Swedish female fronted AOR sensation ALYSON AVENUE recently signed to AOR HEAVEN which didn't surprise me as this band is a wet dream for every AOR fan, their songs are all pure AOR HEAVEN! I raved a lot about the band's demos earlier this year and now ALYSON AVENUE has released their debut CD 'Presence of mind', a terrific album. Not only the songs are from a very high class, but also the sound quality and self- production is simply superb!

Nothing stands in my way to give this CD a big recommendation. In fact, this CD belongs to one of the best European female fronted AOR releases ever, this album can easily compete with American acts like WITNESS, HEART and VIXEN! There isn't a weak song on the album and if I should mention my favourites it really it hard to choose as this CD is filled with 11 killer hookladen AOR songs. But to mention a few here, I should add "Free like the wind", "One desperate heart", "Tell me you love me", "Walk away" and "All this time" (this song doesn't bring you in AOR HEAVEN, but right into AOR PARADISE!).

Most of the songs are midtempo and sound like the perfect mix between WITNESS, HEART, VIXEN and a little of late 80s CHER. The only pity I might mention is that there aren't any uptempo rockers, but who cares, because all the songs are from the highest quality you can get these days in the world of female fronted AOR. This is definitely the best female fronted AOR release since the last couple of albums of VIXEN, HEART and the only WITNESS record!

If you're a fan of female fronted AOR, then this is most definitely the album you waited for all those years. Add this record to your collection as soon as possible. Available through AOR HEAVEN at: http://www.aorheaven.com Pretty soon another interview with this Swedish AOR sensation.

Rating: 9,5/10

Japanese melodic rockers SHADOW FLARE return with their first CD release. The CD is titled 'Now is the time' and I have to admit it all sounds very professional and there are also some good quality melodic rockers on the record. The production is very good and with this release, the band can easily be seen as one of the best melodic rockbands from Japan! The CD starts with the melodic hardrock song "Feeling run through my soul", a nice song to open up with.

Next up is the lovely midtempo AOR song "You took my breath away" that sounds like FRONTLINE and FAIR WARNING. In the same style is the following tracks "Take me with you". Then comes the very good uptempo melodic rocker "Can you desert this love". The CD closes with the good semi melodic rockballad "I can't even cry". This first CD of SHADOW FLARE proves that they are one of the best bands to hail from Japan since the days of BOW WOW, LOUDNESS, GRAND SLAM and NIGHT HAWKS. Check out their site at: http://village.infoweb.ne.jp/~shadow/ and e-mail them at: ZAN22571@nifty.ne.jp

Rating: 8/10

This is a band from London playing a mixture of 80s Melodic Rock and Glam/Partryock. There are 4 songs on their demo tape and opener "Telephone" is definitely a good start. This song is a fantastic classy 80s fun uptempo melodic rocker like a cross between SHY, TORINO and AUTOGRAPH, including some catchy harmonies. The sound quality isn't superb, but this first track is a fine song to listen to if you enjoy this type of 'lost 80s' fun melodic rock.

The following two songs introduce a simpler Party/Glam typed sound that makes me think of UK acts like WRATCHILD, TIGERTAILZ, although the similarity to US acts like POISON, KROKUS and QUIET RIOT in the tunes "C'mon c'mon" and "Love ain't for keeps" is also pretty clear. I also think this band has slightly been influenced by the 70s Glamrock of acts like SWEET and SLADE, because closing track "Two blocks away" also sounds like a 70s typed semi rocker with influences of mentioned acts. I hope for some more tunes in the style of "Telephone" on a future Tape or Disc, so then the melodic rock wins it from the Party/Glamrock. For more info, e-mail the band at: mickybb@yahoo.com

Rating: 7,5/10

CHAPTER X hail from Germany and they sent me a CDR with 16 songs. The performed music is not really heavy and sometimes pretty poppy, but it's always very melodic and the two singers both can sing veryw ell and melodic, so this is definitely worth checking out. My favourite songs are "Round and round", "In the past" (great melodic chorus, in the RICK SPRINGFIELD style), "Second chance" (very good semi AOR ballad), "Rain" (another semi AOR ballad) and "You and me" (yet another semi-ballad).

