Reviews - In Brief
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New Reviews - March 2002

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THE LAST HARD MEN
LAST HARD MEN
Spitfire Records
Produced by: Sebastian Bach
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Pure Shite / Alternative
OVERALL: 1%
This is pure shit of the highest order.
There is only one explanation for the release of this album - contractual obligations. It has sat in a vault since being recorded in 1996 because no label in their right f****** mind would release this. But Spitfire Records finally have, after signing Sebastian Bach to a deal that has so far only produced one live album. They obviously need to try and recoup some of their lost money. They won't get much back on this though.
It's really tragic to witness just how great Sebastian's fall has been from the lofty heights of fronting Skid Row a decade ago.
This shitty album features no les than 23 tracks - with experimental doodles and spoken word recordings acting as padding between even more highly alternative/experimental things called songs, that run from alternate metal to modern jazz pop more at home on a Pixies record.
Speaking of Pixies, I think that's what is occupying the heads of those that thought this release would be worth pressing and releasing.
The band's cover of Alice Cooper's Schools Out is an impossibly low point of a utterly dire piece of self indulgent, crack smoking crap.
For the record - Sebastian is featured on only half the album's songs and even when he is, I just can't describe how bad it is. What was he thinking?

PRETTY BOY FLOYD
LIVE AT THE PRETTY UGLY CLUB
Perris Records
Produced by: PBF
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Glam Rock
OVERALL: 65%
Pretty Boy Floyd have always been one of Glam's more over the top bands. They have a considerable history for a glam band and feature the 'best' of their catalogue here.
This is more so a fan release. But there was plenty of them out there for a while. This 40 minute/12 track release is raw, in your face and very rough around the edges. But it also has it's charms - more obvious to fans of glam and the band themselves than any outsiders. If loud guitars, rough and raw production and an attitude filled record do it for you - this is the disc for you!

EVERY MOTHERS NIGHTMARE
BACK TRAXX
Perris Records
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Hard / Modern Rock
OVERALL: 82%
Every Mothers Nightmare (EMN) have released an all new studio album and also this CD compilation, featuring all new unreleased studio tracks.
Songs featured are: 1. Southern Way 2. Muddy Water 3. Seasons Change 4. Ride the Train 5. Outside Lookin In 6. Stoned On TV 7. Dawg 8. Sorrow 9. River 10. Outside the Circle 11. Too Far Gone 12. Bled The Machine
The CD nearly runs an hour and is great value for fans of the band and especially those that have to have everything.
Even better is news that the style of the unreleased songs is closer to the bands sleaze roots, rather than the darker more modern edge they have these days.
In fact, I enjoyed this release sp much, I rate it higher than their actual new studio album. It's a great collection of tunes that throw us back to the late 80's LA sleaze scene.

SAHARA STEEL
SAHARA STEEL
Perris Records
Produced by: Sahara Steel
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: 80's Hard Rock
OVERALL: 79%
This is good stuff for those fans of American hard rock that just don't want to let go of the 80's. The band hail from Michigan and play a brand of fists in the air, guitar driven heavy rock in the vein of Dokken, Bulletboys and Steelheart.
Lots of solo's, lotof heavy riffs and a vocalist not afraid to scream and sing it loud. Much in the vein of early Dokken or Steelheart for sure.
Tight leather pants and big hair is essential to enjoy this release, which has a solid sound, if not a million dollar production.
A good collection of songs and a solid all round package.

TAKARA
PERCEPTION OF REALITY
Lion Music LMC 2112 2
Produced by: Dave Anthony & Neal Grusky
Released: OUT / E-Mail
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 82%
Sorry to those waiting on a review of this album and to the band themselves. It's a great album that deserves more attention. Takara now features vocalist Michael Flatters in place of Jeff Scott Soto. It would be hard to claim anyone was as good as Soto, but although Flatters sounds similar, he thankfully doesn't try and imitate him.
He has his own style and sounds great for it. His vocals are strong and helps the songs within this album shine.
This is classic hard rock with a few interesting twists (Tomorrow for example).
The ballad Without You is also a highlight.
At 9 tracks, there are no fillers, just all rock n roll and the album is over well before you wish it was. If you haven't check it out yet, then do so, as a solid American hard rock album with a European influence awaits.

