Walking With Kings, Self Titled, 2012
Some names behind this band are more known than others, but the origin of this new band lays with the so far unknown Terry Chism (singer / keyboards) making contact with Stuck Mojo and Fozzy guitar player Rich Ward (whose solo venture The Duke – My Kung Fu Is Good I also really like). Other band members come from nearby, with Stuck Mojo and Fozzy drummer Frank Fontsere and Simon Farmery (Pride, Furyon and… Fozzy!) on bass. Now Stuck Mojo is an unknown entity to me (yet – please forgive me), so I can´t really tell how close this is. But since TC reckons Steve Perry, Bryan Adams and Michael Sweet to his musical greats, I think it is a pretty safe bet to say this is a far more melodic outing. Yet this is no Journey or Stryper clone.
It may be bold, but these guys are just too good to be copycats. This is melodic hard rock yes, with emphasis on a positive message (read on the website where Chism comes from), but it is too damn good to ignore. Some may hesitate because of the references to Christian Music. For me, this is an true uplifting album with inspired playing, catchy songs, with more balls than the average melodic rock album, and still succeeding in avoiding the obvious routines. And the best thing is, for now they are giving it away free! Just head on over to their website, and make sure their name is heard. This deserves a big crowd and your support to start with!
66Crusher, Blackest Day, 2011
Another very pleasant surprise for me is this band with the mysterious name of 66crusher. The album title and artwork of Blackest Day hint at depressive metal with dark influences, but to these ears, what we have here is a delightful mixture of progressive metal à la Porcupine Tree, with the sound, song structure and complexity of a band like Fates Warning. And sung by someone who would easily be at home in any alternative band.
So when the album explodes with the title track, I am immediately captured by the song structure and build. From fierce up-tempo riffing, to fragile and melancholic moods within seconds. Resulting in an exciting experience. If I may say so, from the very first spins it is obvious this band has managed to create an identifiable sound. Everything, from the fast changing rhythmic patterns, to the playing within the thoughtful arrangements (from dreams to nightmare and back so to speak) to the melodies, this is a great band at work.
And I reckon that is about enough said about this album. Mandatory for anyone into the genre. Or if you are curious what there is to like about progressive metal, check these guys out. An album to never stop playing!
Classic: In The Name, Self Titled, 1997
From 1997 comes this little gem. I think a one hit wonder, as I since have not heard from In The Name again. Which is a pity, as I really like this CD. But that is preaching to the converted I guess…
Okay, the quartet of Fabien Madeleine (vocals), Mark Stewartson (guitars), Tom Bokicki (bass) and Dan Russell (Drums) serve us a metal album that even borders into progressive territories. And produced by Richard Chycki, whose name (a.o. Rush) is of course pretty well known by know. The band play with dynamics in a manner that reveals a creative ear.
Opener Far Cry is a showcase; powerful riffs are coupled with much lighter parts. Madeleine´s voice sometimes reminds of a young Geoff Tate (Queensryche) and I would not be surprised if that band is an influence. Endless Night again combines again combines several moods. And it is beginning to show how good a bass player Bokicki is. His playing really brings something fresh to the table and the band chose wise to let that come to the fore. Blinded then continues in a much more forward metal manner. Nothing wrong with that. And then comes my highlight of the album, the eternal Dead Of Winter. Opening with clean / acoustic like sounding guitars, the band kick it back a few notches and lead us into this beautiful song. And did I mention the bass playing is good? Here it is stunning in the instrumental break. Bass and guitar play off on each other and create an excellent piece of music that compliments the already beautiful vocal parts. A must have! Goose bumps every time I hear it. Makes we wanna hit repeat over and over.
To round this off, the rest of the album is worth the effort to track this down also, but Dead Of Winter is THE reason to own this CD.
