Reviews

I was about 15 years old when I decided to expand my musical catalog specifically with bands I had never heard before – I was on a ‘try something new’ kick. I had some birthday money left over so off I went to the local record store in upstate New York where I lived in search of new metal. I had a subscription to Circus Magazine at the time and had seen articles and photos of this band called Iron Maiden. While hard rock/metal was non-existent on the radio where I was growing up, the photos and the articles made the band sound interesting. The album covers looked cool as hell. So when I get to the record store, I found Live After Death, and...

As a band, you have a lifetime to write your first album. But after 19 years, so many brilliant records, and a strong, expectant fan base, you’d think it would get harder to keep delivering high-quality material. Not for Black Stone Cherry, it seems. The band are back, with their seventh studio album The Human Condition, and I’m pleased to report that this release is everything you’d hope for and more. https://youtu.be/M2mDbHM9t9U Watch what happened behind the scenes when the guys recorded the album So many releases need a few listens before I fully feel, appreciate, and embrace the tracks, but this album has more hooks than the school cloakroom. The melodic rock brilliance of When Angels Learn To Fly and In Love With The Pain are...

After a few rocky years that had the band's future in question, AC/DC are back on Nov. 13th, 2020 with their 17th studio release Power Up, a 12 song slab of blues-infused rock and roll. Angus got the band back together, including Stevie Young who is stepping in for the late Malcolm Young. As excited as we tend to get for every new AC/DC release, Power Up comes across as just mediocre. If you are a long time fan of AC/DC, you know what to expect and you either dig it or you don't. If you are a relative newcomer, then this disc will probably get lost and forgotten in your collection after a couple of spins. They have a well-proven formula that has worked for...

So, once again we have more than one version of L.A. Guns recording albums and touring at the same time.  Drummer Steve Riley decided to start his own version of L.A. Guns after vocalist Phil Lewis left to rejoin guitarist Tracii Guns after years of being in competing versions of the band.  This supposedly left Riley as the only person other than Lewis and Guns with a claim to the name L.A. Guns. I have no legal knowledge of who rightfully does or does not own the name. However, I have had a chance to listen to new music by both groups calling themselves L.A. Guns and in my opinion, there is no comparison between the two.  While I understand Steve Riley's frustration with the...

2020 has been one hell of a year so far.  But if you're looking for something positive to help get through the madness, Armored Saint's latest album "Punching The Sky" is exactly what the doctor ordered.  The band has unleashed some serious metal fury with this album. With the opening track "Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants", John Bush and company are making sure that you know this is an "in your face" kind of album.  The album covers a lot of territories lyrically including the first single "End of the Attention Span", which laments the fact that people are in such a hurry that they can't enjoy things thoroughly.  The thrashy "Do Wrong To None" which explores mankind's treatment of one another and "Unfair"...

XS ROCK has brought in Satan himself to give us his take on the new Stryper album, "Even The Devil Believes"...so without further delay, here's the review from the Prince Of Darkness himself: Just freakin' great...these guys again?  They never give up! I am just about at the end of my rope.  I mean, let's face it, I've done a lot of work to thwart these guys and their agenda.  I mean, I've caused turmoil within the band, leading to one band member being replaced. I've even inflicted one of them with a serious illness and now he's recorded some of his best guitar work since the beginning of the band. Don't forget I'm still ticked off about how this whole thing went down from...

For many people, this project is as dangerous to attempt as breaking some holy rules.  The classic Black Sabbath debut album is legendary. And, yes, I think most people would be afraid to do a cover album of this for many reasons.  Some of which include, how to match an album with such notoriety, without being critically assailed, If you're too faithful to the original, many will say why bother, just listen to the original, if you're too different from the Black Sabbath version, you risk being called a blasphemer.  With all of these possible backfiring scenarios, you'd think Zakk Wylde and company would just play these songs live and not take the risk of recording them.       However, they did, and I'm actually...

Vio-lence's cover of The Dead Kennedys' song California Uber Alles proves two things...One, that Vio-lence is still a force to be reckoned with their first recorded song since 1994 and two, that the message behind this song is unfortunately still relevant today, 40 years after it was first released.  Just remove the name Jerry Brown in the lyrics and replace the politician that you dislike the most and it's straight from today's headlines.  I really like this metalized version of the song and the band not only does it justice but it's just different enough to be a unique version.  Here' hoping that Vio-lence gets back to recording an album of new material soon because this track really delivers the goods. https://youtu.be/IvE322MYWlA Vio-Lence line-up: Sean...

