough melodies, some Progressive and classic Heavy Metal parts, they have created songs with various moods and emotions, something that is very good for the album. There are enough interesting ideas here, and the band is talented enough to explore them in the best possible way. On the other hand, there are some minor drawbacks, or things that could have done in a better way, but those don't spoil the fun. This album might sound catchy from the first moment, and might be so, but a cautious listener will reveal things hidden, and this is the true dynamic of it. There are the typical fast, in your face, songs, with a bit more simple structure, there are more complex songs as well, but no matter what style, the band is performing with the same high quality and talent. It took some time and some listenings, but this album definitely worth the while.

8/10

HELLFUELED - Emission Of Sins

You are not gonna believe it, even if you told so, until you listen for yourselves. The singer here sounds like Ozzy, too much like Ozzy it makes you wonder. The band is playing Heavy Metal, distorted, full of energy, and very Heavy at times. Now add the Ozzy like vocals and you have the whole picture. The band comes from Sweden and this is their fourth release so far, if I am not mistaken. What I liked on this album is the way that they blend olfashioned ideas, with a fresh breeze of air, making something that has one leg in the 80's and one leg in modern times. I also liked very much the vocals, despite the resemblance, they are well worked, and fit perfectly with the style of the music. There are also enough melodies, which are working very well with the songs. The production is very good, as heavy as it could be, and gives a certain "dirty" feeling to the album. It's an interesting album I must say. Not a perfect album, but the band shows that it has talent and will release much more interesting things in the future. Check them out.

8/10

CHICKENFOOT - 2 videos

HELL CITY GLAMOURS - Hell City Glamours

This is definitely one of those albums that are recommended and promoted from mouth to mouth. Hailing from Australia, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Hell City Glamours. The band is playing from seven years now, the kind of Hard Rock that is fun to listen to, it's catchy and well performed, and top class from the first to the last minute. Bringing memories from Georgia Satellites, Black Crowes, Hanoi Rocks, Thin Lizzy, and various other bands, but really not copying anyone, the band has created an album ideal for listening with friends, while driving, or while drinking at your local bar. Of course, an album such as this, must have a couple of more slow songs talking about love and troubled affairs, and this not an exception. This album is really hard to define, and even hard to categorize. On the other hand, the music here is very good, enjoyable and well performed, and this is more important than any tag. Check them out, cause they are good at what they are doing.

8/10

BRAINSTORM - Memorial Roots

The new album of the German band is here, and for sure this is a release that won't disappoint anyone. Everything that made this band a favorite amongst Metal fans is here, but if you expect just another Power Metal album, then prepare for a surprise. This time, things are bit more serious, and are moving towards a more interesting direction. For sure, this is a Power Metal album, but the arrangements are a bit more slow this time, and closer to Heavy Metal, at times. Of course there are songs that are closer to Melodic Power Metal, but it seems that this time the band is trying to explore another dimensions with their music. Melodies are plenty and well implemented into the songs, the vocals of Andy Franck are excellent as always, and the rhythm section is as solid and as heavy as it should be. Whether it's fast and catchy, or it's slower but equally hard, the music of the album is always moving on the same high quality level, something that make this album, even more interesting and time resisting. There are no weak points here, or things that could have been done in a better way. A must have.

9/10

DARK AGE - Acedia

Now here's an album that gave me mixed impressions. The opener, which usually is a kick ass song, something that will draw the attention of the listener, is our case it didn't. But moving on, things progressed in a better way, leading to songs more interesting, and closer to what I was expecting. The German band is playing, Melodic Death Metal, and when they do, they do it very good. It's fast, aggressive, full of nice melodies, and catchy parts to bang your head and sing along. But they also have some more melodic songs, with clear vocals, which are not always working very well. I have to admit the fact that the band is trying to explore their music as far as possible, but this is not always leading to the desired, at least for me, results. The production is very good, clear and as heavy as it should be, and helps the music very much. For sure they are talented enough, but there are things that could have been done in a better way. In any case, this album definitely deserves a cautious listening, so you can judge for yourselves.

7/10