Mad Haven - 'Sound Of The Music' EP

Mad Haven - 'Sound Of The Music' EP

So far in 2017, my reviewing ears have been subjected to some tripe to say the least.  I was hoping for some relief, and thankfully I have found it!

I’d heard on the local jungle drums that there was a (very) young North Wales band that’s been growing in reputation and getting some serious attention. So when a mate of mine posted a FB Live video of theirs over the Christmas period I was hooked like a salmon.

The band in question is a three piece called Mad Haven hailing from Penrhyn Bay and Rhos On Sea. Neither yet known for being hotbeds of metal, but I predict it soon will be. Mad Haven consist of brothers Tom Rogowski – 15 (Guitar & lead Vocals), Alex Rogowski - 17 (Drums & Backing Vocals), and Joe Fisher – 16 (Bass & Backing Vocals). They are that young, their combined aged is just 48, and that’s still younger than this reviewer! This proves that you’re never too young (or old) to kick ass and rock. Mad Haven have been around since 2011, so just let that sink in a minute.….I have gig tee-shirts older than these lads.

Their EP ‘Sound Of The Music’ is an impressive one for such young musicians, which can only bode well as they develop further. Not only that, its their 5^th EP which puts them in BCC territory! Straight off the bat, the intro leaves you in no doubt as to who they want to emulate – its kick-ass riffs straight out of the Aussie school of rock like AC/DC and Airbourne. ‘Running Far’ sees Tom channel his inner Lemmy for some throaty JD soaked vocals. God only knows what he will sound like when he is finally allowed to drink! The chorus immediately sinks in and requires no additional listen. The playing is as tight as a nut and if you closed your eyes the age does not come into his playing, as its mature, hits the spot and all down excellent. The rhythm section of Tom and Alex combine to make it one excellent intro into the world of Mad Haven.

Title track ‘Sound Of The Music’ leads you in a few directions before settling in. Its certainly straight out of the heavy metal songbook….’rock and roll is the sound of the music’. It leads itself to a 15 minute rocking live version I imagine as it allows the guys to go off in all directions. For me the best is kept until last. ‘Watcha’ Gonna’’ includes a line ‘all you think is what's for tea tonight’. The song is lifted by a refrain/bridge/chorus that experienced professional bands would love, make that 'kill' to write. Its all about the melody and Mad Haven have this in abundance.

So, despite my ‘young’ remarks, MH are as professional as they come. DO NOT dismiss this band as they are going places. If you like your metal to be tight, rock hard, balls to the wall, and tinged with the Aussie influence then look no further than Mad Haven.

Mad Haven have an EP launch party at The Marine Hotel, Old Colwyn, Sat, 11^th Feb. £5 entry and you get a copy of the CD!!

Score 8/10

Mad Haven –

Tom Rogowski – Guitar & Lead Vocals

Joe Fisher – Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals

Alex Rogowski – Drums & Backing Vocals

Tracklisting –

Intro

Runnin’ Far

Sound Of The Music

Watcha’ Gonna’

Photos - copyright Hedshotz

Stephen Pearcy - 'Smash' review

After the disappointment of Jack Russell’s Great White, I’m hoping that Stephen Pearcy fares better. I think (in the distance, somewhere near Milan) I can hear the bottom of barrels being scraped….

Best known as the original vocalist and founding member of the platinum rock band RATT, Stephen Pearcy has been working hard to complete his highly anticipated fourth solo album, while at the same time keeping busy performing shows across the U.S.

“I am very happy with the new music and the diversity of the songs. It's taken some time. I'm sure all the fans will be excited too,” says Stephen about the new album.

“Smash” was mixed and mastered by none other than the legendary Beau Hill, the producer of RATT's first four albums, among many other hit records. Stephen will be supporting "SMASH" with live dates in the U.S. and internationally.

With over 15 million records and gold and platinum long form videos sold in the U.S. alone with RATT, touring the world with over (20) albums to his credit with other ventures, solo projects, compilations, best of records, and other bands he created, there is no slowing Pearcy down.  

Beau Hill has weaved his magic over the years, but not even he has enough polish to buff this one into and decent shape. Give yourself a gold star if you thought I was going to say ‘turd’.

On first inspection, Pearcy doesn’t sound too bad. I was flinching a in anticipation as some of the Ratt stuff I’ve seen on YouTube is rough to say the least.  A good producer can obviously add some spit and polish to proceedings. Not possessing the finest set of pipes, he used them very well and to his advantage in the 1980s. He’s certainly made the best out of an average voice.

