Category: Reviews

Riverdogs – World Gone Mad

Riverdogs – World Gone Mad

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 […]

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Chris Antblad – Century

Chris Antblad – Century

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 […]

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Spitfire Rain – Gonna Get Better (EP)

Spitfire Rain – Gonna Get Better (EP)

  In 25 words: Radio friendly rock, but with a bit of attitude, a shot of personality and uniqueness and a ballsy Australian rock sound loaded with pop sensibilities. For Melbourne’s rock dynamos Spitfire Rain, the journey to get to this EP release certainly hasn’t been an easy one or a quick one, but the important thing, here it is and […]

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Toby Hitchcock – Mercury’s Down

Toby Hitchcock – Mercury’s Down

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 […]

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Xorigin – State Of The Art

Xorigin – State Of The Art

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 […]

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Warrant – Dog Eat Dog

Warrant – Dog Eat Dog

On August 11 2011 the music world lost what I feel was one of its greatest talents.  Like Warrant or not, Jani Lane was one of the best out there back in the day and it is a shame that he has left us, but what he has left us with is a legacy.  Amazing songs, ones that should be […]

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White Widdow – Serenade

White Widdow – Serenade

In 25 words of less:  Unashamedly 80’s inspired melodic rock anthems with more keys than a locksmith, destined to further affirm the international standing of my fellow Aussies. Releasing two studio albums in 12 months is not an easy task, no matter who you are, but combine that with the much hyped “second album syndrome” and you could be destined […]

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Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You

Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You

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 […]

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Diamond Eye – Sound Of The Guns (EP)

Diamond Eye – Sound Of The Guns (EP)

In an era where many of us are still loving the rock music that we grew up with but many bands are too cool to even try and still play it, Diamond Eye refuse to forget those days and have no intention of changing who they are either.  These boys love to rock and they have taken elements of every […]

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Electrik Dynamite – Hair.Denim.Sex.Metal

Electrik Dynamite – Hair.Denim.Sex.Metal

In 25 words or less: Massive.Party.Metal.Anthems. Made.For.Pumping.Fists. Air.Guitar.Good.Times. Comes.With.Keytar. Crank.Loud.Made.To.Enjoy. With a band name such as Electrik Dynamite, Hair.Denim.Sex.Metal as the album title and claims of delivering “party metal”, it was a pretty safe bet that this Melbourne based 6 piece was going to deliver my style of hard rock.  But what I probably underestimated was just how good this […]

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Sebastian Bach – Kicking & Screaming

Sebastian Bach – Kicking & Screaming

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 […]

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Pseudo Echo – Race

Pseudo Echo – Race

Formed in 1982 in Melbourne Australia, over a career spanning just 3 albums Pseudo Echo certainly left their mark in so many ways.  Following the release of debut album Autumnal Park in 1984, they were regarded as one of Australia’s hottest bands alongside INXS.  Their new wave synth pop sound channelled the likes of Duran Duran and Ultravox and the […]

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Destroy She Said – Music For Muscle Cars (EP)

Destroy She Said – Music For Muscle Cars (EP)

With a title such as Music For Muscle Cars, my ears couldn’t help but already form an opinion of what they were going to hear before I had pressed play on this the second EP for Melbourne hard rockers Destroy She Said.  Big, fat, chunky, pounding riffs, screaming solos, sharp as a razorblade vocals and a style of rock that […]

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Samurai Cab Co. – Self Titled (EP)

Samurai Cab Co. – Self Titled (EP)

 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 […]

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Black Veil Brides – Set The World On Fire

Black Veil Brides – Set The World On Fire

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 […]

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Black Label Society – The Song Remains Not The Same

Black Label Society – The Song Remains Not The Same

 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 […]

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Electric Mary – Long Time Coming (EP & DVD)

Electric Mary – Long Time Coming (EP & DVD)

 In 25 words or less: Electric Mary, “rock n roll the way it used to taste”, yes indeed….and doesn’t it taste good… The Aussie classic rock behemoth that is Electric Mary have just released their latest studio offering titled Long Time Coming.  For those of you that have not seen Electric Mary do what they do best and that’s play […]

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Night Ranger – Somewhere In California

Night Ranger – Somewhere In California

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.  […]

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Outloud – Love Catastrophe

Outloud – Love Catastrophe

 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 […]

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Eddie Vedder – Ukulele Songs

Eddie Vedder – Ukulele Songs

 “ 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 […]

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All Time Low – Dirty Work

All Time Low – Dirty Work

 “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 […]

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Simple Plan – Get Your Heart On!

Simple Plan – Get Your Heart On!

 “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 […]

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3 Doors Down – Time Of My Life

3 Doors Down – Time Of My Life

 “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 […]

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David Cook – This Loud Morning

David Cook – This Loud Morning

 “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 […]

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Andreas Novak – Novakation

Andreas Novak – Novakation

 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 […]

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Swedish Hitz Goes Metal

Swedish Hitz Goes Metal

 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 […]

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Pop Evil – War Of Angels

Pop Evil – War Of Angels

 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 […]

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Rival Sons – Pressure & Time

Rival Sons – Pressure & Time

 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 […]

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Whitesnake – Live At Donnington 1990

Whitesnake – Live At Donnington 1990

 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 […]

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Sister – Hated

Sister – Hated

 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 […]

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