Dante Fox - Lost Man's Ground Album Review

Firstly my apologies to DF themselves as this bugger should have been done a few weeks ago!

Anyway, Dante Fox is one of those bands that seem to have stuck around now for quite some time. I don’t want them to take this next comment detrimentally, only I wonder sometimes why bands continue to record, when it doesn’t seem as if the next break is on the horizon. If it were me, I’d be pissed off playing support to bands they are as equally as good at if not better, yet the next big advance in venue etc never seems to happen for them. I suppose it because they love what they are doing and that’s spreading the good word of the AOR gods to the relatively small masses, but dedicated masses.

I caught them recently at HRH AOR and from my first viewing a few years back, they have improved immensely. A few mates have commented that Sue Willets always seemed a bit lacking in the frontwoman department, but I have to admit I found her engaging and with a good sense of humor, but more importantly, what a set of pipes.

Also with Tim Manford on guitar they have a guitarist who can trade licks with the best of the genre. In the good ‘ol 70s and 80s, it wasn’t unknown for bands to release an album (sometimes 2) every 12-18months. This kind of activity makes Dante Fox Positively comatose in their output, with this, ‘Lost Mans Ground’, being only their fourth release in yonks (1 yonk = 4 years). Thankfully they are from the ‘who gives a fuck about the timescale, let the music do the talking’ school of production.

Dante Fox have drafted in some well know AOR monsters – The Stephen Fry of AOR…Alessandro Del Vecchio on Harmony BVs ( the bloke is everywhere!), Eric Ragno, again another workaholic on keyboards (is there anyone he hasn’t worked with?)

Weighing in at an 1980s length of 40mins-ish, and one of those is a radio edit and another a live track, ‘Lost Mans Ground’ is a definite advance over the previous albums. Short, sweet, and polished – and I’m not talking about Eric Ragno, Dante Fox have gone for the jugular on this one. Opener ‘Who Stole The Innocence’ which, if it were a stick of rock, it would have Dio’s classic ‘Rainbow In The Dark‘ running right thru the middle of it. That’s not a bad point of reference I can tell you.  ‘Go Where Your Heart Is’ as another slice of Grade A quality AOR, with Sue’s voice, supremely confident and powerful. I could only hit those high notes if I was thrown from the highest tower of the Kingdom! ‘Secrets’ sees the gang taking the foot off the gas for the obligatory ballad, and highlights how far Sue and Tim have come as a songwriting partnership. ‘I Cant Sleep’ is a rather nice surprise, a re-recorded classic from the debut back in 1996, and as stated, shows their progression this time as performers.

The ‘killer’ on ‘Lost Mans Ground’ is the title track, an absolute stonker (that means very good to the non locals), a cross between early Ten, and the best that the 80s had to offer in Rainbow, Dio and the like. It’s a change from their usual style, but a bloody good change! More of this next time, as it’s a cracker. After such a good song, ‘This World’ could be seen as a bit of an anti climax to finish upon. Its not a bad song – its just that ‘LMG’ is soooo good. The album finishes on  a live version of ‘Goodbye To Yesterday’ from 2007’s Under The Seven Skies, an acoustic version with Tony Mills wading in with backing vocals. For good measure a radio edit of ‘Lost Man’s Ground’ is included, but I’d just stick to the longer, superior version if I were you.

So I’m a little behind the times, about 6 weeks for me, and 9 months since it was originally released. But don’t let that stop you from giving it a listen, it’s a cracker!

This is a self financed CD, with production qualities on a par with a label owned one. Miss out on this at your peril. Hard working musicians need your money for the next one, and hopefully it will be before 2019! Otherwise I will be forced to advertise on TV for a ‘Oxfam’ £2 a month for starving AOR musician appeal.

SCORE - 85/100

Tracklisting –

1.     Who Stole The Innocence

2.     Go Where Your Heart Is

3.     Secrets

4.     I Can’t Sleep

5.     Lost Man’s Ground

6.     This World

7.     Goodbye To Yesterday (Live acoustic / String version)

8.     Lost Man’s Ground (Radio Edit)

 

Sue Willetts - Lead Vocals
Tim Manford - Guitar, Vocals, Bass on 3
Andy Perfect - Drums

Alan Mills - Bass

add. musicians:
Eric Ragno - Keyboards
Roman Wieckowski - Keyboards on 7
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Harmony Vocals
Tony Mills - Backing Vocals on 7

www.dantefox.com

Buy it here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Mans-Ground-Dante-Fox/dp/B009S6WSLG/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1356263186&sr=1-1

