I am proud to present you the latest new AOR sensation from Germany and they are called LAMORNA. My co-editor already reviewed the CD and because it really is a wonderful record, I decided to do a second opinion review to push this band a little. The band consists of three members, namely keyboardplayer, bassist and drummer Uli Hardt, guitarist Horst Bruckmann and vocalist Dirk Hackenberg (who used to be in the bands ESSEX, SALVAGE and HALIFAX with whom he recorded some great melodic rock albums).

The band released a double CD entitled 'The rainhorse' and this CD is filled with superb classic 80s AOR in the style of JOURNEY, STRANGEWAYS, AVIATOR, SURVIVOR, FAIR WARNING and so on and on. I didn't expect it to be so good, and after a few spins I am proud to inform you that this is one of the best German AOR releases ever done. The production is pretty good for an independent release and the songs are almost all sensational.

The album consists of two seperate discs. The fist disc is just pure AOR, while the second disc is more Progressive AOR/Melodic Rock based and includes long songs. Nevertheless all the songs are very impressive to hear! The first disc sounds totally not German, it's like you're listening to an English or American band. Opener "Mary (I still love you)" is a terrific
classic mid 80s uptempo AOR song that sounds like a cross between SURVIVOR and early FM. The titlesong is up next and this song has a very catchy chorus, sounds like ROXUS meets STRANGEWAYS to me! "From now on" is yet another winner for fans of true AOR and again I have to note JOURNEY and STRANGEWAYS as similar sounding bands. "How long" is a little less sensational, but still a great AOR/Melodic Rocker. We're in MARK FREE ('Long way from love') territory on the superb midtempo AOR song "How many tears", this could've been a song from the Randall Sisters!

Another huge song is the AOR ballad "You ain't got nothing". Following track "Take me back" takes us back to the classy mid 80s uptempo AOR sound of STRANGEWAYS and AVIATOR. The good AOR/Melodic Rocker "Living out of touch" is up next and reminds me a bit of ALIEN. Closing track of disc 1 is the instrumental "Still". Disc 1 is really awesome AOR and a total must if you're into any of the mentioned bands. Disc 2 is not that good, but still a nice melodic rock album with some progressive influences. The first track of that disc is the long song "Fading away", a song with influences from AOR, Melodic rock, Progressive Rock and Pomprock! This song has a lovely melodic chorus a la CITA and a very cool keyboardsolo part.

The next track is "Save me tonight", a great AOR ballad. The following two songs are the only songs on the whole album that are just nice, but nothing special. These are the midtempo melodic rocker "Indians" and the semi-ballad "I won't close my eyes". "After the fall" contains a great AOR chorus, but let me remind you that this is not a JOURNEY cover! The catchy uptempo melodic rocker "Come don't pay" (a song that also contains some other music influences wrapped into, and does come over slightly progressive) is the last song with vocals. Closing track "Reprise" is the second instrumental on the album. This CD of LAMORNA is a total must for every AOR fan. Get this double disc a.s.a.p.! You can get the CD via one of the following mail order companies:

Hang Loose Records, Gewerbegebiet 11, 82399 Raisting
DSB-Versand, Postfach 1202, 74802 Mosbach
Rising Sun Records, Pulser Damm 4, 25560 Oldenborstel

E-mail them at: dirkhackenberg@yahoo.de and you can expect an interview soon!

Rating: 9/10

Out of Canada comes vocalist Anders Eriksson. He released his debut CD 'Within reach' back in 1997, but this is the first time I have heard the album. I am quite pleased to have this CD, because it is a very good AOR/Melodic Poprock album in the style of JOHN TAGLIERI, FIORE, MITCH MALLOY, SCOTT SUDBURY, BRETT WALKER etc. etc. Anders is making a cool mixture of 80s and 90s Poprock and throws in some AOR influences here and there to give his sound a catchy approach. There are 11 songs and most of them sound pretty nice, I never got bored! The CD starts with the melodic poprocker "Roses (early bloomer)", a nice song that also ends the CD, only then in a different version (more 80s typed uptempo poprock a la ERIC MARTIN).

