Magnus Karlsson | Free Fall

by Joe Mis
- Senior Columnist –

Wow! Amazing! Awesome! There is not much more that can be said about Free Fall, the solo debut of Primal Fear / Last Tribe guitarist Magnus Karlsson. The Swede proves himself to be a complete musician – playing everything but drums, and singing lead on three tracks. He is so much more than an ordinary guitarist. Magnus has gathered a vocal line up that is second to none, and the well written songs and strong performances on this release make Free Fall a must have for any fan of modern metal.

Karlsson’s relationship with Frontiers Records goes back to 2000 when his band Last Tribe signed with the Italian label. In 2008 he joined Germany’s Primal Fear and hasn’t looked back. Magnus has also written for and produced a number of well-known artists and musicians, and his collaboration with these artists has led to Free Fall. Tailoring each song to the chosen singer, Magnus and drummer Daniel Flores have put out a refreshing album by a well-known guitarist that is NOT just about the guitars – although there are enough six-string fireworks to satisfy the most hard core guitar fan. This release is all about the music.

Massive guitar and keyboard histrionics open “Free Fall,” but it becomes a powerful metal anthem filled with great guitar hooks and an insane lead break, and features Russell Allen’s superb voice channeling a bit of Ronnie James Dio. Drummer Flores proves his mettle by keeping up with Karlsson’s manic guitar and bass work. “Higher” is a pure power metal track with great guitars, but Ralf Scheepers gives perhaps the best vocal performance on the album – a fine example of the song written for the singer. Karlsson himself steps in front of the microphone for the uplifting modern rocker “Heading Out,” and he also demonstrates his keyboard prowess – once again performing as the “total package” with only Daniel Flores backing him on the drums. Tony Harnell’s silky voice highlights the soaring power ballad “Stronger,” and Magnus shows that he has a “soft and sensitive” side by conveying a good deal of emotion throughout the track.

Intricate keyboard riffs quickly morph into a crunchy guitar-driven rhythm line on the slightly darker and very heavy “Not My Saviour” – a track that highlight’s Karlsson’s bass chops and the raw ability of Daniel Flores. Once again, Karlsson has written a track uncannily suited to Rick Altzi’s gritty voice and gutsy delivery. David Readman’s smooth vocals and Karlsson’s slick guitars make “Us Against The World” a radio-friendly arena rock anthem with a great bridge, massive solo, and flowing undercurrent of keyboards. Mark Boals does a staggering job voicing the razor sharp “Our Time Has Come,” a track filled with stinging riffs, squealing harmonics, and massive drums. Karlsson once again sings on the dynamic and upbeat “Ready Or Not” – easily his strongest vocal performance. Surprisingly, Magnus lets his vocals drive the song, with his superb guitar work only stepping to the fore during the bridge and solo.

“Last Tribe” has a symphonic-power-metal feel to it, once again perfectly suited to the singer (Rickard Bengtsson in this case). The chorus is epic. “Fighting” also has a somewhat symphonic opening, but is a real arena rocker through and through – an upbeat sing-along modern rock track with an infectious beat. “Dreamers & Hunters” is a progressive metal-tinged song with more prominent keyboards. Mike Andersson does a great job with the lead, and his voice floats nicely over the keys during the verse and manages to punch solidly through the guitars in the chorus. No guitarist’s album would be complete without some acoustic guitars, and the opening of “On Fire” fills that niche. Magnus sings again with feeling and passion, a fitting finale to the CD.

No matter how you slice it, Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall is one of the strongest albums of 2013 to date, and a superb solo effort in every sense. This is not a guitarist’s vanity release, but a sincere effort by a multi-talented musician / songwriter to create something special. Thanks to the support of his friends to back up his own vast talents, Karlsson succeeds admirably. This is an amazing release filled with great songs, excellent performances, varied styles and tempos – and is totally free of cliché! In short, it ROCKS!

Genre: Melodic Metal

Band:
Magnus Karlsson – Lead Vocals / Guitars / Bass / Keyboards
Daniel Flores – Drums
Guest Vocalists: Russell Allen (Symphony X / Adrenaline Mob), Ralf Scheepers (Gamma Ray / Primal Fear), Tony Harnell (TNT / Westworld / Starbreaker), Rick Altzi (Masterplan / Thunderstone / Herman Frank), David Readman (Pink Cream 69 / Voodoo Circle / Missa Mercuria), Mark Boals (YJM’s Rising Force / Uli Jon Roth / Royal Hunt), Rickard Bengtsson (Last Tribe / Armageddon), Herman Saming (A.C.T. / Locomotive Breath), Mike Andersson (Cloudscape / Silent Memorial)

Track Listing:
1. Free Fall (vocals by Russell Allen)
2. Higher (vocals by Ralf Scheepers)
3. Heading Out (vocals by Magnus Karlsson)
4. Stronger (vocals by Tony Harnell)
5. Not My Saviour (vocals by Rick Altzi)
6. Us Against The World (vocals by David Readman)
7. Our Time Has Come (vocals by Mark Boals)
8. Ready or Not (vocals by Magnus Karlsson)
9. Last Tribe (vocals by Rickard Bengtsson)
10. Fighting (vocals by Herman Saming)
11. Dreamers & Hunters (vocals by Mike Andersson)
12. On Fire (vocals by Magnus Karlsson)

Label: Frontiers Records

Website: http://www.facebook.com/MAGNUSKARLSSONSFREEFALL, http://www.frontiers.it

Hardrock Haven rating: 9.5 / 10

Angels Of Babylon | Thundergod

by Matt Karpe
- Columnist –

Ex-Manowar drummer Rhino returns with Angels Of Babylon’s follow-up to the 2010 release Kingdom Of Evil.

As well as showing his class on the drum kit, Rhino contributes all the vocals to Thundergod, and he is joined by new recruits Alex Stephens on guitar and Jesse Ringo on bass. Together they have produced eleven tracks of ‘80s style speed and power metal whilst still making it sound modern and relevant.

The album title track begins proceedings, with Rhino’s thunderous drumming starting from the off whilst the verses he sings are like less strained Slayer; mildly chaotic mixed with nice harmony. Stephens’ excellent debut guitar solo gives a good insight into why he was hired to play in AOB.

“Sondrio” is a symphonic metal epic. Great atmospherics and powerful reflective lyrics make this one of the standout songs on the album.

The other show stealers are “What Have You Become” and “Turning To Stone.” Both are slow burners, ballads if you will. “What Have You Become” starts with a small solo from Stephens and then a delicate piano undertone controls the tempo as Rhino sings of a lost loved one. Chugging guitars dominate a chorus that doesn’t quite live up to the excellent verses.

“Turning To Stone” begins with some hypnotizing synth strings, and Rhino’s elusive vocals captivate from the first word. It’s like an ‘80s power ballad and as the song builds up to an emphatic ending, Stephens performs his best solo on the album, which makes this song that little more special. If you had to choose one- this is the best thing on Thundergod.

Unfortunately the other songs on here fail to live up to expectation. There are too many fillers that don’t really go anywhere. More often than not there is a sense of repetition, and with most tracks averaging four-and-a-half-minutes long, it’s just too dragged out. On “The Enemy,” there is a pointless inclusion of a snippet of recording taken from a Charles Manson interview, which leaves the listener scratching their head and asking why.

Of course there are positives with Thundergod. Alex Stephens is undoubtedly a great musician, and his guitar solos are an overwhelming success. Rhino’s vocals are pretty strong and as usual his drumming is excellent, but all in all Thundergod is a take it or leave it album.

There probably won’t be too many new fans gained here, but the diehards will most likely love it and respect it, which in its own way could be considered a successful return for Angels Of Babylon.

Genre: Power Metal, Speed Metal

Band:
Rhino- Vocals/Drums
Alex Stephens- Guitars
Jesse Ringo- Bass

Track Listing:
1. Thundergod
2. Sondrio
3. Queen Warrior
4. What Have You Become
5. White Star Line
6. The Enemy
7. True Brothers
8. Redemption
9. King Of All Kings
10. Turning To Stone
11. Bullet

Label: Scarlet Records

Webpage: http://www.reverbnation.com/rhinoangelsofbabylon

Hardrock Haven Rating: 6/10

Ugly Kid Joe | Stairway to Hell

by Jenn Carbaugh
- Columnist –

Ugly Kid Joe are a distinguished hard rock band. They found fame with albums like America’s Least Wanted and Menace to Sobriety. “Neighbor” is a prominent hit of theirs. The band split up in 1997, but they made their way back together in 2010. With noted members such as Shannon Larkin of Godsmack, this band is not one to pass up. They are making a prevailing comeback with this album.

