HUMAN NATURE by Hardline
(Frontier Records)
I believe if you ask any fan of Hardline, what their favorite release is? They'd more than likely say, the band's debut 'Double Eclipse'. The bar was raised so high after that release that what followed were good, but not great albums. Some saying, including myself, that the band had lost their edge. Maybe due to the numerous line up changes. Well folks, Hardline are back with their latest release, 'Human Nature' and I will say after just one listen the band have found that edge and have released their most powerful recording to date. When I say powerful, I'm talking in your face melodic hard rock that has a serious attitude. Johnny Gioeli – Lead Vocals, Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Josh Ramos - Guitars, Anna Portalupi - Bass and Francesco Jovino - Drums. All these musicians have an impressive pedigree, but what makes Hardline special is how well their unique and different talents blend together. They definitely came up with the right formula here. Every song on this album is instantly memorable and they all – seriously, there's no filler here – come together perfectly. Highlights include “Where Will We Go From Here,”, "Nobody's Fool" the title track, the monster "World Is Falling Down", in my opinion the heaviest song I've heard from the band and "In The Dead Of Night". If you've enjoyed recent Hardline releases but have wished they'd do something that made you feel the way their debut did, your wait is over. 'Human Nature' is a powerhouse of release from Hardline and is one of the best rock albums 2016 has to offer. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
SCALING UP by Kee Marcello
(Frontier Records)
Former Europe guitarist, Kee Marcello returns with his latest release, 'Scaling Up' in my opinion his best album to date. Backing him up on this amazing release are, Ken Sandin on bass and Darby Todd on drums. Along with special guests, Mattias Eklundh , guitar on “Good Men Gone Bad” and Michele Luppi – keyboards on “Wild Child”. The sound of the album is very much in a classic rock with a modern vibe with lots of excellent guitar work and solid vocals from Marcello. The sound is huge and is produced quite well. Highlights include the rocking opener "Black Hole Star", the brilliant groove of "On The Radio" that cracks into a massive chorus hook, the Def Leppard-ish vibe of, "Don't Miss You Much". Other highlights include, the haunting, "Finger On The Trigger", "Soldier Down" and the powerful, "Don't Know How To Love No More". I've always been a huge fan of Kee Marcello's work and 'Scaling Up' is definitely one of his best and doesn't disappoint. It's the complete package from vocals to musicianship, every song has enough hooks and punch to sooth every palate in the rock world. The bottom line here is that with 'Scaling Up' Kee Marcello has put out a high quality rock album that is recommended to all fans of this style of music and will certainly rank as one of the best melodic rock albums this year. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
2016 has been a great year for rock music, so far. Here is a list of our favorite releases @ The Dedicated Rocker Society in no particular order.
PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS by Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons
(Motörhead Music)
TYGERS OF PAN TANG by Tygers Of Pan Tang
(Target Music)
WATERDEVILS by Apollo
(Escape Music)
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT by Imperial State Electric
(Psychout Recordings)
SABBATH HIGHWAY by The Watchers
(Ripple Music)
RES 9 by RIK EMMETT & RESOLUTION 9
(Mascot Records)
SILHOUETTE by White Widdows
(AOR Heaven)
HARD WIRED TO SELF DESTRUCT by Metallica
(Rhino/Blackened Recordings)
CLOWN'S LOUNGE by Enuff Znuff
(Frontier Records)
ROCK THE CRADLE by Dario Mollo's Crossbones
(Frontier Records)
ROCK WILL NEVER DIE by Marching Out
(Independent Release)
DYSFUNCTIONAL ORDER by Ken Snyder
(Independent Release)
GO ASK THE MOON! by Angels Or Kings
(AOR Heaven)
II by Wonderworld
(Independent Release)
THE BLACKENED HEART by Enbound
(Inner Wound Recordings)
21st CENTURY BLUES by Van Wilks
(Texas ’51 Records)
BLUE PEARL UNION by Freerock Saints
(Grooveyard Records)
THE SEVENTH CYCLE OF ETERNITY by Blindstone
(Grooveyard Records)
WELCOME TO MOJO LAND by Super Vintage
(Grooveyard Records)
THE WARRIORS BEFORE ME by Brett Ellis
(Grooveyard Records)
SOLAS by The Answer
(Napalm Records)
NO REGRETS by Marenna
(Independent Release)
RESONATE by Glenn Hughes
(Frontier Records)
SWAMP REBEL MACHINE by Scattered Hamlet
(Buck Moon Productions)
THE DEVIL RIDES OUT by Herman Frank
(AFM Records)
CONTAGIOUS by Overland
(Escape Music)
GRIT by Psycho Kiss
(Independent Release)
END GAME by Naked
(Escape Music)
THE PRELUDE IMPLICIT by Kansas
(Inside Out Music)
SHAKE THE TREE by The Brew
(Jazzhaus Records)
NOVA by RavenEye
(Frontier Records)
REACH by Tyketto
(Frontier Records)
