CD REVIEW: RADIO SILENCE by Roxanne

RADIO SILENCE by Roxanne
(Rat Pak Records)

Okay, so we had to wait thirty years for a follow up to their debut. L.A. based rockers, Roxanne return with their long awaited sophomore album, 'Radio Silence' and I'm hear to say it was well worth the wait! Comprised of, Jamie Brown on vocals and guitars, John Butler on guitar,  Joe Infante on bass and  David Landry on drums. The band serve up 11 tracks of supercharged classic rock influenced music and like so many from the great artists like Led Zeppelin,  Aerosmith, Thin Lizzy and Queen, to name a few, is meant to be enjoyed from start to finish, in one sitting, with no distractions, and PLAYED LOUD! The album also features cameo appearances by George Lynch, King’s X frontman dUg Pinnick and Korn drummer Ray Luzier.  This album is excellent from start to finish. Personal favorites are, "Someone To Kill", "Girls Alright", "Thin Blue Line", "Man In The Moon", "Go Fuck Yourself" and "First Mistake". The songs are well written and the songs get in your head almost immediately. As soon as you finish your first pass through this one, you'll be ready for round 2. There are very, very few albums now a days that I listen to front to back that are worth listening to front to back, this is definitely one of them. Hands down on the best rock albums I've listened to this year. - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: THE HOWLING TIDES by The Howling Tides

THE HOWLING TIDES by The Howling Tides
(Independent Release)

The self titled five song Ep from four-piece Rock band from Staffordshire in the UK known as The Howling Tides is a rowdy package of hard driving riffs, screeching breaks combined with powerhouse vocals making for one hell of a listening experience. The band is comprised of Rob Baynes on vocals and guitar, Hayden Kirk on guitar and vocals, Luke Lawley on bass and vocals and Steven 'Herbie' Herbert on drums.  Hats off to producer Aynsley Lister (one of my personal favorite guitar players) who's bluesy influence has definitely has rubbed off on the band's overall vibe. A vibe that has a addictive classic rock sound that is tight as a drum , while their sound may bring to mind the likes of Led Zeppelin or Aerosmith in their prime, make no mistake The Howling Tides bring their own flavor to the table and it tastes oh so good! From the opening shot of adrenaline filled, "Cheap Painkiller" to closing riff laced swagger of "Running Blind, this Ep has no duds, hell the only thing that disappoints is its only five songs.  Simply one the best bands to come out this year. Just four guys putting out outstanding music that is raw, not over produced, and flat out ROCKS! - Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: LOVE EQUALS WAR by Care Of Night

LOVE EQUALS WAR by Care Of Night
(AOR Heaven)

Whew! I am so glad that Swedish based melodic band, Care Of Night have returned with their sophomore release, 'Love Equals War', another superb example of high quality melodic rock music. Paying homage to bands like Journey, Giant and Toto while making their own mark and taking their rightful place as one the premiere melodic rock bands of our time. Comprised of, Calle Schönberg on vocals, Kristofer von Wachenfeldt on keyboards, Vocals, Viktor Öström Berg on guitars and bass and Linus Svensson on drums. Their songs are simply amazing combining elements such as smooth and memorable vocal melodies, great guitar solos and killer production. The whole album is very strong but some highlights include the cracking opening track, "Your Perfection", the majestic grace of, "She Leads You On", "Hit", the hook laden chorus of "Please Don't Leave" and the brilliant guitar riffs and memorable chorus of "We'll Find A Way". Care Of Night is one of the rare bands that you can throw on the earbuds, shut the lights out & just get lost in the music. Overall, 'Love Equals War' is essential listening for anyone that loved their debut, 'Connected' and is highly recommended to fans of intense melodic rock.- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: DESCENDING RABBIT HOLES by Side Effects

DESCENDING RABBIT HOLES by Side Effects
(Rockshots Records)

