Reviews

RAM-ZET..'NEUTRALIZED'

(Ascendance Records) Reviewed 27th September 2009

Lock up your children folks, send Grandma away for a few days, and lets get it together with Norwegian metallers Ram-Zet. Ram-Zet's music is very diverse ranging from black metal to thrash metal. It has industrial sounds, progressive structures, and traditional instruments forming a style which some people, including band mastermind Zet, have called "schizo-metal". Anyway, how about the music on this their 4th offering. Well, 'Infamia' kicks things off with the music coming out of the speakers like a turbo charged express train doing 225 mph through an atomic explosion. Just getting over that and then 'I Am Dirt' hits us. The album thunders along keeping the listener wondering as to what is to come steamrollering out of the speakers next. One of my faves on this album is fourth track up, the 10 minute + 'Addict' with an atmospheric and rather cool ending that then leads into the violin intro of 'God Don't Forgive' before the guitars kick in. 'Beautiful Pain' is another good un. and while generally very avante-garde this release, if you are open minded regards your music, it is worth checking out. I like it! 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

MARION RAVEN..'SET ME FREE'

(Eleven Seven Music) Reviewed 29th June 2007

With names like Niki Sixx (Motley Crue), Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace) and Art Alexakis (Everclear) amonsgt others involved with this recording, it becomes blatantly obvious that this Cd has to be worthy of a listen. And yep it is. Norwegian lass Marion Raven has produced an interesting slab of modern melodic rock here. The title track 'Set Me Free' gets the cd away in rockin' fashion, quickly followed by 'Falling Away'. And basically, the album rarely let's up. And seventh track in 'Break You', is the sort of tune Avril Lavigne should have recorded for her latest effort. 'Set Me Free' tapers away a wee bit towards the end, but this is a very good recording nonetheless. 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

SUZY RAWN..'NAKED

(Sony/BMG Import) Reviewed 2nd March 2007

Thisis a great little modern pop/rock release for anyone who fancieshearing the AOR/Melodic Rock Band Harem Scarem with a female vocalist(Scarem boys Pete Lesperance and Harry Hess are involved with thisrelease). The vocals of Suzi Rawn (Canadian Idol finalist) are verywelcome, and she works the material on offer here very well. She evencovers two Harem Scarem tracks – 'Don't Come Easy' and 'UnderstandYou'. A good listen for lovers of female pop/rock. 7.5/10 (Reviewed by Laura).

RAZORBLADEKISSES..'TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE SCAR'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 17th September 2009

Here we have an album full of eastern promise. Although now residing in Southhampton, vocalists Layla and Azadeh draw from their distant Persian/Iranian roots, to conjure up their ideas for this album. 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Scar' takes the listener on a magical journey, mixing rock, goth and even a little opera along the way. Kicking off with the rather sedate and atmospheric 'Alice', second track, the rockier 'New Nightmare' ups the ante somewhat, and comes blasting out of your speakers like an express train. A good start. And it continues through the remainder of the album, mixing quiter more atmospheric haunting tracks ('No Strings Attached') with the occasional heavier anthemic rocker ('Teddy'). And I like the violin that pops up on some of the tracks and adds to the atmosphere of proceedings. The awesome 'The Butterfly' was inspired by "This Bird Is Going To Die", a poem by the famous Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad. Great "innocent little girl lost" vocals that add to the seductive feel of this record aswell. It gets released on the 26th October and will also be available from all major download sites! Meanwhile, check them out at www.myspace.com/razorbladekisses. 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

REISM..'LIFESTYLE PRODUCT'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 7th August 2007

REISM are a Liverpool based band fronted by a Norwegian Lass called Kirsten. I have seen a review of some Reism material in an English Rock Zine, but it seems the review referred to a 12 minute EP by this band. I actually have the full length CD, This is a another independent band worthy of one's attention, and this is a good effort. I read the Powerplay review as suggesting that Reism sound like Evanescence. Cannot quite see it myself, but it seems all female fronted bands pick up these Evanescence comparisons. That puzzles me a wee bit. Back to the cd in question. 'Lifestyle Product' is gothic rock/metal with electronic elements. The cd plods along with 'Nothing to Lose' being a good un, with a heavy guitar 'bit' in the middle. I also enjoyed 'Burn Brighter', which reminds me a little in places of Avril Lavigne, 'Waiting' and 'Any Other Way. In-fact I find Kirsten's voice quite captivating throughout. Reism is another good gothic indie band worthy of your support. It's an 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

RELAY..'CIRCUIT BREAKER'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 28th Sept 2007