‘I know I’m Crazy’ comes off as a plodding grunge track, which would have been fine in 1992, but some 25yrs later, its off the mark by some distance.  ‘Ten Miles Wide’ fares a lot better as it’s more in Ratt territory, but not quite there. ‘Shut Down Baby’ is a song that could have gone in a different direction with its decent sounding riff, but gets lost. ‘Dead Roses’ has a bit of a Velvet Revolver vibe and is the best of the bunch so far. ‘Lollipop’ is one of the worst named songs in rock history and screams ‘meh!’.

‘Rain’ has an 80s based riff, but doesn’t have the legendary Ratt bridge or chorus to lift it. ‘Want To Much’ is a decent enough song, but given everything that precedes it, its not that hard to be good, but it does have elements of vintage Pearcy. Just ‘Jamie’ out of the last five songs deserves any credit, but unfortunately, the rest are just uninspired and unforgettable. If this or Jack Russell’s albums are in any Top 10 lists come the end of the year, I will definitely show my arse in Woolies window! Or whatever the equivalent is in 2017 – ‘Home Bargains?’

Smash is aptly titled, as that’s what I’d probably like to do to it.

When I first heard ‘Infestation’ in 2010 I was very impressed as this was VINTAGE Ratt. ‘Smash’ on the other hand is instantly forgettable unfortunately. It reminds me of Journey’s last jaunt to the UK, it looked like they just wanted to not just take the money and run, but count it on stage in front of you to piss you right off. Pearcy is the same here, probably not believing that someone has given him a wad of money for someone who peaked musically some time ago. That hurts for me to say that to a person who sang classics like ‘Back For More’, ‘Round And Round’, “Wanted Man’ and ‘Lay It Down’

Come on Frontiers, pull your finger out. I’m hoping Pride Of Lions wont let me down….?

Score 45/100

Stephen E. Pearcy – Lead, Backing Vox

Erik Ferentinos – Rhythm & Lead Guitars, BVs

Gred D’Angelo – Drums

Matt Thorn – Bass

Chris Hager – Guitars, lead Guitar on Track 3

Tracklisting -

I Know I’m Crazy

Ten Miles Wide

Shut Down Baby

Dead Roses

Lollipop

Hit Me With A Bullet

Rain

Want Too Much

What Do Ya Think

Jamie

I Cant Take It

Passion Infinity

Summers End

Michael Schenker Fest "Live" Tokyo released 24 March ft. Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet & Robin McAuley

 Michael Schenker Fest "Live" Tokyo released 24 March ft. Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet & Robin McAuley

 

RELEASED FRIDAY 24th MARCH 2017
Available on 2CD, 2CD+DVD Combo, LP, DVD, Blu-ray, Digital
 

On Friday 24^th March 2017, rock guitarist legend Michael Schenker and in-akustik will release Michael Schenker Fest “Live” Tokyo - a stunning new live recording and filmed concert released on 2CD, 2CD+DVD Combo, LP, DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital.

Filmed and recorded Tokyo International Forum on August 24, 2016, this historic concert features guest appearances from some of the greatest rock vocalists who have worked with Schenker including M.S.G.’s Gary Barden and Graham Bonnet, and Robin McAuley of the McAuley Schenker Group.  5000 fans witnessed an anthology moment of quintessential hard rock music of the highest calibre.

Says Schenker, “It’s a miracle that after all these years, something like this took place with the original band members of M.S.G. Being able to go back to those days and celebrate the music is an exciting experience for us, as well as for old and new fans. To being able to re-experience, and for the new audience to get a feel of what it was like, is incredibly enjoyable.”

TRACKLISTING

1.       Intro: Searching For Freedom

2.       Into The Arena

3.       Attack Of The Mad Axeman ft. Gary Barden

4.       Victim Of Illusion ft. Gary Barden

5.       Cry For The Nations ft. Gary Barden

6.       Let Sleeping Dogs Lie ft. Gary Barden

7.       Armed And Ready ft. Gary Barden

8.       Coast To Coast

9.       Assault Attack ft. Graham Bonnet

10.   Desert Song ft. Graham Bonnet

11.   Dancer ft. Graham Bonnet

12.   Captain Nemo

13.   This Is My Heart ft. Robin McAuley

14.   Save Yourself ft. Robin McAuley

15.   Love Is Not A Game ft. Robin McAuley

16.   Shoot Shoot ft. Robin McAuley

17.   Rock Bottom ft. Robin McAuley

            18.   Doctor Doctor ft. Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley

Dan Reed Network - New video 'Champion' and tour dates

DAN REED NETWORK – ‘FIGHT ANOTHER DAY’ - MARCH 2017 UK TOUR

BOOK ONLINE - www.danreed-network.com  

Wednesday 1st March                  Level 3 Club, Swindon

Friday 3rd March                              Warehouse 23, Wakefield

Saturday 4th March                        Live Rooms, Chester

Sunday 5th March                           The Globe, Cardiff

Tuesday 7th March                         The Cluny, Newcastle

Wednesday 8th March                  Oran Mor, Glasgow

Friday 10th March                           100 Club, London

Saturday 11th March                      Local Authority, Sheffield

Sunday 12th March                         The Robin 2, Bilston

Tuesday 14th March                       Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Wednesday 15th March               Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

