Tri State Corner - 'Hero' Album Review

Tri State Corner – Hero

13 years ago, five guys from Greece, Poland and Germany set off to revolutionize the music scene by integrating a Greek lute, ‘a Bouzouki’, into their catchy rock songs, and by equipping their mainly English lyrics with passages sung in the Greek language.

In the meantime, TRI STATE CORNER with four studio productions and 450 live shows under their belts, have long since become an established force in the musical landscape and have built up a large and still growing fan base, not least because of their unique selling point, the Bouzouki, and their many captivating and entertaining live shows.

The first thing that hits you here is the lute. It sounds great even among the heavy guitar riffs of opening track ‘Fortune In Lies’. This is a great opening track with its stop-start guitar in the verse.‘Tomorrowland’ instantly lets you know what country these guys hail from. The twiddly lute bits in this song remind me of the start of ‘Fight Fire With Fire’ by Metallica, one of my all time favourites. ‘Tomorrowland’ is another great tune and so far I’m impressed.

 

‘Daydreamer’ has a very catchy chorus, easily the most radio friendly so far. I’m loving these instruments that are being played within all these songs so far. Theres’ a Darbuka, Bouzouki and a lute and they work really, really well. I’ve not heard a band use so many instruments like this since You Slosh in the 90’s!!

The opening to ‘Save My World’ is absolute sublime. Greek music crossed with heavy rock at its very best with an Indian feel to it. I can hear a hint of ‘Wherever I May Roam’, again by Metallica. I’ll be honest the deeper I’m getting into this album the more I’m enjoying. ‘Follow Me Blindly’ has a chorus which is almost identical to Nickelback’s ‘S.E.X’, but a great tune regardless. ‘Downfall’ comes and goes and hits hard and leads us perfectly into album title track ‘Hero’. This for me is the best track on the album. Full acoustic, no drums, great chorus. This track needs to be listened to through headphones as the mixing is amazing the way the instruments are split between ears. Guitars in one ear, lute etc in another. Fantastic tune.

Can ‘Hero’ be topped? ‘Voices’ certainly tries its best as its trots along. The album ends with tracks ‘Breaking News’, ‘Wanted’ and ‘In The Blink Of An Eye’. All good rock anthems to close what is a very good effort by Tri State Corner.

Score 8/10

Reviewed by Sty

Track Listing

1 - Fortune In Lies

2 - Tomorrowland

3 - Daydreamer

4 - Save My World

5 - Follow Me Blindly

6 - Downfall

7 - Hero

8 - Voices

9 - Breaking News

10 - Wanted

11 - In The Blink Of An Eye

Line-Up

Vassilios “Lucky” Maniatopoulos (Vocals, Darbuka), Ioannis “Janni” Maniatopoulos (Bouzouki, Vocals), Markuz Berger(Bass), Christos Efthimiadis (Drums), Christoph “Brat” Tkocz (Guitars, Backing Vocals)

James Christian - 'Craving' Album Review

Craving – James Christian

by Lawrie Willcox

'Craving' is the 4^th release by James Christian. I had limited knowledge of Christian as the lead singer of House of Lords and only heard a couple of his solo tracks so Craving was new to me.

The press release blurb states that “Craving is a strong personal statement from James Christian, a mature artist, songwriter, producer and performer”. What I took from this given song titles such as 'Heaven is a Place in Hell', 'Jesus Wept', 'If there’s a God', 'Love is the Answer' and 'Amen' was that there was going to be a Christian influence (no pun intended) and I wasn’t wrong. 'Craving' is a real mixed bag. There are some classy AOR tracks but also some very mellow tracks that don’t, in my humble opinion, sit comfortably with the rest.

JC, hmmmm I think maybe someone else with those initials influenced some of 'Craving', has a distinctive voice and does write some catchy tracks, The opener 'Heaven is a Place in Hell' is a cracking start, a bounce along song, upbeat with an infectious chorus. 'Wild Boys' follows in a similar vein but the wild boys mentioned seem a bit tame. The track is all American sounding and again full of energy but no menace to it. The title track 'Craving' follows and is for me the track of the whole album. A real slow burner of classic AOR with a wonderfully layered chorus and full of emotion. It really showcases JC’s voice with a superb acoustic sound that becomes stronger when the chorus kicks in. Impressive stuff. 'Jesus Wept' suffers due to the quality of the preceding track, it has a sound of Heart and actually is a grower. 'World of Possibility' for me never got going, it’s a soulful ballad but for me a bit too clichéd and lacked the depth I feel the song needed. 'Sidewinder' lifts the tempo and has a touch of Aerosmith in its sound but after a decent start it kind of drifts from the early promise. 'I Won’t Cry' is another ballad and has some great vocals and a top guitar solo, another grower. Sadly 'If There’s a God' brought me back to earth with a bump. It is so mellow it borders on total blandness. If there’s a God he wouldn’t want this on his play list.