Orianthi - Heaven In This Hell Album Review

If it wasn’t for a (very) guilty pleasure I would never have come across the Antipodean Steve Vai…Orianthi. The guilty pleasure being American Idol. I cant stand the UK shite, but I’ve been hooked on AI since Season 4. A couple of years ago AI got Orianthi on to plug ‘According To You’. Now I wasn’t taken back by the song although it was a grower, I was attracted to the shredding in-between the lines. Damn, she was good! I got “Believe” and her other earlier effort, “Violet Journey”. Both were OK but I felt that her record company was pushing her to be a heavier/rockier version than the very first AI Alum, Kelly Clarkson. This is great for the US market but pretty shite for most other countries. I was chuffed when she got the Michael Jackson comeback gig only to be stuffed when he died. Then more recently she got the axe-slingers job with a certain Mr Cooper

I was keen to listen, and very pleased to get this CD in the post to review. There is a marked difference and bloody big improvement with Heaven In This Hell compared to the other stuff, but there’s more than a nod to her past which needs a good cleansing. I put this down to being more in control of what she wants to do, and the comparative support that comes from a label that knows what to do with an artiste like Orianthi.

Immediate the change hits you in the face (and ears!). Gone is the overtly insipid US radio sound, and has been replaced with a more Southern Rock / Blues / Country feel (and its for the better). Title track, and opener “Heaven In This Hell” really sets her stall out – a tub thumpin’, rabble-rousin’ butt kickin’ belter. Orianthi’s voice having more of a rock rasp than previously heard, and coupled with a more blues rock, she’s out to make her mark. “You Don’t Wanna Know” is a blues/country fuelled little ditty with ‘hit’ written all over it, a sure-fire contender for 2^nd single. Good thing is, shes not letting rip every chance she gets, letting the substance of the songs doing the talking. “Fire” is a low down and dirty Blues number which should rid her of her young followers with any chance! Hopefully they’ve given up listening by now. “If You Think You Know Me” borders more on the old Orianthi, a power pop/rock number. “How Do You Sleep” is another Gary Moore/Bo Diddley effort – but I don’t know if she’s had too much of a hard life to be singing the blues! It’s a welcome change from the previous stuff, so that alone makes it worthwhile and more listenable. Once you get to the mid point, Orianthi’s past resurfaces and it becomes more of the heavy Clarkson sound, but with a little more maturity than the likes of “Believe”. That’s not bad, per se, but I’d prefer it if she could stick with the first half ass kicking vibe, rather than some music by numbers seen in the second half

Lots of people can play guitar, but very few have substance. She’s not there yet but on first listen to this, she’s well on her way to becoming a bonafide rock star and a global one at that.

I think that she needs to take a step back and decide what comes next, as her playing is of a standard that few can match, and that is where her future lies, either as a shit hot guitarist, or as a part of a bloody good rock band.

Score 65/100

Tracklist

1. heaven In This hell

2. You Don't Wanna know

3. Fire

4. If U Think U Know Me

5. How Do You Sleep

6. Frozen

7. Rock

8. Another You

9. How Does That Feel

10. Filthy Blues

11. If U Were Here With Me

 

Pamela Moore - Resurrect Me Album Review

Released - 14th May 2013
RatPak Records - www.ratpakrecords.com/pamelamoore

 

Now, Rock Fans, unless you are a fan of Queensryche, or Queensryche, then  its possible that you haven’t really heard of Ms Moore before. I’m certain I saw her perform with QR on the Empire tour back in 1990, and that is the last I’ve seen, or heard of her until this very week!

Known by millions as "Sister Mary" for her role in Queensryche's platinum selling "Operation Mindcrime", Pamela Moore’s “Resurrect Me” is a full length offering that combines the best elements of heavy metal music, both past and present. Featuring Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Brooke Lizotte (Jennifer Hudson, Leona Lewis) , and popular Chicago based metal guitarist Michael Posch, “Resurrect Me” brings an uncompromising wall of sound while showcasing Pamela’s three and a half octave range and melodic vocal arrangements. 

Taking inspiration from Rush and leppard, Resurrect Me has been four years (yes...four!) in the making, and is a well-polished powerful 10 track album that stands on its own against anything in today’s metal marketplace!

Id forgotten what a superb voice Ms Moore owns an absolute cracker of a vocal range. No wonder she was used for Mindcrime. With every song on this album I expect a younger Geoff Tate to chip in and match her note for note. Her voice is as good if not better than it was 25 yrs ago!