 

Jack Russell's Great White - 'He Saw It Comin'' Review

January sees Frontiers release albums from two of the 1980s stalwarts rock vocalists. First up is Jack Russell with his version of Great White. I have to admit that most of the time, any version of a split band will see me go for the singers version as that’s where a lot of the iconic sounds emanate from. One exception to the rule is Queensryche – where I’m on the side of the Todd version.

In December 2011, Jack Russell’s Great White first bared its teeth. Since its inception, the front man welcomed back longtime bassist and friend Tony Montana—this time as a guitar player and keyboardist—lead guitarist Robby Lochner, and drummer Dicki Fliszar. Now, this group has a sharp, soaring and slick new album ready, boasting the bluesy Hard Rock stomp that made Russell and Montana icons in the first place.

“It’s a powerful band,” Russell proclaims. “The music comes across very dynamically. It’s what I always wanted it to be. Tony was a catalyst for moving forward. I was never as close to him as I am now. We never had the opportunity to write music together before. I also never knew he played guitar. When I first heard him, I nearly fell of my chair. He’s my copilot. He’s one of my best friends. I wish we would’ve been this close back in the day.”

“It’s natural for all of us,” adds Montana. “There’s a solid chemistry, and we’re having a lot of fun.” “We want the new material to blow people’s ears back,” Russell goes on. “It has the elements of the best Great White music ever written, but there’s an edge. Tony brings that validity, while Robby, Dan and Dicki add a new life. It’s going to surprise people.”
Montana agrees, “It’s got the classic sound. The first element is Jack’s voice. No other band sounds like this one ever did or does now.

I would love to say that HSIC is up there with their 80’s heyday albums, I don’t even think its up there with the albums they released in the 90s – and they were not the greatest.

To be honest, listening to the opening track ‘Sign Of The Times’, it took me straight back to the 80s. Russell sounds no different as he did back then, even if he looks nothing like he did back then! It’s the only song that’s decent enough to grace the Great White name and legacy. It is a cracking tour de force with a riff that’s oh so simple but oh so effective. In fact its more Dokken than Great White, but I aint complaining.

After such a crunching opener, they take their foot off the gas with the low key ‘She Moves Me’. I was wanting, wishing,  even hoping another song that would hit me right between the eyes (and ears), and we get this subdued, mid paced number. The pace is picked up  a bit with ‘Crazy’ a cross between DLR era Skyscraper and Great White. But the good stuff ends here. ‘Love Don’t Live Here’ is a ‘go through the motions’, music by numbers song. I almost hate myself for writing this as there’s few positives to be gleaned from this. (and I love 80s Great White)

‘My Addiction’ lacks any real substance. I suppose it is a subject very close to Jack Russell and deserves kudos for writing about it. The man has been through more in 56 years than most have to endure in 10 lifetimes. ‘He Saw It Coming’ is the second highlight here. A good song that takes snippets of Queen, Styx and Lieber/Stoller’s ‘Trouble’, and has some decent harmonies and is well structured and is a sprinkle of stardust amongst some garbage.

From here to the end its not so much as the wheels have fallen off, its more like the car has been impounded, crushed into a small cube, and then set fire to….and to make matters worse, the radio still works, just like Christine! There’s not a lot to say about the remaining four songs as they are just standard fodder that will generally be listened to once, then confined to the bin on your fruit based, or robot based listening device.

Two good songs out of eleven just isn’t a good enough return. I don’t know if Frontiers have any quality control over the bands he is putting out, but this one certainly didn’t get any additional input.

On the plus side, theres ‘Sign Of The Times’, ‘He Saw It Coming’, and Jack Russell’s still got a decent set of pipes.

The negatives are some bland songs that just plod along and offer no great vehicle for Jacks voice to shine. Its probably the poorest Frontiers release in quite some time.

Now, lets see if Stephen Pearcy fares any better…..

