Issa - Crossfire Album Review

Issa Crossfire Album Review

The album has been carefully produced by John Greatwood (VEGA) and Vega ivory-tinkler and hubby, James Martin. Sessions started in early 2013 with a bunch of songs ISSA had co-written or demoed in the Martin Brothers song-writing sessions.

ISSA says: “After 5 years of working together with Tom and James, we had come up with a collection of songs I had to keep for myself.'' One song in particular sees ISSA teaming up with FM vocalist Steve Overland on the dramatic ballad ''Raintown”. In is a definite highlight of her career so far. ISSA says ''This was a dream come true for me, Steve Overland is probably my favourite male singer and to get him on board was a true honour, his voice suits the song perfectly, wait till you hear this one!!”  

Other guest musicians stepped up when asked upon to perform solo's include Daniel Palmqvist (XORIGIN), Alessandro Del Vecchio (HARDLINE), Steve Newman (NEWMAN), Robert Sall (WORK OF ART), Daniel Johansson (DEGREED), Stephen Chesney. As well as powerhouse choir including Pete Newdeck (IN FAITH/TAINTED NATION), Matt Black (FAHRAN) and Michael Kew (VEGA).

If songs with more than a bit of spit and polish applied are your sort of thing then Crossfire will be right up your street. ‘Crossfire’ is a powerful punch pop rock number that will get the feet, and head going immediately. ‘New Horizon’ shows how much of an influence James Martin has with the songs as they keys run right thru this one like a sick of rock, and some nice layered backing vocals. ‘Raintown’ is definitely THE song of Crossfire. A duet with FMs Steve Overland, he instantly puts his calling card on this one with his trademark ‘whooo-hoooo’ (pat.pending!). It really is a cracking duet as the complement each other perfectly, for what will be a ballad that will be hard to beat this year. That said Nigel Bailey gave this song some welly at the recent ARFM charity gig and gave Mr O a run for his money. It’s a 80’s influenced song with touches of Robin Beck thrown in for good measure.  

Despite the proclamation of holding on to songs written the past few years, I’m still not sure that theres enough instant moments on Crossfire especially when compared to the likes of ‘Im Alive’ and ‘Angel's Crying‘ from the debut. ‘Long Time Coming' has a very catchy chorus. Ms Beck is dialled in again for ‘Fight Fire With Rain’ and once again shows where Issa’s strength as a singer lies. When she holds back a bit is where the true magic comes alive. ‘Heartbeat’ is a bit more rockier and is the opposite of 'Fight Fire…' and oozes class. 

There’s a good 4 or 5 songs here that are top quality tunes and will remain fixed on my phone for some time (Crossfire, Heartbeat, Raintown, Fight Fire With Rain), but the remainder seem to be more ‘by the numbers’ so to speak. It’s not a poor album by any means, its well produced, but doesn’t necessarily hold your attention. But, (never start your sentence with a ‘but’) if you love your female rock singers like Wilson, Beck, Aaron, Matty etc and an 80s influenced sound, then there’s a lot to enjoy from Crossfire

Score 70/100

Tracklisting -

Crossfire

New Horizon

Raintown

Long Time Coming

Fight Fire With Rain

Heartbeat

Electric Lights

Ghost Inside My Heart

Red Lights

We Rise

Only You

FM - 'Heroes and Villains' Album Review

Now…anyone who personally knows me, or anyone who has read this blog the past 4 years will know that I hold a certain affection towards one of Britain’s finest (and disappointingly for both me and possibly them) unsung rock bands….the mighty FM. I’ve probably banged on about them more time than Pete Jupp has banged his own drum FFS, so an unbiased and thought provoking review is probably out of the question.

If you are an FM fan like myself, then the most likely titled ‘take the money and run’ headline set at Firefest in 2007, was to be one last chance to see this band in action. Feelings and love for a band don’t die away, especially when FM’s absence felt like it was 12 days since they last played, never mind the actual 12 years. This is down to a few things; great people, great musicians, and above all else, a truly great singer.