One thing is for certain, Resurrect Me is a powerful Metal album, and one I admit that I wasn’t expecting to hear from her. Also she’s unearthed a gem in guitarist Michael Posch (who also wades in with keys & bass). "Acquiescent" is a great opener and sets the tone with Moore proving she has a voice to stun, but is not the best on the album. Negative? No way, as it only gets even better. "Melt Into You", gives her the chance to stretch her vocal cords even more, with Posch adding riffs equally to Moore's dexterity. "Paranoia" (new video and single) is the most subdued song so far. I expect her to let rip at some stage but it never happens. "We Are Damaged" again has Posch to thank for yet another powerful riff. Title track "Resurrect Me", drops the frenetic pace a little, proving to be the dark and moody ballad of the album, picking up the attack in the second half. 

Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear joins Pamela for a duet on the thumping "The Sky Is Falling", and we have Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) adding his skills to the guitar solo on "Awakening", with Moore yet again unleashing her force 

Resurrect Me is a mighty fine Metal album. It makes me want to get my mitts on her back catalogue. Not just for fans of QR, but for fans of powerful riffs, and a vocal performance that few people in the world can match

For me now, there’s only one Queensryche, and its the one that had to cancel their UK tour recently - only to return in Oct. Wouldn't it be rather splendid if someone had the great idea to put Pamela Moore on as the support, and appear in the main event! Now that would be something special

PS I don't know how old Ms Moore is, but judging by the pics on the CD, she looks bloody fantastic!

Official release date is set for Tuesday May 14th, 2013. If you’re quick, ‘’Resurrect Me’’ is available in a few nice little packages from RatPack Records which includes a full colour lyric and photo booklet, signed pic, tour t-shirt, stickers, and a personal thank you call from the Metal diva herself (only 25 available!)

Score 90/100

   
Resurrect Me Teaser Link -  http://youtu.be/tJhqHG55fJg

Paranoia -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIe9dApQTis

 

Vega - What The Hell Album Review

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I know reviewing is open to interpretation, or misinterpretation for a few. You see, I’ve been trawling thru some reviews just to check if my personal lack of opinion is correct or not. For all I know I’m writing for about 30 people, I have no idea, but there's a few out there that haven’t liked What The Hell, and I just don’t understand what they hear that’s different to me

I’ve loved Melodic Rock/Classic Rock since I was 12 yrs old, and have loved the likes of Journey, Foreigner, and some lesser known, but equally talented bands – Joshua, Only Child, Icon. I could go on…quite a bit. Vega fall (for me anyway) clearly in this category.

I liked their debut, 'Kiss of Life', quite a bit. But in comparison, 'WTH' makes it look almost pedestrian in comparison. Vega this time round have a formula, that bloody works! Forget the odd cack song, Vega have definitely gone for the jugular and try to make every song a ‘’single’’,”anthem”, or a song just fit for an arena setting

Vega didn’t have the best of experiences with Frontiers for their debut, and the new album speaks volumes for their attitude with them. 'What The Hell' typifies their sound, all out stadium rock, finely crafted - with more hooks than a fishing tackle shop!!

Instantly memorable – songs like ‘What The hell’, ‘White Knuckle Ride’ and   are the equivalent of getting the chance to lick body chocolate off Kelly Brook’s knockers. And that’s something many a hot blooded male (and possibly some females) wouldn’t forget in a hurry! ‘WTH’ is sooo Def Leppard, that when he heard the songs (as reported elsewhere) Joe Elliott must have thought he’s written and recorded it in the past. They should have called it (WTH) the ‘Whoa, wooaas’ as there’s plenty of it scattered around. Take ‘Not There For You Tonight’, as a prime example. ‘Raise Your Game’ has a similar riff to Rainbow’s ‘Stranded’ crossed with Billy Idol.

A lot of bands overload the first half with great songs, but in Vega’s case they turn it up a notch for the last quarter in the most excellent ‘Saviour’ which has a bit of U2 thrown in for good measure, and album closer, and definite encore material, ‘Hands in the Air’.

Nick Workman's voice and the Martin brothers songwriting really hold the key to Vegas future. Excellently performed, produced and written. Leading the way for British anthemic rock since 2009!

I think that if Vega had settled on 10-12 songs instead of 14, we would be sitting on a classic in the modern, or any other era. As its 14 well crafted songs we will just have to settle on damned good instead!