Next track "I am for you" is a very impressive midtempo AOR tune in the style of ROKBOX and Anders' countrymen of HONEYMOON SUITE. The following 3 songs are a bit more 90s typed, but still they sound pretty melodic and actually remind me of the last FIORE record, just listen to songs like "If heaven falls tonight", "Fall to pieces" and "Safe and sound", radio-ready for the 90s/00s and still AORish! The second part of the CD grabs back to an 80s orientated AOR/Melodic Poprocksound that I prefer to hear. Songs like "Can I depend on you" (AOR ballad), "Just another pretty face" (80s typed uptempo melodic poprocker like JIMMY HARNEN, RICK SPRINGFIELD) and the uptempo melodic rockers "Destiny" (very much like FIORE) and "Under the light of the moon" (not unlike HAREM SCAREM) and the midtempo "She stands in the rain" (BRETT WALKER style) are very good and definitely the better songs on the album.

In other words, this is a fine record that needs to be heard by anyone who wants to hear AOR/Melodic Poprock with 80s melodies, but still sounding updated for today's rockgenre. I would call this CD a mixture between FIORE and RICK SPRINGFIELD, but you have to listen for yourself if you agree with me. Anders also sent me a new 3-track CD on which he
continues to make good solid melodic poprock that will attract fans of both 80s and 90s poprock. Check out his website at: http://www.anderseriksson.com and e-mail him at: info@outlawentertainment.com

Rating: 8,5/10

This is a Swedish band and 'Beyond reality' is their first CD. They just recorded the album, so the 3 songs on the CD are pretty new and actually this sounds very good to me. FATAL SMILE is playing melodic hardrock and doesn't overlook a 90s influence, but still have an ear for a good 80s typed melody. Musically they can easily be compared to late HAREM SCAREM, MILLENIUM and EMERALD RAIN who all do the same kind of rock.

The songs "The saviour" and "Love has mysterious ways" are great melodic rockers with some very catchy memorable choruses. Besides, the production and sound quality of this CD is very impressive, so this band is definitely worth signing! The only song I haven't mentioned yet is the titletrack "Beyond reality" which was the only track that was a bit average, a bit too much 90s rock orientated. Nevertheless, the other two songs are pretty sensational and very much worth checking out if you're into any of the mentioned bands. Check them out at: http://www.listen.to/fatalsmile and e-mail them at: yuksel.unutmaz@swipnet.se

Rating: 8/10

TIME AFTER TIME is coming out of Virginia, USA and they sent me their two CDs. The fist one is a nice melodic rockalbum with influences from 80s and 90s popular rockstyles. Songs like "Trials and tribulations", "You and I" and "With delicate wings" are pretty good 80s typed melodic rockers, while other songs such as No time to criticize", "Fist full of range" and "Hard times" are nice heavy rockers that sound like the 90s. A nice debut for a new band. The follow-up 'Evolution' is somewhat different in style, not a dramatic change in style, but just less catchy than their debut. Especially the first couple of songs sound a bit average and are definitely appealing to a more 90s typed pop/rock sound.

Later on the album we'll get to hear some rockers such as "Beside themselves", "The poets pain" and "Clawing scratchin kicking" that remind me of SKID ROW from a few years
ago. I think their debut has stronger tunes than this second CD. Maybe another new record will show what this band is all about. You can check out this band for yourself at: http://www.timeaftertime.com and e-mail them at: musician@rbnet.com

