In 25 words or less: This was not the Staind album I was expecting at all.  This is heavy, and a welcome to return to the Staind of old! I guess the first song ‘Eyes Wide Open’ is exactly that, it opened mine, I love this.  If that’s anything to go by then we’re in for a treat.  Aaron Lewis […]

For Machine Head to follow up what has previously been referred to as a masterpiece in ‘The Blackening’ was going to be a tough call, turns out it really wasn’t that much of a tough call as I’d be happy to proclaim that ‘Unto The Locust’ is up there if not on par with The Blackening, yeah, I said it.  […]

In 25 words or less: For me, there is no singer I love to hear sing a “ballad” more than Steve Lee Gotthard may not exactly be a massively well known entity outside of their native Switzerland, but that sure isn’t a reflection of their exceptional musical quality.  When it comes to delivering classic hard rock, very few have done […]

In 25 words or less: Being the “Sabaton Cruise”, it was a night purely about the magic between the band and a 2,000 strong crowd.  OK, so I may not have been at this particular performance that is the primary feature on World War Live – Battle Of The Baltic Sea…but I have seen Sabaton perform live in the flesh in […]

In 25 words or less: “My ears have been listening to music for around 30 years and know what they like and they tell me that this is pretty damn close to musical perfection…” Here’s a thought to ponder that really has no relevance to the CD I am about to review….but then again, maybe it does?  Should the length […]

Whilst The Dirt may be regarded as the definitive Mötley Crüe companion piece, aside from their music of course, Mötley Crüe – A Visual History 1983 – 2005 by legendary rock photographer Neil Zlozower is no less essential, portraying in pictures what The Dirt portrayed in words.  Well in saying that, not EVERYTHING from The Dirt is portrayed in pictures, […]

In 25 words or less: “Everything about this album is pure class, not that I really expected anything less from one of the greatest within the kingdom of melodic rock…” Despite being in existence for over 20 years now, I must say it took me by surprise a little that House of Lords latest release Big Money is now their […]

In 25 words or less: “The soulful vocals of Lamothe as always are a real highlight and still really define that Riverdogs sound, as does the storytelling nature of the lyrics…” For those of you not yet acquainted with the Riverdogs, then first lets have a brief history lesson.  Going way back to 1990, current Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell (previously […]

In 25 words or less: Antblad delivers song after song of highly accessible rock, filled with endless hooks, melodies, vocal harmonies and a lead vocal performance that is a real highlight. With labels such as Melodic Rock Records and the tenacity and dedication of people such as label head honcho Andrew McNiece, it’s certainly a great time to be a fan […]

In 25 words or less: 12 songs of thunderous, intense and uplifting melodic rock. Toby Hitchchcock – now not exactly a household name to you, our fine readers, but to some of our more learned faithfull, you will be aware of Toby’s work fronting Pride of Lions, the band assembled by Survivor founding member, Jim Peterik.  Possessing a truly killer […]

In 25 words or less: All the songs are a winner and anyone with a love for AOR would be hard pressed to not enjoy this release from start to finish. In listening to this CD, whilst I didn’t have any prior connection with Xorigin, I immediately felt an overwhelming sense of sympathy for the band.  Why, you ask?  Well […]

In 25 words or less: “They’re not going to get any new fans from it, but their core fanbase will  be stoked to hear what they’ve come up with.” ‘I’m With You’ is the first Chili Peppers album since ‘Stadium Arcadium’ in 2006 and although I’ve never been a huge RHCP fan I have to give them credit as they […]

I heard on the TV or a movie or something that if you don’t have anything nice to say you shouldn’t say it at all. Well considering all I’ve got to say is nice things then you’re safe Mr Bach. It’s been 4 long years since we’ve had an album from Sebastian and this new one is his first on […]

 In 25 words or less: An infectious cocktail of energetic rock that has healthy doses of power pop, classic rock, hard rock, a streak of punk and choruses you will be struggling to get out of your head.. The Samurai Cab Co. – now there’s a band name that you won’t forget that easily, and I tell you what, nor […]

In 25 words or less:  I wish more bands made albums like this, it’s heavy, it’s melodic and it’s going to set the world on fire… given the chance. OK, this is rockin’!  I’m five seconds into this album and I already know it will be a winner, straight out of the gate I am impressed.  Black Veil Brides are […]

