CD REVIEW: VOLUME 1 by West Bound

VOLUME 1 by West Bound
(Frontier Records)

'Volume 1', the powerhouse debut from West Bound is loaded with songs that bleed attitude and  emotion. Comprised of, Chas West (Resurrection Kings, Bonham, Lynch Mob etc.) and renowned guitarist/producer Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Halford, Tribe of Gypsies). With a lineup completed by Jimmy Burkard (guitar), Jason Cornwell (bass), Dave “Chilli” Moreno (drums).  I have to say when it comes to belting out Hard Rock bluesy based rockers, Chas West's vocals perfectly fits the genre like a glove. The dual guitar attack of Roy Z. and Jimmy Burkard make for a lethal six string combination. While the rhythm section of Moreno and Cornwell give the band a rock solid foundation. There is a freshness and spark to the songs that give them a magical type quality when the music is coming out of your speakers. The recording doesn't have a dud on it. Stand out tracks for me on the album are the riff oriented drive of "Never Surrender", the lament of "Beautiful Dream", the hard rocking "Keeper Of The Flame" and my favorite 2, "No Room For Sympathy" and "Traveler". All the songs are played with deep feeling and attitude. In one sentence: a recording that breathes raw, unadulterated hard rock, powered by amazing vocals and superb musicianship, plain and simple.  If you are a classic hard rock, or rock fan, you will love what West Bound bring to the table!  - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: The Man With Stars On His Knees by Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics

The Man With Stars On His Knees by Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics
(Listenable Records)

The debut release, 'The Man With Stars On His Knees' from former Heaven's Basement singer, Aaron Buchanan and his band The Cult Classics, comprised of Aaron's sibling, Laurie Buchanan (guitar and vocals), Tom McCarthy (guitar), Mart Trail (bass) and Paul White (drums) (formally of industrial metal band The Defiled and symphonic metal band Season's End),  is a musical explosion that is very expressive, with lots of energy and emotion. A fantastic blend of well seasoned musicians coming together with a common cause, to make music that they love, and luckily enough there are many more out there that will enjoy the products of their labors. There are some really rocking tunes served up here. Right off the bat that energy I mentioned can be felt on tracks like, "Show Me What You're Made Of", "All The Things You've Said And Done", and the adrenaline pumping groove of "Dancin' Down Below". As a bonus for the special edition, the band offer up five brand new bonus tracks, consisting of two brand-new studio tracks ‘Undertow’ and ‘Fire In The Fields Of Mayhem’ and of three live tracks. The production and musicianship is rock solid.  As for the vocals, this is where the band really shines. Aaron Buchanan puts so much emotion and energy into the lyric, you can't help but listen. 'The Man With Stars On His Knees' is the type of recording that just gets better with each listen. Amazing musicians and the front man that has charisma to burn. I'm a fan.  - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: RISE ROBOT RISE, EP by Robot Lords Of Tokyo

RISE ROBOT RISE, EP by Robot Lords Of Tokyo
(Independent Release)

The latest slab of in your face hard rock from the Ohio based juggernaut known as The Robot Lords Of Tokyo comes to us in the form their five song Ep, 'Rise Robot Rise'. Just like the band have done with their previous outings, the band come out swinging and hold nothing back. Powered by Rick Ritzler and Paul Jones. Serving up a riff oriented guitar recording that is heavy but not brutal. The overall vibe is more of a throwback to late 70's and early 80's hard rock era. The build up within the songs are amazing and the melodies and riffs are captivating.  In fact some songs have a Spiritual Beggars meet The Quill feel and sound to them. With that said, there  is not a weak track to be found. From the opening, "In The Shadows", to closing "Terminus", all five tracks are riff loaded and beg to be cranked to maximum volume! I can listen to this recording straight through without finding a dull moment. Overall outstanding songwriting and musicianship. After listening to a band like Robot Lords Of Tokyo you become painfully aware of what is wrong with Rock Radio here in the States. Premium quality hard rock songs by a band that is not as appreciated as it should be. Go ahead, light it up, put on some headphones, and be prepared to have your senses rocked.   - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: CROSS THE LINE by Sakis Dovolis Trio

CROSS THE LINE by Sakis Dovolis Trio 
(Grooveyard Records)

