JAYCE LANDBERG - GOOD SLEEPLESS NIGHT
Out Now / Escape Music

Jayce Landberg is a guitarist hailing from Sweden who released the Yngwie wannabe neo-classical tinted release ‘Break The Spell’ in 2008 which saw former Malmsteen vocalist Goran Edman on vocals. Now the follow up ‘Good Sleepless Night’ has just been released on Escape Music and whilst Jayce has spread beyond the neo-classical sounds of his debut, for the most part this an unfocused album in terms of direction and focus.

Landberg has certainly armed himself with all the right tools in the band personnel department having once again Goran Edman on lead vocals (plus a guest vocal from Mark Boals), and Europe bassist Jon Levin on a few numbers, but the overall direction is purely one of Landberg’s making but as mentioned this unfocused.  

So we get the pseudo Offspring opener ‘My Valentine’ to the decidedly dodgy eurovision-metal of ‘The Devil’s Wine’, although there is a fine bridge buried in the track which makes you wish the song had been built from that.  Jayce has obviously discovered Van Halen recently (and bought himself a EVH MXR Phase 90) for the pseudo VH of ‘Drama Queen’ (complete with Atomic Punk intro rip off) which is pretty bad and the solo spot of ‘Abduction’ (a pseudo Eruption if you will – get the ironic title?).  There are some more successful moments in the likes of the melodic metal of ‘Skyscraper’  and the euro metal of ‘Invasion’ but its diminishing returns elsewhere.

Jayce Landberg is certainly a competent enough player, but his song writing is just not up to scratch.  The amount of variety in style (and quality) also seems to work against the albums identity and you get the impression there are too many cook books in the Landberg kitchen.  There are moments to suggest Landberg could make a decent album but sadly 'Good Sleepless Night' isn’t it. Better luck next time.

Rating – 40%

CYRIL ACHARD - VIOLENCIA
March 19 2010 / Lion Music

French guitar whiz Cyril Achard returns to the rock scene with this 8 track instrumental offering.  After a few years spent in the French wilderness playing traditional jazz (and to great acclaim by all accounts) the talented six stringer has pulled in long-term associates, and Adagio band members Eric Lebailly (Drums) and Franck Hermany (Bass) for this very live feeling offering.

Simply said this is well played instrumental rock with the emphasis on the power trio format and Cyril has gone as far as keeping this raw with just 1 guitar track.  The album and track titles suggest this could be heavy stuff – ‘Brutalize’, ‘It's A Gloomy Day’ but its more the approach to producing driving rock as opposed to any down tuned bludgeonary.  That said Cyril does give a nod of his appreciation to Metallica with “St Hetfield” although again this isn’t in the vein on the American four piece, rather influenced by their power to produce something original.

All in all there is nothing groundbreaking in a traditional sense here, but its well played, well produced and full of enough melody to stop you getting bored. 

Another good instrumental offering from Lion Music.

Rating - 80%

101 SOUTH - NO U-TURN
Out Now/ Metal Heaven

I was particularly taken by 101 South’s last album, the excellent “Roll Of The Dice”.  A great AOR album by anyone’s standards.  It’s safe to say I had quite high expectations for this new one.

First impression is that this album is a lot more mellow than RotD. The pace is quite slow overall. This doesn’t detract from the quality of the songs though. Epic ballad “All In The Game” is as good as anything I’ve heard lately. When the band turns up the heat (a bit) as in “What Are You Gonna Do Anyway”, I can hear distinct traces of Giant’s debut and even some Asia. Is that Pink Floyd I detect in “End Of The Game”? Tracks like the robust “Don’t Tell Me It’s Over” help balance out the album. Another favorite this one.

Sonically, this album is the perfect soundtrack for any random Miami Vice episode. Just add some more reverb to the drums…

Another damn fine effort that may be too soft for those with a penchant for screaming guitars.

Rating - 90%
Review by Sancho

STATE OF ROCK - A POINT OF DESTINY
Out Now/ Metal Heaven

State of Rock comes out of the ashes of Frontline in so much as they are formed by guitarist Robby Bobel and drummer Rami Ali and bassist Hutch Bauer (who are all also know for their work in Evidence One).  On vocals Metal Heaven boss Giorg Siegl got in touch and ultimately got on board vocalist Tony Mills (Shy/TNT).

Stylistically the band peddle typical German melodic metal e.g. strong riffs, accessible melodies over strong polished song structures.  In truth its not a million miles away from the aforementioned Evidence One although not quite as heavy and Tony Mill’s distinctive vocals help shape the bands sound.