Artist: King Buzzo featuring Trevor Dunn Album: Gift Of Sacrifice Genre: Alternative Rock Label: Ipecac Release Date: August 14, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron   Review: Wow! This is a really cool acoustic album from King Buzzo of the Melvins with vocals by Mr. Bungle's Trevor Dunn, who also plays in Fantômas and with the Melvins as Melvins Lite. It's strange, dark, and moody reflecting our current times and brilliantly done.  The jangly acoustic styling gives this a creepiness that is also somehow reassuring and comfortable at the same time. Standout tracks for me are "Housing, Luxury, Energy", the folksy "Delayed Clarity", Science In Modern America, and I'm Glad I Could Help Out, which I can only describe as a song that should be featured...

Well, I have to hand it to Udo Dirkschneider.  He's managed to create a totally unique concept in metal music after being in the business for over 40 years!  So a lot of metal bands have tried making albums with an orchestra backing them, but Udo has the full concert band of the German armed forces backing him up here.  I'm not going to lie to you.  When I heard about the concept of this album, I though it sounded like a horrible idea.  But color me wrong.  Udo pulls this off and it's actually quite interesting.  It has a sense of charm to it while still being full on metal at the same time.  Not only is this a complete surprise to me, but...

Review: After the band released their first single "Criminal Masterminds" several months ago, I have been eagerly awaiting this release. The album kicks off with the title track which is a high energy rocker with a melodic chorus.  It's a great track to start off the album and it's also one of the stand out tracks.  However, nothing on this album is better than "Criminal Masterminds".  It's simply a modern classic and one of the best hair metal anthems that I've heard in years. It's worth the price of admission (or the price of the album) just to get "Criminal Masterminds".  The band slows it down a little with the beginning of "No Matter", but it kicks it up and rocks hard as it builds....

Artist: Pretty Maids Album: Maid In Japan - Back To Futureworld Genre: Melodic Metal / Hard Rock Label: Frontiers Music Srl. Release Date: May 22, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: The Pretty Maids prove that they still have it with this live release more than 30 years after their iconic Future World album was released.  This is simply an incredible live performance from start to finish as the band plays the entire Future World album in its entirety,  plus a set of extra songs that showcase the bands' later songs.  Future World was the album that made me originally take notice of Pretty Maids.  Afterward, I was hooked as a fan and bought all of the band's previous albums and have continued to purchase...

Artist: Triptykon Album: Requiem (Live At Roadburn 2019) featuring The Metropole Orkes Genre: Metal Label: Century Media Release Date: May 15, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: Thomas Gabriel Fischer is one of the few metal performers that can make a project like this work.  The former Celtic Frost frontman has unleashed his vision that has been 30 years in the making and it is incredibly haunting and beautiful at the same time.  I'll be the first one to admit that avant-garde metal is not everyone's thing.  Truthfully, it's not my thing very often, but this live album is on a whole other level.   Its metal, it's gothic and it's brilliant.  Imagine if Pink Floyd did a gothic metal opera and you're getting close to...

Artist: Lucifer Album: III Genre: Label: Century Media Release Date: March 20, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: Imagine the late 70's, early 80's Heart made a pact with the devil himself.  Now add a little bit of Black Sabbath to that sound and a little dash of traditional heavy metal in the mix and you've got a formula that's really damn close to the band Lucifer.  I can't get over how much fun this album is to listen to.  The beautiful vocals of Johanna Sadonis set over the top of a gritty, down and dirty rock soundtrack that perfectly complements one another.   This album is seriously contagious and I absolutely love it!  The album is damn near perfect from start to finish and has...

Artist: Cherie Currie Album: Blvds Of Splendor Genre: Rock / Hard Rock Label: BLACKHEART RECORDS Release Date: April 28, 2020 Reviewed by: Angel Alamo Review: Former Runaways singer Cherie Currie is back with a new album Blvds of splendor. The album which will be released on April 28, 2020, via Blackheart Records showcases a surprise mix of heavy rock songs and blues style songs on the record that showcases how diverse the record is. The album was produced by former Guns N Roses/Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum who did an amazing job in making Blvds of splendor one of the best new albums. This is one of those albums that takes you on a musical journey where every song is important. In the age of...

Artist: Bleed From Within Album: Fracture Genre: Modern Metal Label: Century Media Release Date: May 29, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: Hailing from Scotland, Bleed From Within have returned with a powerful album and sound that's anything but fractured.  Starting out with the first single, "The End Of All We Know", the band is here to prove that there is plenty of room left for great metal bands in the modern era. "The End Of All We Know" already has over 3.3 million streams on Spotify and with good reason.  If this song doesn't get your blood pumping, nothing will.  As we move through the album, it continues its brutal assault on your senses and demands that you pay attention. Songs like "Pathfinder", "Into...

