Out of Ball Ground, Georgia, USA comes NEVER NEVER, a band which will be on top of the wantslists of all AOR fans shortly, because their debut CD 'Monologue' is one of the best independent AOR CDs from the past few months. I can easily say that this NEVER NEVER is a sensation, because they sound really huge! The band has been influenced by JOURNEY, KANSAS and STYX and throughout the CD you can clearly hear these influences, yet the band has got an own sound.

The super melodic 80s typed AOR of NEVER NEVER does also have a lot of pure Pomprock influences and that's what makes this band so special and different from all those other standard AOR acts. I hear some comparisons to other newcomers like FAITH NATION, PHIL VINCENT, THE AFFAIR, THE LIMIT, HARLAN CAGE and many of the songs do have some excellent hooklines a la KANSAS. In fact, I think KANSAS is the best comparison, because also vocally NEVER NEVER is in this style.

The band consists of three members and two of them sing the lead vocals, so there you have the KANSAS reference. The line-up of the band is Joe Melton on Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Keyboards, Chris Monk on Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums and Jeff Fountain on Keyboards, Guitar and Bass. So you got 3 very talented guys who form the band NEVER NEVER. And like I already said, this band is really HUGE! It wouldn't surprise me if they get signed sooner or later by a major label.

Anyway, the independent CD contains 12 wonderful songs and even after playing the CD three times in a row, I couldn't find any weak song. This CD is totally filled with Classic AOR/Pomp in the best 80s tradition. NEVER NEVER has a very polished radio-ready sound that I really like and I think most other fans of this genre too. Back to the CD, the album opens with "Through the lens", a great classy 80s uptempo AOR rocker a la FAITH NATION and STREETS.

Next track "Heart of glass" has superb harmonies and is a fantastic semi AOR ballad like FAITH NATION. Then we get to hear the clear KANSAS influences in the good semi AOR/Pomprocker "I believe". Following track "Broken thread" is really a Classic AOR
tune! This wonderful uptempo AOR song is totally awesome and right up there with FAITH NATION, SHOTGUN SYMPHONY and the first WHITE SISTER. I am really amazed how good this song sounds and I can really advise you to check out this band a.s.a.p., because hearing a song like "Broken thread" only proves that this type of 80s AOR (with many keyboards and harmonies) is still alive and well in the USA!

And if you think the band takes a pause after such a wonderful song, you're wrong! Also next track "Whisper in the wind" is from a very high-class. This song is a lovely semi AOR/Pomp ballad like FAITH NATION meets KANSAS. Believe it or not, also the next track "Power in your hand" is in the same style and features a brilliant pure KANSAS type chorus). I thought I already was in AOR/POMP HEAVEN during the last mentioned songs, but the CD continues with incredible high quality Classic 80s AOR/Pomp. In fact, now we come to the best part of the CD. "Time is the healer" for example is a super late 70s/early 80s calmer Pomprocker a la SPYS, KANSAS…

Next up is "Over the edge", and this is very good AOR with impressive lead vocals. This song is slightly different than the rest of the CD, but still a sensational song. "Over the edge" reminds me a little of SURVIVOR and MARK FREE/SIGNAL, so it is more pure AOR based. It ain't over yet, because following track "Last limit" is probably the best song of the whole CD. This song is really awesome early 80s Classic AOR/Pomp/Radiorock in the style of ROADMASTER, THRILLS, early 707, LE ROUX and most of all it reminds me of the band SHELTER ('First stop'). "Last limit" has it all, which means classy piano-keys,
brilliant harmonyvocals, hooklines all over the place and a killer melodic chorus. This song is a Pomp-dream!

Anyway, the CD continues with "End of the day", a beautiful pompous AOR ballad like SURVIVOR meets NEW ENGLAND, SUGARCREEK and LE ROUX. So there you have another classy song and while we are heading towards the end, the definition of a new AOR/Pomp-gem is maybe the best description for this CD of NEVER NEVER. "You" is actually the first (and only) song that didn't grab my attention, because this is a calmer poppy piano-ballad that moves a bit in the direction of AIR SUPPLY, but it is saved by the wonderful lead vocals.

