Reviews

HB..'FROZEN INSIDE'

(Bullroser Records) Reviewed 5th August 2010

Like fellow Finns Indica, HB have released several albums in their native language for the domestic market, but only one in English that is intended for international consumption. This is in fact the English language version of their album ‘Enne’, which was very successful in their homeland. They are a proudly Christian band, hence their name and keyboarder Antti Niskala’s spiritual lyrics. Their music, not surprisingly, owes a nod to those other famous Finns, Nightwish, but it leans more towards Lunatica, with a healthy helping of Within Temptation. Johanna Aaltonen has a lovely voice, not too far away from Andrea Dätwyler. Unusually it starts with an a cappella intro before the awesome ‘God Has All Glory’ bursts through the speakers, packed with choir and orchestra. ‘Is It Time’ is a stomping, stirring rocker, the video is on the Female Voices Blog. ‘Be Aware’ has delightful intricate instrumentation, a soaring chorus and a ripping guitar solo by Janne Karhunen. ‘Holy Secret’ is a gorgeous piano power ballad with plaintive cello, followed by the epic and melodic title track ‘Frozen Inside’ that builds in power. More wonderful piano introduces the emotive lighter waving swayer ‘Years Go By’, before they pick it up again with the anthemic ‘Ambition’. ‘Way’ is a gentle song that features just Johanna, Fender Rhodes, choir and strings, with a narrated spoken sermon passage, and the final tune, ‘The Lovesong’, is a rousing hymn. Top quality production, song writing and musicianship make this a perfect buy for all fans of gothic symphonic metal and melodic rock. It is available from a wide range of stockist, a list of some of them is on their Myspace www.myspace.com/hbmetal, a highly recommended 9/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

HB..'Jesus Metal Explosion' & 'Pääkallonpaikka'

(Data Universum) Reviewed 7th December 2010

Here we have two brand new additions to the HB canon, their second English language album The Jesus Metal Explosion, this time a version of their 2008 Finnish release Piikki Lihassa, and their new CD in Finnish called Pääkallonpaikka (please don't ask me to pronounce it!), which translates as Golgotha (or Calvary) in English. They will always be compared to their fellow countrymen Nightwish, however you have to add some Lunatica into their sound, especially with Johanna Aaltonen's voice. These releases are again premier league symphonic metal superbly produced with choir, orchestra and a suitably massive sound. Although they are a devoutly Christian band (HB doesn't refer to a pencil!) they are surprisingly little known outside Christian rock circles, it is OK for Therion to be equally proudly pagan, so there should be no boundaries. The devil doesn't have all the good music, and I'd much prefer a band to sing about something they believe in rather than a load of banal nonsense. Turning to the English album first, their fusillade includes seven dynamite symphonic pop metal missiles, prime example being the opening shot and title track 'The Jesus Metal Explosion' (video on Female Voices Blog). Interspersed between the volleys are a trio of gentler piano ballads bringing calm between the bombast. The first half of Pääkallonpaikka is also packed with monster tracks with the groovy Perkeleitä adding some fat synths. The melody of 'La Finlande de mon Coeur' sounds very much like that of Ultravox's 'Hymn', I hope Midge Ure doesn't hear it or the legal eagles could be on the case. The second half then alternates between top quality gentler and heavier numbers. HB are one of the few bands equipped to fill the vacuum left when Nightwish have some downtime. Shoot off to their emplacement at http://www.hbmusic.net/ for more bombshells, an explosive score for both albums of 9/10 (reviewed by Phil)

HALESTORM..S/T (Bonus track version)