The album starts with some uncanny AC/DC sounding tracks like “Devil’s Paradise.” The album transitions to their signature sound with “You Make Me Sick.” They make the anthem-like sound popular with their call-to-action like music.

All of these tracks bring the band back to what they do best. “I’m Alright” is a head-banging song that makes you want to give unmentionable gestures and roll the car window down. This song has an AC/DC feel in the lyrical breakdown. It gives the album the well attained attitude that it needs. This album is also great for the summer, because there is a party feel to the steady beats of Ugly Kid Joe.

There is even a ballad-type song on this album. “Another Beer” is a cool acoustic song that is somewhat of a celebration for those who know exactly what they need. All of the songs bring a consistent comeback for Ugly Kid Joe.

This band is not just a washed up returning rock group. They have a chemistry and sound that flows quite well together and really makes this album have a presence whether you are a major fan or new listener. Stairway to Hell is definitely a recommended album. There is an overall feel-good sound that translates with the attitude and skill that this band brings to the table.

Genre: Hard Rock

Band:
Whitfield Crane – lead vocals
Klaus Eichstadt – guitar, backing vocals
Cordell Crocket – bass guitar, backing vocals
Dave Fortman – guitar, backing vocals
Shannon Larkin – drums

Track Listing:
01. Devil’s Paradise
02. Make Me Sick
03. No One Survives
04. It’s Alright
05. Love Ain’t True
06. Another Beer
07. Cat’s in the Cradle (acoustic)
08. Would You Like to Be There (acoustic)
09. No One Survives (acoustic)

Label: MRI

Website: http://www.uglykidjoe.info/

Hardrock Haven Rating: 8/10

Oliva | Raise the Curtain

by John Kindred
- Publisher –

Jon Oliva’s first “solo” album arrives with the release of Raise the Curtain. While some will argue that Oliva went solo with his other band, Jon Oliva’s Pain, others could say this is the first album on which Oliva primarily plays all instruments. The other caveat that may leave a few frowns is that Oliva didn’t write this album alone. Working with Dan Fasciano, the duo’s combined effort, along with revisiting some of Criss Oliva’s unreleased music, also makes Raise the Curtain look less like a solo album and more of a collaborated effort that falls under the moniker of OLIVA.

Ultimately, the criticisms shouldn’t detract from listening to the 11-song album; 12 songs, if you count the additional song “Truth,” which is only on the first-edition digipak. Oliva’s work in Savatage, Doctor Butcher and Pain left us with ground-breaking music that pushed the envelope of progressive metal, rock opera and traditional metal compositions. Raise the Curtain finds Oliva revisiting his influences from ‘70s prog and theatrical rock. Melding those ideas with the sound he created with Savatage and Jon Oliva’s Pain has produced a diverse sounding album. Harder, edgier songs are tied together with softer rock opera opuses.

“Raise the Curtain” opens the CD with a theatrical 70s prog-rock number. It’s a compositional piece that fits right at a home as an opening track to an album with a storyline or theme. But as Raise the Curtain progresses, the explorative nature of the music and the lyrical themes are not particularly tied to one theme or storyline. Some will criticize the variety of musical genres: The ‘70s influences in the guise of synths and Hammond-like keyboards or the pure metallic sounds of Savatage or Pain do not occur throughout the album. Yet, this actually is what defines Raise the Curtain as a true Jon Oliva solo album. Oliva is able to work without the Savatage, TSO or Pain’s signature sounds and styles getting in the way. Oliva takes us to a world in which his influences and inspirations have helped to build his musical and vocal talent.

There is an emotional element at work here, as Oliva taps into his brother’s unheard music. His lyrics are poignant and heavy, and his voice carries the weight of his emotions, making listeners feel his anguish or anger. While the keyboards are an integral part to the music, as whole, there are some fairly heavy songs, such as “Soul Chaser,” “Big Brother” and “Armageddon.” “Ten Years” has a groove that is driven by a horn section. “Soldier” and “I Know,” both, feature Oliva’s signature piano melodies. “Can’t Get Away” is bluesy number with a certain Beatles influence. “Stalker” and the “The Witch” feature plenty of dynamic changes. “Father Time” has an infectious hook. The bonus track, “The Truth,” mixes classical and blues-inspired motifs, with acoustic guitar rhythms and a soft vocal melody.

Throw away preconceived notions as to how a Jon Oliva album is supposed to sound, and enjoy this as the album that he set out to record. While Oliva has created a particular style of music in Savatage, Pain or Doctor Butcher on Raise the Curtain, he allows himself to travel down musical roads listeners have yet to hear him explore, and that should be what fans want; not another rehash of music that he already has done before.

Genre: Progressive Metal, Hard Rock

Band:
Jon Oliva – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums on 3 tracks
Christopher Kinder – Drums
Howard Helm – guitar solos

Track Listing:
01. Raise The Curtain
02. Soul Chaser
03. Ten Years
04. Father Time
05. I Know
06. Big Brother
07. Armageddon
08. Soldier
09. Stalker
10. The Witch
11. Can’t Get Away
12. Truth (bonus track appears on the Ltd. first edition comes as Digipak)

Label: AFM Records

Web: www.jonoliva.net

Hardrock Haven rating: 10/10

Vigilance | Queen of Midnight Fire

by Jenn Carbaugh
- Columnist –

Vigilance, the classical style heavy and speed metal band, hails from the small town of Slovenia. For not being old enough to remember the beginning of the speed metal days, this band can really hold their own. They bring the heaviness with melody, speed, and some sweltering guitar solos. Queen of Midnight Fire is a pretty decent album that proves that Vigilance has concentrated skill.

The songwriting illustrates moderate abilities, but the actual music and instrumentals are where this band thrives. The drum work, in-particular, make a presence all throughout this album. In “Ritual of Death,” there is a thundering sound that brings the intensity to a new level. There is a cohesive sound that brings consistency to the album. The guitar work is superb in terms of the riffs. It builds within the entire album.

Some of the top songs are “What Lies Beyond,” “Four Crowns of Hell,” and “Ritual of Death.” The voice of Rejec seems to have a style similar to Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson when there is consistency. Songs like “Four Crowns of Hell” really displays the vocal abilities that Vigilance carries.

There are other songs that do more than bring intense sound and vocals. There are songs that encompass amazing melody and style as well. “Poetry and the Gods” is amazing, because it is an instrumental that leaves an impact that may be greater than certain songs with lyrics. The title does the explanation. There is a resonance and hum that is captivating.

Overall, this record has a sound that trails from a few decades ago, but this young band has brought this style into the present. The vocals may be lacking in some areas, but when they are consistent, they are great. This is a recommended album.

Genre: Heavy, Speed Metal

Band:
Jakob Rejec – guitar & vocals
Gilian Adam – guitar
Tine Kaluza – drums
Anze Stegal – bass

Track Listing:
01. Queen of Midnight Fire
02. Behind the Cellar Door
03. SpeedWave
04. What Lies Beyond…
05. Night Terrors
06. Four Crowns of Hell
07. Poetry and the Gods
08. Under Sulphurous Skies
09. Ritual of Death

Label: Metal Tank Records

Website: www.myspace.com/vigilanceofficial

Hardrock Haven Rating: 7/10

Guru | White

by Derric Miller
- Managing Editor –

Spain’s Guru is the latest release from MelodicRock Records, first known as a website keeping the spirit of melodic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal alive, and now injecting its own passion for music to the masses via new artists. It’s hard to argue with the logic here — if it’s released on MelodicRock Records, you can expect … well … Melodic Rock!

Although touted as a band along the lines of Extreme, Toto and Journey, you can go back just a few years to be reminded of an incredible and underrated band, Brazil’s Pleasure Maker. What Guru does, much like Pleasure Maker, is make a synthesis of the melodic tendencies of Bon Jovi and yet feature blazing guitar leads and solos like Van Halen or Dokken. Listen to the solo that fades out at the end of their hit “Straight to Your Heart” and you’ll hear it.

The title track “White” starts the release, a thumping, gritty composition with intricate riffing and a heavy bottom end. Lead singer Dagarod sings like a manly man yet with melody, akin to Ronnie Atkins of Pretty Maids fame. (Dagarod never gets as guttural as Atkins can, though.) The leads in the background as the song ends are intense, raging yet bubbly like a Malmsteen solo. It’s just a damn cool lead in to Guru’s sound.

Their poppy side jumps at you next on the Winger-type mid-tempo song “Straight To Your Heart.” Maybe it’ll remind you a bit of Whitesnake as well, since both bands featured stellar guitar … gurus. You can hear a hint of an accent on the slower songs and for the ladies … they are going to be big fans of this track.