Rating: 7/10

Formed in the early 90s, this EMERALD from Norway has just released their third demo. The CD is titled 'Stargazer' and contains 3 well-performed songs. Musically EMERALD is playing Melodic Hardrock with Progressive influences. "Stargazer" and "Moving on" are two great melodic rockers, a bit in the style of RAINBOW. The third song of the band's demo CD is titled 'Prodigal love" and this song show some of the progressive influences the band has picked up through the years. This is definitely a band to look out for, their progressive influenced melodic rock sounds very professional and it wouldn't surprise if a
label would pick them up sooner or later. In the meantime, check out EMERALD at: http://emeraldshrine.com and e-mail them at: contact@emeraldshrine.com or david@emeraldshrine.com

Rating: 7,5/10

A progressive metal band from Illinois, USA, and they have released a CD that is more like a concept album because the 6 songs are split in different parts. There are also a lot of instrumental parts during the songs and musically it all sounds very progressive at times. The long progressive song "Broken glass" is one of the highlights of the record as it features everything this band is able to do.

The semi-melodic rocker "Promotheus" is also pretty nice. A different progressive style can be heard on "Fear of the dark", this song sounds like a cross between URIAH HEEP and RHAPSODY. Most of the songs have an own kind of progressive metal approach. If you like your metal to be very progressive, while still being melodic and don't mind long instrumental passages, then do check out LISTEN at: http://www.welcome.to/listen

Rating: 7/10

The Californian outfit MIND FRY is formed around one person: Barry Warshauer (aka: Scarry). He wrote, composed, mastered, mixed and played all the instruments on the 6 songs of his demo tape 'Electrifying instrumentals'. Musically we get to hear a relaxing instrumental rockstyle that actually sounds like nobody. This is due to the fact that Barry just plays whatever comes up in his mind. This makes his music sound rather personal, but interesting too. I liked the relaxing instrumental songs such as "Hypnotic" and "Visions". Maybe Barry should try to add some vocals next time. Anyway, if you like instrumental guitar music, this might interest you. More info at: http://www.mp3.com/mindfry and e-mail Barry at: scarry69@excite.com

Rating: 7/10

This Canadian band is playing very much in today's pop/rock tradition, so you don't get your typical smooth 80s typed melodic rock on this record. Nevertheless, for a 90s typed act they don't sound bad at all, because THNEED throws in some good melodies for the ear on songs like "Tigermoth" and "Falling down". On the other hand songs like "Big", "The bus" and "After all" are a bit too much leaning towards the 90s Alternative Rocksound. If you like your Rock in a pure 90s/00s style, then this THNEED is the band for you at: www.thneedit.com and e-mail them at: thneedit@hotmail.com

Rating: 6,5/10

Here's another multi-instrumentalist who has released a CD. BURNING BUSH is formed around Emilio Sanseviero who has played all the instruments on his debut CD. Musically he is playing 80s typed Hard Rock/Metal and although the songs doesn't sound bad, it's the sound quality that is making this very hard to listen to.

Songs like "Social opportunity", "Futures present", "God take me" and "Last stop" are nice tunes that have that 80s typed Hard Rock sound written all over, but it's the sound/production that destroys it unfortunately. Vocally I find Emilio also a bit on the weak side, so these are the two things that need to be improved in the future. Then we may hear something good, but nevertheless you can check out Emilio's music at: http://artists2.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Burning_Bush/ and e-mail him at: sub13@bellsouth.net

Rating: 6/10

This is a female fronted Rock/Metalband from Texas. There are 12 songs on the album and some of them sound pretty heavy, the guitar riffs are pure Heavy Metal, so there's not much left for the fans of melodic rock. Happily, the second part of the CD also captures some nice melodic heavy rockers such as "Need another lover" (uptempo 80s hardrock with melodic chorus, kinda like BETSY), "After all this time" (ballad) and the melodic hardrocksongs "Year of pain" and "Bad sugar". Most of the time this band is playing Heavy Metal, I think people who like the old WARLOCK will enjoy this TROUBLEMAKER as well. More info at: www.troublemaker-inc.com and e-mail them at: kjames2@ev1.net

Rating: 6,5/10

Freddy Curci incase you unaware is/was the lead singer from Sheriff and Alias who both enjoyed number one US hits with 'When I'm With You' and 'More Than Words Can Say' at the tail end of the eighties.

