Reviews

CALATHEA.. 'HOTEL LONELINESS'

(Self Release) Reviewed 6th November 2009

I must admit I belong to the Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) anti iPod club. I like to sit down with a cup of tea, the booklet on my lap, and listen to a CD on a decent system from start to finish. I don’t even own a MP3 player, and the band had to kindly send me a CD. However for the iPod savvy, this must be the bargain of the century, this wonderful up-tempo ultra melodic gothic rock album is available for free download from their website http://www.calathea.cz/. The delectable Marketa has a superb pure, emotive, powerful voice, and the properly rhyming lyrics are excellent. It starts with the piano driven ‘Over Real Days’, ‘Don’t’ has a haunting intro before building to a powerful chorus, ‘House of Glass’ gallops along like Amy Macdonald, and ‘Morning Star’ has a delicate acoustic guitar intro before turning into a rocker. ‘Pictures’ is heavier and riffier, ‘Sad Lines of Nowhere’ combines moody verses with a chorus that rattles along nicely, ‘Sin Number 7’ is a bit punkier, ‘and ‘One Last Night’ has a charming piano intro and super catchy chorus. The last two numbers are the wonderfully named ‘Chocolate, Blood and Tears’, which is an infectious rocker, and the lovely ballad ‘Wish I Could Fly’. This is a most enjoyable listening experience, so press that download button, give yourselves a treat, and buy a T shirt to support this highly promising young band from the Czech Republic. 9/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

CARDAMON..'THE PRIMROSE PATH'

(Femme Metal Records) Reviewed 19th August 2009

The debut full length album from Dutch rockers Cardamon 'The Primrose Path' has been recorded, mixed and mastered at Excess studios, Rotterdam. And although I reviewed this little opus back in August 2008, this has now picked up a release on Femme Metal Records here in the UK. And with an added bonus track too. As I said in my previous review, the album is chock full of awesome songs, with beautiful melodies, heavy riffs and powerful drumming, coupled with the enchanting and powerful voice of vocalist Floortje. I would put the music here into the alternative rock and metal genre, the songs grow on you and will not let go! And I like the additional track, an accoustic/electric offering - 'Bliss of Loneliness'. I said in last year's review that record labels had better start forming an organised queue here. Well they did and well done to Femme Metal Records for picking up on this. Lovely stuff!! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

CELL DIVISION..'CHYMEIA'

(Thunderdome Records) Reviewed 5th August 2008

Cell Division are from Swizerland. There are not too many female fronted bands coming out of Switzerland. I am a lover of Swiss band Gotthard, and the vocals of Steve Lee are awesome. But Gotthard is not female fronted. Unless Steve knows something that he isn't telling me. Seriously, Cell Division on this, their latest album dish up a guitar-dominated sound, with the music that stays and floats around in your head for ages. All this topped off with outstanding female vocals courtesy of Gelgia C. Listen to 'White Pain', the Siouxsie and the Banshees sounding 'Waste Land' (interesting lyrics), 'Dirge For The Doomed' and 'Shut Up' for confirmation of all this. I quite like the track 'Shut Up'..the lyrics "Shut up, shut up, shut up right now". A great catchy track! This album is worth checking out and it can be purchased from cdbaby.com. A good effort.. 7.5/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

CHAPTER II FEATURING NATALIE CHANDRA..'ANGELFACE'

(Self Release) Reviewed 25th November 2009

Don’t panic, this is not a hip hop act, but a new rock band from Switzerland, Natalie Chandra is also an artiste in her own right. Founders guitarist James Ender and drummer Fred Wiederkehr met in a rock covers band called ‘Time Bandits’, and the music they produce is a big melting pot of classic rock, bits of Purple, Metallica, Queen, G&R, Lizzy, The Runaways, Lacuna, Nightwish, Paramore, Banshees, and goodness knows what else, all brought bang up to date. The songs career along like a runaway train, and are catchier than the bout of flu I’ve just had, but a damn site more fun. If this doesn’t get you dancing, then check your pulse. They also put lots of fun and interesting bits in the songs, folk singing, new age, bagpipes, guitar solos, electronica, orchestra, all sorts, which really bring a smile to your face, there’s always a surprise around the corner. There’s also plenty of variety, the hip beat of ‘Scorned’ , the strut of ‘Stupefy Myself’, and the Purplish boogie of ‘Synchronicity’ complete with a rollicking ‘Jon Lord’ organ solo. Two songs really stand out, the truly epic symphonic stomping metal of ‘Sukhmet’s Summoning’, and the jaw dropping final cut, ‘Slumber With the Bogeyman’ which I am struggling to describe, I’ll have a bash at symphonic, hip hop, rock, metal. In Natalie they have a major talent, she could sing the telephone directory and make it sound good. Her passion, power, lyrics and sheer presence leap out of the speakers, forget the X Factor, this lady has it by the bucket load. This is a truly outstanding debut, available at CD Baby (just search for Angelface), and well worthy of 9.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

CINEMUERTE..'AURORA CORE'