The CD closes with "The closing" and I thought this was an instrumental song, but I was wrong happily, because also this song is classy early 80s pure Pomprock with lovely vocals. The song is in the style of KANSAS, SHOOTING STAR and PATRIARCH, so this is pretty much POMP HEAVEN! I can only add one thing to this review: BUY THIS CD ASAP! In the meantime check out their website at: http://www.mindspring.com/~vasago and e-mail them at: nevernever@mindspring.com Finally, I can inform you that we will
have an interview with this new AOR/Pomp sensation very soon.

Rating: 9/10

Multi-instrumentalist David DeBlasio comes out of California and has released a CD titled 'Eyes on fire'. The CD contains 10 songs and has a very diverse musical approach. The whole CD is a Rockalbum, but you can hear many various rockinfluences such as Melodic Rock/AOR, 90s Alternative Rock, Instrumental Rock and there are also some bluesy influences. Sometimes it reminds me of JIM STEEL and an experimental version of PHIL VINCENT.

David is accompanied by vocalists Lars Ziemba and Ken Mann who both actually can sing very well. Their vocals impressed me very much when I heard the vocal songs of this CD. David is also assisted by guitarist Tyson Krehbiel on the instrumental "Pattern zero". The CD starts with "It's just impossible (to get to Pluto)", a fantastic Pompous AOR song that sounds very much like PHIL VINCENT. The song has an updated 90s rhythm and combined with excellent lead vocals this song is quite impressive and deserves to be heard by all AOR fans. I don't think David has ever heard of PHIL VINCENT, but it's incredible to hear a song that could've easily been on a PHIL VINCENT record.

Anyway, the CD continues with "Slave to the grind", a weaker slowtempo rocker, nothing special. The instrumental "Guitar wars" follows and really has a movie feeling. "Dream catcher" follows and this is also a weak rocker, partly due to the lead vocals of David himself. This is the only song with his vocals and I need to say that singers such as Lars Ziemba and Ken Mann should only do the vocal duties, because they have perfect voices for this type of rock. Instrumental it all sounds very good and therefore David throws in some more instrumental songs later on the CD with songs such as "Pattern zero" and "The theme".

One song that should've been left out of the album is the 90s typed Grunge/Alternative Rocker "There's no way out", horrible song! But there's also some good material I haven't mentioned yet. The songs "Mister mechanical" and "Eyes on fire" are very impressive again. The first one has fantastic lead vocals (a la Mark Free/Eric Martin) and the song itself is a nice typical late 80s midtempo melodic rocker a la early MR. BIG.

The other song, which is the titletrack "Eyes on fire", is the best one of the whole CD. This song is a very good semi AOR/Melodic Rockballad that is right up there with bands such as VELOCITY and SHADOW KING. Last but not least I haven't mentioned yet the song "On the run", a bit groovy rocker that sounds a little like the last EUROPE CD 'Prisoners in paradise'. A very diverse record with it's ups and downs.

I would recommend David to throw in some more vocal songs a la "Eyes on fire", "It's just impossible" and "Mister mechanical" and of course keep those guest singers, because they lift up the quality of the songs to a higher level. More info on David's website at: http://www.mp3.com/DEBLASIO

Rating: 7,5/10

DEAD SILENCE comes out of Denver, Colorado and this is a pure Melodic Hardrock band. I really like this guitar-orientated band who are ignoring every musicstyle around these days and play a style which reminds me of the early 80s. This band is similar to bands like UFO, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, STAMPEDE, SANTERS and also the newcomers of WEAPON X come to my mind when hearing this DEAD SILENCE. The lead vocals are melodic and the songs sound pretty good. The CD they have put out contains 7 songs.

The sound of the demo CD is good and so it is nice to listen to the melodic hardrock of DEAD SILENCE. The CD starts with "Scatter like rats", a faster early 80s typed melodic hardrocksong a la UFO. Next track "New horizons" is a good uptempo melodic hardrocksong in a pure 80s style (KEEL/DOKKEN/BLACK'N'BLUE). On next is the best song of the whole CD. The song is called "Run again" and this is a great semi melodic rockballad that gets uptempo towards the end of the song.

The melodic heavy rockers "Dead serious" and "Can't stop" follow and remind me of
STAMPEDE and JAGUAR. Pretty good 80s typed melodic rock is the following song "Diana". The CD closes with "The nightmare song", a faster uptempo melodic heavy rocker a la UFO. This DEAD SILENCE is a pretty nice melodic hardrock band that needs to be heard by the fans of bands like SCORPIONS, UFO, BLACK'N'BLUE, STAMPEDE… More info at: http://www.mp3.com/deadsilence

Rating: 7,5/10

Multi-instrumentalist Mikael Carlsson sent me another demo CD which consists of another 12 songs he recorded in his musical career. This time Daniel Boscovic, the original lead vocalist of LOVER UNDER COVER, sings 6 songs. The other 6 songs are sung by Mikael himself, just like the whole first CD I reviewed some time ago. And I have to admit that Daniel's vocals are a little bit better than Mikael's vocals.