Don't expect any uptempo rockers, but still this CHAPTER X is offering good soft melodic aor/pop/rock with some westcoast influences. More info on the band at: http://home.t-online.de/home/michael_graf and e-mail them at: michael_graf@t-online.de

Rating: 7,5/10

Remember PERSIAN RISK from the UK back in the 80s. This band released a very good LP that was filled with quality melodic hardrock in the style of PRAYING MANTIS and SANTERS. We are now many years later and the band still exists, only in a different line-up. The new PERSIAN RISK is settled in Long Beach, Mississippi, USA. The 80s line-up featured TYGERS OF PAN TANG singer Jon Deverill and MOTORHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell.

Today's version of PERSIAN RISK consists of original member and GHOST/KROKUS singer Carl Sentance, Mark Allen Lanoue (who wrote a song for MESSAGE called "Fine line") on guitar, Jeff Laroche on guitar, Tom Neeley on bass and Tommy Rodriquez on drums. The new PERSIAN RISK just released it's debut CD through mp3.com. There are 5 songs on the record and musically there are some references to the old sound of the band, but most of the time it sounds pretty updated.

Opener "Feel the sound" is a fine example of the updated sound of PERSIAN RISK. This song still has a catchy melodic chorus that somehow reminds me of the third FIREHOUSE album. Also following track "Busted" is in the FIREHOUSE style, though this catchy uptempo melodic rocker has a slightly heavier chorus that is more akin to the old SKID ROW. These first two songs are definitely the best tracks on offer here.

The next two songs ("Rave" and "I know") are both a bit weaker, groovier and also much more 90s rock orientated, but they still sound melodic. Closing track "Poet tree" also has a 90s edge, but also features some nice melodic parts and this song has a slight SLAUGHTER typed chorus, so not bad at all. Still I hope for some more melodic rockers in the style of the first two songs. For fans of the old PERSIAN RISK, this new record of the American version of the band is also worth checking out. More info at: http://www.mp3.com/persianriskusa and e-mail them at: persianriskusa@hotmail.com

Rating: 7,5/10

Eric Wall from Arkansas sent me a CDR with 2 songs of his project TIME. Musically this is very much in the 90s pop/rock territory, but still it sounds melodic enough to me. The production and sound quality aren't that good, but it's the songs that count in the first place. "The more I cry" and "Sorry" are semi rockers with a nice melodic chorus. The rock on these two songs are 90s orientated due to the vocals of the band's lead singer, because his voice has a sligh REM feel to it. The lead singer of the band is Phil Houston. The other member is the already mentioned Eric Wall, who is playing all the insruments on the two songs, except the acoustic guitar which is handled by Phil. If you're interested in hearing how this all sounds like, then check out this band at: http://www.mp3.com/time2 and e-mail them at: ericwall@arkansas.net

Rating: 6,5/10

Attention fans of pure American melodic rock, this album is a MUST to add to your collection. Adriangale is the new band put together by former Guardian frontman Jaime Rowe which also features Vic Rivera - guitars/drums, Todd Goldie - bass and Eddie Campbell - guitars.

The albums packaging features a cute 'Gulliver sized' blonde setting fire to a bunch of suits with a magnifying glass hence the title 'Feel The Fire' Adriangale are an excellent band, there are ten self produced songs on 'Feel The Fire', each song is memorable and played very well making for a hugely satisfying record for melodic rock lovers everywhere.

The first song 'Feel The Fire' shocked me, the minute I heard the opening riffs I was hooked, 'Feel the Fire' is a great start, the song reminds of '5150' circa Van Halen meets Hair Of The Dog and Harem Scarem the song is simply a killer summer hard rock song and my favourite track.

'Save Our Love' is also a very catchy melodic rocker, I know what your gonna think, your thinking how many times have we heard a song like this before that hasn't lived up to the expectations right? well I can tell you this track is excellent and features ridiculously catchy hooks that you will be singing along to for months to come, the song reminds me of Dokken, Harem Scarem and Emerald Rain, if it sounds familiar to you it's because this song is pure eighties melodic rock, and is just brilliant - my second favourite track.

The Dokken melodies and vocal harmonies come into light on the next track 'Reap What You Sow', this song could have been lifted off 'Under Lock And Key', you have to hand it to Jaime, his voice is just what the doctor ordered, he puts in a great performance on this song which is a very catchy and very melodic rocker that I know you will all enjoy.

We get to hear the albums first ballad next, it's called 'If The Sun' a gorgeous power ballad with wonderful lyrics and chorus that is so damn memorable, the best song that White Lion never wrote, listen to Jaime's voice on this one which is filled with heartfelt emotion.

