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STEVE LUKATHER
& LARRY CARLTON
NO SUBSTITUTIONS - LIVE IN JAPAN
Favored Nations VICP- 61240
Produced by: Lukather / Carlton
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Their solo work
GENRE: Rock Instrumental
OVERALL: 82%
I am not surprised at how good this album is, after all it does feature two of the world's finest guitarists - the rock God Steve Lukather of Toto and the smoother older gent Larry Carlton, the jazz, pop and acoustic legend.
What I am surprised at is how enjoyable this album is, especially for someone like me, who appreciates great talent and great guitar work, but isn't a great fan of totally instrumental albums.
It was also a little worrying to see that this album comprised of only 5 tracks - each one of two or three song length.
But all fears were cast aside after one listen. This is a free flowing, but greatly enjoyable and very easy listening live guitar dueling and soloing between two greats of the music world.

MICHAEL SWEET
TRUTH
Restless Records KICP-762
Produced by: Bob Marlette
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Stryper
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 85%
This is a more official release of Michael's current solo album, released independently previously with a different cover.
This is a much improved package, with a wider release also in place.
Michael Sweet is/was frontman for Christian rockers Stryper and hasn't lost touch with his melodic or Christian roots. His debut solo album was superb, and this is his best album since that release.
It's not in the vein of that solo debut, that featured the guys of Blue Tears. It's more modern that that. In fact it is a very diverse release, with power ballads, slightly obscure almost alternative mid tempo pop tracks and a variety of straight ahead Stryper inspired hard rockers.
There is even one track that touches on operatic heights, his voice used as an instrument in the true sense of the word.
The album is a rock album beyond any doubt, but keep in mind the diverse nature of the album. Devotees of Sweet will gobble this up!
Sweet's voice is in fine form, he really has a great set of lungs, however, his voice is such that it is possibly an acquired taste and not suited to everybody regardless of melodic leanings.

REIGN OF TERROR
SACRED GROUND
Avalon MICP-10228
Produced by: Joe Stump
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Yngwie, MVP
GENRE: Melodic Metal
OVERALL: 75%
Reign Of Terror is a new band project that features, amongst others, American power metal guitarist Joe Stump and Yngwie vocalist Micahel Vescara.
This is power and heavy stuff and needless to add, frantically paced neo-classical metal.
In the best instincts, traditions and styles of players like Impellitteri & Yngwie Malmsteen, this is another solid album of hard hitting melodic metal to add to your collection.
Vescara is flawless as a metal vocalist and the production is high quality. If you have either of his MVP solo outings, then this release is essential!
Fans of this genre would make no mistakes by investing in this album. It's HEAVY!

MAGNITUDE 9
REALITY IN FOCUS
Inside Out Music
Produced by: Not Listed
Released: OUT /
Relatives: Dream Theater, Spocks Beard
GENRE: Progressive
OVERALL: 83%
This album is one of the better and more enjoyable slices of progressive rock that I have heard in recent times.
The album is highly technical, with the band extremely proficient in their playing and in the execution of the songs.
Traditional elements of prog are abound, with lots of flashy guitar, keyboard solos and some higher pitch vocals, but put together in a very listenable package.
The songs aren't over the top, although they are very technical, they are also very accessible. Above all else in rock n roll, the songs must be good and these are.
Like Spocks Beard and Marillion, these guys now precision and they know melody.
One of the best progressive records in a while and highly recommended to lovers of the genre.

JUNKYARD
SHUT UP - WE'RE TRYING TO PRACTICE
Cleopatra CLP 0799-2
Produced by: Junkyard
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Little Ceasar, Salty Dog
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 70%
Well, Cleopatra have hardly invested a dime in any new studio recordings of a classic old band, but at least this release is very worthwhile.
A return to the capitol of sleaze in one of it's best years.
LA 1989 and we're live at the Palace, home to such legends as Guns N Roses, Great White, Dokken and McAuley Schenker Group.
This is a great CD that takes me back to an era I miss. Great stuff.
I feared the live recorded would be a dud, but the quality of very cool and clean and clear throughout.
They only recorded two albums, but their attitude was clear and this release showcases the band at their peak.
If you like sleaze rock n roll, love the LA hard rock scene, then this release is a must check out. If you are a musical historian, this is a fine and interesting snapshot of an era past.