(Atlantic Records Import) Reviewed 21st April 2010

Halestorm are not a bunch of Scottish Pirates (cue Alestorm from Scotland), but are a band from Pennsylvania fronted by the lovely Lizzy Hale. They so happen to be a breath of fresh air in this current climate, and have hit us not like a hailstorm (!) but more like a galloping tornado. 14 tracks of melodic hard rock to sink your teeth into on this little platter. 'It's Not You' and the seductive and rather sexual 'I Get Off' get this album underway, while third track in, 'Bet U Wish U Had Me Back' is a smash hit if ever I heard one. 'Innocence' is another awesome melodic track with a chorus to die for. In-fact the verse chorus formula is apparent throughout the album, but you will not hear me complaining. 'Familiar Taste of Poison' has a slightly more gothic feel about it, a totally brilliant power ballad, and Lizzy's vocals...wow! 'I'm Not An Angel' is another ballad, with the cd in general offering a mix of slower and more uptempo tracks. There are further faves here including 'Love/Hate Heartbreak' and 'Better Sorry Than Safe', plus three rather excellent bonus tracks too, with not a filler in sight. The album should be easy to pick up being on Atlantic, so what are you waiting for. There is a Halestorm coming! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

HALF PAST FOUR..'RABBIT IN THE VESTIBULE'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 22nd March 2010

Half Past Four hail from Toronto and draw inspiration from King Crimson, Jethro Tull and many other progressive and art-rock bands. Their style is hard to describe and pigeon hole, with experimental arrangement, fusion composition, polyrhythmic structures and atonal melodies not uncommon in their music. To put it simply and to the man (or lady) in the street, I would call this album Jazz/Progressive Rock. This release is very different to the kind of music I would normally listen too, but I will say this, Half Past Four is good. The quirky 'Missing Sevenths' kicks things off, being followed by the awesome and very progressive 'Johnny', that showcases Kyree Vibrant's amazing vocal style. 'Southern Boogie', is almost reggae flavoured, and is one of my fave tracks, offering a great sax solo too. 'Twelve Little Words' sees Kyree belting it out, proving what a good voice she has. The instrumental 'Lullaby' kinda reminds me a little of Pink Floyd at times, and actually is one of the rockier moments on this record. Then we have the cool 'Strangest Dream', while 'Biel', running at over 8 mins almost goes operatic at the start. 'Dwayne' is another quirky one, while overall, an interesting album this certainly is, which ends with my all out favourite, ' Rabbit' - "Kill the Rabbit" sings Kyree! The type of music (with interesting lyrics as well) I would sit down and listen too with a bottle of wine. I have heard that this band is awesome live, but we possibly here in the UK will have to make do with the album for the time being, so check them out at www.www.myspace.com/halfpast4 and part with your hard earned cash. 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

HALF THE WORLD..'THE DEATH DEFYING YEARS'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 4th November 2008

Idaho based Half The World (www.myspace.com/halftheworld ) is a band that I have been familiar with for a while now. How come? In 2003 they released their debut 'Bigger Than You', and they even got themselves a deal with the English melodic rock label Now & Then Records, for the release of that album. I myself even placed a pre order for this cd with Now & Then Records. However, the record label disappeared of the radar and the album was never released. However, I must say that I did get my money back from the label for the album I never had (and to this day have never heard!). Now, what about the music on their second independently release cd, 'The Death Defying Years'. Well this is melodic, hook-filled guitar driven hard modern rock, with amazing female vocals by the beautiful and energetic front-woman, Mary Magill (who hails from Holland). Think Evanescence meets Breaking Benjamin, with enormous chorus hooks and the guitar energy of Helmet, Disturbed and Sevendust - enough said really. Kicking off with 'Heavy Crowns' and moving straight into the catchy title track, it is not rocket science to realise we have one helluva release here. Other fave tracks to my ears are 'Carry The Dreams Away', the melodic 'Picture Perfect', the catchy 'Don't Belong Here' and 'Drag Me Down'. Buy it, play it loud and annoy the neighbours. Great stuff! 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

HAND..'DEADROOM JOURNAL'