Every once in awhile a album comes across my desk that stops me dead in my tracks and makes me listen. 'Descending Rabbit Holes', the latest and fourth studio release by the  Croatian based power rock trio Side Effects is one such recording. What an amazing listening experience once you press play.  Side Effects are composed of Ivan Mihaljevic on guitar and vocals, Alen Frljak on drums and Marko Karacic Karo on bass. All three of these guys are monster musicians. Serving up a complex blend of musical adrenaline loaded with solid vocals, and instrumental prowess. As is evident on tracks like, "Don't Contradict The Facts", the lead off single, "In The Shadows Of A Crumbled Fort", "Diversion", "The Siren Song" and the album closing "Recoil". This album isn't one-dimensional, and the hard-driving rock and over-the-top musicianship have plenty of inspiring melodies and interesting interludes and harmonies. It's unique, fresh, and fantastic. It's
definitely not only for die-hard riff-junkies and thrill seekers; it is accessible and will undoubtedly be enjoyed by a wide range of rock music aficionados. Overall, you have a album that  is well thought out with change up's, crushing monster grooves that have ton's of texture & melodic chorus lines & very original music. The more I listen to this album the more I love and appreciate it. Very well done.- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: DESTINY by Super Vintage

DESTINY by Super Vintage
(Grooveyard Records)

The Blues based rock and roll machine known as Super Vintage are back with their fourth studio release, 'Destiny', in my opinion their strongest effort to date. There is energy and diversity throughout. Comprised of, Stavros Papadopoulos on vocals and guitars, Panagiotis Zabourlis on guitars, Jim Moralis on bass and Chris Lagios on drums. Just like this band has done on their previous outings, the riffs are served up fast and furious. From the opening chords of “Rock N' Roll Saviors". Other highlights include,  "Brotherhood Of The Blues ,"Streets Of This Town", "Everything You Wanted" and "The Road", the song writing has matured and the musicianship is top notch. All told, if you like no-nonsense blues based hard rock with both conviction and diversity, you can't go wrong with this album. If you are new to Super Vintage and need a place to start, there's no better time to try 'em out. This latest offering showcases everything that makes them great and why I've been a fan since day one. Talent and the essence of the music is what really counts in the end, too sad you seldom find it nowadays, except for a few exception, like Super Vintage.- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: HOLDING ON TO NOTHING by Broken Testimony

HOLDING ON TO NOTHING by Broken Testimony
(Thermal Entertainment)

South Carolina based rock quartet, Broken Testimony burst onto the scene with their strong debut outing, 'Holding On To Nothing', a energizing listening experience with melodic sung vocals, powerful screams and addicting choruses, killer, energetic, hard-hitting riffs, driving, thumping bass lines and solid, powerful and thunderous drumming throughout. Comprised of, Judge Page on guitar and vocals, Nic Delvaux on guitar, Justin King on and drummer, Bryce Chism. I have to say after a couple of listens,  these guys are no question one of the better mainstream hard rock/alternative metal bands that I've had the pleasure of listening to and one of the better modern hard rock bands on the scene today. A musical vibe that at times, for me, borrows from such band like, Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin and Tool. The songwriting and the musicianship are on point and the production is rock solid. As is evident on album highlights like, "Control", "One Day""Fade Away" and  "Medusa", the lyrics are just excellent and full of meaning. They're full of emotions that fans of rock are used to dealing with such as anger, rage, loss, distrust, and disappointment, and these guys definitely do a great job at making these subjects feel and sound fresh. Overall, 'Holding On To Nothing' rocks, the songs distinguish themselves more from each other, making it grow on you and I enjoyed listening to it repeatedly. Kudos to the band for a job well done!- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: SOMETIMES THE WORLD AIN'T ENOUGH by The Night Flight Orchestra

SOMETIMES THE WORLD AIN'T ENOUGH by The Night Flight Orchestra
(Nuclear Blast)

The Swedish rock and roll machine known as The Night Flight Orchestra are back with their highly anticipated fourth studio release, 'Sometimes The World Ain't Enough'. Picking up where their previous outing, 'Amber Galactic', left off, the band serve up a album that is loaded with songs that are melodic yet have a classic rock vibe. Think Alan Parsons Project, Manfred Mann, Barclays Harvest etc....and you get the idea. One thing is for certain, they are addicting. It still blows my mind this band consists of members of various Swedish melodic death metal bands such as Soilwork and Arch Enemy. Just like on their previous outings, this one is dripping with classic rock influences, from the stellar guitar melodies courtesy of by David Andersson to the catchy keyboard accompaniments to the fantastic and solid vocals by Speed. The album offers up 13 tracks, highlighted by the adrenaline pumping, "This Time", the lead off single, "Paralyzed", "Moments Of Thunder", that should be the next single for radio play. "Speedwagon", "Can't Be That Bad" and "Winged and Serpentine". The bottom line, 'Sometimes the World Ain't Enough' is an instant classic. Cannot recommend The Night Flight Orchestra enough and this latest release is definitely be one of my favorite music release of this year.- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society