CD REVIEWS

RISING by Will Wallner & Vivien Vain
(Metal Mind Productions)

'Rising' the stunning debut release from L.A. based guitarist, Will Wallner and singer Vivien Vain delivers a powerful sound that is full of passion and power that will have your undivided attention once you press play. From the very start of, "The Dream" that explodes into, "Dreamstalker" one gets the sense that Wallner and Vain are very intent on laying down the gauntlet and just kicking everyone's butt! "Streets Of Rage" is fueled with intensity and fire and from here on this lethal tag team just cranks it all the way up to 11 and takes the listener to a place where few bands are capable of going. "Fourteen Twenty Eight" is a song that pulls you in and won't let go with Wallner' s hypnotic guitar work and Vivien Vain' s sultry vocals is the kick that truly turns this song into a Rock/Metal anthem.  A total of nine songs all originals written and produced by Wallner/Vain. Every nuance of this album is mind blowing! The melodies and choruses drive each song making sure your listening experience is a memorable one. Wallner/Vain have recruited an "A-List" of musicians to help out. Contributions from Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Ted Nuggent), Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven&Hell), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake), Tony Franklin (Roy Harper, Jimmy Page, Tony MacAlpine), Jimmy Bain (Rainbow, Dio), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion, Alice Cooper, Kiss) and Tony Carey (Rainbow).  What Wallner/Vain have unleashed here with, 'Rising' is a powerhouse of a recording that should be heard and experienced by every rock music enthusiast on the planet.  A new band that doesn't merely claim to rock, Will Wallner & Vivien Vain actually deliver the goods! - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine


TOMOCYCLUS by Sparklands
(Avenue Of Allies)

'Tomocyclus' the debut release from Sparklands is a gem of a release that melodic rock fans are sure to welcome and love.Sparklands is the long-awaited solo project by Thomas and Robert Riekerk. Completing the band are Rolf Perdok (guitars), Rob Vermeulen (bass) and Colin Lee Vermeulen (drums). 'Tomocyclus' is very reminiscent of Toto's "Farenheit" and "Seventh One" with the heavy production and big choruses. If you like high powered melodic rock then you will love this album. The songs are amazingly catchy hooks and astounding vocal melodies in each and every segment of each and every one of them. Highlights include, the AOR gem, "The Game" that opens the album. Then there are "Skyline", "Oasis", the Poco vibe of ,"Shattered Dreams" and " Let Sparks Fly". Sparkland have that polished, radio-friendly melodic rock sound down perfectly, and they match it with a modern production and a sense of melody. Impeccable melodies, combined with rock solid musicianship and Thomas Riekerk's rich, warm vocals make for a fantastic AOR experience. Rarely does a new band so completely capture the old school AOR sound like Sparkland. 'Tomocyclus' is a must-have for fans of modern AOR bands like Work Of Art, Street Talk, Shadowman and Khymera as well as the old school Toto, FM and Steve Perry solo sound. Sparklands have created a formula that works and have given new life to the melodic rock scene. I hope this album gets a lot of attention and airplay, and also hope it can also make it in the crossover radio market. This band is that good. - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine


IF NOT FOR THE DEVIL by Fate
(Avenue Of Allies Music)

The legendary Danish Melodic Hard Rockers FATE are back with their brand new album, “If Not For The Devil”. One of their strongest albums definitely. Dagfinn Joensen on lead vocals, Torben Enevoldsen on guitar, Mikkel Henderson on keyboards, Peter Steincke on bass and Jens Berglid on drums.  Once again Jacob Hansen (Pretty Maids, Volbeat, Amaranthe) did a killer job, mixing and mastering the songs. It is admirable to witness a band attempting to grow artistically, even more so when that band has been around for over 25 years at which point one would logically think that Fate have nothing to prove. Instead the band push their artistic boundaries once again, not so much in an attempt to invent a new sound, yet trying to put together the thickest, heaviest, angriest and, at the same time, most infectious album in their career. The tracks on “If Not For the Devil” once again originate from collaborative song writing efforts of all band members and they successfully combine the melodic and catchy elements from the AOR and Melodic Rock days of FATE with the more powerful and energetic Hard Rock and Melodic Metal side of the band. From the hard rock album opener, "Reaping", the fiery title track, the dramatic "Bridges Are Burning"or the passionate "Hard To Say Goodbye". 'If Not For The Devil' is definitely one of Fate's finest works.  With “If Not For the Devil” FATE write the next chapter in the history of a long-standing Scandinavian Rock institution and it looks like a very promising future ahead of them.  You see, apart from being a very dynamic, intense and catchy album, it also sounds very spontaneous in its conception, a fact that may be considered crucial in the long run, as it is this characteristic that will draw you to the album time and time again. A totally indicative work from a hard rock/metal band that continues to grow. - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