Curci's songs are pure AOR with strong lyrical contents which give way to heartwrenching weeping ballads like the aforementioned US smash hit 'More Than Words Can Say' (which I can't believe is ten years old already), the equally massive 'Diamonds' through to new cut 'Finally' which showcases Curci's magnificent towering vocal chords.

Thus 'Then And Now' serves as a collection of tunes lifted from the Alias and Sheriff albums and Curci's own underrated '94 solo album 'Dreamer's Road'- topped with a few added bonus cuts including the excellent 'In A Perfect Word' from the soundtrack 'Don't Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead' through to remixed songs like 'Senza Te' which Curci sings in Italian.

After years away from music it's nice to see that the man hasn't lost his magic crooning touch on the new songs, my only criticism is why the inclusion of only one Sheriff song? surly there could have been room to include a few more from that classic 1982 album?

Anyway of the new songs, check out 'Bare Necessity' a chunky guitar fulled arena rocker and the aforementioned 'Finally' which is simply beautifully sung with those golden lungs wailing in tuneful spirit. I've always had a soft spot for Curci's music and if your a fan of pure AOR then this is really a must have. Apart from the absence of Sheriff songs 'Then And Now' is great sixteen track compilation which we can only hope is followed up by a brand new Alias/solo album real soon.

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Highly touted by many, many people, to date, despite the massive talent on display, the appeal of Symphony X, has utterly passed your humble reviewer by, that is until now-because this new album is, to borrow a phrase, truly awesome. The band have finally got their act together in the songwriting department, marrying some wonderful hooks, in place very Queen II and Kansas, married to incredible musicianship, specifically from guitarist Michael Romeo, and vocalist Russell Allen, the latter a singer in the Dio/Walsh/ Anderson/Coverdale vein.

There's obviously a concept/theme running through the album, somebody has being doing a lot of reading, everything from the myths of Central America- "The Bird-Serpent War/Cataclysm"- ( The Mayas have dated the end of this age of the world in 2012), to one of the best songs I've ever heard about the land about the Nile-"Egypt" "The death of balance/Lacrymosa" marries Queen II with European baroque, and is glorious, whilst "Evolution" marries transcendental musicianship with world class composition. As with Trans-Siberian-Orchestra, picking out tracks is a pretty redundant exercise, this album should be appreciated as a whole. All praise to Symphony X, and to InsideOut for supporting and developing bands of this calibre and ambition. One of the albums of this or any other year.

Rating: 9,5/10 (Review by Andrew Paul)

This is rather good mini album which introduces French act T.C.S. to fans of symphonic power metal.'Shadows Of Freedoms' bursts in after a short intro, the song kicks off with Dream Theater style synths, enter some rather hot drum pounding from Darko Miljkovic, followed by nice guitar work from either Pierra Ribot or Laurent Pegoraro. The vocals from David Scheurer at times remind me of Metallica's James Hetfield, Megadeth's Dave Mustaine and the singer from Morbid Angel. The bands music maybe be progressive a'la Dream Theater, but the nice thing about this particular song is the way David changes his vocal abilities to suit the songs moods, thus appealing to a wider audience.

'Shadows Of Freedom' is suprisingly catchy, the production from keyboard player Xavier Cazemajou compliments the bands power, check out the complexed musical layers on 'Of Dreams And Nightmares', a technically perfect progressive/metal song with again gritty growling vocals from David and awesome synth work from Xavier Perrodon, which reminds me of Balance Of Power and Dream Theater. During this song Xavier comes up with some complexd playing on his keys and adds in some influential oriental textures which give the song an epic feelThe thing about this band is that they want to be Dream Theater so bad it hurts, what amazes me is the production, for all the montey D.T. spend on their records these guys have crafted themselves a fine album that any fan of progressive/symphonic rock should investigate. Also during this song David starts singing in a rap/metal vein, similar to Faith No More, so it seems that experimentation plays a huge part with T.C.S.