'Love is the Answer' kind of pulls the album back on track and has a mournful feel to it that is lifted by the positive feel of the chorus. 'Black Wasn’t Black' gets back to proper rock, a few more of these were needed JC, it’s got the feel of a proper AOR with a great guitar solo thrown in. It has a nod in the direction of 'Highway Star' and I personally wish the album finished there but 'Amen' finishes it. 'Amen' is obviously a song personal to JC but while I imagine it’s supposed to close the album in a melancholy way it was a bit too 'Songs of Praise' for me.

'Craving' as I said is a mixed bag, some really decent stuff but I found the none too subtle Christian references a bit much in a couple of tracks (this statement by me, who had a full emersion baptism when 18 but have since lapsed). For some people singing about sinners, un-repenting, crucify and other such stuff might appeal but the lesser tracks left me a bit cold. That said if Mr Christian’s beliefs are correct I’ll be going to a place that’s a lot hotter when I die.

However on the positive side James Christian has a very good voice, he obviously is a decent song writer and he has employed a bunch of very good musicians. The album like a few of the tracks is a grower and after a couple of listens I’m almost converted…….almost. I’ll play this again quite happily and think live James Christian would be well worth the effort of seeing.

Score 6.5/10

TRACKLISTING:

Heaven Is a Place in Hell

Wild Boys

Craving

Jesus Wept

World Of Possibility

Sidewinder

I won’t Cry

If There’s a God

Love Is the Answer

Black Wasn’t Black

Amen

PRODUCED BY: James Christian, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Pete Alpenborg, Clif Magness, Daniel Volpe

LINE-UP:

James Christian: Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals 

Billy Seidman : Additional Acoustic Guitars 

Tommy Denander : Guitars, Bass, Keys (Wild Boys, Love Is The Answer, Sidewinder, I Won’t Cry) 

Jimi Bell : Guitars (Black Wasn’t Black)

Pete Alpenborg : Guitars and Bass (Jesus Wept) 

Alessandro Del Vecchio : Keyboards (Jesus Wept) 

Clif Magness : All Instruments (Craving) 

Josh Freese : Drums (Craving)

Links: 

www.jameschristianmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/james.christian.9406

Ross The Boss - 'By Blood Sworn' Album Review

Ross The Boss – By Blood Sworn

Review by Sty

Guitarist Ross the Boss’ stature in the history of hard rock and heavy metal has been well-solidified for decades, with a resume including some of the most influential and hardest-hitting bands of all-time, particularly both the Dictators and Manowar. And he continues to rock - as a member of the group DeathDealer, and also, as the leader of his own solo outfit, which has issued such stellar releases as ‘Hailstorm,’ ‘New Metal Leader,’ and this latest offering, ‘By Blood Sworn.’

Joined by Marc Lopes on vocals and keys, Mike LePond on bass, and Lance Barnewold on drums for the sessions (Steve Bolognese will beat the skins on the album’s tour), ‘By Blood Sworn’ was produced by Dean Rispler, and will be released April 20th via AFM Records.

The only way to appreciate this album’s superb production is to crank it up!! I’ll be 100% honest in saying that I had never heard of these guys but I am so glad I got to review this album. The opening Iron Maiden Transylvania-esq riff of album titled ‘By Blood Sworn’ sets the mood just perfectly. A great opening track which scuttles along just nicely. ‘Among Them Bones’ opening riff will warp you straight back to the late 1980’s / 1990’s rock era. It’s speed changes will keep your foot tapping and head nodding. Sublime stuff.

‘This is Vengeance’ reminds me in parts of Holy Terror’s ‘Judas reward’ from their ‘Mind Wars’ album of 1988. ‘We Are the Night’ is another angry double-bass led thumping track with a great opening riff. Things slow down for ‘Faith Of The Fallen’, an epic ballad of synth, melodies and great acoustic trickery with a great chorus. The guitar solo will just suck you in.

‘Devil’s Day’ picks things up again superbly by cranking out rock and roll at it’s very best. Being a bass player myself, the opening riff of ‘Lilith’ was met with great appreciation and I just love the way the rest of the band follow. A great doomy, moody verse to this tune that builds slowly and superbly into the chorus, with a fantastic speed change and a great Black Sabbath type riff thrown in for good measure.

