CD REVIEW: LAST TEMPTATION by Last Temptation

LAST TEMPTATION by Last Temptation
(Ear Music)

Last Temptation's debut album and is highly recommended for fans of '80s heavy metal, but make no mistake, this band is also firmly rooted in the here and now of hard rock. The brainchild behind the project is guitarist Peter Scheithauer (Killing Machine, Belladonna, Temple Of Brutality) and singer Butcho Vukovic (Watcha, Showtime) who teamed up with talented friends Steve Unger (Metal Church) and STET Howland (WASP, Lita Ford). The album also boast amazing guest list: Don Airey (Deep Purple, Rainbow) on Keyboards, Vinny Appice (Did, Heaven and Hell) on drums, Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore) on bass, James Lomenzo (BLS, Snakepite) on bass as well as Rudy Sarzo (Whitesnake, Quiet Riot). The production is rock solid and the songs are hard hitting and pull no punches. As is evident on riff intense tracks like, "I Win I Lose", "Blow A Fuse", "How I Am", "Nobody Is Free" and "Hell Is Walking In My Shoes". One thing is for certain if you like riffs Last Temptation deliver the goods in spades. It’s a good sign when a recording makes you break out your air guitar while doing housework or singing in the shower, and yes, I’ve done both a lot ever since I've listened to this recording.  As someone said once “There are more riffs and hooks on this album than on a strip of velcro”. Just put on your headphones, crank it up to 11, and be transported to a time and place that is both today, yet also long ago. Highly recommended. - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY by Michael Bormann's Jaded Hard

FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY by Michael Bormann's Jaded Hard
(RMB Records)

Is there anything better than listening to a new release, putting into your player and it just gets better every time you listen to it? Veteran singer Michael Bormann and his new project Jaded Hard outstanding debut outing, 'Feels Like Yesterday', is one such release. Along with Michael Bormann on vocals and guitar we have, Thommy Dahlem on guitar and vocals, Christoph 'Baumi' Baumeister on bass and vocals, Chris 'Hexe' Ivo on keyboards and vocals,  Michael 'Maikel' Müller on drums. Together the band  combine a melodic rock sound with a modern day rock feel. What Jaded Hard has done here is given us a how-to-guide on how to deliver a perfect melodic rock record. From the AOR flavorings of, "Feel Like I’m Living", to the hard rocking melodies of, "Mr. Mysterious" and "Good Times" to the old school vibes of, "I'm A Son Of Gun", there is not one single filler track here. Not even close. The sound is infectious, and once engrained in your head – hard to remove. Michael Bormann's vocals are on point and sound better than ever. This is the type of album that just flat out sounds goooooood and is a very enjoyable listen front to back. Young listeners as well as classic rock era listeners will enjoy this.  Melodic rock music has been around for years but these guys put the edge to it that makes them so distinct. Jaded Hard has managed to deliver one of the strongest melodic rock debuts in recent memory and any fan of this genre needs to have this one in their collection. - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society