JOE LYNN TURNER
SLAM
MTM Music 0681-38
Produced by: Turner & Held
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 84%
Another album I should have featured long ago. Well, here it is for the record. Those that haven't already been charmed by Joe aren't likely to be charmed by this. However, by teaming up with Japanese hot shot guitarist Akira Kajiyama, Joe Lynn Turner has recorded the hardest rocking album of his solo career. This album has a lot of energy and some flat out hard rockers that suit Joe's style and step up the pace from his last two (also good) albums.
There is still a tender moment or two and some Deep Purple-isms, but all in all, it's a solid and enjoyable hard rock record, with more emphasis on guitar than previous albums.

WINE SPIRIT
BOMBS AWAY
Perris Records
Produced by: Not Listed
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 80%
Wine Spirit have a great energy to their music. This is tight, in your face, fist pumping hard rock in the vein of early Van Halen, Ratt, Bulletboys and maybe even Dokken.
But guess what? They bare only a trio and hail from Italy!! Their European roots aren't obvious, but on a couple of slower tracks, the accent of the vocalist does come through. When they rock however you would hardly know.
Lead guitar riffs and a pumping rhythm section support a strong vocalist, who's voice I can't pigeon hole easily and a solid production means a CD is good quality.
The uptempo nature and fast hard riffing of the album mean this one will appeal to those fans of the heavier side of American hard rock. I love the guitar sound...very 'old school' rock n roll.

ROXX GANG
BODACIOUS TA TAS (Best Of)
Perris Records
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 83%
Badacious Ta Tas is a Best Of compilation, gathering 13 of the band's best rocking tracks, adding one bonus track Spoonful and an additional bonus video Start Trip (Uncensored).
It's a solid compilation and a good starting point for those that haven't heard the band before. Roxx Gang are LA sleaze at its sleaziest! LA Guns, Bulletboys, Motley Crue - all mixed with a bluesy guitar driven AC/DC swagger. Makes for a good listen if that's what turns your crank.
Special mention for the video clip - yes indeed, it's not the best song I have ever heard, but it's somewhat hypnotic...or maybe it's just the women used in the clip!

Z RECORDS SAMPLER
ROCK THE NATIONS II
Z Records
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 90%
35 tracks, 2 and a half hours of melodic rock and a dozen sneak preview songs from albums yet to be released. Perfect - it doesn't get much better. Those looking for an over view of the Z Records label, or those looking for a sneak peak into the future are both well served here.
Stand out tracks from the upcoming clips include a very catchy M2 clip (the band are now named Crossfire), Danny Danzi's newie, a preview of Shy's upcoming album, plus the best of all - Phil Naro's new clip You & Me, from the upcoming Naro release.
Also included - 2 new Z acts - Eddie Campbell (Adriangale) and Dogpound (from Sweden). Great stuff!

ESCAPE MUSIC SAMPLER
MILLENNIUM COLLECTION 2
Escape Music ESM-072
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 90%
Another Label showcase release and another fine value for money showcase of what's available. And again, there are sneak previews to a number of upcoming Escape Releases.
31 songs are included, over 2 hours of great AOR, including some great new music from Heartland, Phantom's Opera, the new Boston Tribute album, new signings Body Electric and Total Stranger.
Best of all - there is a new demo for Grand Illusion and I must say that this track is worth the purchase price alone. This is a monster of a song!! Can't wait to hear the new album, due mid year.
Another strong new track comes from Fury - looking forward to that album now also...
Throw is a few previously unreleased tracks from Newman, Stranded and The Foreigner Tribute on Disc Two and an essential purchase status has been reached.

