CERAFIM is a Canadian band and their debut 'Sides of a different kind' was released way back in 1995, but it still interesting to pick up. Musically they are playing an interesting mixture of AOR, Pomprock and Progressive Rock. I would like to compare this band to their fellow countrymen of MYSTERY who also play this mixture. There are 11 songs on their CD and it all sounds pretty good and very professional indeed.

Opener "Brave new world" is slightly progressive, but still great 80s typed AOR with really cool keys and harmonies. The song reminds me of a mixture between SHY TALK and STYX (a really unique description). Anyway, next up is the titlesong of the CD that is a really great semi Progressive AOR tune. "Man of distinction" follows, but is a bit too progressive for me.

The CD continues with "You're gone now". This very relaxing AOR ballad (a la JOURNEY) features really wonderful lead vocals by singer Jeff Morrison who is stealing the show a lot of times on this CD. After the progressive AOR tune "Caught in the middle", we get to hear a pure Pomprocker in the shape of "Colours of love", a song that reminds me of the old records of bands like STYX and KANSAS. The following three songs are very much
Progressive Rock orientated, not bad at all, but I prefer a more AOR/Pomprock approach. Nevertheless, the CD has one more Classy 80s AOR tune, namely the song "Man mad money". This is a great tune that sounds like DAKOTA.

The CD closes with the progressive instrumental "Stress". In general, this CD contains a bunch of wonderful AOR/Pomp songs, but there are also lots of Progressive elements to be heard. I would recommend this record to people who like the Canadian MYSTERY, but also if you like Proggy Pomp from the 70s (bands like HUSH, SUNBLIND LION, LION).

The story isn't over yet, because the band also sent me a CDR with 4 new tunes and I was totally stunned when I heard them. This demo CDR contains some wonderful pure AOR material and actually sounds much better than their debut CD from 1995. The band really has made a change in style and turned AOR. The progressive rock influences are hard to find on these 4 new songs and I am really glad, because they sound now like some sort of sensational classy AOR band.

The first song on the CDR is called "Walking through fire", superb classy 80s uptempo AOR/Pomp with a lovely chorus and great keys. This song is definitely the best CERAFIM song and pure AOR that would not fall out of place between JOURNEY, FRONTLINE and ARTICA. Anyway, next up is "Angelina", a weaker song unfortunately, still nice groovier poprock.

The other two songs on the demo CDR are again classy 80s AOR. The songs are titled "In my life" and "You're the reason", two wonderful semi AOR ballads with super melodic vocals and harmonies, kinda like JOURNEY meets SAVANNAH.

I am really looking forward to hear a new CD of these guys, because it may be a very sensational record. Keep your eye on CERAFIM and in the meantime check out their site at: http://www.cerafim.com and e-mail them at: write_cerafim@hotmail.com

Rating: 8,5/10

A few weeks ago I reviewed a demo CDR of this female vocalist from Delaware in the USA. The two songs on that CDR were nice acoustic typed AOR/Rock/Westcoast typed songs, very much in the style of JAIME KYLE. Now LARA has sent me a new CDR with 2 new songs and the two songs from her first CDR. Those 2 new songs totally blew me away, 'cause they were very different from the other two songs I already heard. The first new song is "Tell me why", a classic 80s female uptempo AOR rocker with really great keys and vocals. This song remembers me of the good old days of acts like TANE CAIN, SCANDAL, CINDY CRUSE…

The other new song is called "Dance with me" and this is a superb tune. This is a fantastic semi Classic AOR Ballad in the style of HEART and the first two TONE NORUM albums. I really like this song a lot and a song like this should gain the interest of European AOR labels. I am definitely seeing more new female fronted AOR acts popping up everywhere playing the good old 80s AOR and this LARA is one of them. Give this a girl a chance, because she deserves it.

Anyway, the other two songs are the acoustic tingled songs "The way it is" and "Picture this", both sounding like JAIME KYLE and PATTY SMYTH. Check out LARA at: http://www.mp3.com/lara and e-mail her at: blrust@bellatlantic.net Next week an interview with her.

Rating: 8,5/10

Out of Sweden comes PEDANIAN, a very diverse band, because their debut is ranging from AOR to pure Heavy Metal, yet all very 80s typed. There are 8 songs on this demo CDR the band sent me. Opener "Beast of war" is a nice uptempo melodic heavy rocker. The following three songs ("Centennial park", "Children under siege" and "Digital warfare") are weaker Metal based tunes that remind me of RAVEN. Then we get to hear the two best songs on this CD, both are also very melodic.

First there is "Gates", a pretty good AOR ballad (yes, including the keys and melodic vocals). And then there's "Sign", a good semi melodic rockballad with also some AOR influences. If the band could make some more songs in this style, instead of all those Heavy Metal song, then it would be a lot more intreresting. Nevertheless if you're a fan of both styles, you can't ignore this band. The closing two songs are the melodic heavy rocker "Twilight" and the weaker faster Mtealish tune "Unholy walls". Anyway, check out this band at: http://www.mp3.com/pedanian

Rating: 6,5/10

'Ignitor' is the second CD of RAINLORD, a Melodic Hardrockband from Florida. Fans of FIREHOUSE, DANGER DANGER, SLYBOYZ, WARRANT, WINGER… need to check out this new CD asap, because the 16 songs on the album are very much in the style of mentioned bands. Basically this is a collection of good time melodic rocksongs recorded through the past few years by RAINLORD.