Score 90/100

Tracklisting

Audeat Samniare

White Knuckle Ride

What The Hell

Not There For You

Cry

Raise Ya Game

Fade In To The Flames

You Can’t Run

Bless My Soul

She Walks Alone

Turn It On

Saviour

It’s Gonna Be Alright

Hands In the Air

Vega are

Nick Workman – Vocals

Tom Martin – Guitar /Bass

Dan Chantrey – Drums

James Martin – Synth

Also

Rob Wylde – Bass (RYG,BMS, S)

Nick Horne – Lead Guitar on all except GBA

Alex Davies – Lead Guitar on GBA

 https://www.facebook.com/vega.fanzone?fref=ts

 http://www.vegaofficial.com/Vega_Official/Welcome.html

Moritz - SOS Album Review

I was very happy to say that I was present at the inaugural HRH AOR festival the other week. Why? Because all the bands were great, but a few really shone! One of those was Moritz. Moritz are a band that were just so unlucky back in the day. Founded in 1986 in London, UK. The band consisted of members from Icemon, Spitfire and LA Secrets(featuring Laurence Archer of Stampede/Grand Slam).

The band was fairly short lived and they split in 1988 and Ian, Greg & Andy became the core of AOR band If Only (review here - http://www.chesyrockreviews.com/2011/06/if-only-no-bed-of-roses.html ) while Peter went onto join Samson. 

The band returned in 2008 after the long awaited City Streets CD finally gained a release via the Harmony Factory label. The album consisted of the sought after so called Shadows of a Dream EP and some unreleased recordings. It received critical acclaim, prompting the guys to get back together. Perhaps the album cover put people off!! (Exhibit A at the bottom of the review). Its one of those has to be seen to be believed. Thankfully the guys have matured a bit and don’t give a toss about the image – just the music.

The band reformed with the original line-up, and released the excellent Undivided in 2011. I love this album, but in hindsight it sounds a little ‘flat’ when listening to the new opus ‘SOS’. Moritz have obviously eons of experience and this time have followed the ‘ if something’s worth doing, its worth doing right’ mantra. Throw more money doesn’t mean success I hear you say. But, its bloody well worked in this instance, AND it still probably hasn’t cost them a fortune.

Immediately, the album production sounds superior over Undivided, and, more importantly, everyone is bringing their A Game right from the off. ‘Fire’ or it should be named “On Fire” as Pete Scallan’s vocals immediately kick me in the teeth and he comes over a little Bon Scott/ Jimmy Barnes in sound, and that is one great sound I can tell ya.  The ante is upped immediately, and Fire becomes the ignition point for the whole album. ‘Cant Hide My Heart’ falls into now typical Moritz territory, smooth, classy, and a chorus that’s instantly memorable.  ‘Gonna Lose Her’ has more of a 70s funk groove than anything heard from them before and its nice to hear that its not all just AOR. Until that chorus……! Great, great song.

‘Remember Yesterday’ has a Foreigner feel to the beginning, completely different from the rest, but just as compelling. Its hard not to compare ‘Mercury Falling’ to Brian May as the guitar tones are exactly the same. ‘Amber Lee’ is one of the many highlights, very 80’s but a classy Radio friendly affair. ‘Caught Between Life & Light’ is the first ‘real’ ballad on the album; a mellow start building up to a really nice crescendo and a great solo from Nolan. If you’re gonna finish, then finish on a good ‘un, and title track ‘SOS’ does just that, a powerful Moritz modern day anthem!

Predominantly the main songwriter is Greg Hart, who based on his quality deserves to be sitting on a huge pot of money. Couple this with the excellent vocals of Scallan, the Flying V soloing of Mike Nolan, the great texture added by Andy Stewart, and the backbone of Ian Edwards, and John Tonks, and ''SOS'' makes for one of the best albums of the year, and its still only April. If this isn’t still in my or most other melodic rock lovers Top 5 come December I’ll eat this review!

An essential buy for 2013.

SCORE - 90/100

Tracklisting -

Fire

Can’t Hide My Heart

Gonna Lose Her

Remember Yesterday

Mercury Falling

Amber Lee

Caught Between Life & The Light

Invincible

Flying Too Close To The Sun

Soul Of Fire

SOS

Buy the album here - http://moritzband.com/shop.php

www.moritzband.com

https://www.facebook.com/moritzblitz

Oh Yeah, here's the pic from the top of the review - Exhibit A!......with what looks like 'Robbin Crosby' from Ratt sat in the front!!

Top 50 Classic/Metal/Aor/Prog Albums of Mine (in no particular order!)

Before anyone kicks off - its just a list! Of Mine! My fave albums I can listen to from beginning to end without any bother whatsoever. No skipping, fast forwarding, all great from first to last. The one's in green? My all time faves....