Artist: Hellgarden Album: Making Noise, Living Fast Genre: Metal Label: Brutal Records Release Date: April 10, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: This really caught me off guard.  Why? Because it's so damn good compared to most of the stuff that I've heard recently.  These guys sound like the closest thing you're likely to hear to a second coming of the mighty Pantera.  Not a straight rip off of Pantera, but with some similarities in sound and seriously raw and brutal metal.  The title is as awesome as the songs on the album Making Noise, Living Fast.  It explains what they're all about it a single line.  I love the passion these guys are bringing to their sound and with song titles like "Spit On...

Artist: Dio Album: The Studio Collection 1996-2004 Genre: Metal Label: BMG/Niji Release Date: March 20, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: The late great Ronnie James Dio is now a legendary figure in the Heavy Metal genre.  His untimely death in 2010 from stomach cancer was a loss that was felt worldwide in the metal community.  Listening to these newly remastered albums, it's easy to see why he's considered one of the most important figures in heavy rock history.  The sound quality of these albums is really top-notch. Being a huge fan of Dio's work, I already had the original versions of these albums, but the remastered sound is really great.  But for me, the bonus material was the main point of interest.  Being a...

Artist: Ross The Boss Album: Born Of Fire Genre: Metal Label: AFM Records Release Date: March 6, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: It's refreshing these days, to hear an album of full-on, raw, metal music in all of its glory.  That's exactly what you get with the latest album "Born Of Fire" by Ross The Boss.  Ross Friedman has a special place in both metal and punk history as one of the founding members of both Manowar and The Dictators.  Throughout his career, whether it be more punk based or metal sounding, he's brought the blazing guitar sound that fueled the fire for these bands.  Starting with the opening song "Glory To The Slain", which I find similar in style to metal thrashers Overkill,...

Artist: Neaera Album: Neaera Genre: Metal Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: February 28, 2020 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: Brutality unleashed! That's what the latest album by Neaera is like. I for one, love it.  The blackened metal style vocals over the furious sounding drums and ripping guitar and bass make this album a metal masterpiece.  While the guys have been AWOL for a while on the scene, they've returned bolder and better than ever before.  I was lulled into a false sense of questioning with the opening instrumental track, but all of my questions were soon answered when "Catalyst" starts to really open the record and practically rip the skin from the face of the listener. I simply can't put into words how...

Review: So, none other than the Prince Of Darkness himself has returned with a brand new solo album called "Ordinary Man".  Pay close attention to the title... because it does an adequate job of describing a lot of the songs on this album.  "Ordinary" is what I'd call most of this album.  That's really unfortunate for me because I've always been a big fan of Ozzy's solo work as well as the legendary Black Sabbath. The album starts off fairly strong with "Straight To Hell".  It's a solid rocker that embodies a lot of what we've come to expect from Ozzy's sound.  Slash adds some nice guitar work to push it over the top. However, on the rest of the album, as good as Andrew...

Review: Most of you will know lead vocalist Zak Stevens from his stint with Savatage. And those same fans should be right at home with "Archon Angel".  Yes, there is a lot of similarity to the later work of the mighty Savatage, but it also treads new ground.  I simply can't get enough of the song "The Serpent", which is the second track on the album.  The drumbeat is heavy and uncompromising with a guitar sound that adds a menacing element. While it's definitely my favorite track on Fallen, there are lots of great songs to choose from. For instance, the song "Fallen" has a really memorable sound and lyrically is just as appealing.  Other standout tracks include "Hit The Wall", "Under The Spell", Twilight...

H.E.A.T are one of the finest melodic rock bands to have come out of Scandinavia. It was way back in 2012 when the talented Swedes released their third album, Address The Nation, their first with singer Erik Grönwall. ATN took the genre by storm and still stands in my opinion as one of the best of its kind. After follow-up, Tearing Down The Walls, the band released Into The Great Unknown in 2017 which had a different feel and is widely regarded as H.E.A.T's most controversial release. Now the band are back, returning to their roots and set to unleash H.E.A.T II. Picture: Steven Christie I’m never a fan of long albums, it often signals filler material, so I was pleased to see that H.E.A.T II...