DOC HOLLIDAY
A BETTER ROAD
Record Heaven
Produced by: Bruce Brookshire & Tom Allom
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Rock
OVERALL: 81%
A Better Road is a compilation of archived unreleased material from the very early 80's, plus some newly recorded songs.
Doc Holliday are a true blues rock band, with comparisons from George Thorogood to Deep Purple and Bad Company.
One of the best new tunes, Crazy is a close cousin to Bad Company's Holy Water track, similar in style and pace (and hooks).
Their cover of Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak comes from the recent Phil Lynott tribute album and is strong blues hard rock.
Surprisingly, the tunes remastered from 1980/81 are holding up well in style and quality today. The band certainly match their old attitude 20 years on.
Blues hard rock fans and those partial to a southern rock trip.

MIKE TERRANA
SHADOWS OF THE PAST
Lion Music
Produced by: Mike Terrana
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Instrumental Pop
OVERALL: 70%
A drummer doing a solo instrumental record? Yes indeed! And for fans of instrumental rock I suggest to you that it is rather good.
It certainly isn't a reflection of Mike's heavier side, witnessed recently with Driven and Axel Rudi Pell to name two.
This is jazzy pop instrumentals, much in the same vein as Steve Lukather's Grammy award winning album with Larry Carlton.
Not surprisingly, Steve makes a guest appearance on a couple of tracks here.
The albums songs feature Sax, electric piano, various percussion effects, bongos, bass synth and the more traditional instruments.
One for fans of soft jazz and easy listening pop instrumentals.

STEVE MORSE
SPLIT DECISION
Magna Carta
Produced by: Steve Morse
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Instrumental Rock
OVERALL: 80%
This is one for the more traditional fans of instrumental releases. Steve Morse is no stranger to solo albums and the quality of this easily matches his previous work.
This is a thoughtful, well composed collection of electric guitar driven rock instrumentals. Only 2 tracks are acoustic based, with the tempo of the other tracks mainly up tempo and free flowing.
It's going to be all down to personal tastes, but as far as rock instrumentals, they don't come much better than this. Steve Morse is all class and displays both is shredding ability and his knack of crafting a fine song, melodies, structure and tone.

RACER X
SUPERHEROES
Aztec Music
Produced by: Paul Gilbert
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Themselves
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 80%
NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA THROUGH www.aztecmusic.net.
Another new Racer X album! How cool - 2 in two years now. God bless home studio's and Paul Gilbert for wanting to rock out again.
This is another classic melodic metal album with all the guys in fine form, sounding better than they ever did really.
Fans of vocalist Jeff Martin and guitarist Paul Gilbert will be in high heaven as the guys shred on this record.
It's not a lot different from last year's comeback Racer X album, so if you own that, you need this.
Another great piece of shredding hard and heavy rock n roll and another great Paul Gilbert produced album.
Please note that it is now available outside Japan, so don't pay those rip off import prices. Thanks to Mascot records for giving it a wider release.
I must say though, I am not sure what they were smoking when they came up with the cover concept. Paul's sense of humour has a lot to answer to!

ANGEL EDGE
ANGEL EDGE REVISITED
MP3.com
Produced by: Angel Edge
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 77%
Angel Edge's debut 8 track CD shows a lot of promise. In fact, these guys have a great sound. The only problem is the lack of production budget, which would be overcome if a label signed these guys on.
They should, as the band's traditional 80's Journey/Steve Perry AOR sound is mixed with a slightly progressive and adventurous edge that could see them mature to form their own place in this tight-nit scene.
This CD was recorded in 1989. The band need to make new music now!
The vocals and the songs are strong, with particular emphasis on the instrumental arrangement of these songs.
The band are European and have a sound that mixes with the more commercial American AOR style.
But here is lots on offer here I and I hope to see them signed onto a label in the future.

HUMAN FORTRESS
LORD OF EARTH AND HEAVENS HEIR
SPV
Produced by: Tommy Newton
Released: OUT NOW
GENRE: Melodic Metal
OVERALL: 88%
Produced by the deft hand of Tommy Newton (The Ark, Helloween, Crystal Ball, Ten), this album is perfectly arranged and mixed to best allow the complex songs breath and generally blow the listener away!
If you are into this style of European hard rock / melodic metal, in the traditional of fellow melodic metallers Stratovarius, Kamelot, Crystal Ball and the like...
The albums 11 tracks run the gauntlet of emotions, from furious double kick drum metal to the majestic power ballads.
This is a finely produced album that most importantly has some great epic rock songs contained within. The power of the album as a whole is that of a veteran band, but this is the band's debut, meaning they are bound to make a strong impact on the European scene in years to come.
Recommended listening for fans of powerful hard rock.

