FORTUNE – The Gun’s Still Smokin’ Live

The American AOR outfit Fortune made a name for themselves back in the mid-80s when they launched their self-titled debut album via Camel/MCA Records, and the band’s vocalist, Larry Greene, later appeared on the entertaining "Top Gun" soundtrack to which he contributed the tune entitled “Through the Fire”. The whole thing fell apart relatively quickly…

KRYPTOGRAF – Kryptograf

Yes, this is just what I needed – a raw, fuzzy stoner rock/doom metal opus that harkens back to pioneering groups such as Black Sabbath, Pentagram, and Saint Vitus. Certain parts here even recall Blue Cheer and Jimi Hendrix, which is brilliant. If you want spaced-out, psychedelic riffs and wicked melodies, look no further than…

BLOODFEAST RITUAL – Altars Of Sacrifice

Lately, there have been a mlutitude of new technical melodic death metal bands, particularly from The Artisan Era and Jon Asher’s Asher Media Relations. These bands usually oscillate between The Black Dahlia Murder, Arsis and early Revocation with various other elements such as old school death metal and they all, frankly, sound alike. So it…

ARCTIC RAIN – The One

The skilled melodic rockers from Sweden known as Arctic Rain released this eleven-track effort via Frontiers quite recently and offer energetic hard rock packed with radio-friendly choruses. There are power chords and feel-good rockers aplenty here, but the sound is not quite as slick as that of many of their label mates, which is great.…

SERENE DARK – Enantiodromia

Some time ago, Asher Media Relations’ manager Jon Asher had presented me with a deathened black metal (or blackened death metal) Ottawa, Ontario, Canadian project Endemise "for fans of Dimmu Borgir and Fleshgod Apocalypse" before their single "Anathema" sparked a minor interest in me, but the following "Anathema" full length never met my ears due…

OSYRON – Foundations

Osyron’s five-track EP entitled “Foundations” is not only a melodically rich and highly diverse musical opus, but also pretty damn difficult to classify or label as it incorporates elements from hard rock, progressive rock, and groovy heavy metal with a modern sheen to it. However, one could argue that due to its epic feel and…

LIONVILLE – Magic is Alive

AOR rockers Lionville recently released this eleven-track slice of melodic and atmospheric rock that reminds this writer of Pride of Lion’s excellent “Fearless” record from 2016. What the fuck does that mean? Well, we are talking instantly catchy riffs, vocal melodies that are easy on the ear, rather straightforward yet cool arrangements, and lyrics that…

PHOBETOR – When Life Falls Silent

On my continuing search for fresh, unique and original sounds I came across this fairly new technical melodic groove London, British trio consisting of Debora Conserva (vocals), Mitch Revy (guitar), and Marc Dyos (drums) with session bassist, Richard Hunter, whose debut album "When Life Falls Silent", an offspring of the "Burning Memories" EP (2019), was…

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