What I’m loving about this album is that the music does the talking as well as the lyrics. Iron Maiden were the first band that I felt that with. ‘Play Among the Gods’ hits hard and fast, as does ‘Circle Of Damnation’, although these latter two sound slightly more mainstream than the rest of the album. Nothing wrong with that of course, and ‘Circle’ is sure an arena anthem to rock to and a potential great Radio airplay tune. Lots of Iron Maiden sounding riffs in this. It’s brilliant stuff.

‘Fistful Of Hate’ rounds things off with it’s Native American intro. Very ‘Indians’ by Anthrax, as is the opening riff which follows. This speeds along just nicely to an unexpected abrupt ending which for me, works well. See you, good night, Bang!! I feel thoroughly entertained.

So, would I recommend you buy this album? 100% YES!! Would I go and see these guys if they hit these shores?? ABSOLUTELY!!!

Score – 9/10

Tracklisting:

1 – By Blood Sworn

2 – Among The Bones

3 – This Is Vengeance

4 – We Are The Night

5 – Faith Of The Fallen

6 – Devils Day

7 – Lilith

8 – Play Among The Godz

9 – Circle Of Damnation

10 – Fistful Of Hate

Line-up:

Marc Lopez (Vocals), Ross Friedman (Guitars), Mike LePond (Bass), Lance Barnewold (Drums)

Issa - 'Run With The Pack' Album Review

Issa - Run With The Pack

Review by Dean Buckley

 

Norwegian/ Brit ISSA returns with what is her fifth and probably best album to date ‘Run With The Pack’, I've always preferred ISSA live than her recorded albums. Im finding past efforts struggled with a ‘style over substance’ issue but on ‘RWTP’ all is forgiven . The new line up includes Mr Frontiers himself Alessandro Del Vecchio tinkling the ivories, the monster guitar work of Simone Mularoni from progressive metal band DGM . The album is rounded out by Andrea ToWer Torricini from Vision Divine on bass dutis, and Marco Di Salvia from hot new band Kee of Hearts on the drum stool.  This is by far, Issa’s best line up yet.  It's brought a new cohesiveness and drive to what might be ISSA's most consistent release .

ISSA is no stranger to the odd duet this time around with the sublime ‘Sacrifice Me’ featuring the mighty Deen Castronovo (he of Revolution Saints fame) , the gorgeous balladry of ‘How Long’ showcasing ISSA’s vocal prowess to it's fullest or the much harder hitting ‘Closer To You’ with a huge guitar solo . ‘Run With The Pack’ is ‘all killer no filler’. Production is handled by Mr Del Vecchio so the sound is crisp and punchy . If you’re a fan of quality melodic rock or just female fronted rock in general you will love this release I certainly did.

Rating 8/10

TRACKLISTING:

1. Am I Losin’ You 

2. Run With The Pack

3. Sacrifice Me (feat. Deen Castronovo)

4. How Long

5. The Sound Of Yesterday

6. Come Back Again Now

7. Talk To Your Heart

8. Bittersweet

9. Closer To You

10. Irreplaceable

11. Everything To Me

PRODUCED BY: Alessandro Del Vecchio, Executive producer Serafino Perugino

STUDIO: Ivorytears Music Works Studios, Somma Lombardo, IT, Domination Studio, San Marino, ToWer’s Dungeon, Florence, IT, Hardcore Studio, York, UK

RECORDED BY: Alessandro Del Vecchio, Andrea Seveso

MIXED BY: Alessandro Del Vecchio

MASTERED BY: Alessandro Del Vecchio

BAND MEMBERS:

Issa Oversveen – vocals

Simone Mularoni – guitars

Alessandro Del Vecchio – keyboards

Andrea ToWer Torricini - bass,

Marco Di Salvia - drums

Kim Wilde - The Old Fruit Market, Glasgow, 2nd April 2018 LIVE REVIEW

Kim Wilde – The Old Fruit Market, Glasgow – 2 April 2018

After being disappointed at the Greta Van Fleet gig in Glasgow the night before, I headed back in to Glasgow with managed down expectations to see Kim Wilde. “Yes THAT Kim Wilde” I explained to bemused mates.

A couple of beers in the Beer Caffe, a quick wander around in the rain and snow and we finally found the Old Fruit Market hidden in the City Halls but well worth the find, it is a stunning venue. Why more rock bands don’t use it is beyond me.