The band rock out again on 'Giving It Up' a chunky guitar layered song again oozing with Dokken inspired melodies, next up is 'Easy Come Easy Go' any song with a title such as this in the year 2000 is just waiting to be ripped apart by the press, but I'm not going to as this song is great, this is another highlight with a great chorus similar to Tesla, very catchy song that even hints towards Jorn Lande and Millenium a little bit.

'Just Let Me Love You' is very melodic and dreamy with nice musical changes, the next song 'Mission Man' is a straight ahead rocker, catchy chrous grinding guitars etc.etc.. whilst 'Honey Child' changes the albums mood, this song is a fun acoustic ditty that reminds me of Extreme's 'Hole Hearted' and doesn't alltogether work so well against the rest of the material. The last song however simply kills, this song is a ball crunching hard rocker called 'Walkin' The Dog', the riffs and vocal harmonies make me think of Dokken and XYZ , 'Walkin' The Dog' is another of my favourite tracks from the album and finishes the album off as it started with a bang.

Make sure you buy Adriangale,apart from 'Honey Child', 'Feel The Fire' is a cracking album. Recommended. http://www.kivelrecords.com

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

Featuring twelve live cuts and two new live bonus tracks 'Return - Live' is a super collection of some of Return's best songs. Recorded live at Hamar Mart'n in August of this year, you cannot help but wish you were there as the crowd are clearly lapping up every moment. Frontman Knut Erik Ostgard really knows how to work the crowd, hear the audience singing along at the top of their voices to songs like the excellent and dead catchy 'Change The Attitude', 'Having Fun', the ballad 'Friends Will Be Friends', Ostgard sings this song with amazing heartfelt passion, the band then drive the audience mental with 'Sing Me A Song', which comes over great. What I like about this live album is that it captures the audience chanting along with the band, clearly the electricity running through both the band and audience makes 'Live' one of the best live albums of recent years.

Even though Return are massive in their homeland of Norway selling in excess of 500,000 album the deserve more recognition on a global basis, hopefully the band will release a video version of this performance which would be great to see.

You can't ignore quality songs like 'Life Must Go On', 'Half A Man', the fantastic 'Can You Forgive Me' it's all hear to enjoy played at maximum volume.

'Main Man' and 'Straight Across My Heart' are two new live songs, the former is very melodic, Ostgard sings this song with amazing power a'la Tommy Heart which has a bluesy edge to it, the latter is a piano led heart wrenching ballad with a killer guitar part which deserves to be a massive hit.

If your a fan of RETURN then this is an essential purchase, if you haven't heard the band before, then I advise you to check this out and also the bands greatest hits package, I assure you that you will not be disappointed.ESSENTIAL.

Contact: tjh@rockofnorway.com

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

Seems to me as if Axe have gone back to the roots of their early eighties albums with 'The Crown' which really suprised me as I haven't really been a fan of Axe's material over the last few years. I've always loved their early albums like 'Living On The Edge' etc and this album really scared me, it's not what I was expecting at all, thus 'The Crown' is a hugely entertaining album.

'The first song The Crown' starts off with a melting keyboard intro, now the new album features one of my favourite guitar players Danny Masters who has released two excellent solo albums, his influence has added diversity into the songs, some of which like 'The Crown' have an epic feel, this song is very melodic a'la Fair Warning, check out Edgar's keyboard playing which is pretty impressive which offers a touch of seventies pomposity, Bobby's voice sounds astounding and 'The Crown' is a wonderful opening song that leads into

'Together We Fly (Together We Fall)' has a huge chorus that I can't get out of my head, there are elements of Tyketto in this song particularly Bobby's voice, the hooks and vocal harmonies kill me, pure melodic rock topped with an amazing chorus makes 'Together' one of my fave songs of 2000.

'Prelude' opens with a gentle acoustic intro which leads us into 'Fire And Water' which was first aired on MTM's music sampler volume three, again the vocals sound awesome a'la Jimi Jamison/Danny Vaghan/Kevin Chalfant, 'Fire And Water' this song is quite similar to Survivor and is a killer melodic rockier.

Next up is 'Restless Angel' a lovely ballad that drifts along similar to Survior and even Rod Stewart, great lyrics as well. 'Children's Memory' is alot heavier, pumping bass, stunning axe work make for an infectious song with killer hooks that Axe fans will love to death 'Children's Memory' is one of the albums best tracks.