“If You Go” is a ballad, a power ballad in the truest sense. With just airy keys and a breathy Dagarod singing at the onset, when the acoustic guitar kicks in you’ll start thinking about Warrant or Giant. These kind of songs work well in an arena, where beautiful women finally find a use for fat guys—sitting on their shoulders while they wave their cell phones or if they are luddites, their lighters. It’s all kinds of awesome.

In case you thought Guru was all about just pop, though, check out “Angry Song.” Since comparisons are going to happen anyway, you’ll hear the soul of someone like Jeff Scott Soto in this composition. It’s funky, danceable, with even the sound of horns (could be effects) and it’s massively different than what you’ve heard before. That’s a great thing; hearing the same song over and over means you won’t listen again.

Still, what else do they have to prove besides understanding if they take themselves too seriously or have a sense of humor? That’s answered on “My Rocker Ass.” While not Steel Panther-funny, it’s lighthearted, still poppy, and if you ain’t singing along to “It’s against my rocker ass!” then your primary language is sign language.

Guru doesn’t stray from the quality on the last songs. “The Voice Inside” is another touching ballad and “The Voice Inside” is a rocker.

Guru’s White is a somewhat surprising release because when you compare a band to Extreme, Toto, Journey, Pleasure Maker, Van Halen, Dokken, Pretty Maids, Yngwie Malmsteen, Winger, Warrant, Giant and Jeff Scott Soto, the outcome seems to be “I’ve heard this before.” But you haven’t, unless you have this release already. The comparisons work because if Guru has elements of all these incredible bands in their sound, who the hell wouldn’t want to hear it?

Genre: Melodic Hard Rock

Band:
David Palau—Guitar and vocals
Jordi Vericat—Bass
Dagarod—Vocals
Toni Mateos—Drums

Track Listing:
White
Straight To Your Heart
It’s All Different Now
If You Go
In My Life
Break The Spell
Won’t B 2Gether
Angry Song
My Rocker Ass
Ray Of Light
The Voice Inside
I Don’t Give A Damn

Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:
The Voice Inside
If I Go
Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy
Addicted To That Rush

Label: MelodicRock Records

Online: http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/guru-white.html

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.4/10

U.D.O. | Steelhammer

by Jenn Carbaugh
- Columnist –

U.D.O. has released an album that metal heads everywhere will appreciate. This German band, consisting of Udo Dirkschneider and company, has delivered Steelhammer. Many expected the album to mirror the work of Udo’s work in Accept, but this is an album that stands on its two heavy metal feet. U.D.O. has created an album that has so much guitar crunch and metal anthems that is sure to please head bangers.

This may be the band’s 14th studio album, but the music is still pulsating and thriving right off of these tracks. They have been able to dodge the complaints about whether the sound is fresh or not. The unsullied sound can be attributed to a new set of lead guitarists, Kasperi Heikknen an Andrey Smirnov. These two brought more than vigor to the band; they brought guitar riffs and shredding sounds.

“A Cry of the Nation” encompasses the entirety of metal within the song. The rough anthem vocals are centered around a heavy and steady beat, while there is a magnitude of guitar variation that ranges from simple licks to high paced scales. Sometimes the sound is speedy and other times it is mid-tempo, but the sound is just right for each track.

Many of the songs have an angry, in-your-face attitude that looks good on this band. It doesn’t just have a metal sound, they have a metal attitude. “Devil’s Bite” starts out less intense but slowly builds into a catchy hook. “King of Mean” is another song that becomes catchy as Udo compares himself to other examples of what can be perceived as “mean” like a shotgun, chainsaw, and missile.

Steelhammer has more than just hard lyrics and edge in each song. “Never Cross My Way” seems to still have a message of being hard, but it is more melodic and has a sullen tone to the voice. “Heavy Rain” is one of the only songs to seemingly fall short on this album. It is a strained ballad. “Book of Faith” is another odd duck of this album, but it works in a nightmarish type of way. It is creepy and unsettling, but it is still a track that doesn’t disappoint like that of the ballad.

For the 14th album, U.D.O. is still going and strong. They managed to bring new sounds, and keep the energy where it needs to be to push the album over the standard. Steelhammer has so many tracks that will reel you in and never let you stop head banging. Overall, this is definitely a recommended album.

Genre: Heavy Metal

Band:
Udo Dirkschneider – vocals
Andrey Smirnov – guitar
Kasperi Heikkinen – guitar
Fitty Wienhold – bass
Francesco Jovino – drums

Track Listing:
01. Steelhammer
02. A Cry of the Nation
03. Metal Machine
04. Basta Ya
05. Heavy Rain
06. Devil’s Bite
07. Death Ride
08. King of Mean
09. Timekeeper
10. Never Cross My Way
11. Take My Medicine
12. Stay True
13. When Love Becomes a Lie
14. Book of Faith

Label: AFM Records

Website: www.udo-online.com

Hardrock Haven Rating: 8/10

LIVE! | Todd Kerns CD Release Party

by Deb Rao
- Senior Columnist –

June 2, 2013 at Vamp’d in Las Vegas, NV.

After being on the road with Slash for the past nine months, Las Vegas welcomed home Todd Kerns for his very special CD release Borrowing Trouble party at Vamp’d on June 2. The night was filled with many special guest stars including The Conspirators members Brent Fitz and Frank Sidoris.

Todd Kerns hit the stage with acoustic guitar in hand at 9 p.m. for a special acoustic set starting out with “It’s Not You It’s Me.” Following with the first single off of Borrowing Trouble and the song “Nothing Personal.” This song has a great rock vibe. There were many poignant moments during the acoustic set including the beautiful ballad “Indian Summer.” Todd commented that you don’t need blaring guitars to have a rock show and he was so right. His rock roots shined even on the ballads. The acoustic set also included new songs “The Maker”, and “It’s Always Been You.” During the set Todd entertained the audience with his special storytelling of each song.

The acoustic set had many highlights including Todd bringing out his ukulele on the song “So Scandalous.” Part two of the set included his Slash band members Brent Fitz and Frank Sidoris on a Jellyfish song and Slash song. Keeping the rock vibe going, Todd’s band The Sin City Sinners joined him onstage for a few songs including “Arianna” and “Going To Vegas.” It was a perfect night of ballads, and rock songs that showcased Todd’s softer side. Be sure to check out The Sin City Sinners at Vamp’d this June, as the band unleashes the Summer of Sin concert series with special guests every Thursday in June.

Set List:
It’s Not You It’s Me
Nothing Personal
Devil In Me
This Changes Everything
The Maker
It’s Always Been You
Hideous
So Scandalous
Jellyfish song
Not For Me
Arianna
Going To Vegas

Official Sin City Sinners Facebook: www.facebook.com/sincitysinners

Official Todd Kerns Facebook: www.facebook.com/toddammitkerns

Masterplan | Novum Initium

by Justin Gaines
- Senior Columnist/News Editor–

It’s been three years since the last Masterplan album (2010’s Time To Be King), and to no one’s surprise, the melodic metal band has gone through yet another lineup change. This time around, founding guitarist Roland Grapow and keyboardist Axel Mackenrott are joined by bassist Jari Kainulainen (ex-Stratovarius) and drummer Martin Skaroupka (Cradle of Filth). The big change is of course the departure of on again-off again vocalist Jorn Lande. Rather than bring back one-time frontman Mike DiMeo, Masterplan has enlisted Thunderstone/At Vance singer Rick Altzi.

The new album, Masterplan’s fifth full-length release, is titled Novum Initium, which is Latin for “new beginning.” It’s an appropriate title given the lineup changes, but as to the music itself, not much has changed, which is a good thing. From their debut album Masterplan – whatever the lineup – has been one of the best bands in the European melodic metal scene, and that remains the case here. Novum Initium is a very strong album that follows in the path of previous Masterplan releases. Grapow is brilliant at balancing scorching riffs with sublime melodies, the rhythms are tight, and the keyboards are used (never abused) to great effect. Altzi is a great vocalist in his own right, and he fits Masterplan’s sound perfectly. You don’t really even miss Jorn until the closing title track, where Altzi seems to be doing a Jorn impression. It’s still a monster song, clocking in at 10 minutes and with a great buildup. “The Game” is another highlight, and one that’s sure to get heads banging, and songs like “Black Night of Magic” and “Return From Avalon” would have fit perfectly on the Masterplan debut.

Unless you’re in the “no Jorn, no interest” camp, it’s hard to imagine any Masterplan fan not enjoying Novum Initium. It’s a very strong melodic metal album from start to finish, and is without a doubt worthy of the Masterplan name. Fans of Pretty Maids, Royal Hunt, Nocturnal Rites, Jorn and European melodic rock in general will not want to pass Novum Initium by.

