VOX HUMANA by Kyros
(KMG)
London based prog rock band, Kyros return with their latest release the double disc set, 'Vox Humana'. The band is powered by Adam Warne on vocals, keyboards, zynthesizer ,Samuel Higgins on guitars and backing vocals ,Joey Frevola on guitars , Peter Episcopo on bass guitar and backing vocals and Robin Johnson on drums and Percussion. 'Vox Humana', is a fantastic album that is solid all around. The quality of musicianship is outstanding. First impressions are very cinematic. I could picture it as the soundtrack to an epic, fantasy adventure movie. When listened to in this regard, the songs flow together quite nicely. Well crafted songs and superb musicianship makes this an extremely entertaining listen. Disc one highlights include,"Technology Killed the Kids II", "Cloudburst", "The Lamb, the Badger & the Bee". Disc two highlights, "Mind Electric", "Speak to Me", "Boiling Point" and "Ego". You can tell how much time and effort has gone into crafting these songs. Just give it time. If it doesn't all grab you right away, just listen again, and again. If you have not heard Kyros before, 'Vox Humana' is a brilliant introduction. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
THE WARRIORS BEFORE ME
by Brett Ellis
(Grooveyard Records)
San Diego based axeslinger, Brett Ellis is back with his latest release, ' The Warriors Before Me', a homage to the guitar legends of rock. Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Frank Marino, Uli Roth, Ritchie Blackmore, Pat Travers, Tony Iommi, Eddie Van Halen, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, Johnny Winter, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Lonesome Dave Peverett & Rod Price (Foghat), Angus Young (AC/DC) and Jimmy Page. Every song on this album has the Brett Ellis touch and there's not one track that falls short. Brett and his band the talented rhythm section of Rick Nash on bass and Calvin Lakin on drums do an an insanely incredible job. Whether it be serving up smoking takes on classics like, Jimi Hendrix "Ezy Ryder", Robin Trower, "Twice Removed From Yesterday", Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush "Tryin’ Anyway", Pat Travers "Go All Night", Foghat "Road Fever" or any of the other guitar gods he covers here, each and every song simply smokes! Brett Ellis is simply brilliant. His technique, vibe and unique approach to the guitar sets him as one of the greatest players in the modern era. The bottom line here is, if you are a fan of guitar albums that are loaded with six string intensity, 'The Warriors Before Me' by Brett Ellis, is a must have for your collection.- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
WELCOME TO MOJO LAND by Super Vintage
(Grooveyard Records)
The blues infused classic rock band Super Vintage from Kavala City are back with their latest release, 'Welcome To Mojo Land'. Band members include Stavros Papadopoulos (vocals & guitar), Panagiotis Zabourlis (guitar), Jim Moralis (bass) and Lazaros Simitsis (drums). On a purely musical level,'Welcome To Mojo Land' is a strong recording. It is blues influenced classic rock and a band at its best. The chemistry going on between the musicians, the musicianship itself, the guitar playing, the mix, the songs all equate to premium blend rock n' roll. This album has it all:Ear to ear grinning rock stomping boogies, beautiful ballads, creeping sinister sounding riffs, introspection, solid vocals & scorching guitar work. Highlights include"Southern Moon Rising", "Son Of Pain", "Still Alive", "Rock 'N' Roll Revolution" and "River Of Love". Everything just seems to come together here to create that sound that has gained them so many fans already and with this album possibly even more. All in all, 'Welcome To Mojo Land' is a solid rock album that takes you back to a time when musicians knew how to play and followed their muse instead of the dictates of desperate record companies. 'Welcome To Mojo Land' by Super Vintage honors the classic rock tradition with reverence, respect and the realisation that this music’s still happening, right now. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
II by Wonderworld
(Lions Pride Music)
The power rock trio known as Wonderworld are back with their sophomore effort, 'II'. The trio is comprised of Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth), Ken Ingwersen (Street Legal) and Tom Fossheim (Live Fire). As evident on the trio's debut album there is clearly a musical chemistry between the them, but on this second effort they have built from the debut's foundation and, refined their sound. The trio serve up a hard rock album in the best tradition. It moves on the strengths of great vocals and vocal arrangements, compelling guitar solos, good melodies, and catchy lyrical hooks. From the full-throttle rock of opener, "Forever Is Lie" to the hook laden movers, "Remember My Words,"Elements", "Evil In Disguise" and "Return To Life", this album doesn’t let up on the intensity, pausing for breath only on "It's Not Over Yet" and "Echo Of My Thoughts". Elsewhere musical contrasts come in the shape of "Memories", the gritty, "In The End" and laid back, "Down The Line". Overall, there was not a moment that went by where I wasn't loving the music. The album is very well paced, not one of the songs drags. big guitars, solid choruses and soild production. This is an absolute gem of an album. One of the premium slices of hard rock you’ll hear this year. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
THE SEVENTH CYCLE OF ETERNITY by Blindstone
(Grooveyard Records)
The mighty Danish based blues rock trio known as Blindstone are back with their highly anticipated new release, 'The Seventh Cycle Of Eternity'. For those new to Blindstone, they are a guitar-driven blues rock trio strongly influenced by 60’s/70’s era artists like Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Frank Marino, Black Sabbath and Mountain. The trio's latest outing touches all their familiar bases and then some. It's a work of remarkable variety and maturity which never loses sight of the band's classic rock roots. Proceedings start with a bang, the rocking "Dead Man's Blues"given one mighty turbo charge by Marten Anderson's blistering guitar work. "Rolling" keeps the pedal to the metal whilst other highlights include, "Rebel In Black", the slow burning, "Looking Back", and a amazing take on the Jimi Hendrix penned, "Power Of Soul". While on the instrumental "By The Suns Of Warvan, You Shall Be Avenged", the trio exhibit their air tight chemistry and flex their musical prowess. What sets Blindstone apart from the crowd is that while they adhere to many of the tropes of the genre they have an ability to mix it up a bit with strong songs, which no doubt can be extended for the odd jam, but on this record they don't overstay their welcome. This therefore puts a premium on their song-writing ability as they have to ensure that there is sufficient variety in the tracks to make this album worth listening to. In this regard the trio succeed hands down. Blindstone have won over a loyal fan base with the sheer power and class of their previous releases. 'The Seventh Cycle Of Eternity', is about to illuminate legions more music fans with its sheer quality.
really. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
BLUE PEARL UNION by Freerock Saints
(Grooveyard Records)
Greece based, Freerock Saints is a female fronted project playing blues infused classic rock. Featuring the amazing vocal talents of Areti Valavanopoulou and Stavros Papadopoulos (Super Vintage) on guitar. The duo's debut release, 'Blue Pearl Union' ticks every box on my get go list, great musicianship, a real bluesy, soul tinged sound, and songs which stand up better after several listens than they did when I was first heard them. Sound checks to Black Crowes, Heart and Saint Jude are clearly evident, but it all melds together in such a tight smooth way. Areti Valavanopoulou, has a delivery that bags of power and confidence. The opening track "From The Ashes"is absolutely top drawer. It's like a modern take on great seventies rock, without ripping anybody off or sounding like an inferior version of all those great seventies bands. Valavanopoulou's voice is excellent and combined with the great riffs and hook in the chorus, I was immediately impressed. "Game Of Pain", "Roll With The Wind"and "Shot Down In Flames" are just as good, before the pace slows a bit with "Blue Pearl" and "Still Bleeding". Things cranks right back up with the fiery "Take It" from there on its a mix of high energy blues rock. Sure the influences are pretty near the surface but, hey, The Stones, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin etc. alll cast long shadows. Their influences are to be celebrated but Freerock Saints also bring their own undeniable passion and commitment both of which ooze through on each track. Sometimes you need to listen to an album a couple of times to like it - not this one.
really. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
21st CENTURY BLUES by Van Wilks
(Texas ’51 Records)
Texas-based guitarist Van Wilks is back with his first studio album in ten years, '21st Century Blues'. This album is a stunning mix of blues and rock. Featuring twelve blistering tracks from the veteran Texas Blues-Rocker, except one track all originals. From the opening salvo of "Strange Girl", Van Wilks leaves you in no doubt what to expect from this album, race-tuned blues of the sort people used to play when "guitar hero" was a compliment rather than a put-down. From there Van Wilks serves up a variety of moods and tracks, where he showcases his talent for playing well-structured songs and stupefying guitar solos. His playing is tasteful, dynamic, blindingly virtuosic and above all else, soulful in every sense of the word. As you can hear and feel on, "Drive By Lover", "Who's Foolin' Who", the laid back groove of, "Just Walk Away", "Golddiger", the smoking title track and "She Makes Me Crazy". The album also features amazing guest performances from Grammy-winner Christopher Cross and Austin vocal hero Malford Milligan, both of whom appear on “She Makes Me Crazy,” a song written by Cross (who also plays guitar on the track) with Milligan adding his trademark dynamic voice. Also featured on the album is the legendary Billy F. Gibbons, who co-wrote “Drive by Lover” with Wilks, a song that made its initial appearance on an earlier ZZ Top album. The solid performance from the rest of the band keeps every track consistently fresh and interesting. Hands down a welcome return for Van Wilks and '21st Century Blues' is a genius piece of work by a genius of a guitarist. It is so difficult to describe this man and his talent. Genius with feel is about it really. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
THE BLACKENED HEART by Enbound
(Inner Wound Recordings)
Swedish based melodic prog rockers, Enbound are back with their sophomore release, 'The Blackened Heart', following up their strong 2011 debut 'A She Says Gold'. Lee Hunter (Lars Säfsund - Work of Art) on vocals, Martin Flowberg on guitar, Swede on bass, and Mike Cameron Force drums. Enbound definitely want to prove they were not a flash in the pan the first time around, there is something very special here indeed. From the moment, "Falling", blasted out of my speakers, the band had my undivided attention. A powerful melodic progressive gem that builds and draws you into a false sense of security and then just cranks up the power as the band launch into their stride. Then track two "Give Me Light", hits you like a sledge hammer but leaves you craving for more. The band continue to amaze, with a powerful mix of tracks, "Crossroad", "Get Ready For", "Twelve", "Hio" and "You Make Me So Unreal". Each band member has done themselves proud. Martin Flowberg on guitars, a immensely talented player who has the ability to serve up great riffs and solos, but allows the music to breathe, the intense and strong drumming of Mike Cameron Force the supremely talented bassist Swede. Last but not least, Lee Hunter aka Lars Säfsund of Work of Art on vocals. Also featured are, vocalist Linnéa Wikström [Kamelot, Therion] on "Falling" and Mike LePond [Symphony X] is responsible for the first of two bass solos on "Feed My Flame". It's clear from the very first note to the very last, Enbound wanted to make a strong impression the second time around and I believe they've achieved that. The whole album works coherently to give something special. Overall, 'The Blackened Heart' gets better every time you listen to it. A thoroughly enjoyable listening experience!
. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