Score 45/100

Jack Russell’s Great White –

Jack Russell – Vocals

Tony Montana – Guitar, Keys

Robby Lochner – Guitar

Dan McNay – Bass

Dicki Fliszar – Drums

Tracklisting –

Sign Of The Times

She Moves Me

Crazy

Love Don’t Live Here

My Addiction

Anything For You

He Saw It Coming

Don’t Let Me Go

Spy vs Spy

Blame It On The Night

Godspeed

Albums of 2016!

This is just a list of my personal favourites of 2016. As a classic rock/AOR/Prog fan theres not exactly a lot of Metal on show here. Come to think of it, there no metal whatsoever here. Ah well. it my list and Im sticking to it

In a year when 2016 has seen some truly outstanding heroes pass on, if there is an afterlife then there one hell of a party going on. The music this year has seen some great releases. When Ive reviewed albums, Ive never given anything top marks as ot would have to be pretty damn faultless, and, whilst there are some great albums in this list, its hard to say if any will be revered as absolute classics in years to come

I started off with a list of 64 albums that I have either bought or reviewed in 2016, or both. I've decided upon a Top 50.....

50. Big Big Train - Folklore
49. Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts - Hearts On Trees / When Patsy Cline Was Crazy......
48. Rage Of Angels - The Devils New Tricks
47. Epic - Like A Phoenix
46. Hand Of Dimes - Raise
45. Headspace - All That You Fear Is Gone
44. O'Regan - Polymorphic Tragedy
43. Doomsday Outlaw - Suffer More
42. Star Chase - The New Day
41. Cranston - Treat - Ghost Of Graceland
40. Whitford / St.Holmes - Reunion
39. Airbourne - Breakin' Outta Hell
38. Overland - Contagious
37. Whiskey Myers - Mud
36. Legion - Last Man Standing
35. The Radio Sun - Outside Looking In
34. Cheap Trick - Bang, Zoom, Crazy....Hello
33. Letters From The Fire - Worth The Pain
32. The Answer - Solas
31. Tyketto - Reach
30. Delain - Moonbathers
29. Gene The Werewolf - The Loner
28. Ted Poley - Beyond The Fade
27. Nitroville - Cheating The Hangman
26. Treat - Ghost Of Graceland
25. First Signal - One Step Over The Line

24. Violet Janine - Between Red & Blue
Read a mate raving about it. Bought it, but you wouldn't buy it from the cover! Reminds me a bit of Romeos Daughter (if they were Swedish). Anything with Tony Martin dueting on a country rock song (So Much More) isn't going to be bad...

23. Steven Wilson - 41/2
Releasing an album of alleged cast-offs, which are still better than most proggers can muster up as their best stuff. The undoubted King of Prog!

22. Michael Sweet - One Sided War
As prolific as a prolific thing, this is Michael Sweets heaviest album to date. Choc full of 80s inspiration, and introduces a new starlet to the fold, he's that nice a bloke

21. Chris Shayne - Turning Stomes
Part Skynyrd, part Black Stone Cherry, part Cadillac Three, and just as good as any of the above if given half a chance. A cracking country rock album. If you're reading this Chris, you owe me the CD!!

20. Almah - EVO
This came a bit left field to be honest. Didn't know what to expect, and was very surprised indeed. Its their 5th album (a concept), and where the hell had they been. Power Metal, melodic, uplifting and could win Eurovision given half a chance

19. Hardline - Human Nature
Keeping Italian musicians employed since 2013, Gioeli had pulled this one out of the bag. Their best since the debut all those years ago. Don't give up when you're on a roll...

18. Dante Fox - Breathless
Never given up, and getting better all the time (which is saying something). Breathless is superb. For me it had one of the tracks of the year in Dynamite. It certainly blew my ears off!

17. Myrath - Legacy
A Tunisian progressive, oriental, power melodic metal feast. One of the best songs (and videos) in 2016 in 'Believer'. A belting album

16. The Cadillac Three - Bury me In My Boots
Its a lot more country Nashville rock that the debut, but its not a bad thing. Should be massive in the US considering the audience for country. Bourbon and beer soaked vocals and instantly singable tunes!

15. Sons Of Icarus - Beyond The Sun
The album took and age to be released (about 5 years) and proved too late to save them. Now departed, but they have left a mark and a half with some of the best riffs this side of Tony Iommi's moustache. Check out the South Park inspired video for 'Make Amends'

14. Volbeat - Seal The Deal & Boogie
A bit of a Marmite band for me (and I friggin' hate Marmite). But STD&B was the one that changed my opinion. I think it was seeing them live recently that literally 'sealed the deal'. As the St Winifreds Choir once sang...'theres no one quite like Volbeat!'