The best songs are the uptempo melodic rockers "Black widow", "Let it go", "Lonely", "Lady don't know", "Take the night", "Tears of frustration" and "First love". Songs like these sound like a perfect mix between STRYPER, SLYBOYZ, FIREHOUSE, WINGER and DANGER DANGER.

Though the two best songs on 'Ignitor' are definitely "All my life" and "Stronghold". The first one is a typical 80s Power Rockballad in the veins of FIREHOUSE, DAMN YANKEES, WINGER, WARRANT… "Stronghold" is a fantastic midtempo melodic rocker with some AOR influences and some really strong melodies, kinda like SAVANNAH. Some of the rest of the material is a bit weaker and goes more into the direction of SKID ROW, so slightly partyrock influenced.

This release is a recommendation if you like any of the mentioned bands. Check out this band for yourself at: http://www.afternight.com/music/rainlord

Rating: 8/10

Another multi-instrumentalist in the scene, only this time it's someone from Sweden. PETER S. ERIKSSON is playing most of the instruments on his first CD by himself, but still gets some additional help. Musically we are talking about typical 80s fun melodic poprock a la BRYAN ADAMS, RICK SPRINGFIELD, BRIAN SPENCE… The only but is that the vocals are a bit weak sometimes, but the songs sound ok to me.

There are 10 songs on the record and if I should pick out the best ones, I would pick "Questions", "Blinded", "Light the light" and "Hold on". Especially "Light the light" and "Hold on" are quite good and are both pure early 80s uptempo melodic poprockers, very much in the RICK SPRINGFIELD style (circa 'Working class dog'). The remaining 6 songs are more more or less poppier and weaker (especially "Tun it up", "Rises" and "Please me").

If you're a fan of the 80s typed melodic poprock of Bryan and Rick, then check out PETER S. ERICKSON at: http://www.peterseriksson.com and e-mail him at: pse@telia.com

Rating: 7,5/10

This is not the Classic AOR band from the 80s. This RPM is hails from Canada and is playing a mixture of old-fashioned Hard Rock, Melodic Rock and some Boogie/Pop influences. There are 8 songs on their album and like some other Canadian bands, also RPM is singing in the French language. The CD starts with "N'hesites pas", an 80s Hard Rock song, the only question I ask myself is why there is a sax on this song. Next track "Releve toi" is a nice semi AOR song (a la TOTO). Just like the opening tune, also "Maudite boisson" is Hard Rock with a sax.

Anyway, the rest of the CD is much better and melodic rock orientated. The song "Bourreau" for example is a great classy 80s uptempo melodic rocker a la DOKKEN and DANGER DANGER. Next track "A chacun sa maniere" is a simple boogie Hard Rock song (like GRINGOS LOCOS, if you remember them). "Liberte" (= Freedom) and "La main du desespoir" follow and are both simple groovy HardRock tunes. The CD closes
with "Angoisse", a nice slowtempo melodic rocker.

The RPM album was recorded back in 1993 and you can clearly hear this band has been influenced by 70s and 80s Hard Rockacts, because I haven't heard any 90s similarities. I am glad about that, the only thing I would advise the band is to create more songs in the style of their tune "Bourreau". But the band probably doesn't exist anymore, so if you want to check them out, visit their website at: http://www.webnet.qc.ca/rougemusique and e-mail them
at: rackham@webnet.qc.ca

Rating: 7/10

The guitarist of the Canadian RPM also sent me a copy of his solo-CD 'World of waves', released back in 1997. This album showcases the talents of guitarist/keyboardist Patrick Giguere. There are 9 songs on the CD and in case you didn't knew, it's an instrumental record. Coincidence or not, but I saw singer

ERIC LAPOINTE (another French Canadian rocker) helped the band out on photography (!). Anyway, this is a fine instrumental rock CD with lots of different styles. The best songs are "Symmetrical love", a great cheerful uptempo melodic rocker, and "$$$?" which is a perfect semi AOR Ballad. I wonder how such great instrumental tuens sound like with vocals on it. Anyway, for the fans of instrumental melodic hardrock, then do check out RACKHAM at: http://www.webnet.qc.ca/rougemusique and e-mail them at: rackham@webnet.qc.ca

Rating: 7,5/10

HEAVENLY is a German band that features guitarist Chris Savourney who some of you might know from his instrumental solo-CDs we discussed a few years ago. Anyway, HEAVENLY is a new band and they have released a CD titled 'Coming from the sky' on which we can hear fast melodic heavy rock/metal in the style of HELLOWEEN. Not really a coincidence as KAI HANSEN from HELLOWEEN is making his appearance on a few songs.