Rainbow - Rising
Rainbow - Long Live Rock n Roll
Rainbow - Down To Earth
Deep Purple - In Rock
Deep Purple - Burn
ACDC - Back In Black
Autograph - Sign In Please
Airrace - Shaft Of Light
Alter Bridge - Blackbird
Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell
Coheed & Cambria - Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV - From Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness
Coheed & Cambria - No World For Tomorrow
Valentine - st
Prophet - Cycle Of The Moon
Tradia - Trade Winds
Tyketto - Dont Come Easy
Dio - Holy Diver
Dio - The Last In Line
FM - Indiscreet
Iron Maiden - Number of The beast
Iron Maiden - Powerslave
Def Leppard - Pyromania
Journey - Frontiers
Dokken - Under Lock & Key
Montrose - st
Pearl Jam - Ten
Opeth -Ghost Reveries
Motley Crue - Dr Feelgood
Icon - Night Of The Crime
David lee Roth - Eat 'Em And Smile
Thin Lizzy - Live & Dangerous
Dream Theater - Images & Words
Queensryche - Mindcrime
Shinedown - The Sound Of Madness
Riverdogs - st
Romeos Daughter - ST
Scorpions - Lovedrive
MSG - MSG
Tesla - Mechanical Resonance   
Van Halen - I
Van Halen - 1984
UFO - The Wild, The Willing, and The Innocent
FM - Tough It Out
Foreigner - 4
Night Ranger - Man In Motion
Rush - 2112
Rush - Signals
Rush - Moving Pictures
Thunder - Backstreet Symphony
Whitesnake - Slide It In


Let the comments begin!!!!!!

Mia Klose - London Album Review

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I recently caught Mia Klose ( not literally, she wasn’t throwing herself out of a burning bedroom or anything like that), I mean ‘caught’ as in seeing her perform at the inaugural HRH AOR festival the other weekend up in Rotherham’s Magna.

I was both fortunate and unfortunate. Fortunate as Mia was pretty damned good. Unfortunate, as I only managed to catch 3 songs due to a clash with the mighty headliners Tesla, and the fact that the 2^nd stage was a bit piss poor and viewing was optional – now you see her now you don’t due to the room configuration! That gripe aside I was pretty keen in hearing more of this young Swedish starlet now housed in London.

So its, an appropriate album title then.  Based in one of the better cities to ply your trade, Mia definitely oozes 80s style rock/metal judging by the album cover. Does she look good? Hell Yeah! Does she sound good? Thankfully unlike some of the 80s starlets who looked great but couldn’t always sing, Mia can sing her ass off. And then some!

So, off to a very promising start indeed. Her music is a perfect fusion of metal and melody that screams radio hit, and her talent for style and visual expression frequently stops traffic.

Musically, think young Axl Rose, Madonna and Michael Monroe treading the hard rock floorboards of Skid Row, Mötley Crüe and Bon Jovi, with a wardrobe that would impress any 80s rock Queens. Her sound takes you back to the 1980’s, golden era of metal and rock. Mia's vocals are powerful and controlled, backed by heavy guitar riffs and structured songwriting. The emphasis is on quality, and it shows in every aspect of her performance. I’m both amazed and very pleased that people as young as Mia are happy to peddle melodic rock. There’s not that many that make a decent living at it, but there’s always hope for artistes like Klose who with the right management / songs / attitude can and hopefully will make a go of it.

London plays on Klose’s strengths – opening track ‘Open Your Eyes’ takes me straight back to my legwarmers and spandex years of 1987 with the riffs of the likes of George Lynch and the layered vocal prowess and catchy chorus. ‘You Drive Me Crazy’ again is a no messin’ in yer face riff that brings comparisons to Sandi Saraya. I  don’t know who put the band together, but the guitar playing is pretty damn good. I suspect its like the old days where starlet has hired gunslingers, but I’m certain in this instance all had a hand in the making of London

My only issue so far, especially after hearing Mia perform ‘live’ and very capably, is that the songs are filled out with about 3 layers of Mia’s vocals, where if I’m honest, I would just like to hear her, on her own for some of the verses. If anything it seems a little over produced.

‘Living For Tomorrow’ has Guns ‘N’ Roses DnA all the way thru, and the high energy of ‘Lady Killer’ both stand out.

In true 80s vinyl style, ‘London’ weighs in at a very short 36 mins in which Mia has definitely gone for the whole 80s experience.  Never mind that, it’s the quality that really counts and Miss Klose has it in abundance

Its not perfect, as debuts go - but it’s a bloody good start

I look forward to another punchy album, hopefully soon, that will see Mia able to headline her own gigs and have a pretty decent set of songs to play. She’s definitely one to keep a close eye on

 

--> 79/100


Tracklisting - 

Open Your Eyes
You Drive Me Crazy
Mama
Living For Tomorrow
London's A Heartbreaker
Lady Killer
Never Too Late
City Of Rock

www.miaklose.com 
www.facebook.com/miaklose
www.twitter.com/mia_klose

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