(Casket/Copro) Reviewed 13th November 2009

Hand is a Prog Rock/Metal band from the south of England that were on the line up of the Femme Metal Fest on Nov 7th. I even took care of their merchandise stall for a while, and even sold some copies of this album too. 'Deadroom Journal' is a seven track affair that clocks in at almost 40 mins. Fronted by Kat Ward, and although not an all out Prog Rock fan myself, this little offering ain't bad, and I like Kat's vocals - the kinda vocals where the band could not do without her, but she could get along quite well as a solo artist without the band, if you get my meaning. 'Manuscript' kicks things off, cool musicianship throughout here, and I really admire this band. You know why? They embrace a genre that one may associate with musicians twice their age, and yet these youngsters in their early 20's play the type of music they obviously strongly believe in, and pull it off superbly well too. Fair play to them. Further highlights on this record are 'Clannad Mass', 'Birth' and 'Resonia'. This is a welcoming change to the type of music I normally listen too. Check them out at www.myspace.com/handgothicband. Great stuff guys and gal!! 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

HANGING DOLL..'WHAT LIES IN TRUTH'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 21st January 2008

I have known about West Midlands based Hanging Doll for a while now, and The Dames of Darkness Festival gave me an opportunity not only to catch the band live (they was awesome on that night too), but to pick up a cd of theirs. 'What Lies In Truth' is the three track EP which found it's way into my grubby paws that night. And it seems I may have taken the last copy from their merchandise stall. For an independent effort, I like it, and it proves that there is a feast of talent here in the UK, if only the labels would sit up and take notice. As their name may suggest, Hanging Doll, fronted by the gorgeous sounding Sally Holliday, play gothic metal not too disimilar to the sort of music that our European counterparts produce on a quite regular basis. And I am sure they are another UK band (like Crimson Tears), who could give some of those bands a decent run for their money aswell. This is pretty good stuff, with the three tracks offered here being classics worthy of ones attention! I would recommend to anybody into this genre to track this EP down (try their myspace site http://www.myspace.com/hangingdoll) and I look forward to a full length album that's due soon. 7.5/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

HANGING DOLL..'REASON & MADNESS'

(Once Bitten Music) Reviewed 12th October 2008

Hanging Doll (www.myspace.com/hangingdoll) fronted by Sally Holliday are from Birmingham here in the UK, 35 minutes drive from Ravenheart Towers. We have here a classic example of a very good English band producing the kind of music that the European labels would normally sign without hesitation. 'Reason & Madness' comprises 10 tracks of intense gothic metal spanning nearly an hour in time. Fave tracks include the up beat 'Hope Springs Eternal', 'Sweet Retribution', 'A Formidable Mistake' and 'Iniquity', the latter reminding me a little of early Within Temptation. However, overall, this record is a very fine effort. Anybody from the UK when reading this review, go buy this cd and support British Gothic Metal, and anybody else reading this - go buy anyway. Lovely stuff guv'nor! 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

LAUREN HARRIS..'CALM BEFORE THE STORM'

(Demolition Records) Reviewed 17th August 2008

For anybody that has been living in a cave and cut off from all kinds of civilisation for the past few months, Lauren Harris is the 24 year old daughter of Iron Maiden's Steve Harris. And Lauren has been quite busy supporting her Dad's band, Thunder and Within Temptation amongst others. However, if you are expecting Iron Maiden or Within Temptation style of music on this record, forget it! With 'Calm Before The Storm', it is obvious Lauren prefers British rockers Thunder. This is a cool melodic rock album nonetheless, kicking off with the awesome rocker 'Steal Your Fire'. Scottish Melodic Rockers Gun had a hit with this a while ago now (1992 I think), and Lauren does a decent job covering this song. Further highlights on this album are the very catchy 'Get Over It', 'From The Bottom To The Top', 'Hurry Up' and 'Hit Or Miss'. If I had a minor gripe however, it is the American accent that Lauren seems to sing with on this album. I find this a little annoying, she is English for goodness sake. For that I am afraid I will deduct a point (I sound like Simon Cowell). I am a hard person :), but apart from that little gripe, the album is a good commercial effort. 7/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

HEAVENLUST..'GATE OF ENDLESS DREAMS'

