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BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
SONIC BREW
Spitfire Records 70211-5004-2
Produced by: Ron & Howard Albert & Zakk Wylde
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Ozzy, Sabbath
GENRE: Heavy Metal
OVERALL: 69%
NOW RELEASED IN THE U.S.
The first track on this album is an unfortunately titled number called Bored To Tears. That is pretty much how I felt upon getting to the end of this album.
Now I might cop some flack for this, but I just didn't find this album very inspiring. But there is no doubt that Zakk Wylde is a player of immense talent and skill and the solo's and riff making throughout this album is of the highest quality.
The production and mix is also of the highest degree and it is easy to see that there has been several dollars put into this project.

That's what I wrote 6 months ago when the album was first released in Japan. Having been sitting here for several hours reviewing some of melodic rock's more heavier artists I am in a better frame of mind to review this.
But unfortunately I still don't find this of any further merit. Sonically great sounding, but too far into the alternative zone for my liking.

TAYLOR / MORLEY
THE SPANISH SESSIONS
Indie Release
Produced by: Taylor / Morley
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Black Crowes
GENRE: Blues Rock
OVERALL: 70%
Welcome back Andy Taylor! Finally some new material from the one time AOR star, the hard rock hero and the wasted Duranie.
But is this really what we are after? Not really, but I'll take it anyway.
This is four tracks of acoustic & blues drenched pop rock a la the Black Crowes.
If you like it laid back and bluesy - you will find four excellently crafted and likeable songs. But I would really love Thunder 2 please Andy...
Good to see Luke Morley there also, wouldn't want to see hi on the unemployment queue after the demise of Thunder.
The guys work very well together and despite my cravings for something else, I will still anticipate the full studio album later this year.

GARY MOORE
OUT IN THE FIELDS (Best Of)
Virgin Records Sweden
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT NOW / Website
GENRE: Rock
OVERALL: 86%
What a great compilation. Put together by Jorgen Holmstedt & Par Winberg from Virgin Sweden, this 15 track compilation highlights the best of Gary's rock career, plus a couple of his later blues numbers.
A solid collection that takes in some of his better album tracks as well as the more commercially known songs.
Add to that a booklet that details every track (in Swedish unfortunately, but minor point!) and a stack of rare photo's and you have one of the best artist compilations I have seen for quite some time.

GARY MOORE
BLOOD OF EMERALDS
Virgin Sweden
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT NOW / Website
GENRE: Rock
OVERALL: 90%
And then it goes one better. The companion piece to the Part 1 Best of is this gem of a release.
This compilation highlights the hard rocking style of Gary when he shreds the most. Tracks like Thunder Rising and All Messed Up have always been major favorites of mine. But there's more!
A bonus second CD featuring the best rare and B-Side tracks from Gary's rock career. Just brilliant. Add the same booklet features as the first and you have 2 essential purchases for any fans of good hard rock and especially any Gary Moore fan. past or present.

BEST AMERICAN ROCK ANTHEMS
VARIOUS
Virgin Sweden
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT NOW
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 83%
And another one from Virgin Sweden - good one guys. They scored a chart hit with this compilation of American Anthems, from the early to late 80's.
Good variation from the usual shite some labels put out - you know, the same old songs everytime. On this compilation you can find a few albums tracks and some of the lesser known singles, plus a few obvious ones for good measure.
Artists featured include: Rick Springfield (Love Somebody), Journey (Separate Ways, Richard Marx (Satisfied), Foreigner (Feels Like The First Time), Brett Walker (Lecia), Styx (Best Of Times), Starship (It's Not Enough) and Aldo Nova (Fantasy) + more.
Great compilation once again. If there is a song you don't like here, there's no doubt it will be followed by 4 you do.

BEST SWEDISH MELODIC HARD ROCK ANTHEMS
VARIOUS
Virgin Sweden
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT NOW
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 74%
And guess who out this out? Yep, those busy Swede's again!!
As a companion piece to the above release, this takes the same premise but makes it an exclusively Swedish affair.
That will limit the interest more so, but it's still a solid collection of songs.
It takes 5 Swedish rock bands - Talk Of The Town, Thomas Vikstrom, Bad Habit and Alien and presents 3 or 4 of their finest rock anthems.
Good value as I said, but maybe more suited to the domestic Swedish market or at least fans of that scene.