Next up is short but beautiful piano led instrumental, which breaks into the following track 'Own Private Enemy' which continues the bands diverse abilities. From here the experimentation becomes pretty bizarre, fans of Buckethead or Praxis will understand what these guys are all about as this is the direction the final songs 'The Name Upon My Lips' and the afforementioned 'Own Private Enemy' take. In short T.C.S. are very competent musicians and know what they want to do, which you gotta admire them for, the band should approach a label like Massacre records or Neat Records.I look forward to hearing more material from these guys in the future. Email:- tcs_contact@hotmail.com or http://perso.club-internet.fr/x_perrod

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

'Kingdom Of XII' is the brand new twelve track album from Southern rock stars Molly Hathchet. Joining the band are new drummer Sean Shannon who has had stints with The Pat Travers Band amongst others. Produced by Brazen Abbot's Nikolo Kotzev in Hamburg , Molly Hatchet have inlisted the help of the lead singer from Rockbith to handle background vocals.

The feel of 'Kingdom Of XII' is of a band having fun with their craft. The songs are catchy and lyrically strong and Phil McCormack is on totally on form, McCormack joined Molly Hatchet for their comback albums 'Devil's Canyon' and 'Silent Reign Of Heroes' a few years ago after former lead singer Danny Joe Brown had to give up music because of ill health.

Of the twelve songs the best are 'Heart Of The USA' which is ridiculosly catchy classic rock, the guitars are heavy and the chorus makes you wanna rock, 'Why Won't You Take Me Home' is also very very catchy, again the chours lines hook themselves into you forcing you to singalong, 'Kickstart To Freedom' kicks off with a solid drum attack, Paul reminds me of so many other singers on this song, it has a kind of ZZ TOP and AC/DC boogie edge that makes it easily one of the albums best songs.

'Dreams Of Life' is another quality Hatchet song, the song starts off in your normal hard rock way, but half way though the song and the killer guitar solo, the song decides to change mood for a heavy progressive slant done in the Southern way which lasts for seven minutes

'Edge Of Sundown' is another long song that clocks in at over seven minutes and again is musically experimental, fans may remember this track from the Danny Joe Brown days.

Other songs to check out are the excellent 'One Last Ride', complete with Slash comparisons in the guitar work. 'Turn My Back On Yesterday' is an uptempo piano led ballad that works really well and the guitar work takes off with track six 'Gypsy Trail', complete with violins etc. 'White Lightning' is fun country Southern rock a'la ZZ TOP etc,

The only song that let this otherwise perfectly good album down are 'Angel In Dixie' and the cover of 'Tumbling Dice' which was orginally recorded by The Rolling Stones. Get this album bought if your a fan of Southern Rock.

http://www.spv-de

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Shredding sparks of neo classical compositions come flying out of Ohio USA thanks to an incredibly gifted new guitar played called Chris Steberl. His theory's add up to seven tracks of superbly constructed guitar monsters with superbly arranged classical pieces.

This is a mighty accomplishment for an unsigned artist who has had to finance the recording himself, so credit where credit is due, Steberl knows exactly where and when to impress the listener and not to impress and just let the melodies flow, which keeps this album fresh and exciting.

The best tracks are the opening track 'Nightmare On Bald Mountain', see if you can spot his influences, I hear elements of Michael Fath, Shawn Lane, Eric Johnson, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman in his music, in fact 'Nightmare' features some chunky chopin riffage that could almost be the band Cacophony featuring the afformentioned Becker and Friedman, there is so much musicality playing throughout this song, as you can probably tell this is not your usual guitar album, check out 'Sahara Skies' another gorgeous song that plays with satisfying effect thanks to the added inclusion of the piano which is played by Chris himself. The feel of this song gives off European influences, also in -smegging- credible is 'Mozart's 25th Symphony In Gm (Amadeus).