(Self Release) Reviewed 2nd December 2009

HeavenLust are a band that is not afraid to call themselves Italy’s answer to Within Temptation. There are however differences, in particular the dual female and male (clean) vocals from the bello Alessandro and keyboardist and chief composer, Alessio, who both have excellent harmonious voices. The music is slightly rockier, and they also through the odd guitar solo into the mix. The album is made up of eight songs full of wonderful melodies, twinkling piano, plaintive violin, passion and gothic drama. Highlights include ‘Ancient Dream’, ‘Gate of Endless Dreams’, the mournful beauty of swing waltz ‘Behind the Light’, and the sublime closing instrumental, ‘The Death Unites Us’. I found this a totally enjoyable listen, very easy on the ear, and fans of the lighter end of symphonic metal, including of course Within Temptation, will absolutely adore this. The lovely digipack is available through their Myspace site http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=280841718. 8.5/10 (reviewed by Phil)

HELALYN FLOWERS..'A VOLUNTARY COINCIDENCE'

(Alfa Matrix) Reviewed 5th July 2008

Anybody into mid to uptempo Electro rock ala Birthday Massacre or I:Scintilla will lap this one up. This Italian outfit Helalyn Flowers, are fronted by Noemi and we have a very good record on our hands here. 'A Voluntary Coincidence' has been out now for a few months, but having finally caught up with this release, I am glad I did. Very catchy stuff on offer here, more especially 'Human Defective' which unless you are a sad person will be humming this for a long time afterwards. Other faves are 'Voices', but these are only two tracks amongst a swathe of great tunes on this record. There is a special edition box set that includes remixes, and that alone is worth the purchase money. Great stuff so you know what I am going to say...BUY! 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

HEONIA..'WINSOME SCAR'

(Self Release) Reviewed 24th November 2010

Here we have a brand new melodic metal band from Lille in northern France. Although this is a self release, they have created an album of almighty power, good grief, does this sound good. They produce an amalgam of Delain/Stream of Passions/Whyzdom/Markize and Sirenia, thundering, proggish but with a real groove and anthemic choruses. Before the gentleman get hot under the collar, the rather nice bust on the cover (bust as in statue, sheesh) doesn’t belong to their rather lovely singer Marieke, who has a wonderfully powerful semi operatic voice that easily soars above the assemblage. Keys player Damien occasionally contributes some excellent growls, remember I'm a fully paid up member of the anti growl society, deep, gravelly and melded into the music adding power rather than detracting from your enjoyment. All the songs are compact epics packed full of variety and dynamics, with everything from tender beauty to raw power, gently soothing you into quiet reflection and then suddenly inducing an involuntary bout of furious headbanging or a burst of intense chin stroking. The instrumental contributions are outstanding, with loads of tremendous touches by the whole band, with a special mention for Rudix's fantastic drumming that had me air drumming like Keith Moon on steroids. No need to pick out faves, they keep up the quality right through the disc, so just enjoy the whole hours entertainment. This is a mightily impressive début that will appeal to all symphonic, gothic and prog metal fans, just head to www.myspace.com/heoniaband , a far more than merely winsome 9/10 (Reviewed by Phil).

HEROINE..'DAYS & COUNTING'

(Independent) Reviewed 16th September 2008

Molly of Rott stumbled across this band Heroine, so I have decided to briefly review their latest musical offering 'Days & Counting'. This is cool accoustic based rock, that reminds me a little of a female fronted The Cure, especially on 'Vice'. Bethany is the voice of this band, and it is plainly obvious that this is yet another hard working act that is being criminally ignored by the labels. Maybe Ravenheart Music should set up our own label - now there is food for thought:). Six tracks of cool music. There is also a website www.heroinemusic.com/discography.htm , where one can get a full download of Heroine's earlier releases, 'PowerAnxietyIllusion' from 2001 and 'Minus the Elation' from 2004. I like the laid back vibe of Heroine's music on 'Days & Counting'. Check it out at www.myspace.com/sylvex 7/10 (Reviewed by Dave)