There are 10 songs on the album and if you like one, then you'll definitely love them all, because they are all in the same style. There isn't much variation between the songs.
But if you like this type of metal, still very melodic at times (such as the songs "Carry your heart", "Riding through hell", "Time machine" and "Our only chance"), then you need to check out this HEAVENLY. Especially the fans of HELLOWEEN will dig this.

Rating: 7/10

This band from Minneapolis, USA sent me two CDs they released last year. Both discs feature music I would like to categorise as late 60s/early 70s Classic Rock. It reminds me of the very first records of bands like URIAH HEEP, DEEP PURPLE, NAZARETH… But still it isn't straight-ahead Hard Rock all the way, because the keyboards make it sound a bit quirky at times. The band consists of vocalist John Louden, guitaristb Brian Marengo and drummer/bassist/ keyboardist/guitarist Duane Orvedahl.

Duane can be seen as the leader of ROCK DOGS, because besides playing most of the instruments, he has also written and produced all the songs. I think the rockers of the band are the band's best songs, I am talking about the tunes "Rock and roll night", "Agony, ecstasy" "Stories", "Rock'n'roll soul", and "Never forget". Some of the other songs are a bit weird and very quirky pop orientated ("Deep in the night", "Need your love", and "Ocean"), kinda like MOON MARTIN and even ELVIS COSTELLO ("Worlds of wonder").

This is something different than I usual get to hear and review. Nevertheless you can always try out this band, because you might hear something you never heard before and it sounds definitely different than most of the rest that is released these days. More info at: http://www.mp3.com/rockdogs and e-mail them at: duaneshowmaster@aol.com

Rating: 6/10

Fans of Cacophony, Judas Priest, Chastain, Sword, Dokken, Yngwie Malmsteen and Danny Danzi will like these records from Detroit solo artist David Neil Cline. Originally "Malefic Influence" was issued in 1989, and this is the first time it's been made available on compact disc. Prior to this album David record an ep called "A Fit Of Rage" and in 1990 a third album appeared called "Through Scrutiny", although this was never officially released, "Through Scrutiny" shows how David's music had matured since "Malefic Influence".

The songs were more powerful and eye catching on this album, the first track "Kassie Lane"is built around a solid groove and catchy grooves, this is the kind of thing that Danny Danzi is doing now, "Queen Of The Skyways" is a touch more progressive, but is still effective, "Life Under Glass" is a more commercialised hard rocker and "Miss Minority" continues in the same tradition, despite the production the album works and we can expect the long awaited release of "Through Scrutiny" sometime this summer.

Anyway "Malefic Influence" is typical of the eighties genre, the songs are all catchy and played with passion and skill, as the story goes, had a record label at the time picked up on this, David's story could have been totally different. The best song for me is the very catchy "A Matter Of Time" which is David's key track. This song has some nice keyboard structures that sit nicely along side Yngwie Malmsteen and John Norum amongst others.

David Neil Cline is a talented artist, it'll be interesting to watch how his career now develops in the twenty first century, the market is strong at the moment for this type of music and provided he can make the production more acceptable, then David should have no problems in creating a solid and healthy fan base throught- out Europe.One to watch. Contact: dcline@aol.com Website: http://members.aol.com/dcline9720

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

This Florida based band play hard rock with a slight glam influence a'la Hanoi Rocks, Guns N' Roses, Dangerous Toys and Every Mother's Nightmare. The first song "Liquid Concrete" has some cool guitar playing and the music itself is a bit like David Lee Roth, but vocally Ariel Lee's voice spoils the song. "Feeling Right" has certain entertainment values, but is to one paced and the production is too annoying to totally appreciate the true qualities that this song could develop into.

Saying that though the best is left to last in the shape of "80 Proof", this song make all the difference and is catchy and easy to sing along with.The band have potential, there is no doubt that, but they need more time to develop their songs, overall nothing to really shout about here unfortunately, next please..... Email: yjcent@hotmail.com Website: http://members.xoom.com/concretefunk

Rating: 5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

As soon as the first song"Skinny Girl" kicks in, it's pretty obvious that Dakota's The Odd Squadd know a thing or two about writing catchy power pop and rock songs that bare comparisons to Nelson, Innuendo, The Rembrandts, Terminal Romance and even in places the mighty Rolling Stones.Vocalist Jason Vetos has a similar voice to Gunnar Nelson, "Skinny Girl" could easily have been lifted from Nelson's "Life" album, and is soooo catchy, classy stuff. Next up is "Murmur" and "Lala Land" again the Nelson comparisons are equally evident, "Lala Land" shows off some cool axe work from Scott Vetos, and you may even be forced to sing along without realizing it.

The Odd Squadd's music simply makes you smile, the radio friendly warmth of the songs have enough potential to cross over into the charts, it happened for The Rembrants and it could easily happen for The Odd Squadd provided they get help from a label to get them there. The band are currently putting the final touches to their debut album which should be avalble a the end of the summer. Until then check this ep out, Recommended.
Email: oddsquadd@webtoes.com Website: http://www.webtoes.com/oddsquadd

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)