(Raging Planet Records) Reviewed 20th July 2009

What a little gem we have here. CineMuerte (formed in 2002) is a band based in Lisbon, and I would say that this act is one of the most promising hard rock acts on the Portugese Rock/Metal Scene. This is backed up by the fact that they have opened for HIM and My Chemical Romance amongst others. 'Aurora Core' is the follow up to their 2006 album 'Born from Ashes', and I must say now that 'Aurora Core' is a totally awesome release, with mixing and mastering by Waldemar Sorychta (Lacuna Coil, The Gathering, Moonspell etc). The music is totally riveting throughout. Getting underway with 'A Tapper Light', the band then up the ante with 'Up For A Fight', a hideously catchy tune that I am sure sounds awesome live, and showcases the excellent vocals of Sophia Vieira. No operatics here, just plain good old female fronted melodic hard rock, that has been brought dragging and screaming into the 21st century. 'Air' keeps up the thundering pace, while the excellent 'I Am A Fool But I Love You' (great title) carries on the high standard of musicianship. Highlights are a plenty on this record, to numerous to mention, but I would go as far as to say that every track here is a thundering winner. There is even a cool track called 'Dave', while final track 'The Call' I just love - great vocals too! On that note...This is a good un so BUY, BUY, BUY!!! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

KELLY CLARKSON..'MY DECEMBER'

(RCA) Reviewed 26th June 2007

Kelly Clarkson has done what Avril Lavigne failed to do with her latest effort. And that is go forward. Whereas our Avril decided to take a backwards step (in my opinion anyway) with 'The Best Damn Thing', Kelly has taken a giant stride foreward, and has turned it up a notch too. Ok, Kelly Clarkson's latest effort may not appeal to the metalheads amongst you, but anybody who is into female fronted modern rock, or the rockier end of the pop spectrum, should check 'My December' out. Mixed by Andy Wallace, with Ms Clarkson involved in the songwriting process throughout, the album is chock full of catchy little numbers that swim around in your head for ages afterwards. And when it comes to ballads, does this girl pull it off. Check out 'Sober' for confirmation of that! And what a voice. Kelly Clarkson is not selling out, she has not gone pop or R&B, she rocks, and when she does slow it down, it is a real pleasure! A certain supermarket chain in the UK has this cd for £7. At this price, it cannot be ignored. So you know what to do...BUY IT!! 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

CLANDESTINE..'THE INVALID'

(Self Release) Reviewed 25th October 2009

The debut album by this Los Angeles progressive metal band has been mixed by Sylvia Massy, famous for her production work with such luminaries as Tool, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Belladonna. The lovely June was born in South Korea, but moved to the USA to further her musical career. The songs alternate between thunderous, technical riffage, and mellower synth passages. Silent Sin, Pretend and Phantom Pain start out more chilled before growing in power, giving the album a nice balance. The last song is outstanding, the funky, syncopated Comatose. The musicianship is superb, thankfully the noodling is limited, the powerful vocals of June given priority. The drumming by Sammy J Watson (ex Apex Theory) is sensational; the guy must need an oxygen tent at the end of a gig. This is a challenging and highly absorbing listen, perfect for fans of Dream Theatre and Tool, but with a melodic sensibility that will appeal to a wide range of metal fans. Available from www.myspace.com/clandestineband 9/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

CORNERSTONE..'HEAD OVER HEELS'

(Atom Records) Reviewed 31st October 2008

Cornerstone hail from Austria, and 'Head Over Heels' is basically a re issue of 'Whatever', that was released by Renaissance Records in the early part of the summer. And if you already own 'Whatever', there is very little to tempt you to part with your hard earnt cash, in buying this! Apart from the album title, that is obviously different, the track listing is basically the same as the debut, although 'Breathing For You' from the first cd has been left of this release, while there are two extra radio edits included instead. It seems there has been issues with Renaissance Records that Cornserstone had/have which I know about, but I will not go into here. But like I said when I reviewed the Renaissance Release, this record serves up a good dose of pop/rock, which I find quite catchy and addictive. Some good tracks here, and I feel that given the right backing, that it seems their new label are doing, Cornerstone may well be going places. Check it out and buy it! 7.5/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

CORONATUS..'LUX NOCTIS'

(Massacre Records) Reviewed 6th November 2007

Female fronted metal, but the lucky lads in this band have not one, but two female lasses fronting the band (Carmen R Schafer and Ada Flechtner). And if that isn't enough, they sing in three languages too - English, German and Latin. This offering is similar to Nightwish, Epica and even After Forever, with the two girls offering us a mix of operatic and pop/gothic vocals. 'Lux Noctis' is a fine melodic and at times bombastic release, and it is mixed at Finnvox studios too. And at the moment, it seems that everything coming from Finnvox, seems to be able to hit the spot one way or another! My particular faves on this cd are 'Hot and Cold' and 'Volles Leben'. This is a strong release, and being on one of the bigger indie metal labels, should be fairly easy to pick up. 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

CORONATUS..'PORTA OBSCURA'