 In 25 words or less: This album displays the other musical side and a showcase for the songwriting abilities of one of the most defining guitar players in metal of the last 20+ years… In keeping with his prolific tradition, in the year following their killer release, Order Of The Black, Zakk Wylde and his Black Label Society return with […]

In 25 words or less: If all music sounded like this, the world would be a much happier place.. Guess what?  Night Ranger are still around!  Yeah that’s right, the band that brought us ‘Sister Christian’ and ‘When You Close Your Eyes’ back in the 80’s are still and have been making music for many years after their biggest hits.  […]

 In 25 words or less: Continuing right where the bands debut left off, Love Catastrophe is an album full of driving anthemic rock with little twists and turns stylistically… Forming in 2008, Outloud blasted onto the melodic rock scene with their debut album We’ll Rock You To Hell And Back.  With both Bob Katsionis (guitar and keys) and Mark Cross […]

 “ I recommend this even if you’ve never been a fan of Eddie Vedder, as this is a perfect place to try something different.” Arguably one of the most distinctive voices in rock music as the front man of Pearl Jam now for over 20 years, Eddie Vedder has once again stepped away from the band to release a solo […]

 “A great mix of power pop punk rock. Nice work All Time Low, nice work indeed. It’s far from dirty.” Power pop rock is such a great genre, infectious songs that just make you feel happy, you can sing along with the whoa oh’s and know that you’re in for a 3 minute 30 second burst of energy. This is […]

 “We’re talking about Simple Plan here, not The Beatles – Have a listen, you know you’re curious” I’m going to start this review with my summary of this album so you don’t instantly dismiss it. It’s actually really, really good. This is a fun record that sees Simple Plan try out somewhat of a new sound and feel for the […]

 “This is an album of well written and performed songs, give it a go before you dismiss it. Just sayin’ ” If there’s one thing that 3 Doors Down will never do it’s reinvent the wheel. These guys have a distinct sound that they stick with it and it works, hey, if it ain’t broke why fix it? This new […]

 “If you’ve never heard of him well now is your time to discover David Cook.” The stigma associated with being an American Idol truly isn’t something that people care about as they do here at home with Australian Idol as American Idol has proven to be a launching ground for multi platinum selling artists such as Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and […]

 In 25 words or less: Andreas Novak is an artist to check out that’s for sure, the Swedish AOR / Melodic Rock scene is alive and well….. A new addition to Melodic Rock Records is some awesome AOR / Melodic Rock courtesy of Swedish singer / guitarist Andreas Novak current frontman for House Of Shakira.  This is his second solo […]

 In 25 words or less: Metal versions of Roxette, Abba and Ace Of Base songs…you know you wanna! Swedish Hitz Goes Metal…if the title isn’t obvious enough for you, then let me explain what Swedish Hitz Goes Metal is exactly.  Well Swedish Hitz Goes Metal contains metal versions of songs from three of the biggest ever Swedish pop bands, namely […]

 In 25 words or less: If you love modern American rock you will lap up War Of Angels, if you don’t love, then move on… So who are Pop Evil exactly, well, these rockers from Michigan have just released their 2nd album War Of Angels.  With their name representing the melodies and hooks present in a lot of the bands […]

 In 25 words or less: If you love classic rock, you will love Rival Sons, that’s all I need to say. Well from the outset, it must be said that the Rival Sons are indeed a collection of little contradictions that prove you should never judge a book by it’s cover.  Firstly, this, the Los Angeles based bands third release […]

 In 25 words or less:  Essential for any Whitesnake fan wishing to relive the bands true glory days and to hear one of the bands definitive and supremely talented lineups. “Here’s a song for ya….” ah, the dulcit tones of David Coverdale.  Well, this release sure brings back memories of my teenage years attending a high school were hard rock […]

 In 25 words or less:  With Sister’s brand of punk fuelled sleaze rock, you will either love them or hate them, what you choose is up to you… For all you Swedish sleaze rock loving people out there, then Sister are a band you need to get onto pronto, that is, if they haven’t already found you!  With their debut […]

In 25 words or less:  Stripped bare away from the layers of Mutt Lange production, these versions highlight the great melodies at the very core of these songs. Now here is an interesting concept to say the least – a series of CD releases titled Rock The Cradle that involves creating lullaby renditions of popular songs from legendary rock groups.  […]