This is where the classical compositions come into full force, this song is quite fun and changes mood every so often, keeping the listener interested and entertained right to the very end, lets also not forget the relaxing 'Silk 'n' Honey' with it's gentle and calming theme reminding me of Eric Johnson.. Sterberl's playing is extraordinary, incredible, astonishing, wondrous, stupendous, sensational, miraculous, breathtaking, inspiring, and utterly mind-blowing, I really like this album and if your a fan of this style of music then you will appreciate the skill and passion of Chris Steberl's work which almost breaks previously held land speed records.

Contact:- AL1CAZAR@aol.com

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Fresh from their best album to date with "The Fourth Legacy", Kamelot return with a live document of the 'New Allegiance' tour from the spring of this year, and a sense, confirmed by their liner notes, of a band with a new spirit or conviction about them. Supplemented live by Vanden Plas' keyboard maestro Gunter Werno, "The Expedition" sees a band relaxed and doing what they do best, playing live, and feeding off the ambience created by an audience, certainly singer supreme Roy Khan takes proceedings by the scruff of the neck and demonstrates, especially on the poignant "Sailorman's Hymn" , and the rampaging Rainbow-esque "Until Kingdom Come",why he is regarded as a great singer.

Funnily enough Rainbow comes across as a reference point throughout the album, the band having some of that band's brooding power and melodic sensibility- as in "Call of the Sea"-which sets them a little aside from most of their contemporaries in the technical/power metal field. Released with three bonus studio tracks, including the lilting "One Day", and the cynical "We are separate",Kamelot have produced a fine document detailing where they are at present, and in the vision and sweep of the mighty "Nights of Arabia" a promise of a wonderful future to come.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

It's not often that a speed metal band catches my attention, but this one did Mahavatar are a young and very talented female fronted band from Israeli led by an incredibly gorgeous young wench called Lizza Hayson. Mahavatar base their music on the heavier sound of metal. This demo features four pretty cool songs that start off with a strange song called 'BH' which reminds me of Slayer, Napalm Death and Tura Satana with hints of old school death metal. A good start that drops into 'Open Your Minds' on this song we get to hear some chunky riffs from full on metal babe Karla Williams who comes from Jamaica, This lady can pour out some great stomping riffs and is a definite star to watch out for if your a fan of this genre, Coal Chamber, Kittie and Tarrie B. had better watch out as this girl delivers aggressive metal licks coupled with thrash and classic metal riffs which is enough for fans of all genres to enjoy.

Track three 'The Time Has Come' is a moody and spooky atmospheric song, I love the production and feeling this song gives off, the bass work is especially interesting, a terrific song with power. The last song 'The E Song' launches itself into a frenzy of guitar shredding and modern day metal that is very rewarding and entertaining, theres a feeling of old scholl Megadeth and Napalm Death in the song which along with 'The Time Has Come' is my favourite track off the cd. All in all I'm very much into Mahavatar's music, they have huge potential for fans of the afforementioned genres. Seek and destroy!! Recommended. Contact:- booking@mahavatar.net or http://www.mahavatar.net

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

A follow-up to "Black Light Syndrome", the latest offering from three incredible players seems a little more structured than previously, suggesting that someone has beeen more generous this time around in terms of time and budget. Opener "Dangerous" is Zep's 'Immigrant Song' with psychotic disorders and incredible interplay betwwen Bozzio and Levin, whilst the ten minute "Endless" unfolds through more changes of mood than an English summer's day. "Crash" marries Van Halen melodies and memorability with a sens of fun, whilst "Tziganne" draws on Steve Stevens' love and comman of flamenco, and features some breathtaking tom work from Bozzio. Marvellous. A work to fire the imagination. Wonderful.