PRIMAL FEAR
NULCEAR FIRE
Nuclear Blast
Produced by: Matt Sinner
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Sinner, Halloween
GENRE: Melodic Metal
OVERALL: 75%
There's not to much I can type to describe the new Primal Fear album. Fans of the act know what to expect and this is exactly what is delivered ere again.
I don't want to be a lazy reviewer, but it's all here as expected - rapid fire double kick drums, in your face guitar shredding and plenty of European melodic metal anthems.
These guys have been around long enough to know how it's done and as is with Sinner records, everything is done to a tee.
For me it is hard to say if it is better or worse then previous albums, to me they just do the same thing over, but in a fashion that pleases the fans and the listener.

AVALON
AVALON 2
Fractal Records FRCD001
Produced by: Avalon
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: American Tears
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 35%
This is a new 'long lost' Avalon album. First written and performed live in the 70's, it wasn't until 1990 that this material was recorded and not until last year that it was mixed and mastered until last year.
For fans of the band's early work, this will no doubt come as a pleasant surprise and a welcomed relief from the sounds of the 90's and Naughties.
But for me personally, this is far too entrenched in the 70's for me to get into.
The sound, the style, the performance and the production style is all late 70's pomp / progressive and this is not my cup of tea!
But listen up! Those who are into that should check this out pronto, as it fits the style and category of other classic pomp rockers that hold an affinity with fans of that era.

WARRIOR SOUL
CLASSICS
Dream Catcher CRIDE 34
Produced by: Warrior Soul
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 78%
Warrior Soul - Classics.
That about says enough for the review. If you haven't had the pleasure of any Warrior Soul experiences, let me say that they play tough, heavy rock n roll.
They aren't modern rock, they aren't grunge, they aren't alternative. They are just tough and they play their brand of aggressive hard rock.
Vocalist Kory Clarke has a mean voice and delivers with nothing held back.
Recommended for those that appreciate the heavier side of life and a little of the grunge influence. Basically, I think these guys were a little ahead for their time.

DEE SNIDER
NEVER LET THE BASTARDS WEAR YOU DOWN
KOCH KOC-CD-8058
Produced by: Dee Snider
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Twisted Sister, Halford
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 79%
I didn't expect Dee to be in such fine voice, nor did I expect his band to be so in tune with each other and pumped to the max!
This is a great classic American hard rock record with Dee Snider at his snarling best and easily his most menacing since his days with Twisted Sister.
I enjoyed this album because I had no preconceptions and I think many others who have not heard it yet may also get something out of it.
It's tough, it's heavy and it rocks hard, but the songs are strong and the melodies are recognizable.

RANDY COVEN
THE BEST OF
KOCH KOC-CD-8173
Produced by: Randy Coven
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani
GENRE: Instrumental Rock
OVERALL: 65%
This is a fairly routine best of release, canvassing the solo works of Mr Coven and compiling them into this rather neat best of package.
Musically, an instrumental has to be pretty good for me to get into it, and only a handful of artists like Steve Lukather, Neal Schon and Neil Zaza do it for me.
So I would consider this a fan only affair, or casual instrumental listener compilation.
Those who know the man, should have his work already, the rest of us...well, I am not completely sold on the song quality.

THE NIXONS
LATEST THING
KOCH KOC-CD-8085
Produced by: Steven Haigler
Released: OUT / Website
Relatives: Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam, Matchbox 20
GENRE: Modern Rock
OVERALL: 84%
The Nixons seem to be one band a little overlooked by fans of the new wave of modern melodic rock.
Capturing the raw energy that many debut albums seem to, these guys rock with class over this whole album, with no fillers in sight.
The sound can compare to several other popular new bands out there, with different songs comparing to SR-71, Marvelous 3, Pearl Jam, Goo Goo Dolls and even the more commercial Matchbox 20.
These guys had a little help from Night Ranger's Jack Blades in the songwriting department on one track, but otherwise have written it all themselves.
From classy aggressive hard rockers, to some more commercial numbers that would be at home on today's modern rock radio, these guys know how to write a good catchy tune and carry that off thanks to the efforts of a fine lead vocalist, who has a great range and a great feel.