13. Alter Bridge - The Last Hero
heaver than anything previous, it doesnt quite have the cutting edge of Blackbird. Theres still some great songs on here, especially 'My Champion', 'Show Me A Leader' and 'The Last Hero'.

12. Tremonti - Dust
The nearest Tremonti album to sound more like an Alter Bridge album. Not as brutal as the previous two, its my fave of the Tremonti bunch so far.

11. Dream Theater - The Astonishing
And astonishing it was. At first I thought it was tripe, but after forced repeated listens down our local nick for shoplifting, it grew on me like 'Easy Street' on The Walking Dead

10. Vega - Who We Are

If you thought 'WTH' was good, 'WWR' knocked it out of the park. I don't think the Martin brothers leave the house unless they have written a huge anthem. Couple this with the incendiary guitar riffage of Marcus Thurston, and Nick Workman's vocals, and its anthem heaven. 'Explode' is one of the songs of the year without a doubt. The other 10 aren't bad either!

9. Scorpion Child - Acid Roulette

Huge 70s boogie riffs couples with 80s metal and a slab of prog. I know it sounds as if it doesn't work, but it does, trust me. With Aryn Jonathan Black running the show, they have a truly enigmatic front man with a voice that could strip varnish off timber from 50 paces. One of THE BEST BANDS you haven't listened to yet. Its a concept album, but all I know is that its a damn good album




8. The Defiants - S/T

For most of 2016 it was my fave melodic rock album of 2016. A stunning debut that hasn't turned out to be just a project for Frontiers head honcho Serafino Perugino. It was his most inspired grouping of any to date. Paul Laine is on FIRE! 'Love And Bullets' and 'Waiting On A Heartbreak' are modern day (or any day) classics. More please!!

7. Angels Or Kings - Go Ask The Moon

Tony Bell has both feet planted firmly in the 80s and it shows with this fine collection of songs. Too many bands don't listen to the classics and try to replicate what made them good in the first place, AOK are an exception. If 'Heartbreak Railroad Company' was written by a certain Jon Bon Jovi or Eric Church for example, we would all be waxing lyrical. Songs like this don't come out of the North West of England. Thank God they don't listen. My melodic rock album of the year!


6. The Temperance Movement - White Bear

Their EP, and debut set tongues wagging, and their live gigs just reeled the punters into their brand of music. The last year or so supporting the likes of the Rolling Stones and Blackberry Smoke has done them a world of good. White bear is superb, and in Phil Campbell they have a truly great singer. Its good to see a band pushing on from their excellent debut and producing an excellent piece of work





5. Glenn Hughes - Resonate

If I had a voice like Glenn, I'd certainly believe the hype and call myself 'The Voice Of Rock'. Probably the finest singer of his or anyone else's generation. Its his first solo album in quite some time, and boy, he certainly knocked it out of the park. Its THE BEST ALBUM he has done since Burn - its that good.






4. Opeth - Sorceress

The signs that Akerfeldt was moving away from the grunting. death metal style that bought so many to the fold all those years ago. Its mellower prog direction has been coming for quite some time, probably since 'Watershed'. With 'Sorceress', its the one album that has nailed his way to the cross for the masses. Like it, or lump it, he and this style are here to stay (I think). Its complex compositions balanced with melancholy, only if it were done in part by the Scorpions!

3. Dorothy - ST

This one came at me out of the blue whilst trawling through YouTube for musical inspiration. I found it, and with a voice that's one of the best Ive ever heard, and a drop dead beauty in Dorothy Martin. I'll forgive them a bit, as some of the songs follow the same formula, but a little gripe aside, the songs are delicious. Someone at the BBC likes them, because if you've followed TV series in the UK like Poldark, Dorothy's music has been all over it, and other preview clips like a rash.

2. Inglorious - ST

One of the finest debut albums in this or any other year. A true rock god has been launched in Nathan James (TSO, Uli Jon Roth). Not may people can sing like they can in the studio, James is one of the few who can, and he can do it better than most. A classic rock band in the making, I cannot wait for album No.2 . The first album I reviewed in 2016 and its been pipped to the post by this.....

1. Rival Sons - Hollow Bones

Rival Sons have gotten better with each passing year. When I first saw them in 2010 they were very good, their tour with Sabbath has seen them come on leaps and bounds. In Jay Buchanan they have one of the best singers and focal points of any band plying their trade today. A much shorter album than 'GWV', 'Hollow Bones' still oozes quality. Written and recorded in double quick time, you wouldn't think so. Rival Sons pay homage to the 70s greats and add their own stardust and flair. 'Hollow Bones', 'Fade Out' and 'Black Coffee' are all excellent, but just a little more excellent than the rest of the album and all the others on my list