Rating: 9/10 (Review byAndrew Paul)

Hit The Ground Running are a superb melodic rock and aor band from New Jersey USA.The band have previously released two albums 'Sudden Impact' and 'Control Yourself ' which have over the past year gained world wide press recognition, particularly 'Control Yourself' which has been selling very well throughout Europe, infact from the reports that I have been getting 'Control Yourself' has been selling more copies than some of the label bands, and the press has since been all over the band. So it's only a matter of time before the band get that much deserved record deal. In the meantime the band are busy writing and recording new material, I reviewed a bunch of new demos a few months ago which showed the band staying true to the roots of 'Sudden Impact and 'Control Yourself' whilst adding a modern power pop approach. The other day I recieved two brand new songs from the bands manager Daniel McKeown, so thanks to Daniel I can give you all a sneak preview of how the band are progressing with their new album.

The first song breaks open into a short instrumental full of little computerised modern effects, the track is called 'Win Or Loose', after the intro the song melts into classic Hit The Ground Running melodies, Blair Rumsey is on form and fans of pure melodic rock and aor will cream their pants with this Survivor, Shooting Star, Heavens Edge flavoured fun rocker that when finished with a glorified production will sound bloody marvellous. The next song is called 'Sad' is a brilliant uptempo melodic ballad much like 'Lost' from 'Control Yourself'.

A label such as MTM should get behind these guys, they would be suited to the label and would sit nicely along side the labels other bands.

Well I will keep you all updated on the band progress of the new album as it comes along, but in the meantime if you haven't yet heard Hit The Ground Running then I urge you check them out by emailing the bands manager direct at: Daniel.McKeown@PHL.Boeing.com or you can order either of the bands previous albums from Loud1@ http://www.loud1.co.uk or AOR Heaven http://www.aorheaven.com ,also don't forget to visit the bands homepage@ http://www.hitthegroundrunnin.homepage.com

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

This is the latest compilation from the MTM label, boasting a fine selection of AOR and hard rock ballads including the very underrated 101 South and House Of Shakira. We also get to hear material from Metropolis, Harlan Cage, Kharma, Raine, Joe Lynn Turner, Dare, Shameless and a bunch of preivously unreleased songs.

'Sunshine Again' is a brand new song from Axe, this is a blusey ballad which reminds me of Gary Moore and Dare, particular the guitar work which reminds me of Moore's 'Still Got The Blues For You'.

Another new song is 'Hold Up The Sky' from Doug Haward, fans of Harlan Cage and CITA should enjoy this one.

Matti Alfonzetti pops up with an unreleased smoochy ballad called 'Always', no it's not a cover of the Bon Jovi hit, but instead a warming hook laden song filled with heartfelt emotion, the chorus is very poppy and if released as a single could even break into chartsville.

The much touted Dogface featuring Mats Levin (formerly of Yngwie and Treat) and guitarist Martin Kronlund offer us a taster from their fourth coming album 'Unleashed' in the shape of the mighty 'I Will Be There' which is a fantastic and very strong power ballad oozing influences of Whitesnake, TNT and Westworld, this song is pretty magnificent - the album I feel will be well worth the wait and is destined to sell by the truckload..

The Ricky Phillips produced Elements Of Friction tease us with a song from their fourth coming self-titled album with a song called 'King Of Fools'. Along with Phillips the band features Robin McAuley, Tommy Aldridge and Marcu Nand. This is pure AOR balladry a'la John Waite/Bad English, I think Elements Of Friction will be one of the most talked about bands of 2001, a gorgeous song and already a favourite of mine.