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR
BAD SNEAKERS & A PINA COLADA
KOCH KOC-CD-8221
Produced by: Hardcore Superstar
Released: OUT / Website
Relatives: Buckcherry, M3, Motley Crue
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 79%
I can't believe these guys are from Sweden! They rock with the attitude and modern rock commercialism of any new breed of American group.
These guys take a little slice of classic rock, a big dose of sleaze and mix it with the popularity of modern rock bands like Marvelous 3.
Add a little classic Motley Crue and crank the sound levels further through the roof and Hardcore is what you get. A really interesting release for fans of heavy sleaze and for artists that mix the old school with the new breed.
Their upbringing and location brings in a little of the European feel to their style, especially with the pronunciation of the lyrics and vocal style.
But even these guys might be a little over the top for some, so check it out before you buy.

TSAR
TSAR
Hollywood Records HR-62223-2
Produced by: Rob Cavallo
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: SR-71, Marvelous 3
GENRE: Modern Rock
OVERALL: 89%
Tsar's album has been out a while now, but deserves a mention purely because it's bloody good!
These guys are another of the new breed of young bands playing the new sound of modern melodic rock in the USA.
They are young, they look cool (apart from that lead vocalist!) and they should continue to makes waves and hopefully bring new listeners into the melodic rock fray.
Sound wise you can't go past comparisons to SR-71 and then others of the genre like Rubber and the softer side of Marvelous 3.
One of the better and more harmonious examples of modern melodic rock and recommended if any of the above bands have done it for you.

FATIMA HILL
VAL HALLA
World Chaos Productions KDM-004
Produced by: Fatima Hill
Released: / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 25%
Originally recorded and released in 1997, this album has recently been remastered and re-released by this new label.
But I have to say straight up that both the production and the performance on this album left me a little cold.
Maybe it's the fact the band are from an Eastern culture and style, but for me this doe snot cross over to my tastes, nor do I expect most of the readers of this site tastes.
The band play a mix of melodic metal and progressive (sort of!) The worst aspect has to be the vocal. It's in the higher pitch range, but is just truly abrasive.

WINTERLAND
THE TRUTH
Indie Release WLCD2000
Produced by: Winterland
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Ten
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 70%
Germany's Winterland are on their second album with Truth and have a new lead singer that have taken them away from comparisons to UK rockers Ten.
The guys still play melodic rock, but it's more a stripped back and sometimes funky straight up pop rock feel than the more AOR leanings of their debut.
Their cover of Inxs' Original Sin is musically perfect for their style.
Their European base and line up influences the sound, but overall - considering they recorded, funded and produced it themselves, it is a record that has many merits and warrants a listen.

MILLION
GET MILLIONIZED
A2 Records A2CD06
Produced by: Million
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Lost Weekend
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 70%
This album is a compilation of sorts to introduce Million to the world and to their new partnership with A2 Records.
Featured is a set of previously available songs, with selections from their first 3 albums, plus 2 new y2k demo's with their new line up and a live cover of the Kiss classic Deuce.
The band play their own brand of European melodic hard rock, with lots of bombastic keyboards and guitar and some over the top vocal performances.
The songs are of a high quality and the new tracks show great promise for album number 4 due later this year.
For fans of the European rock sound, on the heavier and slightly pomp fantastic side!

CONDITION RED
CONDITION RED
Lion Music LMC 2003 2
Produced by: Lars Eric Mattsson
Released: OUT / Website
Relatives: Many Lion Music releases
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 63%
Another European progressive rock release. This is an interesting release, but also a very diverse one and what could be described a somewhat of a departure or side project for those involved.
It features performances by Lars Eric Mattsson, Alex Masi and Derek Sherinian amongst others, but is a little removed from your traditional progressive rock album.
Please find included blasts of Sax and violin, plus both female and male lead vocal breaks.
This is an album for the most adventurous progressive fans and even then, not everyone of those.

BALTIMORE
ORIGINAL SIN
Lion Music
Produced by: Bjorn Lodin
Released: OUT / Website
GENRE: Progressive Rock
OVERALL: 58%
Yes, another European progressive rock album.
This one however, is a little more traditionally along the lines of what you expect from a prog album. This isn't as hard as your Dream Theater's, instead it relies on a softer approach.
But, there are still several 10 minute tracks and instrumental breaks that appear to last a week and many many keyboard and guitar solo's that wind thru the album like a bush track through the highest alps.
One for progressive die-hards.

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