Edition Notes: The physical release of Novum Initium comes in a digipack and includes the bonus tracks “1492” and “Fear the Silence.”

Genre: Melodic Metal, Power Metal, Heavy Metal

Band:
Roland Grapow (g)
Axel Mackenrott (k)
Jari Kainulainen (b)
Martin Skaroupka (d)
Rick Altzi (v)

Track Listing:
1. Per Aspera Ad Astra
2. The Game
3. Keep Your Dream Alive
4. Black Night of Magic
5. Betrayal
6. No Escape
7. Pray on My Soul
8. Earth Is Going Down
9. Return From Avalon
10. Through Your Eyes
11. Novum Initium

Label: AFM

Website: www.masterplan-theband.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.25/10

Todd Kerns | Borrowing Trouble

by Deb Rao
- Senior Columnist –

The wait is finally over. Nine years in the making, Las Vegas singer songwriter Todd Kerns has released a solo album entitled Borrowing Trouble. Dedicated in the memory of Greg Verdusco, Borrowing Trouble is a very up close and personal acoustic album. Todd Kerns best known as bass player for Slash and front man for Sin City Sinners, and he showcases his softer side on Borrowing Trouble.

Opening track and single “Nothing Personal” sparks an upbeat rock song that could have easily appeared on one of Slash’s albums. The song has a great up-tempo beat with a Hollywood vibe in which the cast of characters in this song all vie for fame and fortune. It is a dark song in which the lyrics engulf a tone that embraces all of Hollywood’s temptations. A very catchy song to kick off the album. Next up the “Devil In Me” has a compelling guitar lick that carries throughout the entire song. Todd really delivers on this with driving beat and devilish lyrics.

Todd Kerns shows that softer side on the beautiful ballads “It’s Always Been You”, and “So Close So Far.” Shades of Elton John’s vocal style speak volumes on this CD.

Side two starts off with the dark song “Hideous.” This song touches on the awkwardness of high school. “Come Back To Bed” has a John Mayer vibe with nice chord progressions. Todd pays tribute to his Canadian roots on the heartfelt “You Can Always Go Home.”

Borrowing Trouble is an acoustic musical journey in which Todd Kerns paints a beautiful muriel of emotion, pain, and triumph. The CD is full of catchy tunes that are stripped down with strong vocals and very compelling lyrics that make you stop and listen.

Genre: Rock, Acoustic

Band:
Todd Kerns on Vocals and Acoustic Guitar

Guest Musicians:
Rob Cournoyer
Doc Ellis
Zachary Throne
Cian Coey

Track Listing:
l. Nothing Personal
2. The Devil In Me
3.The Maker
4. This Changes Everything
5. It’s Always Been You
6. Hey Summer
Side Two
1. Hideous
2. So Close So Far
3. So Scandalous
4. Magdalena
5. Come Back To Bed
6. You Can Always Go Home

Label: CaiRip Records

Website: http://www.toddkerns.com/

Hardrock Haven Rating: 9/10

Tristania | Darkest White

by Joe Mis
- Senior Columnist –

Fans of gothic metal, rejoice! Tristania, one of the genre’s true pioneering bands, has just released their seventh studio album entitled Darkest White. The Norwegian powerhouse act has a storied fourteen year history stretching back to their 1998 debut – and they haven’t lost a step thanks to some much needed lineup stability. Darkest White contains all the near-theatrical arrangements, darker moods, and diverse tones that fans of the band would expect – delivered with a solid three-singer attack and technically tight musicianship. After numerous line-up shuffles, the now stable group has really hit their stride again, producing an album that clearly outshines their previous effort (2010’s middling Rubicon).

Tristania has always focused on delivering solid vocal performances, and continue on with the duet of the angelic Mariangela Demurtas and the theatrical Kjetil Nordhus. Demurtas has a silky, clear voice and she remains her own singer rather than pushing towards the operatic stylings of other Gothic bands. Nordhus delivers with great emotion and depth, whether singing softly and clearly or doing some Broadway-style emoting. Guitarist Anders Høyvik Hidle now contributes a good amount of growled / death metal vocals, giving the band a bit of “beauty and the beast” sound at times. Overall, Tristania continues to deliver the clear and precise metal that has won them a worldwide following. Excellent musicianship backs up the great vocal harmonies, delivered by guitarists Hidle and Gyri Losnegaard, keyboard player Einar Moen, and bottom end Ole Vistnes (bass / backing vocals) and Tarald Lie (drums).

“Number” opens the release with growled vocals and a kicky drum line, intense bass and great guitar hooks. Demurtas and Nordhus also contribute well done duet vocals making this track the quintessential example of the rebuilt Tristania. The heavy and intense “Darkest White” showcases the male vocalists. This track has a more conventional heavy metal feel to it, with strong contributions from guitars, bass and drums. “Himmelfall” is a slower, darker rock tune with hooky guitars and a great rolling rhythm line, and theatrical vocals by all. “Requiem” is a sweeping, epic soft track – very different from the previous songs. Demurtas’ voice is at its best here, and the softer keys and guitars combined with multi-layered vocal harmonies make it arguably the best track on the album. The languorous vocal lines of “Diagnosis” contrast nicely with the high speed rhythm lines, and both carry emotional intensity.

“Scarling” starts off as almost an old school rocker, but becomes a moody progressive / Gothic track driven by vocals and drums. The vocal chorus, and interplay amongst the three leads is quite impressive. “Night on Earth” features great growl vocals over a simple but effective guitar riff and a real head banging rhythm line. The haunting “Lavender” is a major contrast, filled with soft guitars and mellow, soft vocals – the epitome of dramatic rock. “Cypher” is a somewhat gloomy sounding rocker with very well done male vocals and a brooding rhythm line. “Arteries” wraps up the CD, and features great back and forth between growl and clean voices along with top notch drum and bass.

Darkest White is a very good release from a veteran band. The returning lineup now has a good deal more experience working as a team and has gelled into something special. Although the band’s technical abilities were never in doubt, they have addressed the weaknesses apparent in their last album – the song structure is better, the lyrics and themes more consistent, and the members of Tristania now seem more comfortable working together. They are tight and confident, once again pushing musical boundaries. Diversity in song style, tempo, and tone highlight the band’s superb use of multiple singers, and keeps the album interesting throughout. The excellent production values and strong engineering allow the many subtleties and great depths of the music to flow without seeming forced or unnatural.

Highly recommended for fans of the genre.

Genre: Gothic Metal

Band:
Mariangela Demurtas (vocals)
Kjetil Nordhus (vocals)
Anders Høyvik Hidle (guitars, growls)
Gyri Losnegaard (guitars)
Ole Vistnes (bass, backing vocals)
Tarald Lie (drums)
Einar Moen (keys, programming)

Track Listing:
1. Number
2. Darkest White
3. Himmelfall
4. Requiem
5. Diagnosis
6. Scarling
7. Night On Earth
8. Lavender
9. Cypher
10. Arteries

Label: Napalm Records

Website: http://www.tristania.com/

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10

Artizan | Ancestral Energy

by Justin Gaines
- Senior Columnist/News Editor –

Ancestral Energy is the second full-length album from Artizan, one of the more exciting bands to emerge from the American power metal scene in recent years. The Florida-based band once again enlisted the services of Jim Morris at the legendary Morrisound Studios to produce and engineer the album, which also features a guest appearance from former Iced Earth (and current Ashes of Ares) singer Matt Barlow.

Much like Artizan’s debut (2011’s Curse of the Artizan), Ancestral Energy has the perfect mix of traditional, power and at times progressive heavy metal. It’s hard hitting, and with plenty of power, but also has some infectious melodies and a fair amount of technicality. Maiden, Priest and Dio are the obvious touchstones, but you can hear traces of Queensryche, and older Savatage in Artizan’s sound.

At just 40 minutes, Ancestral Energy is fairly brief, but the tradeoff is that it’s also an album without any filler. It opens on a very strong note with the up-tempo, anthemic “I Am the Storm,” which is a great showcase for both the melodic lead guitar work as well as Tom Braden’s unique vocals. “The Raven Queen” and “You Can’t Take the Metal” are metal thrashing mad, and “Deep Ocean Dreams” is probably a better song than either Queensryche camp is going to come up with this year. Artizan saved the best for last though, closing the album with the epic 10-minute closing track. “Ancestral Energy” has a slow, steady build to a frantic conclusion that finds Braden trading screams with Matt Barlow in a song reminiscent of those classic Iced Earth epics.