Artist: Edge Of Paradise Album: Universe Genre: Melodic Metal Label: Frontiers Music Srl. Release Date: November 8, 2019 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: Edge Of Paradise continues to impress with their latest release entitled "Universe".  I've had the opportunity to watch the band move up the ranks from being an unknown independent band to gaining serious notoriety by charting on iTunes, Billboard and Amazon Music.  Singer Margarita Monet has a powerful yet gentle sounding voice.  With "Universe" the band expand on what they have done in the past and move into the same modern metal territory as Halestorm, Within Temptation and In This Moment. This album features a little more electronic sounds and industrial style keyboards than previous albums, but never loses the heaviness or...

Artist: The Dark Element Album: Songs the Night Sings Genre: Symphonic Metal Label: Frontiers Music Srl. Release Date: November 8, 2019 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: Sweeping and epic, The Dark Element has returned with a brilliant new album called "Songs The Night Sings".  Anette Olzon's vocals are as beautiful as ever and Jani Liimatainen has some incredible blazing guitar solos throughout. Musically, these songs are really strong and lyrically they are the equivalent of brilliant story-telling.  This time out the band has a really mature sound and it's easy to tell that they were riding an incredible wave of creativity throughout the recording process.  The title track is simply outstanding, but to be perfectly honest, I was completely hooked after "Not Your Monster", the...

Artist: Pretty Maids Album: Undress Your Madness Genre: Melodic Metal Label: Frontier Music Srl. Release Date: November 8, 2019 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: The Pretty Maids have been making consistently great albums for several decades now.  Their latest, "Undress Your Madness" is no exception to that rule.  Reviewing this album is bittersweet though because lead vocalist, Ronnie Atkins recently announced that he had been diagnosed with Lung Cancer.  According to a statement by Ronnie, his prognosis is good and I certainly wish him well in battling this illness. It certainly did not affect his vocals on this album, as his voice sounds stronger than ever.  While Pretty Maids have always been one of those bands that should have seen a much larger audience, they...

Artist: Tyketto Album: Strength In Numbers Live Genre: Hard Rock \ Melodic Metal Label: Frontiers Music Srl. Release Date: November 8, 2019 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: Strength In Numbers is one of Tyketto's best albums so it only makes sense to cover it live.  And though Tyketto fans may be familiar with the studio album, there is something to be said for this energized live performance.  The production quality of this live concert is outstanding, which really matters to me. When I'm listening to an album, live or studio, I want it to sound great.  Tyketto has a great interaction with the audience introducing the songs and giving a little history about them along the way.  Strangely enough, the live album tracklist is not...

Artist: 7 Miles To Pittsburgh Album: Revolution On Hold Genre: Hard Rock / Melodic Metal Label: A67 Records Release Date: October 19, 2019 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron   Review: So if you've ever wondered what happened to Andrew Elt, the lead singer for Sleeze Beez....wonder no more.  While this is the second album for 7 Miles To Pittsburgh, it's my first exposure to the band.  I am actually quite a fan of Elt's former band.  Sleeze Beez came into the mainstream at what could be only called the very end of the sunset strip/hair metal hard rock scene.  They scored a big hit with the single "Stranger Than Paradise" on their 1990 album "Screwed, Blued, and Tattooed", in part thanks to a heavy rotation of...

Artist: Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper Album: At The Gates Genre: Metal Label: Dissonance Productions Release Date: November 1, 2019 Reviewed by: Bobby Caughron Review: Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper has returned with a fantastic follow up to "Walking In The Shadows".  For those unaware, Steve Grimmett battled through some very serious health issues after the last album was released, which ultimately resulted in the amputation of one of Steve's legs.  Opening with the title track "At The Gates", which references the gates of Hell, is a triumphant return for both the band and personally for Steve Grimmett following his life-threatening health scare.  The entire album is filled with great classic sounding metal songs that continue to delight and do justice to the Grim Reaper name and...

Artist: Airbourne Album: Boneshaker Genre: Hard Rock \ Metal Label: Spinefarm Records Release Date: October 25, 2019 Review by: Bobby Caughron   Review: Airbourne has returned with another spectacular album, filled with the sweaty, alcohol-soaked sound that we've all come to expect.  If you're not familiar with Airbourne, where the hell have you been?  These Aussie guys don't mess around and get right to the point with this straight-forward rock album called "Boneshaker".  Although people often compare their sound to that of another Australian band, AC/DC, Airbourne have been doing this long enough to claim their own stake in the rock-n' roll game.  Make no mistake, "Boneshaker" is a top-notch, nitro-fueled rock n' roll rollercoaster ride from the opening riff.  This is exactly what I...