INFINITY by Marys Creek
(Escape Music)
Marys Creek return with their sophomore release, 'Infinity', an even better album than their powerful debut, 'Some Kind Of Hate'. The new album is packed with great rock tunes played by a tight band. Mats Nilsson (vocals), Jonas Hallberg (guitar), Peter Bergkvist (guitar), Roger Blomberg (bass) and Stefan Halldin (drums). As the album unfolds it becomes clear that consistency is something the band has aimed for. The thick textures of the guitars, the drums of Stefan Halldin getting underneath and behind the tunes all topped off by Mats Nilsson's vocals work a certain charm, if ever there was a restrained and tasteful way of recording an album so that everything was louder than everything else then it's been achieved here. The group's versitility and song selection is a real joy to hear. Every song has a different and unique sound. My favourite tunes....well they would include ,"Hypnotized", "Into Infinity", "On The Other", "Blinded By Darkness" and "My Own Enemy". The power inherent in the overall sound certainly keeps on making you want to push the volume up just one more notch. Overall, 'Infinity' is a well-written, well-executed rock album. It is as creative as it is powerful, as melodic as it is heavy, as epic as their debut and yet brings a new color, a new shade to their canvas. Take heed, rock fans. With this album, Marys Creek will finally get the respect they deserve. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
LUGNET by Lugnet
(Pride & Joy Music)
Swedish based hard rockers Lugnet come out swinging for the fences with their self titled debut release. The thing that makes this release shine is the music. Six very talented musicians making one helluva record. A collection of 70's influenced blues hard rock ala Deep Purple and heavier version of Badlands that is raw and loaded with emotion. The band is powered by Roger Solander (vocals), Marcus "Mackan" Holten (guitar), Danne "Bonden" Jansson (guitar), Lennart "Z" Zethzon (bass), Fredrik Jansson (drums) and Bruno Erminero (keyboards). The first thing that struck me about this album is the fantastic groove throughout that never at any point becomes tiresome. Sumptuous time changes and riff chopping/changing that simply floors you as a listener, making you guess the next direction they will take makes this a display of refined and ultimately skilful playing. Stand out tracks for me on the album are the riff oriented drive of, "All The Way " a fast-paced rocker that sets the up the table of the rocking that awaits your senses. The ball busting "Sails" that has a wicked hook. The the foot stomping "Veils" and the laid back bluesy swagger of "Tears In The Sky" and adrenaline pumping, "It Ain't Easy", highlighted by the powerful vocal prowess of Roger Solander. The sound and soul of this band is so tight that every note just bleeds "perfection". Any true hard rock fan will definitely love what Lugnet dish out with the powerhouse of a release. Crank it up and get lost in the raw emotion of the music. What a rush!- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
ROCK N' ROLL FOR YOUR SOUL by Super Vintage
(Grooveyard Records)
If you like blues infused, rock music, you will love enjoy Super Vintage's 'Rock N Roll For Your Soul'. Based in Greece, the band was formerly known as Hush 'N Rush and is comprised of, Stavros Papadopoulos- Vocals, , Lead &Rhythm Guitar, Panagiotis Zabourlis- Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Panos Karathanasis-Bass and Lazaros Simitsis-Drums. The vocals are clean yet raspy, the guitars heavy yet melodic. Paying homage to some of the great rock bands without being pretentious one bit. I hear everything from Warren Haynes and Doyle Bramell in Stavros Papadopoulos' vocals, hints of Gov't Mule. in the rhythm section and great guitar riffs that would make Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke smile! This album rocks front to back. Loaded with tons of blues rock swagger and takes no prisoners. From the rocking, "Sing Me A Rockin' Song" to the attitude and swagger of tracks like "Heart N' Soul", " Wise Mama", "Ship Never Sailed", and "Don't Lay Down". While tracks like, "Until Tomorrow", "Happy N' Lazy", "Salvation", "Get Away" and "Ball And Chain" show off their writing talents. The synergy of this band is air tight. 'Rock N' Roll For Your Soul' from Super Vintage is one hot, smoking, rocking recording that needs to be in everyone's collection. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
COLOUR OF NOISE by Colour Of Noise
(Townsend Music)