Thankfully for us and for them, they decided to stick around. The last 8 years has seen them at their most productive, prolific and in some ways their best. Nothing will ever really top ‘Indiscreet’, but with the current and most stable line up to date they are still making their mark on the British rock scene, and thoroughly deserve to be sticking around for the long haul.

The first thing that hits you is the fact that right from the off 'Digging Up The Dirt' sets out its stall as being a rather heavy affair. From the big guitar opening, Overland steps up to the mic and his bluesy tone delights. Couple this with the now FM trademarked ‘5 part harmonies‘™ and it's an uplifting experience. 'You’re The Best Thing About Me’ is a song close to a US radio playlist (sponsored by Elnett) as you’re likely to get. How US success eluded FM is one of life's big mysteries. That said, their loss is happily our gain. ‘Life Is A Highway takes me back to an 80s powerplay on BBC2s ‘No Limits’ and is a fantastic slice of American Rock. It beats the US competition at their own game. Think VH crossed with Summertime Girls! ‘Fire and Rain’ not only sounds like the title of a Bad Company song, it actually sounds like one also. ‘Incredible’ sees the lads enter ‘ballad mode’ for the first time and it’s pretty decent stuff, but with the FM chorus rising it upwards above the rest of the bands who try to copy them. I'm sure Overland sings this stuff in his sleep! 'Call On Me' thankfully sees the up pace returned for this mid paced tune. 'Cold Hearted' has been with us for a bit now (‘twas on the 2014 EP Futurama) and sees them play to their better heavier and funkier side similar to Aphrodisiac era FM.

Another rock radio sounding belter akin to The Cars, or J Geils Band follows in ‘Shape I’m In’. Jem Davies’ organ (Oo-er!) comes to the fore for 'Big Brother,' and is hopefully inspired by the book and not the shite C5 TV show! Yet again, it's another damn catchy chorus that sticks like conjoined twins! Cliché alert ahead! ‘Somedays I Only Wanna Rock And Roll’ is FMs Ronseal song on Heroes… Some bands may be criticized, but Overland’s voice gives it a big plus and stops it from being a filler. ‘I Want You’ sees FM channel the Robert Palmer school of rock and has an infectious middle section. Finally ‘Walking With Angels’ will become a song for dearly departed lovers I suspect and is one of FMs finest ballads to date. Few people can get away with such a song, but if your surname begins with an ‘O’ and ends in ‘verland’ you can pretty much do what you want to do!

As I said earlier, its not ‘Indiscreet,’ and not much will ever be as good as this classic. That said, FM have produced the finest album since their comeback, and it probably sits close behind ‘Tough It Out’ in 3^rd place, and that my friends, is not a bloody bad place to be.

Catch FM on tour in March! See dates listed below

Score 88/100

Tracklisting -

Digging Up The Dirt

You’re The Best Thing About Me

Life Is A Highway

Fire And rain

Incredible

Call On Me

Cold Hearted

Shape I’m In

Big Brother

Somedays I Only Wanna Rock And Roll

I Want You

Walking With Angels

Released by Frontiers

EU: April 17^th

US: April 21^st

Eclipse - Armageddonize Album Review

There a little known group of people, lets call them a tribe of infinite wisdom and excellent all round good taste, who prowl around the world virtually unknown as an ethnic group. Apart from an offshoot faction in the US that still think its 1986, the Euro section is a much more underground affair. These are the people who avidly follow Melodic Rock/AOR/Hair Metal and their high priest is an Italian Doge by the name of Serafino Perugino.

The said tribe is loyal, faithful, and generally a supporting bunch. Think Mormons only without the giving away part of your salary to your fellow followers. That said, the modern movement is a bit thin on the ground for top quality. Where is the next generation of bands that could fill a decent size club, never mind a theatre or an arena? Ill tell ya where….at the top of the bunch are 2 Swedish bands vying for that position of the alpha band. In the red corner there is H.E.A.T., and in the blue corner, Eclipse. Last year HEAT (for me) had the best melodic rock album of 2014, so can Eclipse dominate the genre with Armageddonize in 2015? ABSO-LUCKING-FUTELY!