Artizan demonstrated a lot of promise as a new band with Curse of the Artizan, and they’ve delivered on that promise again with Ancestral Energy. This is a very strong album that will appeal to a wide array of metal fans. Whether you’re into classic bands like Iron Maiden and Queensryche, newer traditional metal bands like Widow and White Wizzard, or power metal bands like Iced Earth and Firewind, Ancestral Energy is an album that’s going to satisfy.

Genre: Power Metal, Progressive Metal

Band:
Jon Jennings (b)
Shamus McConney (g)
Tom Braden (v)
Ty Tammeus (d)

Track Listing:
1. I Am the Storm
2. The Raven Queen
3. The Guardian
4. The Death of Me
5. Deep Ocean Dreams
6. You Can’t Take the Metal
7. Ancestral Energy

Label: Pure Steel

Website: www.artizanmetal.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.75/10

Kaledon | Altor: The King’s Blacksmith

by Jenn Carbaugh
- Columnist –

Kaledon, an Italian symphonic power metal ensemble, has released their seventh album called Altor: The King’s Blacksmith. The main praiseworthy aspect of this album is the band’s ability to create a saga and provide listeners with storytelling. The actual musical aspect of the band is ultimately cliché and overdone.

This album is somewhat of a pre-pubescent boy’s dream. There are damsels in distress, sword fights, and high-paced video game sounds like mystical keyboard progressions. It is not a bad album, but it nothing new or spectacular. This band obviously looks up to Rhapsody of Fire, but they can’t compete with their idols with this album.

Euro-power metal is known for profound keyboard abilities and amazing guitar solos. Stories of dragons and medieval legends may be included, but that is the only element this album carries in terms of what is expected. Musically, there is a mundane and unimpressive sound throughout the entirety of the album.

Songs such as “Lilibeth” seem to be an attempt at providing variety with a storytelling cohesive capacity, but it fails as a possibility at becoming a timeless ballad. Even with humdrum songs, a powerful singer and a tedious band can usually pull the album through. That is not the case. Marco Palazzi’s voice and the band do not leave much of an impression except for the album being generic.

The album does have songs that may be worthy of listeners. “A New Beginning” has an anthem-like chorus that proves to be catchy. “Screams in the Wind” is also a somewhat appealing song. It has a balance of quick paced emotion that can be felt in both the vocals and the guitar and keyboard.

Overall, this album is not recommended unless you are into a cheesy, overdone genre. If this band was able to utilize an amazing vocalist or write epic narrations like those before them, they may have a better chance.

Genre: Power Metal

Band:
Alex Mele: guitar
Marco Palazzi – vocals
Tommy Nemesio – guitar
Daniele Fuligni – keyboard
Paolo Lezziroli – bass

Track Listing:
01. Innocence
02. Childhood
03. Between the Hammer and the Anvil
04. My Personal Hero
05. Lilibeth
06. A New Beginning
07. Kephren
08. Screams in the Wind
09. A Dark Prison

Label: Scarlet Records

Website: http://www.kaledon.com/

Hardrock Haven Rating: 4/10

Jorn | Traveller

by Justin Gaines
- Senior Columnist/News Editor –

It’s only been a year since Norwegian super-vocalist Jorn Lande’s last studio album (2012’s Bring Heavy Rock to the Land), but we’ve already seen a symphonic re-recordings album (Symphonic) and now a brand new studio offering. The album, Jorn’s tenth solo album (assuming the Dio covers album counts), is called Traveller, and it’s the first to feature Wig Wam’s Trond Holter on lead guitar.

Bring Heavy Rock to the Land was, to be frank, uninspired, so it’s something of a surprise to find Jorn back for another round this soon. Perhaps his new collaboration with Holter has recharged his creative batteries. Traveller does sound a bit more exciting than Bring Heavy Rock to the Land. To be sure, it’s still your basic Jorn album, sounding much like something the late Ronnie James Dio might have written for David Coverdale to sing. Still, Jorn’s incredible vocals make the whole thing completely enjoyable, even if it’s not remotely original.

Traveller has a very satisfying crunch to it. It’s not so heavy the melodies are overwhelmed, but it has some metal power the way your average Pretty Maids or Masterplan album does. You hear it especially on the one-two punch of “Legend Man” and “Carry the Black,” but songs like “Overload” and the title track also get the blood pumping. The only real dud here is the closing song “The Man Who Was King,” which is a heartfelt, but completely cheesy ode to Jorn’s hero Ronnie James Dio. His heart’s in the right place, but he already had “A Song For Ronnie James” on the Dio album.

There are no real surprises here. If you’re a Jorn fan, you pretty much know what to expect from Traveller. If you were less than thrilled with Bring Heavy Rock to the Land, Traveller will probably restore your faith in Jorn at least a little bit. It’s not the powerhouse album Spirit Black or Lonely Are the Brave were, but it’s still a rock solid melodic metal album from one of the best voices in the genre.

Genre: Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal

Band:
Jorn Lande (v)
Willy Bendiksen (d)
Bernt Jansen (b)
Trond Holter (g)
Jimmy Iversen (g)

Track Listing:
1. Overload
2. Cancer Demon
3. Traveller
4. Window Maker
5. Make Your Engine Scream
6. Legend Man
7. Carry the Black
8. Rev On
9. Monsoon
10. The Man Who Was King

Label: Frontiers

Website: www.jornlande.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10

A Sound of Thunder | Time’s Arrow

by Jenn Carbaugh
- Columnist –

A Sound of Thunder has released Time’s Arrow, and this album proves to be, if possible, a fun heavy metal soundtrack. It is compelling and doesn’t have weak moments. Nina Osequeda is a powerhouse vocalist and gives women musicians a promising lead role. She has a range of styles within the album. The different emotions can be heard throughout compound notes.

Each track is equipped with decorating lead-ins. There are guitar solos and riffs by the plenty within this album. Every song has a superior sound. “Power Play” starts off the album, and it could have easily been the first single. It catches your attention immediately. “Queen of Hell” was the single for the EP release, and understandably, it was a great choice. There is an anthem-like nature within the intense lyrics. It brings back the fun edge to heavy metal instead of the assumed anger.

Not every song can be described as fist-in-the-air. “I’ll Walk With You” is a ballad that brings new life to typical love song style. The story within the song is captivating and fresh. It is indeed a love story, but the setting is a zombie apocalypse. It is more than enthralling. It is a lyrical illustration of the creativity that this band brings to the table.

A Sound of Thunder is a Washington D.C.-based band. They are obviously fronted by a female vocalist. If this band hasn’t made their way into your home or car, they need to be heard. This album is highly recommended for those who are interested in great metal without the same-old-same-old that is played on the radio.

Genre: Heavy Metal

Band:
Nina Osequeda – vocals
Josh Schwartz – guitar
Chris Haren- drums
Jesse Keen – bass

Track Listing:
01. Power Play
02. Time’s Arrow
03. I Will Not Break
04. Broken Bridge
05. Queen of Hell
06. Let’s Start A Fire
07. I’ll Walk With You
08. My Disease
09. Wastelands
10. End of the Road
11. Reign of The Hawklords

Label: Nightmare Records

Website: http://www.asoundofthunderband.com

Hardrock Haven Rating: 10/10

Farewell 2 Fear | New Blood

by Mark Allen
- Senior Columnist –

If you long ago bid a less-than-fond farewell to radio-ready modern hard rock, then Farewell 2 Fear (F2F) is not the band to bring you back into the fold. Because just as McDonald’s has never bothered to reinvent the Big Mac because it tastes good just the way it is, F2F feel no need to diverge from what works within the modern rock genre. But just like the Big Mac’s classic combination of two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun results in food that tastes good, F2F’s sturdy combination of crunchy guitars, slick production, catchy hooks, and attention-grabbing choruses result in music that sounds good.

Of course, sounding good and playing good doesn’t automatically result in good things happening for a band. The market is glutted with groups that all sound a lot like F2F, which puts them at risk for being slapped with the generic tag. Do they deserve it? Honestly, much like discussing Charlie Sheen’s sanity, you could argue either way. But if you chose to argue in favor of F2F being something other than another soulless corporate rock clone, you could readily point to their spirited energy and strutting confidence. Sure, F2F feature snappy hooks and big choruses, but rather than sounding crassly commercial, they sound organic and natural…even when they sound commercial.

Make no mistake, this is mainstream rock, but it’s magnum-caliber mainstream rock. It’s the kind of stuff that gets played on Sirius’ Octane channel right next to Pop Evil, Nickelback, and Skillet, and if you like any of those bands, you’re going to like F2F. The band has a fan mailing list of over 200,000 and you just don’t get those kinds of numbers without doing something right.