Musically it doesn't matter, because most of the songs on this CDR are again quality Melodic Rocksongs in the best 80s Swedish tradition of bands like DAVINCI, DALTON, TREAT, EUROPE… The best songs are "We are doing alright" (a good catchy 80s uptempo melodic rocker with some very cheerful keyboards, this song is in the style of ZINATRA, first DANGER DANGER, 80s BON JOVI, DAVINCI…), "Break me down" (great uptempo AOR rocker a la first HAREM SCAREM, HONEYMOON SUITE… this song also features great keys and has a lovely guitarsolo), "Crazy for you" (the best song, fantastic midtempo AOR) and "My heart will bleed for you" (cheerful uptempo melodic rocker).

The rest of the CD is nice melodic rock that sounds like a cross between AUTOGRAPH, WHITE LION and early WINGER. There is also a cover of the old DOKKEN classic "In my dreams", to be honest, this isn't covered very well and can't compete with the original song. I would recommend not to do anymore covers in the future, because LOVER UNDER COVER has enough good material of their own that simply beat covers like these. For now, check out their site at: http://www.mp3.com/lover_under_cover.htm and download some of their great music.

Rating: 8/10

The Canadian band AFTERGLOW is formed around Jody Bird (Drums), Jeff J. Gaulton (Vocals/ Guitars) and Jim Graham (Bass). They released their same titled mini-CD debut in 1998. Back then they had Jason Walsh as their bassist/keyboardist, but he is now replaced by Jim Graham. Unfortunately there are only 4 songs on the CD, so then it is hard to get a real good view of this band. Nevertheless I heard that this band is quite interesting for us. The CD starts with "Edge of you", a good semi melodic rocker with a catchy melodic chorus and very fine harmonies. The song reminds me a little of FIREHOUSE, yet with the guitars pushed to the back a bit.

Next up is the semi melodic rockballad "Do you cry without tears" which is a nice song,
but nothing special. Then we get to hear the band's best song, which is "Hideaway". This song is a wonderful AOR/Melodic Rockballad with some great piano-keys. The song sounds very much like SAVANNAH actually. Closing track "On my mind" is very soft, but is still a nice uptempo poprocker with some very good harmonies. This final track has many acoustic guitars and is also very short. A fine band and if they would write some more AOR orientated material like their song "Hideaway" in the near future, then this might turn out something special. For now, more info on these guys at: http://mp3.com/afterglow

Rating: 7,5/10

This is a Californian band and their first release contains 5 songs. Musically they are influenced by bands like UFO, VAN HALEN, AC/DC… and if you combine these influences you get the melodic hardrocksound of SONIC EMPIRE. The CD starts with the band's best song, namely the semi melodic rockballad "Fallin in love" which is featured in two mixes. Next up is "Rockdogs" and this is a bit weak groovy rock. The remaining 3 songs ("1999", "Dressed to kill" and "Home sweet home") are all nice uptempo rockers that sound kinda like a mix between LONDON and UFO. A nice band and worth to check out at: http://www.mp3.com/clayton_golden

Rating: 7,5/10

He was born in New York, but is now settled in South Carolina. Jeff Sanson is a multi-instrumentalist who has released his debut solo-album 'Searching the Q' last year. The CD contains 8 original songs and musically it is light 80s AOR/Poprock a la THE OUTFIELD, GLASS TIGER, PSEUDO ECHO and that type of bands. The CD starts with "Upside down", a nice 80s AOR/Poprocker in the style of aforementioned bands. I also hear a slight similarity to ROKBOX, although vocally I find this a little poppier.

Next track "The order" is in the same style, although now I hear comparisons to RTZ. "My days with you" follows and this is pure Pop, so not really interesting. Next track "The wheel" is a nice semi AOR/Poprocker like TOMMY SHAW. Then comes the poprocker "The wall of manitou" which is not really something special. The CD continues with "Child star", a Progressive AOR rocker like 80s SAGA.