For anyone who has missed the band that used to called Whitesnake in their money making prime (c.1987) then Eclipse fill that gap perfectly. Not only that, they have one of the finest, singer/ songwriter / producers out there today. The driving force being Erik Mårtensson and his partner in crime Magnus Henriksson. At least with Mårtensson, his songs don’t just revolve around his cock!

‘I Don’t Wanna Say I’m Sorry’ it like spilling a beer on a Geordie. It stands up, punches you in the face and definitely doesn’t say he is sorry! It has its statement set for this song and the rest of the album; ridiculously and immediately catchy with great hooks. ’Stand On You Feet’ is another slice of annoying greatness. Believe me when I say that this album takes just one listen to become instantly memorable. The Storm follows the same formula. Get past the acoustic opening and BOOM! The chorus is right there in your frontal lobe for the day. Everything so far has been great, and then comes ‘Blood Enemies’. It shows Eclipse at their heaviest and is one of the best on the album. It’s like a ‘battle’ song that Eclipse do ever so well. ‘Wide Open’ is what it does do your head. It blows the fucker….wide open! Magnus’ guitar, Erik’s vox and THAT chorus = utmärkt! The frenetic pace is broken up with the huge ballad, ‘Live Like I’m Dying’. Starting slow, then building up to a crescendo. If something is worth doing, its worth doing it BIG.

I guess a lot of people will make similarities of Breakdown with Blue Murder’s Jelly Roll. Just the opening, but it is startlingly similar. You half expect John Sykes to kick in with the vocals. Love Bites seed Mårtensson channel his inner Coverdale with an opening sound of a trouser zip being pulled. It’s a fast tempo upbeat rocker. I’m not doing the songs I am missing an injustice, its just that you don’t have to write about every single song. So to the final track ‘All Died Young’. Its 100mph/160kph (if you’re Swedish) fast and furious way to finish proceedings, and rounds it all off perfectly.

Armageddonize sees Eclipse eclipsing not only their past, but also the competition. USA take note, whatever you think you can do; Sweden, and Eclipse in the main, are certainly doing it better.

Catch them on tour in the UK very soon. If I were them, Id play the whole bloody lot.

Jävla underbar!

Score – 95/100 (will probably by 100 after repeated listens)

Line Up:

Erik Mårtensson
Magnus Henriksson
Robban Bäck
Magnus Ulfstedt

Track Listing:

1. I Don’t Wanna Say I’m Sorry
2. Stand On Your Feet
3. The Storm
4. Blood Enemies
5. Wide Open
6. Live Like I’m Dying
7. Breakdown
8. Love Bites
9. Caught Up In The Rush
10. One Life – My Life

Impera - Empire Of Sin Album Review

Impera are back!. If anyone out there liked the 2012 album ‘Legacy of Life’ or 2013s 'Pieces Of Eden' then hold onto your cowboy hats rock dudes and dudettes as the Jan release of ‘Empire of Sin’ sees the lads take their craft to another level.

 The whole band consists of solid musicians who have earned their wings through hard work with an impressive number of world-class stars over the years. Their combined CV reads as a who’s who in today’s rock. In various constellations they have played with Vinnie Vincent and Bruce Kulick from Kiss, Brian Robertson from Thin Lizzy, John Levén from Europe and many more. Guitarist Tommy Denander alone has played with almost everyone. His track record is jaw-dropping, having made solo albums with key members of Toto and performed on albums with Michael Jackson, Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper, Ricky Martin and Celine Dion. He is considered one of the world’s best session players and has contributed his axe work on an unsurpassed 2000+ albums. Yikes!!

Alfonzetti has been a sought-after voice for years with domestic success with Bam Bam Boys, Road To Ruin and Skintrade, as well as international stints with Red White & Blues, Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy and British band Jagged Edge with whom he shared stages with the likes of Lita Ford, David Lee Roth, Vixen and Dan Reed. J.K. Impera himself can brag about having played with a number of KISS members, Graham Bonnet, John Corabi, to mention a few.

Impera is Latin for ‘ruler’.  Which probably accounts for the make-up being an influenced mix of Ming the Merciless and Darth Vader. Either that or he has a 12” cock!