Highlights come in the guise of opener  “Black & Blue”,  the  driving “Freedom” and the pulsating “Count Me Out”.  At times the influences are pretty blatant from the late 80’s Bon Jovi-ish swank of “Without My Love” to the full on 1987 era Whitesnake power balladry of “Don’t Make Me Cry”.  Whilst the band are not going to win any points for originality there is no denying that this is well played and performed  material.

State Of Rock are not breaking down any walls in terms of taking hard rock to a new place, but if you like your rock solid with a keen melodic edge than “A Point Of Destiny” may be just the ticket for the average rock fan.

Rating- 80%

SOUL DOCTOR - WAY BACK TO THE BONE
Out Now/ Metal Heaven

This German band usually delivers a convincing slab of European hard rock. On this, their fifth studio album, they don’t disappoint.

Opening track “First Man On The Moon” wouldn’t be out of place on Whitesnake’s “Good To Be Bad” album. If anything, Soul Doctor’s production is better! This track sets the pace for the entire album, really. Mid paced hard rock, flawlessly executed but with less swagger than their American or British brethren usually display.

Overall this is a pretty good hard rock album, with Tommy Heart’s excellent voice as the real focal point. Closest comparison I can think of would be Gotthard.

With ten tracks and a running time of just under 50 minutes the album doesn’t outstay its welcome either.  Soul Doctor are one of the best bands Metal Heaven has to offer. Check them out!

Rating – 85%
Review by Sancho

GIANT - PROMISE LAND
26th February 2010 / Frontiers

Giant should have been big. Gigantic even…

Bad puns aside, debut album “Last Of The Runaways” is a bona fide classic. Unfortunately, the band never managed to capitalize on their masterpiece. Follow-up “Time To Burn” was decidedly lackluster, and the changing times drove the last nail home.

Comeback album “III” has its merits, but failed to capture the hearts of AOR fans.

And now we are presented with “Promise Land”. A Giant album without Dan Huff.

The good news : musically, it’s classic Giant. Winger guitarist John Roth does a great job, and the songs are all quite strong. The spirit of Last Of The Runaways runs proudly through the veins of this album.

The not so good news : Terry Brock isn’t Dan Huff. Make of that what you want. Huff’s voice was a big factor in Giant. Brock sounds more generic, for lack of a better word.  Still, the man is a damn fine singer, and it’s not like he disappoints here.

What you are left with in the end is a bloody good AOR album, which definitely deserves to be released under the Giant banner. I had some preconceptions about a Huff-less Giant, but they melted like snow in the Sahara once I gave the album its first spin.

Rating - 90%
Review by Sancho

KEEL - THE RIGHT TO ROCK 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Out Now / Frontiers

For some reason, Keel never made the big time back in the 80s. Was it Ron Keel’s voice? Was it the fact their albums were rather hard to find? It sure wasn’t the music, because The Right To Rock, the band’s most popular album, is a top notch slab of 80s metal.

Sexy riffs, greasy lead guitars : check.
Screamy vocals, catchy choruses : check.
Huge production : check.

Tunes like the title track, “So Many Girls, So Little Time” or the rocking cover of the Stones’ “Let’s Spend The Night Together” vibrate with an abundance that sadly went missing in rock at the dawn of the next decade. If anything, Keel were too heavy for the big time, closer to US Metal bands like Obsession than they were to Mötley Crüe.

If you missed this album first time around, this 25th Anniversary remaster is the perfect opportunity to catch up.

Now when will we see reissues of Keel’s other albums, most notably The Final Frontier and Lay Down The Law? Come on labels, reissues are where the money is these days!

Rating – 88%
Review by Sancho

 

BRIAN HOWE - CIRCUS BAR
26th February 2010 / Frontiers

Brian Howe… You may remember him as the poor sod who took on the impossible task of replacing Paul Rodgers in Bad Company. Maybe you know him from his work on Ted Nugent’s Penetrator, not exactly the jewel in Ted’s crown…

Fact is, Howe is an excellent singer. On this, his second solo album, he brings us clean, radio friendly rock. Very catchy classic hard rock, with the occasional nod to his past. Needless to say there’s a generous helping of ballads. It has to be said these are the standout tracks, especially “Surrounded”. The two Bad Company songs, “How Bout That” and “Holy Water” won’t make you forget the originals, but they are of course great tunes.

Not a bad album but, a bit like Howe’s career so far, lacking distinction.

Rating - 75%
Review by Sancho