URIAH HEEP
SONIC ORIGAMI
Spitfire Records 70211-5032-2
Produced by: Pip Williams
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Deep Purple
GENRE: Classic Rock
OVERALL: 75%
I am not sure that any band that has been established as long as Uriah Heep can ever return to their classic sound, or how they used to be or are even expected to be.
But what I can judge is the quality of the album presented before me.
For fans of 70's influenced hard rock, blues based rock or what is most easily described as classic rock will quite likely get something good from this album.
Good songs, solid vocals and a very good production surround this album.
The inclusion of a cover of Survivor's Across The Miles is gutsy and comes across well. Maybe not the vocal range of the original, but cool nevertheless.
One for the older generation.

GEORGE THOROGOOD
LIVE IN '99
CMC International 06076-86280-2
Produced by: George Thorogood
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Himself
GENRE: Blues Rock
OVERALL: 70%
Another year, another George Thorogood album.
Once again, this is pretty good, just because George does what he does best - play guitar. Some times he sings a little, sometimes he talks a little, but always he rocks.
This is a pretty good live record, nice and raw, a little polite maybe.
Check out his original live album if you really have to buy one. But ten again, this does have Half A Boy and Get A Haircut on it, so there's something definitely in it's favor there.

CRIMSON GLORY
ASTRONOMICA
Spitfire Records
Produced by: Jon Drenning
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Iron Maiden
GENRE: Progressive
OVERALL: 60%
This is unfamiliar territory for me. Not afraid to say so! Heavy and progressive is one thing that I haven't kept for my collection. This probably won't be either.
BUT I can comment on the quality of the record. I can't really get past the vocals. To high, too screamy.
But the guitars are pretty good value, good riff's, good time changes and solo's.
Still, this album is one for the established fans only.

TWISTED SISTER
CATALOGUE RE-ISSUES
Spitfire Records
Produced by: Various
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: No One Comes Close!
GENRE: Heavy Metal
OVERALL: 80%
Well done Spitfire Records for re-issuing these classic old albums from the history pages of American Heavy Metal. Mind you, they don't sound too heavy these days, they have dated a little. But they have been nicely re-mastered.
Under The Blade is a 1982 album, remixed in 1985 and re-mastered in 1999. Easy to understand - Listen for the classic Bad Boys (Of Rock N Roll)
U Can't Stop Rock N Roll is from '83 and features 3 bonus tracks. Very cool and a little heavier maybe.
Come Out And Play is from '85 and features one bonus track and a very dodgy cover version of the 60's tune Leader Of The Pack. Oh dear.
Love Is For Suckers was one of the band's biggest albums and features 4 great bonus tracks and the closest thing the guys had to a weepy ballad, in You Are All That I Need. The producer was Beau Hill. Also their most metal album.
The coolest release for fans will be the album Club Daze Vol 1. It's a collection of the band's songs, recorded live in the studio in the very early days (daze). Truly one for die hard fans only, but likely to be the one more treasured.
All in all a nice collection of releases that are similarly packaged. But where is the album with We're Not Gonna Take It on it???

SEBASTIAN BACH
BRING 'EM BACH ALIVE!
Spitfire Records 6-70211-5041-2
Produced by: Michael Wagener
Released: OUT / Website
Closest Relative: Skid Row
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 65%
Find a full review at Seb Bach.
Not much has changed, but at least now you can by it at a local US price, which might add a little value to the review.
I like the studio tracks, but the live tracks are pretty average. The few skid Row classics go off however and are almost worth the admission price alone.
A release for the fans.

DIRTY DEEDS
REAL WORLD
Sanctuary Music
Produced by: Douglas Hall
Released: OUT NOW / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 75%
This is UK hard rockers Dirty Deeds' second album. These guys play hard and heavy melodic metal with a more commercial or melodic touch.
Very much a late 80's sound - or a classic UK hard rock feel - this should appeal to fans of any good NWOBHM album released back then.
The album's pretty good, the songs maybe influenced by a bygone past, but the production is up to par.
For fans of the heavier side of things and who also like the UK influence and a lot better than a lot of albums by guys better know than them and with more money too.
Soon to be released in the US also.