WOLF PACK by Roadfever
(Avenue Of Allies Music)

Swiss rockers Roadfever are back with their sophomore release, 'Wolf Pack'. Delivering a powerful Classic Hard Rock sound loaded with great melodies, served with a healthy dose of Southern Rock. Roadfever is made up of, Stevie "Manou" Pike (vocals), David Pariat (guitar, vocals), Jessie Be (bass) and Pascal Bavaud (drums). What drew my attention to the aside from their music, was who they've shared festival stages with, Blackfoot, Scorpions, Uli John Roth, Pretty Maids, Rhino Bucket and  Little Caesar to name a few. There’s a certain charm about Roadfever’s take on Southern flavored Classic Rock.  It’s a stripped back sound that is both simple and effective and solidly at home in the eighties when pleasures were much simpler. Aside from some great guitars and a solid rhythm section Roadfever also benefits from a great female lead vocalist – Stevie ‘Manou’ Pike. Album highlights include, "Warning Shot", "Drain Your Mind", the southern rock flavored numbers "Brother", "Red Horse" and "Black Moon Breeze". Matt Sinner (Sinner/Primal Fear) makes cameo with a duet on, "Magic Sun". Roadfever may be  influenced by others in the rock world, but bring their own flare and musical stylings. Their debut album, 'Wheels Of Fire' was awesome,but with, 'Wolf Pack',  the band take their sound to the next level. It is equally great (if not slightly better?) and I would recommend it to anyone who loves rock music. A solid sophomore effort. Good job guys! - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

EXHALE by Stardog Champion
(Stardog Champion)

Pennsylvania's Stardog Champion burst on the scene with their five song Ep, 'Exhale'. A rock trio fronted by singer Nick Coyle (originally from Lifer and Drama Club), and guitarist Aaron Fink, and drummer Josh Karis originally from Leroy Justice. It's good to hear a band that doesn't mind rocking without pandering. Too much of the teen-pop that gluts the airwaves these days is derivative sugar. Stardog Champion have a gut level approach to their sound. There is not one bad thing I can say about this recording. 'Exhale' showcases a band that have great chemistry that is felt through their music. Their melodies are catchy; the songs move along at the perfect head-bobbing tempo. Lyrically they're not Shakespeare, but they're intelligent and sometimes clever. As evident on songs like, "Aphrodite", "Nothing To Lose" and the closing track, "The Switch". Stardog Champion requires you to listen with an open mind. Each song has a different sound. Sure it's just an Ep, but it's good. From my perspective this is a solid effort. I enjoyed it very much and am very curious to see what Stardog Champion come up with next. Definitely a band worth checking out. - Recommended Listen
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

TOUCH OF SIN 2 by Sinner
(AFM Records)

Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Voodoo Circle, Goddess Shiva) has established himself as one of the hardest working, most reliable, consistent and indestructible sources of Hard Rock/Heavy metal Germany has to offer. His latest release, 'Touch Of Sin 2' finds
him re-introducing a Sinner classic featuring re-recorded amped up versions of "Born To Rock", "Bad Girl" and "Knife In My Heart" which was the lead off single off the "Dangerous Charm" album ( a mistake of the record company that it appears on the first re-release of the Touch Of Sin album!). As well as classic Sinner tracks from the band's early years like, "Concrete Jungle" and "Danger Zone". Mat also serves up 3 new tracks, “Blood On The Sand”, “Heat Of The City” and a interesting take on the Thin Lizzy classic, “Don’t Believe A Word”. The band backing Mat up are a group of talented musicians, Alex Scholpp on guitars, Alex Beyroudt, Mat' s bandmate from Voodoo Circle on guitar, Christof Leim on guitars and Andre Hilgers on drums. There are also guest appearances by David Readman (Voodoo Circle, Pink Cream 69), Erik Martensson (W.E.T.), Diego Valdez (Helker) and Tom Naumann (ex-Primal Fear). Without question, 'Touch Of Sin 2' has the "Sinner" trademark characteristics we have come to love and expect from the band. That, when it comes bringing the hard rock/heavy metal thunder, Sinner BRINGS IT! Hats off to Mat Sinner for bringing back some great songs that are truly classic! The bottom line is that if you are a Sinner fan or a fan who loves hard rock/heavy metal music, there is no doubt you will love this album. - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

THE WAY LIFE GOES by Tom Keifer
(Alternative Distribution Alliance)

Cinderella frontman, Tom Keifer steps out on his own to release his debut album, 'The Way Life Goes'. So the big questions was, for me anyway, was it worth it? Or should Tom have just gotten back with Cinderella? As far as it being worth it? Hell yeah! I've always considered Tom Keifer one of rock music's finest voices as well as a songwriter. So there wasn't really any doubt in me liking this album. Now about Cinderella, notice I didn't say former frontman. Who knows? I hope somewhere down the road there will be new material from Cinderella (God knows it's way over due), but for now Tom's album will hold me over till that day comes. 'The Way Life Goes', is nothing less than a great blues rock album that any fan of good music will love at first listen. From rockers like the lead off single, "Solid Ground", "Cold Day In Hell" and "Ain't That A Bitch" to the soulful feel of "A Different Light" and "The Flower Song", Tom Keifer's vocal performance is rock solid and does not miss a note. I have to say that any number of songs off this release could have appeared on a Cinderella album and at times I had to remind myself this was a Tom Keifer solo project. Overall, 'The Way Life Goes', is a spectacular album that all fans of Cinderella, or even all rock fans for that matter, will enjoy. This is pure Tom Keifer, and it is proof of why he has longevity, while others just fade away.You deserve it all Tom, thanks for not quitting on us.- Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

AMERICAN ILLUSION by Venrez
(Monarch Music Group)

L.A. based rockers, Venrez are back with their sophomore release, 'American Illusion'. A non-stop good time rock n' roll album full of rock solid musicianship complete with tight rhythms and incredible riffs. The band is comprised of singer Steven Berez (whose last syllables of his first and last name serve as the group’s name), guitarists Jason Womack and Alex Kane, bassist Michael Bradford, and drummer Ed Davis. 'American Illusion' is on a whole different level than the band's debut release, 'Sell The Lie, which is a strong album, its just this album is far superior. The band is tighter, the band influences are more noticable and yet they sound more original and the songs are just all around better. From opening riff of, "Unforeseen" you know you are in for one hell of a ride. Then you have "Sanctity" a mighty catchy, feel-good hard rock anthem with punk-y, grungy bass lines, big, heavy riffs, and memorable, vocal hook. The tandem guitar work by Womack and Kane is tight and the rhythm section of Bradford and Davis give Venrez it's rock solid foundation. The band's tight chemistry is evident on tracks like the groove laden movers, "Free Will" and "Vultures". The band also cover the Sonny and Cher classic 'Beat Goes On' which is melt in your mouth good, infact it is too good to be true. Makes you forget that it is even a cover. All in all 'American Illusion' is a hard rock record with strong vocals, melodic rhythms and wall to wall of guitar! Clearly Venrez were not influenced by the countless Sons of Plunder label executives that roll up their sleeves and tell new modern rock bands that you need to sound like Nickleback in order to sell albums. Venrez may be the success story no one expected. If these guys keep it together for a third album, who knows what they could accomplish. All I hear and see from Venrez are better things to come. 'American Illusion' is a modern rock classic. - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine