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We've listed albums in order of star rating. Best first.
ZEROPUNK Zeropunk
With an unusual line up of guitars, bass / synth, and drums / samples,
Zeropunk take the Gary Numan legacy and mix it with a massive dose of punk
attitude and metal guitar riffery.
Formed in North West London just over 3 years ago and the brainchild of Jesse
Clark (guitar / vocals) the band serve up a Kraft[werk]y blend of fat synths,
guitars and hooks. Energetic, melodic and distinctive it's a blend that
shouldn't really work. But there's enough vocal melody and moments of subtlety
in the mix to make Zeropunk a band to demand attention.
Jesse's vocals have a distinctly Bono style and with a sound falling somewhere
between Amon Duul and U2, Zeropunk could well be a force to be reckoned with.
For sure, if this was badged as a U2 project it would be heralded as their best
album since Zooropa. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
FLAG with Arthur Offen
Perihelion
www.arthuroffen.com
Multi-instrumentalist
Offen has been recording for many years and this new album shows how talented he
is. Handling vocals, keyboards and a fair share of the bass and guitar this is a
strong and melodic rock album.
After the progressive
opening, the title track features many layered keyboards and some strong vocals
too. There is an even mix of prog rock and heavy AOR; think Asia meets
Marillion.
'A Runaway Train' opens
with piano and features some good guitar work. The drums are solid too, but it
is the keyboards that lead things. 'O Centurion' is a more commercial number
with its roots firmly in the mid 80s, and a nod to Mike & The Mechanics.
Similarly 'When Storm Clouds Gather' nods to Toto, and is heavier than some
earlier tracks.
This is a strong album and
plenty of melody. Largely hard rock with some prog leanings, but may be too
commercially retro for some. ***1/2
Review by Joe Geesin
NOCTURNAL ALLIANCE The 3rd Phase Of Destruction
www.myspace.com/nocturnalalliancesweden
Third album from this
Swedish duo (and guests). Formed by keyboard player / drummer Henrik Johansson
and guitarist / bassist Micke Darth (both ex Hellcats and Coma), the album
features several guests on keyboards, guitar, vocals, all notable to the
European prog metal scene.
Some blistering guitar, solid fast drumming, layered vocals, plenty of lead and
intricate keyboards, this is a good mix of prog metal and operatic melodic power
metal.
The opening title track
runs to 8 minutes and features several nicely worked pace changes. 'Random Pain'
weaves another intricate musical journey, and nods to proggy Iron Maiden, and
more so to Dream Theatre, as does 'Implicated By Circumstances', with its
opening crunchy guitar and soaring vocals.
At times the album is melodic, at others it quite dark, it has a good vibe
throughout. Prog metal is alive and well, and here’s the proof. ***1/2
Review by Joe Geesin
CASANATRA Split The Atom Again
Split The Atom Again is the first official UK, but fourth full, album
release from Minneapolis alt Rockers Casanatra.
With stated influences of Zeppelin, Soundgarden and Queens Of The Stone Age,
Casanatra showcase a veritable showcase of funk, hip-hop and jazz elements to
their core rock sound that has echoes as distant as Cream and Family.
The result is an album almost proggy in it's diversity and one that may well
appeal to those who appreciate the more melodic bands of that genre - Porcupine
Tree, for example. Split The Atom Again has a nice loose, under rehearsed feel
that harks back to those 1970s heydays, but at the same time remains
contemporary and vital.
But don't expect instant gratification, it's not an album that can be fully
digested in one sitting, it's an organic record that only reveals its riches
with repeated plays. And with some excellent playing from Dennis Asher
(vocals/guitar), Jer Fink (vocals/guitar), Brett Johnson (bass/vocals) and Lance
Reed (drums) Split The Atom Again should certainly be enough to make the UK sit
up and take notice. ***½
Review by Pete Whalley
JOEY SUMMER Written On
The Horizon (Avenue of Allies)
Brazilian singer/guitarist Joey Summer has just released new album 'Written on
the Horizon'. Containing 11 tracks of classic ‘80’s AOR styled melodic rock-
complete with big choruses, plenty of hooks and some great guitar/keyboard
interplay.
With most of the songs
having been written by Summer and long time musical collaborator keyboardist
Daniel Lamas, guest writers include Goran Edman (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) and Kee
Marcello (ex-Europe), this is his first album to contain all the lyrics in
English thus opening him up to a larger audience.
Amongst the albums tracks are 2 power ballads 'It’s Only Your Love' and the
massive sounding 'I’ll Never Be Alone Again'. Summer’s powerful vocals fit the
music like a glove and the music that has been created almost strips away the
last 25 years, and back then this record would have been a huge success. The
influences that are audibly visible throughout include the likes of Journey,
Winger and Whitesnake.
Recommended tracks on 'Written on the Horizon' include 'Rise Up', 'Anymore',
'Tables Turning' and the Marcello penned 'Rough Ride To Paradise'. Albums like
this may not appeal to major labels these days but that is the beauty of the
internet and the way that you can now connect with fans of any given genre over
the web. Good work Mr Summer. ***1/2
Review by Nikk Gunns
ARTHEMIS Heroes
www.arthemisweb.com
Italian power metal with a
polish, and a band who have already released several albums and toured to much
acclaim.
Opener 'Scars on Scars' is
high speed, while 'Vortex' is a heavy crunchy riff led number, with a nod to
Megadeth.
The music fluctuates
between the largely rough'n'ready power metal that verges on trad thrash, and
smoother trad power metal. Deep (and a little low) in the mix are some intricate
keyboards that are an excellent touch but it really wouldn't hurt to bring them
up a bit.
Athemis have a Priest influence too, and recently covered United on a tribute
album. No covers here but the influence is there and it all comes over as a good
album. Lots of energy. If you like thrash / power metal crossover you'll love
this. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
GRIFFEN Life - A Way to
Die (Steelheart Records)
Griffen was formed in 2006 and includes members of Torch and other Swedish
bands. Taking influence from the likes of The Scorpions, Whitesnake and even
Ronnie James Dio and maybe a bit of Megadeth, the band are now about to release
debut album 'Life- A Way to Die'.
The album is heavy, yet
melodic and chugs away at a nice steady pace- the musicianship is of a high
standard and the vocals are good, however, there is just something missing that
I can’t put my finger on.
Amongst the albums 12 tracks, there are no really outstanding tracks that are
head and shoulders above the others, however, worth a listen are tracks such as
'Linked In Eternity', 'Falling Inside', 'Assasun' and 'Too Numb To Know'. 'Life-
A Way to Die' is a good solid album and there are some great guitar riffs in
there, hopefully the band will build upon this for their next album.
***
Review by Nikk Gunns
AREA 51 Goddess
Area 51 is the brainchild of Japanese guitarist Yoichiro Ishino, whose
playing style resembles that of Yngwie Malmsteen in his prime, and who are about
to release 3rd album 'Goddess'.
Vocalist Kate has a voice
that sits nicely on top of the neo-classical/melodic metal compositions to
create an easy to listen to album. There is only one slight drawback to the
album, the vocal are not sung in English - which is a shame as, although the
album is not any weaker for this, it may put some listeners off (the strange
thing is that you almost forget this after a couple of songs!!).
'Goddess' opens with the first of two instrumental tracks, the almost film-score
like 'Naissance', the other being the Malmsteen inspired 'Stillness'.
That Malmsteen feeling
manifests itself throughout the album- especially on tracks such as 'Nightmare'
and 'Sincerity'. Other highlights include 'Begins of Dissolution', 'Marionnette'
and 'Vanitas' with its darker, moodier, atmospheric opening. 'Miss You' is a
great song and could be a huge track for the band, if only it was translated.
'Goddess' is a good album and the band will no doubt appeal to guitar fans
worldwide. ***
Review by Nikk Gunns
MICHAEL LEE Face
Forward
With the looks of a young Gary Barlow, and the cover artwork showing the
singer songwriter in a rather unfortunate gabardine ‘flasher' mac, I wasn't sure
what to expect of the debut album from Michael Lee'.
But my apprehension quickly changed to surprise - the artwork suggested Face
Forward might be something very conservative, but it turns out Michael Lee is a
talented multi instrumentalist citing influences as diverse as Jeff Buckley,
Incubus, and Sting. So, eleven years in the making, Face Forward is about as far
from your bog singer songwriter album as you can get - an accessible and diverse
set that bridges folk, pop and dare we say it, prog!
All the more remarkable considering Lee plays virtually everything - from
guitars, bass, keys, percussion and drums as well as producing. He could so
easily have fallen into the elephant trap of self indulgence, but he's avoided
that with aplomb, producing an album with the potential to appeal to an audience
as wide as Take That fans and die in the wool proggers.
Never less than easy on the ear, a note perfect debut. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
DEC BURKE Destroy All
Monsters (Prog Rock Records)
Essentially a prog album that is, in places, a lot more poppy than Burke’s
previous projects (that include Frost and Darwin’s Radio).
The opening couple of
tracks nod towards It Bites, the pop described by the press release as a cross
between Depeche Mode and Foo Fighters.