One of the things the band did right was record and release a hard rock version of Rihanna’s hit tune “Diamonds.” The song struck a chord with modern rock aficionados and deservedly so; the song in its original form is infused with pop catchiness and F2F managed to retain that infectiousness while cranking up the guitars and transforming sugar-coated pop into amp-blowing rock. It grabbed ears like a miscast fishhook and made folks start paying attention to what F2F was doing.

While naturally some songs are better than others, nothing here will make you poke the Skip button. “Fire” is guaranteed to give your ears a sugar-buzz, it’s so damn catchy, and the chorus sticks to your brain like melted taffy. “Out of Reach” brings some guitar sizzle to the proceedings as well as an extra dose of attitude from singer Mike Craig. “New Blood” features the kind of irresistible stop-start rhythm upon which so many hit singles are built. Gang backup vocals lend the track power, the hooks fly faster than insults at a celebrity roast, and the chorus really nails that sweet spot.

If you’re a fan of modern hard rock, say bye-bye to the other albums currently in rotation on your stereo or iPod, because F2F is going to be hogging all your listening time for the foreseeable future. Granted, the band’s sound is hardly innovative, but it’s high-quality material within the confines of the modern rock format. Farewell 2 Fear may not inject any new blood into a bloated genre, but they’re good enough to get your blood pumping, and that’s good enough.

Genre: Modern Hard Rock

Band:
Mike Craig (lead vocals)
Bob Bearden (lead guitar, vocals)
Tony Lucero (guitar, keys, vocals)
Jeremy Sevens (bass)
Jimmy Adams (drums)

Track Listing
1. Start It Over
2. Running Out of Time
3. Fire
4. Finding My Own Way
5. Gone
6. Out of Reach
7. New Day
8. Victory
9. Won’t Slow Down
10. The Suffering
11. New Blood
12. Diamonds
13. Unopened Door

Label: Silent Majority Group

Webpage: www.facebook.com/farewell2fear

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10

Toranaga | God’s Gift (Deluxe Edition)

by Justin Gaines
- Senior Columnist/News Editor –

Originally released in 1990, God’s Gift was the second album from UK-based thrash metal band Toranaga. The two years since their Peaceville debut Bastard Ballads found the band signed to a major label (Chrysalis) and poised to take their unique brand of heavy metal to a much wider audience. Sadly, Toranaga never really broke through to the wider audience their music deserved, but they did leave behind a truly remarkable album in God’s Gift.

Toranaga had a very interesting sound. Most of it seems to be straight-up Overkill-style thrash metal, but there’s a doomy heaviness that reflects an obvious Black Sabbath influence as well as a nod to the spirit and energy of the NWOBHM scene. There were a handful of bands at the time that were adept at merging power and thrash – Vicious Rumors, Helstar and Sanctuary come to mind – but Toranaga brought an almost doom-worthy heaviness to the mix that made them stand out from the crowd. “Psychotic” and “Hammer to the Skull” show the band at their thrashing best, while “Black is the Mask” and “Sword of Damocles” show just how heavy they could be. There aren’t many bands that can remind you of Forbidden, Dio and Candlemass all in the same song like Toranaga could, and perhaps that lack of genre identity made it harder for them to catch on back when heavy metal was beginning to fragment into sub-genres.

Unfortunately, label pressure and internal strife caused the band members to part ways a couple of years after God’s Gift was released. A new incarnation of the band, going by the moniker The Bastard Son of Toranaga, is now active playing and recording.

However overlooked it was at the time, Toranaga is a band that is sure to appeal to fans of classic heavy, power and thrash metal (and especially when those three intersect). The musicianship and songwriting on display on God’s Gift are top notch, and the vocals, while on the rough side, are perfect for this kind of metal. If you’re into bands like Overkill, Forbidden, Armored Saint, Savage Grace, Vicious Rumors and Helstar, you definitely need to check out God’s Gift, especially now that it has been reissued.

Edition Notes: After more than twenty years out of print, Divebomb’s 2012 reissue puts God’s Gift back into metal collectors’ hands. This Deluxe Edition reissues features digitally remastered audio by Jamie King (who has a stellar track record at bringing these thrash classics up to modern audio standards. It also features three bonus tracks, including a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well,” from a planned, but never released EP. The expanded liner notes include lyrics, vintage photos and a new band interview. It’s a great looking and great sounding reissue all-around. If you’re unfamiliar with Toranaga, this is the perfect way to discover them, and even if you already own a copy of God’s Gift this is a more than worthwhile upgrade.

Genre: Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal

Band:
Andy Mitchell (g)
Mark Duffy (v)
Andy Burton (b)
Steve Todd (d)

Track Listing:
1. The Shrine
2. Psychotic
3. Sword of Damocles
4. Hammer to the Skull
5. Food of the Gods
6. Disciples
7. Last Breath of Life
8. Black is the Mask
9. Execution
10. Beauty & the Beast
11. Eternity’s End
12. Oh Well

Label: Divebomb Records

Website: www.facebook.com/ToranagaUK

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.75/10

Hedras Ramos | Atoms and Space

by Alissa Ordabai
- Senior Columnist –

Attention Hedras Ramos is receiving this month as the guitarist on Sir Christopher Lee’s freshly released album sparks an interest in Guatemalan player’s solo work. It turns out that while awfully young, Ramos already has three solo CDs under his belt, several collaborative records, and an instructional release. And that he is just as accomplished a composer as he is a chopsman. Not many instrumental guitar albums manage to create their own virtual reality, but the record in hand is one of those gems that put you under their spell from the word go.

Released in 2011, Atoms and Space is Ramos’s latest solo CD, and it shows how much more he can deliver apart from the balls-to-the-wall drive of traditional metal he flaunts on Lee’s album. A record which sounds like no one else in instrumental rock, Atoms and Space is all about fresh, adventurous harmonies and soaring, picturesque melodies. Atmospheric neoclassical guitar, metal riffing, and warm, inspired jazz join together as building blocks of a fantastic, far-out world Rams shapes with off-hand confidence.

As with all expert composers, the intricate harmonic structures and melodic deflections don’t come through as laboured on this album. And the breathing, vibrating rhythm section is crucial in contributing to the movement of these tracks. Avoiding the mechanistic monotony of the drum patterns favored these days even by the most prominent of instrumental guitar bigwigs, Ramos shows he isn’t afraid of the drummer stealing his thunder. Standout “Weird Scientists” illustrates this energy perfectly, with Billy Ashbaugh on the drums intuitively floating the harmonic juxtapositions and the call-and-response game of the melodies.

Remarkably mature for his age, Ramos often abandons demonstrations to bring the proceedings down to the universal human level. This is where slower, more reflective numbers such as “Anastasya” come in to highlight the span of his emotional and stylistic terrain. At his best when mixing high-tech neoclassical chops with his heartfelt understanding of jazz, Ramos bathes the song-like melody in virtuosic showers of sparkling notes. Like torrential rain falling over a secluded private retreat, it connects the privacy of contemplation with the extraversion of his fabulous technique.

Introspection and emotional warmth, rock swagger, mystical visions, and futuristic experiments tie together into an instantly recognisable personality. It puts Ramos right next to the best players of the youngest generation of shredders to receive international renown. Like all of them, Ramos understands that shred on its own has never been enough to either intrigue the listener or to discover things about oneself. And this is why he combines high tech virtuosity borrowed by rock from classical music with the bravado and the cheek of spontaneous, people-oriented entertainment. This gives hope to the future of instrumental rock, not to mention how hugely inspiring it is to see self-made players geographically removed from the usual music biz hubs becoming not only first-rate chopsmen, but also brilliant composers.

Genre: Instrumental Guitar Rock

Personnel:
Hedras Ramos – guitars and keys
Hedras Ramos Sr. – bass
Billy Ashbaugh – drums
Jennifer Batten – guitar solo on “Sweet Mercy”
Andy James – guitar solo on “Stars and Comets”
Muris Varajic – guitar solo on “Hot Arabia”
Sergey Boykov – keyboard solo on “Weird Scientists”
All songs composed and arranged by Hedras Ramos

Track Listing:
1. Stellar Crash
2. Glorious War
3. Stars and Comets
4. Anastasya
5. Weird Scientists
6. Hands of God
7. Sweet Mercy
8. Dead Atom
9. Atoms of Distortion
10. Vanilla Clouds
11. Hot Arabia
12. Virtual Tangles
13. Insanity of the Atoms

Online: www.hedrasramos.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10

Amberian Dawn | Re-Evolution

by Joe Mis
- Senior Columnist –

Symphonic metal and Scandinavia go together like chocolate and peanut butter, thus the newest release from Finland’s Amberian Dawn should not come as a surprise. As one would expect from a band releasing their fifth studio album, the music on the aptly titled Re-Evolution is precise, technical, and highly polished despite this being the first outing with a new lead vocalist. Re-Evolution, in fact, is an almost “best of” collection, but each track has been rerecorded with new vocalist Capri, and presented with new musical arrangements.

For those not familiar with Amberain Dawn, the group was formed back in 2006 out of the ashes of Vituocity by current member and primary songwriter Tuomas Seppälä. He recruited soprano Heidi Parviainen to front the band and Amberian Dawn swelled the ranks of the growing genre of female-fronted metal. The band has released 4 studio albums: River of Tuoni (2008), The Clouds of Northland Thunder (2009), End of Eden (2010), and Circus Black (2012). They have also toured worldwide with a number of well known symphonic metal acts, and have released much of their material for the Rock Band video game franchise. In 2012 the band decided to part ways with original vocalist Heidi, and announced their new classically trained lead vocalist Capri in late December 2012. In late spring 2013, they will release Re-Evolution to formally introduce Capri to the world.

“Valkyries” opens in kick-ass fashion, showing Capri to be both classically trained and a true rocker. Great vocals and a bit of over-the-top symphonic elements coupled with a great guitar solo set the tone for the balance of the album. A darker tone infuses “Incubus,” a track driven by manic drumming and strong bass and rhythm guitar. The upbeat progressive-tinged rocker “Kokko – Eagle of Fire” is easily the strongest track on the album, allowing every member of the band a chance take center stage, and much like the works of Amorphis, it brings an element of Finnish mythology to life. Capri’s fine vocals take the prize on the technical but passionate “Lily Of The Moon,” and the very classically influenced “Come Now Follow.” The latter track would be equally at home on one of Yngwie Malmsteen’s older albums. “Crimson Flower” is a bit overdone, but the keyboards really shine.

“Circus Black” lives up to its title – a rollicking, shifting tempo track that rolls many progressive and symphonic elements together. It also is a bit overproduced and a little too “slick,” but it does demonstrate the vast technical abilities of all involved, from performers to producers. “Lost Soul” is a more “basic” rock track with a simpler sound, and it allows the purity Capri’s voice to be heard over the layers of music. Nice duet vocals are the highlight of the up tempo “Cold Kiss,” while the classical guitars push “River of Tuoni.” Full on symphonic metal returns for the closing track, the eerie and murky “Charnel’s Ball.” While a very good track with amazing bass guitar, it seems a bit low key for a closing song.

The album itself has been nicely recorded and mixed with a crisp and clear sound, allowing Capri’s natural vocal talents to flow. Solid lyrics and excellent song structure tell epic tales of myth and magic, and the band never seems to get lost in the Gothic, heavy trappings that usually accompany such material. Despite the vast technical abilities of the musicians, Amberian Dawn also avoids falling into the “let’s just play fast, technical, and precise” trap. They are mature and refined enough to step back and let the music grow simply and develop on its own without pushing. Amberian Dawn’s music is fresh, catchy, and always melodic without becoming “pop” – a nice combo.

Despite the lack of new material, Re-Evolution can easily stand on its own as an official “release” since a new singer and a rearrangement of the music gives everything a fresh sound. Fans of Amberian Dawn will not be disappointed, and those not familiar with the band have an ideal introductory release highlighting the band’s catalog and its brand new singer.

Genre: Symphonic Metal

Band:
Capri (vocals)
Tuomas Seppälä (keyboards, guitar)
Emil Pohjalainen (guitar)
Kimmo Korhonen (guitar)
Joonas Pykälä-aho (drums)
Guest musicians: Heikki Saari (drums), Jukka Koskinen (bass), Kasperi Heikkinen (guitar), Jens Johansson (keyboards), Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Peter James Goodman (vocals)

Track Listing:
1. Valkyries
2. Incubus
3. Kokko- Eagle of Fire
4. Lily of the Moon
5. Come Now Follow
6. Crimson Flower
7. Circus Black
8. Lost Soul
9. Cold Kiss
10. River of Tuoni
11. Charnel’s Ball

Label: KHY Suomen Musiikki

Website: www.amberiandawn.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10

Meroe | Sick Society

by Jenn Carbaugh
- Columnist –

Meroe has released their third album, Sick Society, and is already working on their next one. This heavy rock band originates from Munich and has a very ’80s style with catchy hooks and riffs that are decades old. Their sound is simple in terms of the ’80s German hair metal.

Sick Society is an 11 song collection with nothing out of the ordinary. There are songs like “Never Let You Go” that have an amusing, sing-a-long type of chorus. This band sounds like many of other stadium rock bands. The talent is there in terms of the instruments. There are lengthy guitar solos combined with a vintage beat in every song.

The musical composition is not bad, but there are a lot of other ’80s style bands out there. Oliver Monroe leads the band with his decade defining vocals. There is almost a whisper or conversational tone within his voice. It doesn’t always sound as though he is actually singing unless there are the typical “oh’s” that pop up on occasion. The style is perfect if you are looking for that throwback hum.

With a sound similar to the Scorpions and with a touch of Rainbow thrown in, Meroe can be compared to many other decade-style bands. “Children of the Innocence” has a familiar Dio sound within it. There are even tracks like “Last Days in Paradise” that are slightly reminiscent of Iron Maiden, but they are simpler and not as profound.

There is very little originality within their music, but there are multitudes of fans of the hair metal era, so they have a niche. It is just a shared niche. It’s an average album with decent music. It is recommended for those who like to keep to the classic style but venture away from the typical ’80s legends like Journey.

Genre: Traditional, Heavy Metal

Band:
Oliver Monroe – vocals
Alex K. – guitar
Andy Lorenz – drums
Peter – bass

Track Listing:
01. Wild Tonight
02. Children of the Innocence
03. Let it Rock
04. Last Days in Paradise
05. Here in My Heart
06. Kissing a Dream Goodbye
07. Never Let You Go
08. Show Your Love
09. Sweet sister
10. Let the Eyes Do the Talking
11. Canadian Lady

Label: Independent

Website: http://www.meroe.de/__/Home.html

Hardrock Haven rating: 6/10

John 5 & Griffin Boice | The Lords of Salem Soundtrack

by Alissa Ordabai
- Senior Columnist –

It takes guts and a certain kind of resourcefulness to compose for horror films. They say tapping into the dark side always comes back to haunt you, but for true explorers an opportunity to learn more about human nature is stronger than fear. Not the first guitar hero to write a soundtrack for a horror movie, on this release John 5 continues the lofty tradition of some of the most inventive and ballsy musicians in rock: Jimmy Page, Trent Reznor, Buckethead, Thomas Bangalter, and Ron Thal, to name a few.

What John 5 cooked up for Rob Zombie’s film Lords of Salem (released last year) may not be as abstract or avant-garde as Page’s benchmark work composed in the early Seventies for Kenneth Anger’s classic “Lucifer Rising”. But it surely is just as remote from John’s trademark guitar fury as Page’s experimental soundtrack was from the grandiosity of Led Zeppelin. You never know what scoring a horror film is going to bring out in a certain musician, although the outcome almost always fetches unexpected results. And this is precisely what we get here.

All six tracks written for the film by John 5 (and co-credited to producer Griffin Boice as fellow composer and performer) seldom run over two minutes. But what they lack in length, they sure make up for in atmospherics. Here John 5 abandons his trademark heavy metal guitar marathons played at 1000 miles per hour and instead chooses sparse instrumentation, falling back on his note-perfect knowledge of the dark things that reside beyond the surface of our everyday realities. Ostinato acoustic guitar, minimalist keyboard, and occasional eerie noises are driven by transparent melodies that chill you with cinematic poignancy.

Standout “Three Sisters” rings out with music-box simplicity straight out of childhood memories, but a shadow of an irreparable, old and staying tragedy veils this spellbound tune like a decaying burial sheet. The simple theme drips – tear-like – with haunted notes, washed over by ghostly strings, wiping out our habitual perceptions with its soft but lethal breath. What it reveals – just like all intelligent horror, be it in music or in visual arts – is our collective shadow, archaic and unexplored. The separation of our inner light and our inner darkness – parts of ourselves that forever remain mutually oblivious – has never been laid bare by John 5 so compellingly before.

The Velvet Underground’s super hits “Venus in Furs” and “All Tomorrow’s Parties” – also included into this CD – sound even more unsettling next to John’s exquisite nightmare. Prog anthems “Blinded by the Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band and Rush’s “The Spirit of Radio” don’t stay immune to the surrounding proceedings either. You end up feeling unsafe listening to those feel-good energizers on this CD, and keep suspecting that the creeping unease of the neighboring tracks can invade the safest of your inner refuges – a proposition not so far-fetched and delivered with edged depth by Rob Zombie’s visionary axe-man and psychopomp.

Genre: Rock

Music composed and performed by John 5 and Griffin Boice

Track Listing:
1. Open Wide the Gates (spoken word)
2. The Curse of Margaret Morgan – John 5 & Griffin Boice
3. Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
4. No Person in Number Five (spoken word)
5. A Special Child – John 5 & Griffin Boice
6. Our Philosophy (spoken word)
7. Crushing the Ritual – Leviathan the Fleeing Serpent
8. Give It to Me Baby – Rick James
9. Ladies Choice (spoken word)
10. The Spirit of Radio – Rush
11. Smash or Trash (spoken word)
12. The Lords Theme – John 5 and Griffin Boice
13. Salem Rocks (spoken word)
14. Venus in Furs – The Velvet Underground
15. Three Sisters – John 5 & Griffin Boice
16. You Know What I Think? (spoken word)
17. I’ll Always Know – John 5 & Griffin Boice
18. Apartment Five – John 5 & Griffin Boice
19. Lord Hear Us (spoken word)
20. All Tomorrow’s Parties – The Velvet Underground
21. WIQZ News (spoken word)

Label: Universal Music Enterprises

Online: www.lordsofsalem.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 10/10

Madlife | 21st Century Megalomaniac

by Jenn Carbaugh
- Columnist –

Madlife’s much anticipated fourth album, 21st Century Megalomaniac, has released, and it proves that this band is redefining metal and hard rock. Madlife formed in 2000, and ever since then, this industrial metal band from Los Angeles has continued to contrive an electric and gritty sound. In 2006, they began doing more than just recording albums; they started to record tracks for film and television. Not only is their music embedded within their talent, but they are multifaceted as well.

Madlife has played the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival and has shared a stage with legends like Korn, Slayer, and Marilyn Manson. 21st Century Megalomaniac is a startling EP that makes you want more than the five tracks. Each of the tracks has their own sound, so there isn’t any redundancy that some albums have. All five songs are mood pumping songs that combine tantalizing lyrics with a harsh but appealing sound.

The lyrics are as equally important to the coarse vocals that release them and the exceptional instruments that provide the beat. “Just One Gun” is a monumental song with lyrics that have quite the impact. The story of the song is enthralling in general. This song gives commentary as the perspective of a gun is told. The idea behind the composition is that guns are manipulated by people. There is a constant build and strength within the combination of the vocals by Angry Phil and the instruments. The execution of the song is inspiring.

The rest of the songs are just as positively overwhelming on this EP. Madlife is great at having intense metal guitar abilities and heavy drum work, but “I Know the Feeling” takes an approach that gives way to softer side of the band. The music is still profound, but the despair in the vocals is hauntingly admirable.

The grinding sound that this band releases drives and blends the electronic synthesizer work, deep drum steps, and flexing guitar and vocals. The churning melodies that Madlife produces keeps the listener ready for the different but striking tracks offered on this EP. This is a highly recommended album. This is definitely a band with a distinctive sound.

Genre: Industrial Rock

Band:
Isaiah Stuart – guitar
Angry Phil – vocals
Kyle Cunningham – drums
Carlos Pagan – bass

Track Listing:
01. Just One Gun
02. To Live and Die in Hollywood
03. I Know the Feeling
04. Pain of Pleasure
05. Still Alivee

Website: http://madlifeofficial.com/

Hardrock Haven rating: 10/10

Christophe Godin & Olivier Roman Garcia | Christophe Godin / Olivier Roman Garcia

by Alissa Ordabai
- Senior Columnist –

Widely renowned as the leader of futuristic metal-meets-jazz outfits Mörglbl and Gnô, this time French guitar virtuoso Christophe Godin teams up with fellow guitarist Olivier Roman Garcia to explore a more introspective acoustic guitar direction.

Enthusiastic response received a few years back from the guitar aficionado audience to Godin’s and Garcia’s live shows in France and Italy has now inspired the duo to release a full-length studio record. Away from the volatile vibe of Godin’s rock experimentation, the album in hand goes on a mellower trip. Opener “Cadence” becomes a revealing starter: driven by fluctuating time signatures and intertwining themes, it brings together flamenco, jazz, rock, and folk, combining spontaneity and a sense of inner cohesion.

Tracks that follow move just as spontaneously, intuitively blending unhurried meditative jazz, flamenco-hued rhythms, and the jammy feel of two friends conversing on a breezy afternoon. The dialogue between the two guitars sounds neither confrontational nor sycophantic, but rather as a concurrent coexistence of two separate excursions progressing side by side. At times Godin’s and Garcia’s parts meet and greet each other, at times they scatter, but always remain aware of one another, almost telepathically so.

An innate sense of form allows both guitarists to delve into extensive extrapolations while keeping hold of the narrative thread. But then again, neither of the two players feels the need of telling a particular story on each track. Both recognise music as an abstract art, and as something above and beyond storytelling. And both know that an accurately conveyed mood – such as on standout “Simplement” – leaves you with something more than any literal declaration.

But other highlights such as “Sacha Distille” show that there is more to this record than virtuosically improvised mood-setting. Back to his favorite game of juxtaposing rock and jazz, here Godin shows off his high tech chops and a wicked sense of humour. Resembling a soundtrack to a surrealist cartoon, this cut comes in as a welcome breather from contemplative (self)-search of previous tracks. However, it still doesn’t prepare you for the biggest opus of this release titled “Orchestre”.

Aided and abetted by an orchestra, on “Orchestre” the duo reiterates its connection not only to jazz, but to Spain, and to folk music of southern Europe. To anyone who has up until now viewed Godin as a master of small (or even fragmented) form, this piece proves how he can embrace bigger formats not only as composer, but as an arranger. The luminously clear orchestra sets off the eloquent, spirited jazz of the guitars without any dictates or false pathos. Atmospheric and intelligent, it ties the Romantic style with Prokofiev-esque playfulness, showing the size of cultural terrain instrumental guitar can cover when played by musicians who are both erudite and adventurous.

Genre: Acoustic Duo

Track Listing:
1. Cadence
2. Derrière les sourires
3. Dés, dominos
4. My Little Man
5. Orchestre
6. Pachyderme ballade
7. Point d’Org
8. Quiet song
9. Sacha distille
10. Simplement…

Online: http://www.christophegodin.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10

Glenn Hughes | Live in Wolverhampton

by Jenn Carbaugh
- Columnist –

Glenn Hughes, the voice of rock, has quite the reputation in the music world, but he has been able to be somewhat off of the radar. Now sober and ready to conquer the music world, Hughes has released Live in Wolverhampton. He is known for his work in Trapeze, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple. This album is fairly special, because it was recorded over two nights in Hughes’s hometown of Wolverhampton back in 2009. The two-CD set was released by the bassist in February.

The first disc includes cuts from Hughes’ time as the lead vocalist in Deep Purple. Tracks like “Crave,” “Muscle and Blood,” “Don’t Let Me Bleed” and “Mistreated” are all in homage to those glorious days. The second disc is Trapeze themed and contains tracks such as “Touch My Life,” “Black Cloud,” “Coast to Coast” and “You Are The Music.” Trapeze band-mate, Mel Galley, recently passed away, so this was a fitting tribute.

This double set of music mastery is more than just a look at the past. These songs capture the love and history of Glenn Hughes beautifully. There is more to than this collection than riffs and a hard rock feel. There is a soul and funk texture that showcases the talents. Glenn Hughes does a fine job of combining his solo work with the classics. He is a musical freak of nature in the highest regards, and this set of albums does not disappoint the listener.

Genre: Rock, Soul

Band:
Glenn Hughes – vocals, bass
Steve Stevens – drums
Jeff Kollman – guitar

Track Listing:
1-01. Muscle and Blood
1-02. You Got soul
1-03. Love Communion
1-04. Don’t Let Me Bleed
1-05. What’s Going On Here
1-06. Mistreated
1-07. Crave
1-08. Hold Out Your Live
2-01. Way Back to the Bone
2-02. Touch My Life
2-03. Jury
2-04. Coast to Coast
2-05. Seafull
2-06. Good Love
2-07. Your Love is Alright
2-08. Medusa
2-09. You Are The Music

Label: earMusic, Armoury Records

Website: http://www.glennhughes.com/

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10

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