The best song of the CD has got to be "Love slips away", a nice calmer semi AOR ballad that sounds like those spacey songs of I-TEN, even the keyboardsolo is there. Closing track "Time theory" has some 80s U2 influences. Check out Jeff's site for more info at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/82/jeff_sanson.html

Rating: 7/10

Here's another band that combines the 80s melodies with the 90s orientated rocksounds. Out of Amarillo, Texas comes CODE 3, a band formed around Jack Bivens (Vocals), Jennifer Bivens (Keyboards, Vocals), Troy Couch (Guitar), Travis Gibbins (Drums) and Bobby Rodriquez (Bass). Like I already said they play 90s orientated rock, yet with enough melodies to please a fan of 80s rock. There are 6 songs on the demotape the band sent me.

The tape opens with "Where the pieces fall", a nice semi melodic rockballad. Next track "Fearz" is a bit weaker and calmer. "Bitch" features Jennifer on vocals and this is the
perfect song for the 90s. "Bitch" is a typical radio-ready hit for the 90s rockstations. Though the best song of the band is "This time", a good semi melodic rockballad. The last two tracks are "Livin' to fall" and "Shadow of your love". The first one is a weaker 90s styled rocker.

The closing track "Shadow of your love" could possibly be the best song of the band, but unfortunately the song is cut-off before the first chorus, so I only heard the beginning. The song sounded like a very good melodic rock, but like I said, I never heard the chorus. Anyway, check out CODE 3 at: http://www.gtrades.com/code3

Rating: 7/10

According to the press notes that accompany this five track mini album, Portugal's NORDICA have been playing since 1992, "A Child Of The New Rising Sun" is a fairly impressive set of songs that kick into gear with a one and half minute keyboard intro which is quite nice and makes me think that the band are going to kick into a lukewarm DREAM THEATER style of playing, and they do when "Rebel Heart" kicks into full swing, but you know whilst the intro is progressive the said song bursts into full on melodic rock song that is backed by fine pompy keyboard and guitar work, which is why I thought of DREAM THEATER. Their music is not as heavy as DREAM THEATER, but it's gotta that ring to it mixed with pompy aor.

Vocalist Diogo Lima actually remind me of a mix of JOHNNY LIMA, ARTICA, JON BON JOVI, and the singer from AFTER HOURS mixed with some TONY MaCALPINE, JAMES BYRD, TONY FREDIANELLI, JOEY TAFOLLA, inspired shredding, this a great song that shows the band exploring aor and lukewarm progressive rock, listen to the chorus which is very catchy and singable like BON JOVI, WHITE LION and DOKKEN. Great stuff indeed, very infectious , the chorus is just so simple, i'm biased!!

Diogo is a great singer, as mentioned his range reminds of so many artists that's it actually difficult to give an exact reference, the music is played with lots of skill and the band sound as if they really mean it, I especially love all the guitar work. The title song is very melodic and "From Heaven To Sea" is an epic song and the standout track that you would perhaps find QUEEN, EUROPE, TALK OF THE TOWN or WHITESNAKE recording, actually this has some very nice keyboard work and a very soothing chorus, things then burn up again on the last track "Never Too Late", again this features some great keyboard work thats played over a solid melodic rock, this has similarities to WHITE LION and newcomers
FREEDOM CAGE, and kicks ass.

The only thing saving NORDICA from getting a 10/10 is that the production could use a
polish, but you know I totally love this, it's very catchy, so go on take a gamble and treat yourselves to "A Child Of The New Rising Sun", you may be pleasantly suprised, I know I was. Visit their website at http://www.crosswinds.net/~nordica/ or email: nordica@mail.pt

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

2ND OPINION REVIEW

(SONG HAUS RECORDS/DISTRIBUTED BT POINT MUSIC)

This is such a great album, "Thunder" is Phil's fifth studio album that sees him joining forces with Song Haus Records "Thunder" rivals any of 1999's aor albums like Network, Harlan Cage, Promotion, Jesse's Powertrip, Fergie Frederiksen etc, I think Phil's time has finally come, mark my words we are going to hear lots and lots and lots and lots about this guy in 2000. I mean take a look at his back catalouge - 5 albums in 3 years!!! Say no more!!!