Every single track on this debut outing, 'Cross The Line' from the powerhouse blues rock trio known as Sakis Dovolis Trio will have your undivided attention once you press play. Sakis Dovolis is an extraordinary blues and rock guitarist, composer, and vocalist. It is truly unbelievable to hear sounds that cry out with such intensity and experience from an individual as relatively young as Sakis. Rounding out the trio are, Fotis Dovolis on bass and Nick Kalivas on drums providing a strong, tight rhythm section. They sound like they are having the time of their lives. That chemistry can heard and felt on such smoking tracks like, "All Of You", "Everything", the smoldering title track, the instrumental , "Shades Of Blues", the down dirty swagger of, "Devil's Road" and "Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings". There is a maturity and passion behind Sakis' playing. You can clearly hear all of his influences including Jimi, SRV, and I believe maybe a touch of Rory Gallagher, among many others. Overall, 'Cross The Line' by The Sakis Dovolis Trio is a well produced recording that exhibits outstanding musicianship and songs that rip out of your speakers. I cannot recommend this enough to guitar lovers and blues lovers out there. This trio definitely have alot more up their sleeves and I can't wait to hear it. Believe me, they're that good.  - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: DIVINE SOUL RIDE by George Foster

DIVINE SOUL RIDE by George Foster
(Grooveyard Records)

Listening to the debut outing, 'Divine Soul Ride', by guitarist George Foster is like experiencing a time when you could hear the likes of Eric Clapton, Robin Trower, ZZ Top, Sly & The Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix and Chicago on the radio. There is a full range of Blues based soul movers on this recording that could cater to many different audiences. Along with the smoking hot six string fretboard work of George Foster, you have, the soulful vocals of Jarrett Williams and the rock solid rhythm section of, bassist John Hart and drummer Gary Ferguson. Together this group has put together something truly special. George Foster has a lot of talent and is musically unafraid to take on any style and willing to be a completely relevant artist today without having to compromise his craft like so many others. I like that most of all. You can feel that diversity in his playing on tracks like, "Dancing With The Devil", "My Cheatin' Ways", the slow bluesy swagger of ,"Evangeline", the adrenaline pumping grooves of , "Secrets" and "Hard Times". But the track that won me over hook line and sinker is the closing "The Fields Of Aberdare", clocking in at a bit over seven minutes, George Foster's guitar work left me comfortably numb. Real blues rock guitar played from the heart and soul,  what a joyful musical experience it is.  - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: BENEATH THE SURFACE by Vindicata

BENEATH THE SURFACE by Vindicata
(Grooveyard Records)

The debut release, 'Beneath The Surface' from Vindicata isboth epic in scope and powerful in tone. There is a very accessible vibe to the album.  Fronted by the powerful vocals of Mary Magill, along with a group of excellent musicians in the form of former Megadeth guitarist, Chris Poland, Jim McCrostie and Brett Pedersen on guitars, Matt Hansen on bass and Pete Weaver on drums. The album's production is on point from start to finish; no track gets left behind. All thirteen tracks are amazing highlighted by "Death Defying Years", "Heavy Crowns", "Leap Off The Earth",  "Edge Of Sleep"and "Wasting Away". There is not one weak track here, each one containing something to coax the listener into a state of willful addiction. There is a constant flow of creativity, with Magill's vocal prowess shimmering over the arrangements.Overall, 'Beneath The Surface' is such an all around amazing work loaded with thirteen incredibly powerful songs that are filled with amazing vocals, talented musicianship, that will have your undivided attention throughout. This recording has got power, intensity, emotion and melody all balanced and wrapped up into one ball of pure brilliance. - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: BLOOD OF ANGELS by Spillage

BLOOD OF ANGELS by Spillage
(Qumran and No Dust Records)

The sophomore release from the Doom Metal juggernaut known as Spillage, comes alive in the form of, 'Blood Of Angel'.  Produced by Trouble guitarist Bruce Franklin and mixed by The Skull guitarist Lothar Keller, is a masterclass in the art of the almighty "Heavy Riff". The band is comprised of, Elvin Rodriguez on vocals, Tony Spillman on guitars, Nick Bozidarevic on guitars, Billy McGuffey on bass,
Chris Martins on drums and Paul Rau on keyboards. The metallic mayhem served up pulsates with a conviction that cannot be faked. Musically powerful and filled with bold lyrics and smoldering twin-lead metal riffs galore! reminding me of something one would hear from Candlemass or Black Sabbath. From start to finish the band does not hold back nothing back as they dish out doom laden riffs that go for the throat! As is evident on tracks like, the title track, "Living In Hell", Rough Grooved Surface" , "Eyes Of A Snake" and "Voice Of Reason", both tracks clocking in just over six minutes. The band also serves up a killer rendition of Sabbath's "Dirty Woman". The bottom line is, what we have here is heaping spoonful of well written doom infused heavy metal served up on a plate of fat Mesa Boogie amps. These tunes absolutely groove and the vibe created here is something special. If you love bands like Black Sabbath or Trouble (what metalhead wouldn't?), you'll love what Spillage bring to the table. The bottom line here is, 'Blood Of Angels' is a incredible album that is a beast and one that begs to played at maximum volume.  - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society