Joseph Magazine, Night Of The Blood Red Sky, 2011
Lately I have been feeling like the proverbial kid in the candy store. All those new discoveries and such intriguing releases! Next on my playlist is this Joseph Magazine outfit. Little mysterious bunch but oh man, did they take me by surprise. Must be one of the most thrilling releases in a long time. And yes, I have heard some excellent ones lately…
And just how did they manage that you ask? Okay, try to image a blend of Marillion, Derek Sherinian / Planet X, Dream Theater and Vangelis, but without the singers. Yeah you heard me right, no vocals. Well actually, there are some vocals present, but I doubt many of you will label them as such. Track Vision has words, but they are coming into your ears from some whispering demon, chilling, yet oh so effective! Only the final song Thorn Piece Of The Sky has a regular vocal melody.
Other tracks have sound clips, or choir like humming, but truth be told, I hardly did miss a vocalist. The musicians here are very talented and deliver one stunning part after the other. And I just can´t believe how they managed to keep me interested. Just goes to show this bunch has stories to tell, singer or not. Not all musical muscle, but lots of light and shade and melancholy as well. Only in some small parts the quantity seemed to prevail over quality, but never too long before they started to play real music again.
It is a damn shame this is a download only, I would love to own this on CD. So please, hit the site, take a listen and buy this, maybe they will change their mind. Stunning!
The Wheel, Self Titled, 2011
Okay, take a look at the cover on the left. Screams symphonic rock you say? Well, then you got it all wrong, as this new Norwegian band is a hard rocking affair. And I might add, a very convincing one at that!
Just try to imagine that Chris Cornell and Robert Plant had offspring (yeah I do know that is impossible) who would sing in an updated version of Badlands. Okay maybe too difficult to see before you, but what I am trying to say is that these guys have managed to give us an album that is firmly rooted in 70´s hard rock, but transferred it to modern times.
It grooves, it is pure and raw with hardly overdubs besides to enhance the solo parts, vocals (both lead and harmony) are stellar, songs showcase all the talent on board and are melodic, dynamic and hitting home hard. I just love this thing! It is just impossible to resist the energy and feel pouring out of the speakers and for once I am gonna take the advice the band themselves give ” To be played at Maximum Volume”.
So anyone into bands like Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, Badlands and cohorts, you gotta hear this to believe it. They are touring Europe soon, so please go check them out and support this treasure.
Morpheus Rising, Let The Sleeper Awake, 2011
Seems this year so far has brought me a lot of new discoveries. The latest being UK band Morpheus Rising with their Let The Sleeper Awake album. Kinda funny to name yourself after the Greek God of dreams, and then let the sleeper wake up… Ah well, I am sure they know what they are up to.
The band is formatted as a classic metal quintet (vocals, bass, drums and 2 x guitar) and that is exactly what first song Daylight confirms. High energy, dual lead guitar attacks, the works. Singer Si Wright has a warm and pleasant voice, but is not your typical metal screamer. His tone is darker and deeper, more like a 80´s new wave singer. Next track Lord Of The North continues that adrenaline pump, but here it seems keyboards are added. Low in the mix, but there is something cooking all right. The chorus is a big winner! The dual leads are again put to good use and deliver many a bridge that holds your attention. And much to my surprise Wright pulls off some screams as well. More metal than I figured 
As the album develops, the impression of the style of the band evolves as well. Due to the colours added with keyboards, I sometimes got a different vibe from this album. More progressive if you will, but I would like to bring that new wave connection up again. I really like the overall effect, bringing the band an identity of their own.
To sum it up, a very interesting melodic metal release that is very well worth hunting down. Excellent!
Konchordat, The New Crusade, 2011
Ahhh, sometimes this life is just great! Like when you get to listen to a new artist and they just tick all the right boxes. The artist in case of course being Konchordat, with their recent album The New Crusade. New artist you should not take literally, this is not the band´s first album, I just never heard of them before.
The music from this duo (Stuart Martin on voice, guitars and keyboards, and Steve Cork on bass, Moog Taurus and keyboards, with Liam Green guesting on drums), to me is like Threshold as being played by early Marillion. So a less metal version if you like. But they are no copycats, and the voice of Stuart resembles none of Threshold lead vocalists what so ever. I just thought of those bands while listening to this. Must be the grandiose themes, the keen use of catchy choruses, or the instrumental breaks….