Last years release "No Turning Back" was a slight dissapointment for yours truly, if compared to his earlier work, but with "Thunder" and his new deal with Song Haus Phil is back on form, and then some!!! This is his superbly latest and greatest opus that continues his style, but thanks to his new studio the sound is more crisp, this album goes beyond an aor melodic rockers wildest dream, opening track "Friend Or Foe" leads Phil through an adrenalin - filled hard rock mayhem, with great hooks, "When Love Is Gone" jabs straight into the heart, listen to the church organ, which add alot of divesity to this brilliant song, a'la
Duran Duran and Rick Springfield.

Phil's vocals on this song are incredible,as song that will hopefully one day soon go straight into the charts."Guilty" opens up with some John Carpenter style synthesizers, this is a rousing selection of melodic rhythms,"Eye To Eye" is one of my favorite songs on the CD and has all the makings of classic hard rock and aor, this track has some blockbusting riffs and great vocals from Phil, that can match any of the big bands,"Keeping The Faith" floats along,"Trying To Lose You" is a killer piano lead ballad,"Fooling Yourself" starts off with some poppy keyboards and then gets into a Rick Springfield beat, a very MOR song, smart but not perfect,"Fooling Yourself" would make a great theme for one of those eighties teen movies, this song meanwhile takes on it's own sweet destination.

Phil's biggest moment to date comes in the shape of "Into Temptation".The church organs gets the vicars approval and this song is a strong spiritual balladic moment. Here Phil steals the show with his voice which is absolutely slaying me here. Another hit!!! "Forever And A Day" opens up with some rapid drum fire and then rocks out into typical rock by numbers, but this song is another sure fire hit with great melody lines and vocals."Falling From Grace" closes the album in a ball of fluffy aor that makes Phil Vincent one of Americas finest exponents. This album should sell by the bucketloads.

http://www.songhausmusic.com

Rating: 9,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

The nice thing about writing for this magazine is dicovering new talent, sometimes you get bands that are amazimg other times there are bands who are just ok, and then there are bands who are utter crap. Now and again you come across an artist whoes style doesn't really have anything do with aor and melodic rock , but is still worth mentioning as many of our favourite artists have all tried to do something different to their normal styles, now with this album you could give any of the performed songs to an artist like HEART, JAIME KYLE, BRYAN ADAMS, FLEETWOOD MAC and NELSON etc, and they would be guranteed a hit, but for a new artist it's always a struggle to get the right foot into the door.

Well this lady has a talent for great catchy accoustic based songs, that have a subtle country edge to them, her art won her a nominee for the Los Angeles music awards last year, this is not something that I would normally listen to, but Melanie Ayres has a special charm music about her that I find most appealing, songs like "Some Bridges" and the excellent "A Woman With A Working Mans Blues" through to the gorgeous ballad "With The Kiss" all have a certain amount of character. Yes despite the country flavours this isn't too bad if
your looking for something a little bit different to listen to. Nice one, e-mail her at: mayers1201@aol.com and visit her website at: http://www.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Ayers,_Melanie/art.html

Rating: 6,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

I have no idea where about ALIEN NATION are from, all I know is that this four piece band are defintley European. The music is hard rock which kicks off with a rather tasty instrumental intro that lead us into the guitar crushing, drum pounding "Ready To Play", take a listen if you will to Joe Knecht's scream during the songs intro, is that Rob Halford or what??? The song however is nothing spectacular and sounds like a run of the mill of the old New Wave Of British Heavy Metal And Hard Rock Scene."Longing For The Past", is pretty much of the same standard, and then we get the laid back but rocking "Sad World"
which offers a small resprite of tenderness, and makes it the satnd out track but is still not utterley essential listening and come across like a bad unfinished demo. Sorry guys!!

"No Tomorrow", gets the guitars crashing again, this is a dull and uninspiring song, the band try their best to be a whole host of eighties bands but fail due to their own lack of idenity, which is unfortunate as these guys can sure play their instruments, "Burning The Flame" is the last track of this six track mini album, and again this leaves me cold, here the band remind me of bands like JAGGED EDGE, LITTLE ANGELS and KISS OF THE GYPSY, through to THIN LIZZY, DREAM THEATER and JUDAS PRIEST the mid section guitar jam reminds me of some OZZY, EXTREME (first album) and QUITE RIOT and makes "Burning" the best song ALIEN NATION has to offer, more material like this and we could have been onto a winner!! Unfortuntley ALIEN NATION's material is often quite boring, I can see what the band are trying to do and it'll be interesting to see what they pop up with next, but this is just uninspiring, you may think differently

Contact: http://www.mp3.com

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)