Colour Of Noise is the new classic rock band from the UK that consists of guitarist Bruce John Dickinson (Little Angels) , singer Matt Mitchell (Furyon and Pride), Randy Nixon on drums, Dan Lundholm ( keyboards/rhythm guitars) and ‘Silent’ Ben Daniels on bass. The band's self titled debut oozes the vibes of the 70's back when real rock bands ruled the world, such as Zeppelin, Free, Bad Company etc, and blends this with more modern bands such as The Answer and Rival Sons. The album mainly consists of full-out rockers, "Can You Hear Me", "Can't Take It With You", "Temptation" and "Rock Bottom". What Colour Of Noise have delivered here with this album is truly impressive, and demonstrates their obvious talent as musicians. However, they have more than just skill, their is clearly rock solid chemistry between them. Matt Mitchell 's soulful vocals and Bruce John Dickinson's searing guitar-work is backed up perfectly by Ben Daniels' pounding bass lines and Randy Nixon's awesome drumming to create something truly special. Great tunes and music played with the right attitude. Ultimately, this is an album of superb quality, and should be a staple album for any genuine rock fans - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
STONE SOLDIERS by Bigfoot
(Independent Release)
The lads from Wigan Northwest England are back with their new Ep, Stone Soldiers'. Vocalist Antony Ellis, dual lead guitarists Sam Millar and Mick McCullagh, Bassist Matt Avery and Drummer Tom Aspinall deliver the rock and roll goods and hold nothing back. 'Stone Soldiers' is the kind of recording that you can totally sink your teeth into. The title track, "In The Gutter", "Run", "Just Like Me" and "Blame It On The Dog". All five tracks are testosterone loaded with attitude and swagger for days. Bigfoot are truly an awesome band, these guys rock. I know it sounds cliche, but they do. When I listen to these lads bands like, Raging Slab, The Four Horsemen, Pride & Glory, Little Caesar, Junkyard come to mind. Bigfoot have truly taken their hard rock sound to the next level. They've developed musically and the songs all have their own character. At this rate of progression their next recordings could be absolutely stunning. Until then, enjoy 'Stone Soldiers'
in all its glory. If the band keep honing their craft Bigfoot could be name we shall not soon forget. 2016 looks to be a very promising for these lads. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
RESURRECTION KINGS
by Resurrection Kings
(Frontier Records)
The latest supergroup to come to life comes in the form of the Resurrection Kings. The band features the talents of
Craig Goldy, former Dio/Guiffria guitar player. Veteran singer, Chas West (Tribe Of Gypsies/Bonham), Sean McNabb (Burning Rain/Dokken) on bass and Vinny Splice (Dio/Kill Devil Hill) on drums. For those into 80’s hard rock/ metal, Resurrection Kings' music may sound sort of familiar. Albums like, Dio's 'Dream Evil' and Whitesnake's 'Slip Of The Tongue' come to mind. The songs are mostly mid-tempo, with an epic, vibe. The structure is often based on melody, rather than a simple repetitive riff, and minor scales adding a dark mysterious richness. Overall the album features high quality material (as expected by such a stellar line up) with explosive riffs, melodic solos, and a rock solid rhythm section. Craig Goldy is a tremendous guitarist, but it is clear that Resurrection Kings is about constructing quality songs, with a big arena sound, rather being a vehicle to showcase the band's prodigious talents. This is hard rock music where you can understand the lyrics, and genuinely groove to the music. Most of the songs are very strong and easily accessible, "Distant Prayer", "Livin' Out Loud", "Wash Away", Who Did You Run To" and "Don't Have To Fight No More", seem to standout a bit more. Resurrection Kings is a band that just plain rocks! These are guys can not only play, but also know how to craft listenable songs. It may sounds very simple, but it is an ability that eludes many immensely gifted musicians. After this most impressive debut, hopefully Resurrection Kings can keep it together for some time to come. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
NORDIC UNION by Nordic Union
(Frontier Records)
NORDIC UNION is the name behind the new musical collaboration between singer Ronnie Atkins of PRETTY MAIDS and Erik Martensson of ECLIPSE and W.E.T. fame with guest appearances by Thomas Larsson, guitar solo on "Every Heartbest" & "Wide Awake", Fredrik Folkare, guitar solo on "Point Of No Return" & "Hypocrisy" and Magnus Henriksson, guitar solo on "The War Has Begun". The music, the vocals, the songwriting, the production - all are amazingly well done. After my initial listen to the album I am really digging all the tracks especially the guitar driven opening,"The War Has Begun", "Wide Awake", "Every Heartbeart", "When Death Is Calling", "Falling" and the melodic gem, "True Love Awaits You". Ronnie Atkins' vocals just sound incredible here. Of course, it helps that the songs he's singing are all extremely well-written and the production, courtesy of Erik Martensson is impeccable along with his powerful and impressive guitar work. Between the melodies and the solos he's definitely doesn't hold anything back. Overall, what Ronnie Atkins and Erik Martensson have created with Nordic Union is melodic hard rock at it's best, and a highly crafted debut release which is very complete - no fillers here. This album is diverse, musical, heavy and performed with passion. Great production and musicianship. I'm sure this one is going to get some serious replay time for me for months to come. Who said you can’t have hard, melodic rock with hooks anymore? - Highly Recommended
Tony @The Dedicated Rocker Society