The album has 6 tracks, clocking in between 4:34 and 14:29, giving us a total of over 55 minutes of damn good progressive rock. Ever track here has a vibrancy and energy that hold your attention with ease. Some fine melodies all around and all the variety and musicianship one could hope for with this type of music.
So it is really easy I think, all people into Threshold, early Marillion, or with a love of quality progressive rock, head on over to their site and buy the thing!
Classic: Frank Zappa, Sheik Yerbouti, 1979
It is about time this blog pays attention to the man who asked if humour belongs in music, the genius and legend that is Frank Zappa. From I don´t know how many albums, I choose Sheik Yerbouti because it can serve as a perfect introduction to all Zappa stands for. That is, if there is anybody on the planet that does not know…
So here we go. that humour question? Just listen to Bobby Brown, Dancing Fool, I´m So Cute or about any vocal track here, and you will realize how damn funny the man was. Often tongue in cheek, many times with explicit sexual implications (and often he kept you guessing), but always good to put many a smile on your face.
Then there is the guitar question. There is a reason a man like Steve Vai was so adamant to join. A track like Rat Tomago shows how good a player Frank himself was. And where son Dweezil got his playing genes from. In a unique style with lots of free jazz like phrasing, but always spell binding.
The music Zappa wrote was very melodic, but always full of intricate arrangements on every level. From impossible time signatures to breathtaking instrumental interplay, to massive lead and harmony vocals, he would never let you down. One of the most impressive things about the band being they were supposed to be able to play to a click so Zappa could record them live and later combine the best parts to release as a live album. Imagine a bass part from Oslo, a guitar from Bremen, drums from Anaheim and vocals from Amsterdam… He did that! So fantastic musicians, great songs, stunning instrument abuse, fun as hell, is there any reason NOT to like this? Mandatory stuff… One Two Three Four!
Silent Victory, No Sacred Ground, 2009
It was fun reading in the booklet where the title of this album came from. Sure something I recognize, being in a band myself. And to not spoil the mystery, get the album yourself if you want to find out
So on to the music. Silent Victory play a mix of hard rock and NWOBHM, with keyboards throwing in the occasional progressive influences as well. In all honesty, it took some effort getting into the album and I have been wondering why that is. Part it may be due to the voice of Tony Rimmer, whose voice is not bad, but is not 100% on key and sounds like he sings on the top of his lungs a lot. But after some time you get used to that.
Another factor might be the sound. Heavy emphasis on vocals and guitars, with the bass providing the foundations. Drums and keyboards are fairly low in the mix. Overall this results in a Cd with little sonic variation. But as always, maybe you think different, just my opinion.
On the other hand, I am quite sure this is a fun outfit to watch live, as their songs are easy to identify with, lots of hooks and adequate musicianship. Choruses get a lot of repetition. I like the songs where they expand into the more progressive side of things best. Those are sounding fresh, closer to a band like Magnum. Guitar solos and interplay are well done also.
So good job, yet they deserve to improve on production level.
Bolus, Delayed Reaction, 2010
What do mellotron, acoustic guitars, piano, hammond, flute, progressive metal drumming, rock guitars, harmony vocals, groove, AOR, symphonic rock, fusion and prog rock have in common? Besides the fact I love all that of course… Well, the band Bolus put them to great use on this album!
From the opening sequence of Those Who Saved Us my attention is caught. And not only because it reminded me of old Chinawhite track Concert For Chaos (visit the member page if you´d like to compare). Well the comparison ends pretty quick because the songs are completely different animals, but the concept of the intro is very similar. Evolving into an enticing prog rock track with great riffing, my attention is raised high. Next track Outside is a whole different affair with the beautiful melodies, acoustic guitars and mellotron again. I am won over!
And if you are reading this and thinking, okay, isn´t this all too patchy? No it is not. The two man band manages to keep it all together with ease. Well you might disagree if you are stuck with 3 chord pop songs your whole life, but then I think you wouldn´t be reading this at all.
In my book this is a very strong release in the progressive rock domain. Accomplished musicians, entertaining songs, authentic instruments with great character, this deserves a large audience. My only question, who do those lead vocals remind me of?… Exciting CD, buy it!