The crowd was an impressive size and on the mature side, not that I’m saying that there was a smell of rose water, Brut and biscuits J

I had been lucky enough to hear the new Kim Wilde album and as an 80’s hair rock fan I thought I knew roughly what to expect. I was wrong in a really good way.

KW walked out on stage around 9 o’clock as her impressively sized band took up their places. The band has 2 drummers, 2 guitarists, bass player and keyboards and a backing singer to ably support the main lady. It’s basically a family thing.

What became apparent was the stage set up and the stunning backing lighting that let KW walk up to the mic and Stereo Shot kicked off the show.

Kim Wilde may be 57 but boy does she rock a white leather biker jacket with tassels and she went into Water on Glass seamlessly to keep the 80s fans happy.

The switch between new and old stuff worked like a dream. The white jacket was ditched and the full black leather rock ensemble caused gasps (mainly by me and I felt my wife’s elbow’s full effect).

KW seemed genuinely taken aback by the crowd size and reaction and she thanked Glasgow for being the only place in the UK to have “Here Come the Aliens” in the top 10. Her modesty and thanks went down well as did Kandy Krush and Cambodia and a crowd member gave her a teddy bear with obligatory saltire.

Now some of my less educated/kind friends had been sneering about our attendance at the gig stating that 2 weeks ago I went to Hard Rock Hell AOR and now this. Well KW would not only hold her own at a melodic rock gig, she’d blow it to pieces. I’ve seen Lee Aaron and Lita Ford in the last 2 years, neither hold a candle to the latest KW show.

She oozes quality, professionalism, has stage presence and the full set list to back it up. Her band are tight and seemed to be having a ball. Scarlett Wilde sang her own lead and her support of her aunt would bring a tear to a glass eye.

The acoustic section of slower songs was a superb change of pace and showcased the KW vocal along with brother Ricky.

“It’s time to rock it up a bit” (or words to that effect) led into an upbeat Birthday and Chequered Love which is pure melodic rock with the 80’s pop edge. This bounced into You Came, You Keep me Hanging On before 1969 (the elephant in the room she told the crowd, due to her alien sighting) ended the set. Superb stuff.

The guitar solos were pure melodic rock joy (I think the phrase used is “they shredded it”.) The 2 drummers were a nice touch, the bass drove along the rockier songs and KW led her troops like a modern day Boadicea.

Her harmonies with Ricky and Scarlett are done superbly and the choreography with the band showed how much time and effort has gone into this show.

Pop Don’t Stop and the iconic Kids in America ended a brilliant night on a high with a massively appreciative crowd. I left with a very impressed if more green eyed wife than I arrived with, we both had smiles as wide as the Clyde.

The mix of 80’s classics with fresh breath breathed into them and the latest album tracks was masterfully delivered. A top, top gig.

Would we go to see Kim again? Well as it happens we’re on a 2 night break in York in 10 days’ time……..no prizes for who’s playing the venue next to our apartment and as my wife planned the break I’m totally innocent……for once!! J J

Review by Lawrie Willcox

 

Tokyo Storm - 'Optimistic State Of Mind' Album Review

Tokyo Storm - Optimistic State Of Mind
Review by Dean Buckley


Aor is dead!  They say not if Tokyo Storm, a new Midlands based rock quartet have got anything to say about it.  I say, don't get me wrong here, its not reinventing the wheel or it isn't anything you've heard before; it is however like an old pair of slippers - familiar, comforting to listen to and dare I say it warming for the soul. 

The opening track sets the tone for the album and as titled even for a jaded old Melodic rock listener like myself leaves me in an 'Optimistic State Of Mind', (see what I did there). A delightful mixture of mid paced rockers, the likes of 'Is This Love' with a great vocal performance from Ben Green, or the tasteful power ballad 'Stormy Nights' (the woman who slept with Donald Trump) with some nifty fretwork from guitarist Joe Bartnicki. 

The rhythm section of Jason Edwards and Bob Peach keep the whole record positively bouncing along. A personal favorite is the delightful 'Silent Obsession'. Comparisons I'll leave to others, but what I will say is that Tokyo Storm have a classic Brit AOR sound think along the lines of Lost Weekend or Iconic Eye for example, all the songs are self penned originals, and the craftsmanship for a new band is top notch. The production is quality, leaving the listener to enjoy a warm rich sound that suits the Melodic fare on offer. 

However I offer a word of warning....avoid the last track the 11 minute instrumental 'Signals'.  I can only assume writers block had set in by this point and honestly it's a damn shame such a great album should end in this way. The track is about as welcome as a fart in a lift ....Don't let that however put you off what is a nice addition to the UK ranks of AOR/ Melodic rock bands . 