'Good Times' is more of a commercialised rocker a'la Tyketto and Survivor, again the chorus is very infectious forcing you to singalong at the top of your voice, another of my fave songs from the album.

'Torturous Game' as featured on the latest MTM sampler has a killer melody, the band have tightened up their sound a bit on this song and it works as this song is killer, check out the chorus, I'm pretty sure the riffs may have been nicked from Scarlet Rose's 'The King Will Return', anyway a killer track with elements of Survivor.

'Sunshine Again (Mario's Song)' is a blusey ballad reminding me of Gary Moore whilst the last song 'Foolish Deception' is another killer song with a great chorus that ends this album on ahigh note. Also when you get to 'Foolish Deception' don't switch off the song when it finishes as there is a hidden bonus track which starts almost three minutes later, this is a short instrumental with tribal drums, anyhow folks 'The Crown' is a hugely enjoyable album, make sure you get this one. Recommended.

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

No introduction need here, we all know who David Glenn Eisley is so let's go straight in and talk about David's new album 'Stranger From The Past' instead.

David's new album opens up with a short but charming keyboard intro with Celtic influences called 'The Return' which set the moods for the album as we blast into the first proper song, the awesome 'Stranger From The Past', this is a very catchy song, the chorus is excellent and you can be forgiven for thinking that this song is like Giuffria and House Of Lords, a great start to the album and it's so good to hear to David signing again, 'Strangers' is perfect keyboard laden melodic rock, the guitars on this song are supplied by ex Dio shredder Craig Goldy whilst Chuck Wright handles the bass duties.

'Can't Call It Love' is up next and is a good melodic rock song with great lyrics which is followed by 'Run, Run Run' a killer melodic/AOR rocker, killer beat and chorus that works really well.

'Sing Brother' is a soothing dark piano based ballad which takes off when Goldy adds in his wondrous guitar licks, David sings with great power and his fans will love this song making this one of the albums best cuts, another top song is the utterly fantastic 'Don't Turn Away' this is pure AOR, the chorus is killer which brings back memories of Giuffria, a very commercial sounding song.

Next up is a very catchy song called 'Who You Trying To Fool', this is a fun song with tons of kick, and would have made a killer single back in the eighties, check out Goldy's axe work here which is dead good.

'Stranger In Love' is the second ballad on the album, I like this one better, it's softer and David's voice sounds full of romance, I can just imagine Bob Catley signing this song (hint hint).

'Can't Wait Forever' is an acoustic based number, that fails to satisfy these ears whilst 'When It's Over' brings the tempo back up and is another killer rocker.

'Olivia' is the third ballad and is about David's wife, another great performance from David makes this song a winner, 'Waiting On Heaven' is very melodic and possibly my favourite song of the whole cd, the album then finishes as the the album starts with a short outro called 'Departure'. And there you have it folks, a fine return to form of one of rock worlds much missed artists. Recommended.

Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

I can't tell you an awful lot about this band I'm afraid, I've never heard of Pain Of Salvation before but I really enjoyed what the band are trying to do, it's refreshing to hear music of this brilliance and it's a shame that more people can't appreciate high quality music such as this.

First off we get a track called 'Used', this song has annoying modern metal/grunge feel and is not a good start to the album, although this is an experimental song and features calmer vocals somewhere in there, for the most part 'Used' acts as wierd modern metal and is not so interesting as the next song 'In The Flesh', now this song is cool it takes a good minute or so before the vocals come in and when they do they sing in a whispered tone which makes this song sit along side say Marillion.

Next up is 'Ashes' the long silvery guitar intro gives way to a song with a sense of gothical romance, it's a killer song and the moods tempo changes everynow and again into brilliantly performed arrangements. Best song of the cd so far.

'Morning On Earth' is another song that takes numerous spins to fully appreciate, again this song is beautifully performed and reminds me of a subtle Marillion

'Idioglossia' is an uptempo song that experiments with Dream Theater inspired complexities, a great song. Next song 'Her Voices' makes use of synthesisers, this song is a beautiful ballad and another highlight.

''Dedication' is also very good, this main structure of this song is played on an acoustic song which is played so beautifully, the vocals come in, this track is a dreamy piece of music that works very well, defintley my favourite song of the cd so far.

The great thing about Pain Of Salvation is that they are not afraid to experiment, but even so alot of the songs lack identity and are hard to get to grips with, thus the listening instructions for this album are to play this on you walkman and take a very long walk, when you fully concentrate on the songs you will full in love with Pain Of Salvation, but unless you concentrate without anything distracting you you will miss what the band are trying to say.