HUMAN NATURE by Hardline
(Frontier Records)
SCALING UP by Kee Marcello
(Frontier Records)
RESURRECTION KINGS
by Resurrection Kings
(Frontier Records)
PROMISED LAND by Smokey Fingers
(Tanzan Music)
MATTER OF FAITH by Soul Seller
(Tanzan Music)
NORDIC UNION by Nordic Union
(Frontier Records)
LUGNET by Lugnet
(Pride & Joy Music)
HITNRUN by HitNRun
(Lion's Pride Music)
LONG WAY TO THE LIGHT by Robert Pehrsson's Humbucker
(High Roller Records)
INFINITY by Marys Creek
(Escape Music)
SALVATION ROAD by Super Vintage
(Grooveyard Records)
WHITE BEAR
by The Temperance Movement
(Earache Records)
INGLORIOUS by Inglorious
(Frontier Records)
SACRED BLOOD "DIVINE" LIES
by Magnum
(Steamhammer / SPV)
HEAVY CROWN by Last In Line
(Frontier Records)
SITTIN' HEAVY by Monster Truck
(Dine Alone Records)
BEYOND THE SUN by Sons Of Icarus
(Sons of Icarus Recordings)
SUNRISE TO SUNDOWN
by Spiritual Beggars
(Century Media)
BACK TO ZERO by Ragdoll
(Independent Release)
DIVAK by Soto
(Ear Music)
TRAMP by The Tracy G. Group
(Spooky G Music)
SANTANA IV by Santana
(Santana IV Records)
FED TO THE LIONS by Tax The Heat
(Nuclear Blast
THE DEFIANTS by The Defiants
(Frontier Records)
GHOST OF GRACELAND by Treat
(Frontier Records)
LAW AND ORDER by Ulysses
(Black Glove Recording)
SOULBURST by Dust
(Attitude Recording)
INTROVERTIGO by Dan Patlansky
(Caroline International P&D)
DEAD MAN'S VOICE by The New Roses
(Napalm Records)
SECOND SUN by Buffalo Summer
(UDR Music)
THE MACHINE, THE DEVIL & THE DOPE by The Stonewall Noise Orchestra
(Steamhammer Music)
VALLES MARINERIS
by Palace Of The King
(Listenable Records)
THE OUTER REACH by Albany Down
(AD Recordings Ltd)
REUNION by Whitford St. Holmes
(Mailboat Records)
HEAVY ROCK RADIO by Jorn
(Frontier Records)
ONE STEP OVER THE LINE
by First Signal
(Frontier Records)
HOLLOW BONES by Rival Sons
(Earache Records)
ACID ROULETTE by Scorpion Child
(Nuclear Blast Records)
INTO THE BLUE Adrian Galysh
(Independent Release)
SACRED GROUND by Dare
(Legend Records)
ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS
by Shotgun Revolution
(Target Records)
SOUTHERN NATIVE by Blackfoot
(Loud & Proud Records)
JOURNEY TO THE STARS
by Blindside Blues Band
(Grooveyard Records)
CEREMONIAL THUNDER
by Snake Head Ritual
(Grooveyard Records)
TEN TON MOJO by Ten Ton Mojo
(Indpendent Release)
EXPEDITION DELTA II by Srdjan Brankovic
(Perris Records)
THE DAY THE EARTH STOPPED TURNING by Carsten Lizard Schulz Syndicate
(Power Prog)
NOTHING HAPPENS OVERNIGHT by Rebel Machine
(Independent Release)
PROMISE by Jace Pawlak
(Kivel Records)
LAST TIGER by Change Of Heart
(Escape Music)
MAKE SOME NOISE by The Dead Daisies
(SPV Records)
AGAINST THE GRAIN by Iron Bridge Band
(Messej Media and Publishing)
BLACK WATER by Cattarse
(Independent Release)
NO B by Jane Lee Hooker
(Ruf Records)
POLYMORPHIC TRAGEDY by O' Reagan
(Z Records)
THREE DAYS TO COME BACK by Handful Of Rain
(Independent Release)
BULLETPROOF by Tango Down
(Kivel Records)
MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE by Palace
(Frontier Records)
CRY OF DAWN Feat. Goran Edman by Cry of Dawn
(Frontier Records)
ONE FOR THE ROAD by King Company
(Frontier Records)
CRUZH by Cruzh
(Frontier Records)
BIG RED by Maverick
(Metropolis Records)
UNBREAKABLE by Split Nixon
(Independent Release)
SHUT IT DOWN by Killit
(Killit Music)
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
SHUT IT DOWN by Killit
(Killit Music)
UK based rockers Killit break onto the music scene with their powerful debut release, 'Shut It Down'. Gaz Twist (vocals), Niro Knox (guitar),Byron Marr (guitar), Geos Letona (bass) and. Pete Jean (drums). Their debut was self produced and mixed by Phil Kinnam (Tank, New Device, In Search Of The Sun) and mastered by Ade Emsley of Table Of Tone Mastering (Iron Maiden, Uberkill). Although Killit may be new on the scene and nothing substitutes for experience, this band is truly amazing, as is this album. 'Shut It Down' brings back the old kick-ass style of hard d rock from the 80's. The album kicks off with a bang with the title track that just goes for the throat. The next two tracks, "Save My Name" and "Calm Before The Storm", keeps the pace at a rocking pace. Other highlights, "Take The Power", "I Ain't Playing Your Game" and the laid back swagger of "Draw The Line" are sure satisfy your rock and roll sweet tooth. These lads have all the components for a great rock and roll band...as does this album. I mean, if you like Skid Row, Wildside, any good classic hard rock, this band is a calling for you. Killit are the complete rock package. Overall, 'Shut It Down' is a really powerful, in your face, straight-forward, good-time rock album that has a classic rock feel, with a slightly updated edge. I hope that these guys stay stick around for a while and give us more of their great music, but also that they are an influence on the music industry in general so that we see more great bands like them in the future.
- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
UNBREAKABLE by Split Nixon
(Independent Release)
Kentucky based rockers Spilt Nixon are back with their latest release, 'Unbreakable' an impressive rock album full of powerful, but very catchy rock songs with southern accents. Split Nixon is comprised of, Jason Mays on vocals and guitar, Bill Dean on lead guitar, Jamie Hall on bass and Scotty Ross on drums. Melody and power are not always something that are captured together on rock albums but Split Nixon have managed it on this to great effect. Each song has its own sound and the pace keeps up with the powerful and energetic sound and theres the voice too match it. You are launched into this wonderful world with the rocking opening title track and the album just does not let up, delivering one rocking song after another. In the form of, "Truckin'", "Backseat Friday Night", "Hotrod Covergirl", "Suffer" and "Dead Inside".'Unbreakable", overall, is a solid listen. It's a good album to take with you on a long drive, as just about every song has something memorable going for it. Split Nixon definitely deserve the recognition that lesser groups have gained, as they seem quite accomplished in both musicianship and songwriting. It's hard these days to find good rock that is real, and that you can jam to. This album shows that bands are very much alive in the rock music genre, including Split Nixon. The combination of pace, power and enjoyment in a studio album is rare - extremely impressive!!
- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
BIG RED by Maverick
(Metropolis Records)
When Irish rockers Maverick released their debut 'Quid Pro Quo' two years ago, I thought the band put out one strong album. So, When their sophomore effort, 'Big Red' came onto my radar, I was eager to see if they debut effort was just flash in the pan or did the lads come through and put out another powerhouse album? For me, it's the latter, No question. The band is comprised of, David Balfour (vocals), Ryan Balfour (guitar), Terry McHugh (guitar), Richie Diver (bass) and Mike Ross (drums). This band rocks, plain and simple! All the obvious influences are present - the Crüe, Skid Row, AC-DC - but with a fresh modern twist. They're the band that tears down the local club with balls to the wall songs about drinking and debauchery. Song titles like "All For One", "Free" and "Mademoiselle" and "Forever" tell you exactly what to expect from this powder keg of an album. Other tracks guaranteed to get your rocks off are, "Whiskey Lover", "Beyond The Gates" and the lead off single, "Asylum" featuring, Jakob Samuel, lead singer of THE POODLES and the former ALICE COOPER guitarist Kane Roberts. The whole album is just killer. Musically, the band is tight. Dishing out one rocker after another that is in your face with plenty of melodies and hooks to have you shamelessly nodding your head to. The vocals of David Balfour are solid, it's the old story of the difference between a great singer and a great frontman. On the evidence of this release he is probably in the latter category. You wouldn't know it from the inane stuff that gets played on mainstream rock radio, but this is a great time to be a rock n' roll fan. Not a lot of good hard rock comes out nowadays, so you have to appreciate it when you find it. Maverick do it right and with, 'Big Red' , and their debut outing, 'Quid Pro Quo' Maverick should be set for the coming decade. Cheer guy! Great job!
- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
CRUZH by Cruzh
(Frontier Records)
Forged from the ashes of the Swedish glam band Trash Queen comes CRUZH, the melodic rock trio set on putting their on stamp on the music world. The trio is comprised of, Dennis Butabi Borg (bass), Anton Joensson (guitar, backing vocals)and Tony Andersson (vocals, keyboards). I consider the band's self titled debut somewhat of a similar effort of others within the melodic rock genre, bands like Stage Dolls, Alien and Strangeways come to mind. The production on the album, and the songwriting is top of the line as expected from any Swedish band. That being said, this is still a very enjoyable listen. "In N' Out Of Love" is a great melodic mid-tempo mover, as are, "Cruzh", "Aim For The Head" and "Stay". In the rock ballad department, the trio deliver the goods with the Survivor-ish "Anything For You" and "Stay". Other tracks are also very enjoyable. "Survive" has a big sound. "Set Me Free" and "Before I Walk Alone" are a nice shot of melodic rock adrenaline. Overall, Cruzh's debut is a strong album chalk block full of solid songs that is definitely going to make a lot of melodic rock fans happy. If your tastes run towards bands like, Stage Dolls, Survivor, Alien and melodic rock in general, you’ll want to check out what Cruzh bring to the table.
- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