Rating 7/10 

Tokyo Storm –

Bob Peach – Drums

Joe Bartnicki – Guitar

Ben Green – Vocals

Jason Edwards – Bass (Live shows)

 

Tracklisting –

Optimistic State Of Mind

Is This Love

Tune

Stormy Night

Kill The Machines

Silent Obsession

Fire In Your Eyes

Lady Darkness

Summer Feeling

Signals

 

 Review by Dean Buckley

Stryper - 'God Damn Evil' Album Review

Stryper – God Damn Evil

In the 80s and 90s, it was almost embarrassing (just for me) to say that I liked Stryper. Almost anyone I knew in my field of friends hated them. When it used to come up in conversations, I would be slated for listening to ‘wimpy, poodle perm, Jesus loving, rock!’ Harsh words indeed. Way back then, and to this day I gave never faltered with my love of this band. OK, so not all of the albums have been brilliant, as I sort of lost interest with the early noughties output. I still own everything they have made, even when I wasn’t exactly over enamoured with the output. But then, in 2011 began the comeback, they eased their way back in with a covers album, and an album of re-recorded Stryper classics. This saw Stryper entering a golden period that I honestly didn’t see coming. Call it the 'second coming' (What do you mean they’ve done it? Bollox!). 'No More Hell To Pay' rocked me to the core. It was full on metal and a great way to resurrect their career. Not that they ever went away of course. Soppy ballads were replaced with hard-edged rockers, and they sounder better than ever.

We jump to 2018 and this is their 10^th studio album, 'God Damn Evil'. Since 2015s 'Fallen', Tim Gains has left which is a crying shame for me, but I wish him luck and success. In comes Perry Richardson (Firehouse) as a full time member.

Opening song ‘Take It To The Cross’ completely took me by surprise. I didn’t think they had it in them. A proper old school thrash riff, with complimenting thrash-tastic chorus, complete with death growls, courtesy of Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall, Act Of Defiance). I love it when a band regenerates and keeps you guessing. What would be the fun in just trying to write in the style of ‘Soldiers Under Command’?

‘Sorry’ and ‘Lost’ are more in line with what would be their ‘sound’ to be these past few albums, edgier, heavier, but with all the harmonics that you love them for, but for ‘Lost’ you have MS hitting notes he hit in his twenties. It seems as if a certain Mr Sweet is able to poop riffs and lyrics for fun. Title track ‘God Damn Evil’ is so planted in the 80s, I think it was brought into the studio as a demo on cassette in a 1983 Camaro! Its one of Stryper’s best anthems…..to date.  Its sing-a-long-a-metal at its finest.

‘You Don’t Even Know’ has a double layer of Sweets vocals, with a nice throaty wail for the chorus. ‘The Valley’ kicks off with a short passage from the 23^rd Psalm, and continues in that vein throughout. ‘Beautiful’ is a definite grower, the chorus being the hook here. ‘Can’t Live Without Your Love’ is the nearest thing to a ballad, thankfully its not one in the style of the saccharin coated ones from the 80s and builds nicely to its climax. Closer “The Devil Doesn’t Live here’ is the fast paced rocker on show here, and reminds me a bit of Tooth & Nail era Dokken.

First song aside, which could divide some Stryper fans (not me) it’s a very strong album from the get go. Where lots of bands are plodding along with ‘average’ albums, Stryper are relevant, and pushing forward with every release. Few bands from the 80s are doing this, and Stryper are rightly proud of their output and position as one of rocks finest.

MS has recently gone on record stating that he feels that this is their best album, do you know what, he’s not far wrong. I still love all the classics from the 80s, but his writing, and the consistency of his writing have improved with age.

Score 8.5/10

Tracklisting

Take It To The Cross

Sorry

Lost

God Damn Evil

You Don’t Even Know

The Valley

Sea Of Thieves

Beautiful

Can’t Live Without Your Love

Own Up

The Devil Doesn’t Live Here

Stryper are -

Michael Sweet

Oz Fox

Robert Sweet

Perry Richardson

OUT- 20^th April 2018

Headlining Day 1 of Frontiers Festival, Milan 5^th April

www.stryper.com

https://www.facebook.com/Stryper 

https://www.facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet 

https://twitter.com/stryper 

https://twitter.com/michaelhsweet 

https://www.instagram.com/stryperofficial/ 

https://www.instagram.com/michaelsweetstryper/