Take 'King Of Loss' this could be considered a subtle calmer song that could turn listeners way, but if you persevere with it longer you will hear the song going through many musical moods, this song is another highlight that show how proficient musically Pain Of Salvation are.

Next track Reconciliation is one of the rare songs on the album that grab you instantly, this song sits closely to Spock's Beard a complexed song which is defintley the albums best cut.

'Song For The Innocent starts off interesting and keep, and peels into another complexed but very good song that is played really well. This song kind of acts as the intro to 'Falling' a guitar instrumental that help to wind you down and relax, a beautifully played piece of music that lifts into the next tune ''The Perfect Element' which explores many areas of progression and finishes the album off in style. Overall this is an album that you need to spend time with, the musicanship is of an extremely high standard and it's hard to categorise this band, so I won't just let the music do the talking instead. Recommended.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Latest sampler cd from Z Records crams in a wopping eighteen tracks. As with the latest MTM sampler, this offers punters a chance to sample the cream of the labels acts before purchasing. So what do we get on this cd then, well we get tracks from 21 Guns, Burning Rain, Vaughn, Contagious (hello Tony M.), Rainmaker, Enuff Z'Nuff, Savannah (hello Tony S.), Pontus Norgren, Damned Nation, Dream Hunter, Von Groove and Phil Naro.

Interestingly we get some to hear new songs from the forthcoming albums by Burning Rain, Bonaire, 24K, Eclipse, Prisoner, Seven Wishes,so lets concentrate on these.

The first of the songs is 'The Only One' by Swedish mob Eclipse, this song is layered with wonderful melodies and superb vocal harmonies, a dreamy melodic rock song and an album to look forward to next year. Next up is old chestnuts Prisoner featuring Geir Ronning and Tommy Denander with a brand spanking new song called 'One Way', this shows the band maturing rapidly, this song is very much in the Tall Stories vein and is a killer melodic rock/AOR song, can't wait for album number two due next year.

24K have caused a bit of a stir recently with the cover art work to their new album 'Bulletproof' which features a drawing of a man with a gun to his head, anyway 'Stone Heart' is a brand new song from the afforementioned album, the song is groovy with a great chorus line, next we hear a new song from the much anticipated new Burning Rain album, it's called 'Fireball' and rocks like a baby in a cradle, this song almost scared me as it is very heavy, melodic and catchy as hell, take a listen to the chorus and you'll be hooked, I predict big big sales for Burning Rain who are also appearing at Z Rock in 2001.

One of my favourite Z bands Seven Wishes offer us a new song called 'Face That Evil ' which proves that the band will be around for many years to come, a stomping melodic rocker with great riffs and killer Don Dokken esq vocal harmonies, this album should also sell by the truckload.

New boys Bonaire air the last of the new songs, Bonaire play pure melodic rock layered with great keyboards and satisfying vocal melodies and killer production sound, one to watch for in 2001.

It's clear that Z Records are becoming the leader of the pack, with so much quality melodic rock and AOR on offer it's no wonder that the Z 2001 show is almost selling out. If you haven't got your tickets yet then to save dissapointment, make sure you get them before xmas as the current rate predicts the show to be a sell out by then. Strutter of course will be there as usual and we will bring you complete coverage of the show which is being held at The Ritz in Manchester, England as well as exclusive interviews with the bands.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Latest sixteen track compilation from the ranks of MTM features tracks by Joe Lynn Turner, Raine, Kharma, the underrated 101 South, Alfonzetti and Shameless. The great thing about this cd is that it features new tracks from Dogface, Axe, Carl Dixon, Doug Howard, Elements Of Fiction, Radioactive and John Angelina's Amen project, as well as unreleased and Japanese bonus tracks from Brian McDonald, House Of Shakira and Metropolis making for a bumper album that is well worth buying, especially for the Japanese bonus tracks.

Brian McDonald's Japanese bonus track 'Some Hearts' should have been on the European version a brilliant song whch features lead axe work from Alex Masi, listen to the lovely Joe Elliot/Kip Winger -ish harmony vocals, the chorus is dead catchy, 'Some Hearts' is a brilliant song, you'll love it.