AMUNRE
MAGIC KINGDOM
Treat Records
Produced by: Amunre
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: European Hard Rock
OVERALL: 66%
Another solid CD of European melodic metal / power rock. Amunre are a little softer than some others and are more dominated by their European heritage.
The band features an even mix of symphonic keyboards with guitars and vocals that occasionally mix the male lead with accompanying female vocals.
The production isn't as sharp of as clear as several other CDs release here. It's a little muddy in places.
Still, it's a strong debut and will appeal to fans of Euro hard rock.

GREAT WHITE
THE FINAL CUTS
Axe Killer / Deadline
Produced by: Great White
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 89%
I love Great White and this album (in it's own way) rocks! I'm going to miss these guys. This 11 track (12 for Europe) farewell album contains covers of AC/DC, The Cult, Bad Company, Free and more - all recorded and played in Great White's own unique blues based hard rocking style.
Vocalist Jack Russell is in his usual top notch form and the band truly make these songs their own. A good fun, uptempo release from a band renowned for doing as they preach. It will be sad to see these guys go.
A release for fans and newbies alike.

ANGEL HEART
IF EVER...
Target Records
Produced by: Paul Etterlin
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 72%
Angel Heart are a Swiss AOR outfit that feature the less usual combination of dual male and female lead vocals.
Most songs see the guys share vocals - between verse and chorus and sometimes intertwined.
The band mix traditional soft rock with an almost pop-folk approach, with acoustic guitars and strong European influences coming through on some tracks.
The remaining songs are straight pop rock in a keyboard friendly 80's style. Throw in a few very soft and personal pop rock ballads and you have the album.
Very much down to personal taste this one, it certainly has it moments, but in a scene with many other releases available, this one might appeal to those closest to the band's geographical location.

GRAHAM BONNET
THE DAY I WENT MAD
Escape Music ESM070
Produced by: Kevin Valentine
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 70%
Graham is one of the founding vocalists of hard rock. His talent and ability are unquestioned, although his vocal style is certainly one that takes some getting used to. My personal favourite release from the man is the awesome Impellitteri Stand In Line release.
This new solo album from the vocalist features such fabulous guests as Slash, John Thomas (remember him?), Bruce Kulick, Vivian Campbell, (drummer) Kevin Valentine (lovely to see him in action again), Pat Regan and Tony Franklin.
With such a line up, expectations were high. That's probably why I am a little disappointed.
The opening track offers promise, it's certainly what I expected, but elsewhere the style varies from straight ahead rock, to a 60's crooner track, an Ozzy-esque ballad to some plodding hard rockers.
I think the only real problem here is that the songs just aren't catchy enough, or at the very least, aren't overly memorable.
The album is quite tongue in cheek in places, but overall, I am certainly glad I didn't order the over priced Japanese release when it was originally released there.

A TRIBUTE TO VAI/SATRIANI
LORDS OF KARMA
Versailles Records VE20006
Produced by: Jake Brown
Released: OUT NOW
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 83%
Versailles Records were previously behind a very good Cult Tribute and this is their second foray into the Tribute world.
The thing I like about this and also the Cult Tribute are the persons involved. The label has unearthed a few different people, rather than the same old suspects used on other tributes.
Featured on Lords Of Karma are Bruce Kulick, Jake E Lee, Brad Gillis, George Lynch, Tony Harnell, Richard Kendrick, Neil Zaza & Jimmy Crespo.
Most tracks are faithfully reproduced, with each guitarist adding their own personal style and trademark sound to the tracks.
On the Vai side of the things, it was great to hear a couple of vocals from the Dave Lee Roth Eat Em And Smile era included. Yankee Rose features Enuff Z Nuff doing their own thing and on Shy Boy George Lynch shreds like a mad man while Tony Harnell and Jason McMaster share lead vocals. This track ROCKS!
Overall, an above average release and above average performances of some classic songs.

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