'Signs Of Life' is a bit
rockier, the keyboard arpeggio runs almost classical. 'Sometimes', however, has
more of an alternative pop feel and the electronic drums on 'Secret Drums' sound
programmed. Poppy though it is, the rhythms are progressive and the intricate
guitar work stands out.
Elsewhere there are some
acoustic and ambient moments. Largely good, but approach with caution.
***
Review by Joe Geesin
FUGHU Absence
www.myspace.com/fughuweb
Modern progressive metal
from Argentina. This is far from the current European prog metal scene, being
almost experimental. Well, going by the opening track 'Ashes', all over the shop
and in the blender too.
Elements of Dream Theatre
and Symphony X, but 'Ashes' is quite frantic, frenetic and almost disjointed.
'Dead End Start' is
heavier, with some crunchy guitar and intricate keyboards. A blistering solo
helps, and later tracks are equally good. Makes you wonder why open a track that
turns you off?
'Tilt' features some
majestic and layered keyboards, from the heavy intro to the gentle section, the
work remains intricate and avoids going the ambient route.
Later on there are some
nods to 90s King Crimson, and the mellow piano moments are a complete change of
pace.
Some good tracks that stand out, but a bit too much for many. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
T - Anti-Matter Poetry (Prog Rock Records)
German multi-instrumentalist T, who already has a notable fan base, handles
everything on this 68 minute concept album.
A prog rock album that
opens in atmospheric ambient fashion with background spoken radio vocals before
building into a heavy melodic slow/mid paced prog number.
Moving on to 'Scavenger',
there are plenty of effects, squealing guitar and programmed rhythms. Later
tracks feature good yet gentle vocals, and while there is plenty of real and
rather good guitar and keyboards, the song structures do nod at more ambient /
dance / pop like The Orb.
Some good prog, but rather
synthetic too. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
LAST RED RANSOM Sleep Well Sweet Vanity
Let's get one thing straight. I'm not a fan of shouty vocals. Especially
those that sound like blood hungry orcs who've been out for a night on the lash
and are hungry for hobbit ribs. If you are, then read on. But if you're like me,
proceed with caution.
Last Red Ransom are an unsigned three piece from Atlanta, Georgia - Charlotte
Kelli (vocals, guitars, keys), Saint (vocals, guitar, bass and keys), and Adair
(drums). And the sum of their parts is a tumultuous affair that marries aspects
of melodic rock, raw metal, and industrial soundscapes. It's an unusual amalgam,
and one that's likely to polarise opinion.
At one end of the spectrum Charlotte Kelli's honeyed vocals make for perfect
female fronted metal /rock (for example, as on Black Gospel), while in contrast
Saint's vocals are vicious, visceral screams, although when he tempers it to
more Chad Kroeger proportions (Passport, Stay) it's a far more radio friendly
sound.
But marry the two together, which is the Last Red Ransom modus operandi,
and it's a sweet and sour mix. If that's how you like your music served, look no
further. But if your palate is a little more discerning, Sleep Well Sweet Vanity
may be a little too spicy. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
BEARCRAFT Yestreen
We have a saying here at GRTR! - 'no guitar, no good!'
Unfortunately, Bearcraft falls squarely into that elephant pit, being ambient /
electronic pop. It doesn't remotely 'rock'.
Those with a penchant for Hot Chip, Human League and maybe even Pet Shop Boys
might find something of interest here. In truth, Yestreen is an inoffensive
affair - light, breezy and likeable enough in a quirky, 80's sort of way.
But for those of us who believe every good album should start and end with six
strings, avoid. **
Review by Pete Whalley
HUMANFLY Darker Later (Brew Records)
www.myspace.com/humanfly
Third album from Humanfly
that kicks off in a doom laden riff wall of sound way. Opening track 'This Is
Where Your Parents Fucked' (yes, really) is the bastard child of stoner, doom,
noise and prog. Think mid 70s Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd together in a cement
mixer, and dragged screaming into the 21st century. 'English And Proud And
Stupid and Racist' continues in similar fashion.
Sounds good so far? Well,
'Stew For The Murder Minded' adds vocals that throws a cat skinned alive into
that cement mixer. Some alternative jangly blasts intersperse the noise, but it
is not adequate respite.
And the vocals on 'The
Enemy Of My Enemy Is Me' could be the rear blast of someone suffering dysentery
the day after a dodgy mutton vindaloo, and a nailbomb side order.
After that it went a bit
acoustic stoner and weird, so I skipped to the last track and had another bout
of the aforementioned dysentery.
Noisy as hell and Kerrang favourites. Nuff said. *½
Review by Joe Geesin
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