We also get to hear the return of Carl Dixon whose last album 'One' recieved favourable reviews everywhere, 'One' is now seven years old and it's nice to see that Dixon stick to his guns on 'Into The Future' this is pure AOR, glorious chorus, nice guitar melodies etc..I predict the AOR fanatics will lap up Dixon's forthcoming album, particular as Dixon voice sounds fuller and creamy a'la John Waite.

The Radioactive track 'On My Own' from Tommy Denander is also very very catchy and includes great piano playing, this song reminds me of a cross between Prisoner, Tommy Shaw and Survivor and is a killer song.

I also enjoyed the unreleased House Of Shakira song 'Strangers', this song is dead gorgeous, a calmer song with great lyrics, one of my fave House Of Shakira songs todate, I predict their next album will be killer.

Now onto Metropolis, this band should have sold more copies of thier album, 'Love And Desire' just kills me, brilliant keyboard work and a great chorus, this is pure AOR heaven folks. Let's hope the band make another record.

Doug Howard of Stunleer delivers a new track from his upcoming new album 'Last Man Standing' called 'Tell Me', this is a great hard rocker with great hooks and killer chorus, I've always like Stunlerr and I can't wait for the new album.. watch this space!

A new one on me is John Angelina's Amen, I haven't a clue who this guy is, but what come to mind is the band Mystery, the song features some subtle violins and John has a killer voice, this song is quite experimental and progressive and makes for an interesting and entertaining song, I can't wait to hear the album.

The Elements Of Friction song 'One Man One Heart' is another great song, whilst Dogface offer 'Right Between The Eyes' from their fourthcoming debut 'Unleashed', a killer hard rocker with a blusey funky tint and last but not least a new song from Axe which is a killer track.

As I mentioned this disc is worth getting hold of for the unreleased material which shows that 2001 may be a good year for MTM.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

No idea where these guys are from, they have released two singles and album, so let's start with the singles first. First is 'Motor City Blues' is a wonderful song which remind me of The Jeff Healey Band, especially Eddy Ottenstein's guitar playing whilst singer Ron Hedley's voices lies somewhere in-between Jeff Healey and Chris Rea. This song is backed by 'Complicated' is a bluesy rocker that reminds me of Bryan Adams, Bob Segar and Henry lee Summer a very catchy song with a killer memorable chorus that makes you think 'Where have I heard that before'?

The next single is 'Sound Of The Highway' this is a great uptempo song, nice chorus etc. 'I Keep Knockin' is up next and is straight ahead rock 'n roll with a good chorus line, this song is actually pretty good. Now we get II BIG's debut album 'For The Radio' which kicks off with a killer rock song called simply 'Rocker', nice chorus, guitar etc, a'la Bryan Adams, Nelson,'Temptation' is ok but not so sensational, better is 'Tonight' a good rocker with a seventies influence.

'Goin' Home' is an acoustic uptempo ballad, 'Always You' is played boring, ''Stoned Again' is much better and has a classic rock feel, 'Don't Hold On' is forgettable, whilst 'On My Way' improves matters, this track reminds me of Pearl Jam and is pretty good. 'In It For Lust' gets the guitars pumping up and is possibly the best song of II BIG, a little funky in places this one.

'Never Die' is also quite rocky, 'Think Of Me And Smile' is just pants and the last song 'It's Gonna Rain' rocks things up again and finishes the album off on ahigh note reminding me of Montrose.

Overall some good song sand not so good material, this music is aimed at people who like R.E.M. etc, and not at fans of melodic rock and AOR, it's still ok though and make II BIG an interesting band to keep your eyes on for the future. Check 'em out at http://www.listen.com

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

The latest to recieve the 'TRIBUTE' treatment is Denmark's own horror of metal King Diamond. I have to say that I'm a little partial to some of the King's music and it also has to be said that he has a wider audience than most of our melodic rock bands, he's also a metal survivor and deserves more credit than what he gets. The King is a major inspiration on alot of today's Kerrang style metal bands, thus the idea of this tribute album.

Whilst many of his fans rave about the 'Abigail', 'Them' and 'Conspiracy' albums the one that got into to me was 1995's 'The Spider's Lullabye' Formed in 1985 from the ashes of Mercyful Fate, King Diamond have released fifteen albums of which this reflects back on,
we get to hear interpertaions by bands such as In Aeternum, Exhumed, an excellent version of 'Eastmann's Cure' by Aurora whilst Destiny's End cover 'Dressed In White' through to Ancient's version of 'Halloween' to much satisfaction.