BRUCE DICKINSON
SCREAM FOR ME BRAZIL - LIVE
Sanctuary Music
Produced by: Roy Z
Released: OUT NOW / Website
GENRE: Heavy Metal
OVERALL: 75%
There is little chance this was ever going to appeal to me. I gave the last Bruce Dickinson album an average review, only to receive a few e-mails telling me it was a masterpiece of it's kind. Cool enough, I can accept that. Still didn't do anything for me, but I am always pleased to hear an artist really please his fans. A mate of mine loved it to death also, so shit, what do I know?!! haha.
So this live album should come with no need for a review. If you own any of the recent solo album's by Dickinson, then this should be an automatic purchase. Nice and live, raw and very heavy or course. Great packaging too...Go for it!

ENUFF Z NUFF
PARAPHERNALIA
Spitfire Records 6-70211-5007-2
Produced by: Stemz & Seedz
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Cheap Trick, Beatles
GENRE: Modern Rock
OVERALL: 78%
Enuff Z Nuff have a fanatical fan base and quite a legacy of album's these days. Not to mention a couple of solo albums for good measure.
This album saw the band concentrate on a more alternative modern rock feel, with plenty of distorted guitars, a fuzzy sound, vocal effects and the like.
Still they held their melody and Cheap Trick & Beatles influences, plus a few new ones of their own.
Sleeze rock mixed with 60's pop I guess. Not a bad combo for someone looking for something new and original to check out.
Maybe this could be compared to the Rembrandts on speed or something? Pretty cool anyway, but also maybe an acquired taste - not for everybody.

VANDEN PLAS
FAR OFF GRACE
Inside Out Music
Produced by: Vanden Plas
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Dream Theater
GENRE: Progressive
OVERALL: 77%
Vanden Plas are Germany's answer to Dream Theater. Big progressive hooks, movements, guitars and keyboards mixed with a European hard rock feel.
There is moments of grand bombastic heavy rock and parts more thoughtful acoustic rock.
This is some of the better progressive music I have heard and is well worth investigation if Dream Theater or Queensryche is your thing. If you also like Euro metal, then that's another added bonus.

HELLOWEEN
METAL JUKEBOX
Noise Records
Produced by: Helloween
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative:
GENRE: Heavy Metal
OVERALL: 45%
In the space of 40 minutes Helloween completely destroy some of the most classic rock songs of history. They also have a stab at a Beatles song, an Abba (?) tune and Bowie one for good measure.
A couple of songs they pull off OK - Cream's White Room and surprisingly Bowie's Space Oddity, but the remaining ones like Abba's Lay Your Love On Me and The Beatles' All My Loving simply leave you rolling on the floor laughing.
Wonderful party tunes, but not much else.

IAN PARRY
CONSORTIUM PROJECT
Inside Out Music
Produced by: Ian Parry
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative:
GENRE: Progressive
OVERALL: 72%
Ian Parry has been around and while now and this is his fourth or fifth solo album.
Progressive is always an acquired taste and this is no different.
I don't claim to be any sort of progressive expert, but this is one of the better progressive albums that I have heard. Along with Vanden Plas, it's a prime example of how good European progressive rock sounds.
Parry's voice is also one of the better and stronger ones I have heard. Like classic Bruce Dickinson, but with a progressive twist.
Now available in the US, take advantage and if you are progressively adventurous, this sounds pretty good.

MEATLOAF
STORYTELLERS
VH1.com
Produced by: Meatloaf
Released: OUT NOW / Website
GENRE: Rock
OVERALL: 80%
Storytellers is a very cool series running on classic rock's savior TV station VH1.
It features the artists live and sometimes unplugged in front of a studio audience - live and raw.
The audience gets to ask a few questions and the singers get to talk about each song.
Very cool concept and I hope to see more of it.
Meatloaf's turn here and he rolls through a bunch of his greatest and a coupe of new songs while talking and hamming it up throughout.
A great atmosphere and highly recommended for fans of the fat one.
Mind you, any of these Storytellers affairs will always be a fans only release. That why there may only be a release for the bigger artists featured. Shame.

TONY SCIUTO
ISLAND NIGHTS
Thoughtscape
Produced by: Steve Dorff & Tony Sciuto
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Joseph Williams, Steely Dan
GENRE: Westcoast
OVERALL: 69%
This re-release of what is regarded by some as a classic release is most welcomed.
westcoast AOR fans, 70's pop fans and purists will no doubt love updating their vinyl to this re-mastered CD.
The album itself has certainly dated, but the re-master helps some. The style is very smooth, very 70s pop a la Steely Dan.
Amazingly it's also now been 20 years since the original release of the album.
A good re-issue.

REVIEWS
IN BRIEF - PAGE 8!