(Massacre Records) Reviewed 11th November 2008

Here is a good un for fans of the old Nightwish, and with two female vocalists to boot. Can't be bad eh, and it aint!! This is the somophore release from Germany's Coronatus (which in Latin means Crowned). Following a similar pattern to their debut 2007 release (Lux Noctis), 'Porta Obscura' is what I would class as a good dose of catchy symphonic power metal metal, and as I say, this is one for fans of Tarja era Nightwish if nothing else. Carmen R. Schafer gives us the operatics, while co vocalist Ada Flechtner gives us a less operatic feel to proceedings - more melodic rock I would say. Like they did with their debut, the band use three languages, German, Latin and English, so you get variety for your money too. Favourite tracks to my ears are 'Fallen', the catchy 'In Silence', the equally catcy 'Cast My Spell', 'Mein Herz' and 'Strahlendster Erster'. The cd gets released on November 28th here in Europe, so check it out. This is an enjoyable record with good all round musicianship and production! 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

CORONATUS..'FABULA MAGNA'

(Massacre Records) Reviewed 17th December 2009

German band Coronatus seem to be moving along in leaps and bounds, and now provide us with their 3rd release of dual female fronted Gothic Metal, only a little over 12 months after their past release 'Porta Obscura'. Lisa Lasch, 19 years young, is now in the fold having replaced Ada Flechtner, and she now forms the singing partership beside the operatic Carmen R. Lorch (formerly Schäfer). Like their past two releases, 'Fabula Magna' moves along at a steady pace, speeding things up on occasion, and this should not disappoint fans of the genre. Coronatus to me seem a band that plod along, and I suppose you could say that the formula does not vary much from release to release. This is nonetheless, cool, bombastic, catchy Gothic Metal with keys, crunching guitars, and with vocals sung in both English and German (I think). No doubt certain reviewers will slag this off claiming it is yet just another female fronted release. However, good luck to the band with this, their latest. It gets released in Europe tomorrow (18th Dec). 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

CRIMSON TEARS..'THE DARK AWAKENING'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 26th December 2007

There are a few bands scattered around the planet called Crimson Tears. But the one we are talking about is British, being fronted by a very nice lass who goes by the name of Gina Oldham. And what's more, 'The Dark Awakening' is an awesome release of gothic symphonic melodic metal. And it has been produced at Thin Ice studios by Karl Groom and Richard West from the British progressive metal band Threshold (one of my fave bands by the way). And indeed, some of the tracks bear Threshold resemblances..Check out 'Frozen' and 'Emotion Denied' as two such examples. Other faves included in this feast of metal music are 'Eternity', 'Steal My Heart' and 'Strange' . There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this band are carrying the banner for British symphonic metal. If they remain unsigned, then there is certainly no justice in this world! In my book, Crimson Tears will be able to give their European Counterparts a run for their money if given the chance. Buy 'The Dark Awakening', it's great heavy music with rocking heavy hooks! You won't be disappointed! 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

C-ROM..'FLAMES OF KNOWLEDGE'

(Thundering Records) Reviewed 24th February 2010

The deuxieme CD from the French collective, fronted by the floating voice of Christelle, is a real tough one to categorise, they blur the boundaries between industrial, gothic, darkwave, new wave, alt rock, symphonic and metal, with songs based on the Greek legend of Prometheus and Pandora. Try to imagine a Pandora’s Box of Stream of Passion, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, Rage Against The Machine, L'ame Immortelle, Stone Roses, Muse and New Order, while taking Athrodite for a bop around the dance floor. The album is presented in two acts with an overture and finale, rather like a theatrical opera, or the good old days of vinyl (ask your granddad). The curtain rises with the symphonic gothic and Muse overture, ‘Anger of the Gods’, with Christelle in semi-operatic mode. Act 1 opens with the marching and galloping symphonic metal and electronica of ‘Temptation’, ‘Narthex’ is a rap metal dance floor filler, with keys player Francoise’s shouts juxtaposed with Christelle’s soft vocals, ‘Awake’ is a more conventional Lacuna Coil type gothic number, ‘The Forge’ is strutting, stomping metal and industrial (the start reminded me of ‘We Will Rock You!), with Christelle’s whispered voice, and finally ‘Prometheus’ is a gentler darkwave and alt rock tune with an ethereal choir, which then builds and soars. Time for a quick cup of tea in the interval while I turn the record over, and it’s onto Act 2. Off we go again with ‘Pandora’, a disco industrial and metal number with a touch of Stone Roses shoegazing about Christelle’s singing, mixed with Lady Gaga, we then tango into ‘Lord of Cinders’ in a Diablo Swing Orchestra sort of way before it turns symphonic, ‘Choices’ has a blend of metal riffage, darkwave and a hint of New Order, and finally ‘Hope’ is a brief, but lovely, piano and electronica ballad. The finale ‘Mercy of the Gods’ rounds things off with a flourish of symphonic metal before the curtain falls. This is no Greek tragedy, it may seem like an unlikely bunch of bedfellows, but in the hands of C-Rom it becomes most natural thing in the world. Great to listen to, great to dance to, great to headbang to, you can’t say that about many CD’s. Available from their Myspace site www.myspace.com/cromthewindingstar, this is highly recommended for, well, just about anyone and everyone! 9/10 (Reviewed by Phil)