So for the future we can look forward to Elements Of Friction and Dogface whom I'm sure will meet with much press acclaim in the upcoming months.Also watch out for new releases from Stun Leer, the recently signed Snakes In Paradise, Act, Tower City, Steelhouse Lane, Tommy Denander's long over due Radioactive project, Loud 'N' Clear, Slammer - Thompson (featuring Mike Slammer and Chris Thompson), Diving For Pearls, Carl Dixon, Ignition (Featuring Peter Soderstrom, Martin Page, Billy Sherwood, Bob Marlette and Mark Baker), Heaven's Edge amongst others including material from sister label MTM METAL make for a busy first quarter for 2001. Nice one MTM.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Lion Music have been quietly, but effectively, building up a more than respectable roster of acts, Alex Masi, Torben Enveolosen and Lars Eric Mattson being prime examples, and they now release the fifth album by Baltimoore, some five years or so since the "Thought For Food" album.Produced by vocalist Bjorn Lodin, who is ,as the press release makes clear, Baltimoore, the band deal in material in the Whitesnake/Rainbow vein, with touches of Trapeze funk-as demonstrated by the late night lope of "Indecision", whilst Lodin, who worked with Krokus for a while, sounds like that band's Marc Storace with David Coverdale phrasing.

Former Glenn Hughes guitarist Thomas Larsson, an original member back in the mists of 1989, features heavily,as does keyboard player Lars Pollack, and they focus the material and allow it to sound like a band, as in the Purplesque attack of the opener "Conviction". "Contradiction" marries Kansas progression with Celtic violin from Hans Rojas, and is probably, alongside the swagger of "Retribution", the stand-out track on the album, whilst "Recognition in terms of feel and arrangements echoes David Coverdale circa "Northwinds".
A solid and worthwhile return. If you can't get this through your purveyor of albums, go to WWW.lionmusic.com it might be worth your while.

Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Andrew Paul)

100% metal proclaims the sticker on the jewel case, and it does not lie, Killing Machine (Judas Priest an influence chaps?) are heavy, they are metal, and have the impact of a rhino on skis!Musically Killing Machine sits nicely between "Painkiller" era Priest, Vicious Rumors,and the mighty Holy Mother, ie it's tensile, titanium injected crunch, with Mike Vescera(Yngwie Malmsteen/Loudness/Obsession/Roland Grapow) savaging his throat nicely, especially on the towering "Judgement Day", and developing a strong partership with guitarist with Peter Scheithauer(wasn't he in Stream?), who has the Glenn Tipton moves down pat, ie "Stand" or the title track.

WASP luminaries Stet Howland on drums and Mike Duda, bass, lay down a busy, metal pattern for the main pair to go to work on, and, although it's not perfect, there are moments such as the uncompromising "In the Dark" which are more than worth the price of admission. Produced by Vescera, Killing Machine are prefect for those times when all you want is metal, pure and unadulterated, because nothing beats the pure rush of this music, other than a date with Cindy Crawford!

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Andrew Paul)

Assumptions eh? A name like Chinchilla puts one in mind of all things cute, and indeed fluffy.No chance-thank the Gods. Chinchilla follow their 1997 album "Horrorscope" with a move to Metal Blade, and "Madness" indeed. Granted it will not win awards for orginality, but trad and good is a better option than novel and bilge, and this is trad-teutonic metal hewn from the same cold steel as the likes of Primal Fear, Gravedigger, and Accept. Yes, it's big riffs, razor sharp solos, gravel toned declamatory vocals, singsong melodies- the Braveheart(boo!) inspired "Freedom" or the infectious "Queen of the Rain"- and the torchlight on the mountain top at midnight gang vocals.

Vocalist Thomas Laasch varies things in surprising fashion with an accurate Paul Stanley impression on the Kiss cover, "I stole your love", but is generally content to reach for the Listerine, whilst guitarist Udo Gersenmeyer( and producer!) is a fine player in the Wolf Hoffman mould. Perhaps there's not a wide market for this outside of continental Europe, but that would be a shame, and an indication of how in thrall the UK is to a) American fads and b) cultural snobbery. The choice my beauties is yours!

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Andrew Paul)