‘Empire Of Sin’ kicks of with the positively barnstorming riff of ‘The Beast Is Dead’. Couple Alfonzetti’s dulcet tones to this groove and ‘The Beast…’ chugs along at a great pace. ‘Evil (Become A Believer) takes Impera into heavier territory. Considering the pedigree of the band, they have departed from a more melodic stance and gone full throttle for pulsating riffs and heavy rock with a huge H! Don’t Stops riff reminds me of classic Ratt, only Impera have one of rocks best voices in tow. ‘Hole In The Sky’ comes out of the Tony Iommi book of Sabbath riffs and in ‘End Of The World’, Impera go for their album signature tune. ‘Thunder In Your Heart’ isn’t a cover stab at the Farnham classic (some things should stay original). ‘Lights In The Sky’ has a riff that I expect JSS of Steel Dragon to pitch in with ‘Stand Up and Shooooootttttt!!!!!!’

Impera have come on leaps over ‘Legacy..’ and ‘Empire….’ deserves a listen by the rock community. Whilst not a classic, Impera are a truly talented bunch who know how to write and perform songs in the true words that define them…CLASSIC ROCK!

Score 83/100

Impera are…

J.K.Impera – Drums

Matt Alfonzetti – Vocals

Tommy Denander – Guitars

Mats Vassfjord - Bass

NIGHT RANGER announce special concert at London Islington O2 Academy, Thursday 12th March

Night Ranger; the critically acclaimed San Francisco hard rockin’ band, will play a special concert at the London Islington O2 Academy on Thursday 12^th March. The special London show is being treated as a rare and intimate, warm-up to their Hard Rock Hell AOR Festival appearance on Saturday 14^th March.

Islington O2 Academy tickets are available from 0844 249 1000, and Ticket Web, Eventim, Gigantic or See Tickets. VIP Experience Packages can be booked from Night Ranger’s Website.

Night Ranger will perform songs from their multi-platinum 1983 album Midnight Madness, which includes their hits “Sister Christian”, “When You Close Your Eyes” and “(You Can Still) Rock In America”, plus songs 2014’s “High Road” album.  They’ve sold over 17 million albums worldwide, performed over 2,500 concerts, and played with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, ZZ Top, Journey and Whitesnake.

NIGHT RANGER

LONDON, O2 ISLINGTON ACADEMY 

THURSDAY 12th MARCH 2015

Tickets: £20.00 / 24 Hour Box Office: 0844 249 1000

Book Online: Ticket Web, Eventim, Gigantic

or See Tickets

Doors: 7.00pm / Stage Time: 8.30pm

16 Parkfield Street, London, N1 0PS

www.o2academyislington.co.uk

See also album review here -

http://www.chesyrockreviews.com/2014/05/night-ranger-high-road-album-review.html

NIGHT RANGER – OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY

With 30+ years, more than 17 Million albums sold worldwide and over 2500 live shows performed, Night Ranger continues to rock.  It all started when five hard-rocking kids from the San Francisco Bay Area joined forces in the early 80’s to form Night Ranger. Like no other rock band, Night Ranger both epitomized and transcended the arena sound and style of that decade and beyond. Night Ranger is proof that powerful songs, plus accomplished musicians is the perfect formula for continued success.

Night Ranger has earned widespread acclaim and multi-platinum album status as they produced legendary hits such as “Sister Christian”, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”, “When You Close Your Eyes” and the anthemic “(You Can Still) Rock In America” - Songs that have significantly impacted popular culture and expanded the bands ever-growing fan-base. 

Over the years, the band’s music has made notable contributions to and been featured in many different areas of media and popular culture. Night Ranger’s songs can be heard in the Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Grand Theft Auto video games; Rock of Ages hit Broadway musical and feature film; the Oscar-Nominated film Boogie Nights, Friday the 13th, the Secret of My Success; TV Shows Glee, American Dad,Grey’s Anatomy, Parks & Recreation; JBL’s "Hear The Truth” campaign; and many more! 

Night Ranger is Jack Blades (bass guitar, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead & rhythm guitars), Keri Kelli (lead & rhythm guitars) and Eric Levy (keyboards).