Although you can't top the originals this does serve as a beneficial release for the bands appearing on the album who may not get heard by the wider audience otherwise, this is the only benefit of tribute albums.

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

Originally released a year or so ago on import via Pony Canyon, Z Records finally give this classic debut a full European and US release.

Formed from the ashes of the excellent Bad Moon Rising, Burning Rain feature the legendary Doug Aldrich and former Medicine Wheel frontman Keith St.John, John's voice is very similar to Plant, Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, this gives songs such as the excellent riff heavy 'Fall No More', 'Cherry Grove' and 'Smooth Locomotion' to deep blusey ballads like 'Can't Turn Your Back On Love' and 'Making My Heart Break' the classic rock formular we all love.

Time and time again Burning Rain deliver great songs, investigate fantastic songs like 'Tokyo Rising' and 'Jungle Queen' and you will realise that the scene needs a killer band like Burning Rain to make a commercial break through, if anyones going to do it, then it's going to be these guys and we can safely look forward to the bands brand new album 'Pleasure To Burn' which will be released in January, and the great news is that the band will be over to play next years Z Rock festival at The Ritz in Manchester, so make sure you don't miss it. Recommended.

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

The second 21 Guns album 'Nothing's Real' first came out on import via Victor in Japan, thanks to Z Records this excellent album finally gets an official release in Europe and the US.

21 Guns is the brainchild of Thin Lizzy guitar shredder Scott Gorham, replacing singer Tommy La Verdi on vocals is ex Sons Of Angels and Psycho Motel frontman Solli who does an excellent job on killer songs like 'Underground', 'U And I', 'Nothing's Real', 'Mister Mofo' the ballad 'Wolves' and a brilliant song called 'The Otherside'.

But what is interesting about this release is the addition of six monster bonus tracks, four of which feature La Verdi, so let's concentrate on these tracks.

The first song 'Slam The Hammer' and the last song 'House Of Cards' feature Solli on vocals, the former is a great rocker, Solli's vocal melodies are excellent and Gorham's playing turns this song into a great commercial hard rocker with a killer chorus. The latter flows with bluesy melodies, Solli again does his vocal thing, what's great about this song is that Solli sings in a husky reign, thus sounding in places like Diamond David Lee Roth.

Former frontman Tommy La Verdi can be heard on the other four tracks. 'The Picture' opens with awesome bass and keyboard work from Leif Johansen, this is a calmer ballad that reminds me of 'Marching In Time' from the 'Salute' album. Next up is 'Blood Gone Bad' a killer melodic rocker with a glorious chorus, La Verdi is on fine form, next up is 'Cold Heart' the songs intro opens with church bells which give the song a spooky feel, La Verdi's voice is subtle in parts of this song and dynamic when the chorus hits you making for another wonderful melodic rocker, lastly 'Dear Mother' again stuns the listener thanks to La Verid's huge range. I hope this Tommy La Verdi will record again some day as he is a really special singer, both he and Solli are gifted singers, but let's remember that Solli is still the bands main man and the good new is that we can expect a brand new 21 Guns album sometime next year with a full European tour to follow, 'Nothing's Real' is fantastic album and is utterly essential. 'Nuff said.

Rating: 10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

The Silent Goodbye are an excellent new band from Canada. They play alternative modern gothical rock, what is interesting about this band is that the musical arrangements are quite complexed such as on the killer opening track 'Butterflys Lie'. This song is a long dark moody piece that lies somewhere in between gothical rock and power pop, , the next track 'Lady Fingers' is even better, a very powerful song where the riffs remind me of Metallica and the singer sounds like Layne Stayley from Alice In Chains, 'Lady Fingers' is a great song.

Next up is 'Miracle Bullet', the guitars have a gritty tone to them and the song is similar to Stone Temple Pilots and is a cross between melodic rock and gothical rock.

'Out Of Context' starts off calmer and has a wierd tone that fans of alternative music will no doubt enjoy, it's sung very well and is the albums stand out track.

'Girlfriend Ghost' is another cool song with great musical arrangments reminding me of Pearl Jam and the last song 'The Step Before The Window' is another complexed song that starts off with subtle guitars and bass playing, this builds into the albums best track and is a killer blast of modern gothical rock that just kills.

Over all The Silent Goodbye are an exciting new band for the alternative generation to check out. Contact: http://www.thesilentgoodbye.com or email:- silentgoodbye@hotmail.com

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)