This cd has just drifted my way. And am I glad it did! Relay can trace their beginnings back to 1975, and are from my old hunting ground of Essex. They so happen to be a very good AOR/melodic hard rock band, with the 21st century version of this band fronted by Alison Taffs. If you like no nonsense, no frills melodic hard rock, then Relay is for you. Awesome vocals by the way too. Kicking off with 'Bankrupt Heart' it is obvious what path 'Circuit Breaker' will tread. And I like it! And the ballads on the album, check out the power ballads 'All For You' and 'Love and Desire' as corking examples of this genre. If that is not enough, just listen to the 70's vibe on 'Liar'. Further faves are 'Lost City', 'New Sensation', 'Danger Zone' and 'Free' . This album is another example of fine female fronted rock with an excellent production, which again gets me asking the question I ask of many awsome unsigned bands..why are they not signed? I got into this genre of music years ago because of bands like this. Absolutely essential for lovers of this type of music! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

REMEMBRANCES.. 'CRYSTAL TEARS'

(Self released) Reviewed 17th October 2009

This album has had a long history, recorded in 2006, becoming available in 2008, and has only just been brought to my attention thanks to their new management company, Alkemist Fanatix, who they joined in September this year. There must be loads of bands like them and Ephemeris who exist ‘under the radar’, waiting for the right promotion to make their music widely known. They are fronted by the delectable Haydee, who not only has a rich, sexy voice, but also writes excellent atmospheric lyrics. This is an album of superb symphonic gothic pop metal. Standouts include the ultra groovy ‘Silent Night’, the glorious ‘Blood on the Wall’, full of excellent keys and soaring vocals, and the lovely ballad ‘Memories’. ‘Sweet Madness’ is a suitably atmospheric tale about a creepy old house, which really shows their diversity. They are currently recording a new album, and if they pack it with songs like ‘Silent Night’ then they deserve to have an instant hit this time. Available for only 5.95 euros from their Myspace site www.myspace.com/remembrances and eBay, this is fantastic value for money for fans of Within Temptation. 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

RIZON.. 'SUDDEN LIFE'

(Karthago Records) Reviewed 10th February 2010

Whilst traversing the vast oceans of the WWW, one of my elite spies gave me reports of a rock/metal combo that had managed to remain hidden, deep in the mountainous snow wastes of Switzerland, so I sent out a crack team of agents to check them out. Two great singers, male and female, tick. Catchy rock/metal and ballads, tick. Excellent keys player, tick. Recent release easily available, tick. Having fulfilled all the criteria, I now I sit with this beauty before me. With a history going way back to 1997, this is the follow up to their debut, 2005’s Evolution, and the first to be released internationally (although their debut can be purchased on CD Baby). Fronted by Matthias and the luscious Franzisca, both blessed with powerful rock voices, this is melodic power rock/metal with more hooks than a fishing tackle shop. The closest parallels are with Sonata Arctica, especially with the vocal style of Matthias, who reminds me of the great Tony Kakko. No need to pick out highlights, all the songs are first class, from rockers like ‘Endless Journey’, to lighter wavers like ‘Angel of Affection’, to symphonic anthems like ‘Surrounded’. The superb lyrics are inspired by a veritable who’s who of great writers, JRR Tolkien, Anne Bronte, Joseph Cotter, Emily Dickenson, John Bunyan, Robert Browning and Oscar Wilde, makes a refreshing change from ‘ooh baby I wanna luv ya all nite long’! This should sell by the truckload, appealing to a broad church of melodic rock/metal fans, from Nightwish to Bon Jovi, from Sonata Arctica to Rainbow. Easily available from all the usual outlets, CD Baby, and from Karthago records, http://www.karthagorecords.de/index.php?ID=19big896qumfh0als4oavo0ur5. 9/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

ROSWELL SIX..'TERRA INCOGNITA : BEYOND THE HORIZON'

(Prog Rock Records) Reviewed 16th August 2009

The Roswell six isn’t a gang of bank robbers or terrorists, but a new symphonic
metal project fronted by Eric Norlander and his wife, ‘the Queen of Symphonic Rock’, Lana Lane. This is a concept album that ties in with the new epic fantasy book by Kevin J Anderson, and indeed the author and his wife have written all the lyrics, whilst Norlander looks after the music. Joining them are a stellar cast of vocalists, James LaBrie (Dream Theatre), Michael Sadler (Saga), and one of my favourite singers, John Payne (Asia, guest vocalist on last 2 Lunatica albums). The story is based on ‘sailing ships, sea monsters, a clash of religion, and a love that will reach to the end of time’. The music is a mix of epic symphonic metal and lovely ballads, all with glorious melodies and superb vocal performances. Ayreon with a touch of Dream Theatre, Magnum, Asia and Heart. Every song is outstanding, in particular ‘Here Be Monsters’, which is utterly wonderful. The musicianship is excellent, with Eric Norlanders keyboards recalling Rick Wakeman in his pomp, and Gary Werhkamp’s (Shadow Gallery) guitar giving a metallic edge. So settle yourself down with a tot of rum, your cutlass at hand, and a box of tissues, and sail away on a fantastic adventure. 9.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil Wooldridge)

ROTT..'OUT OF TIME'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 11th October 2007

ROTT is from Idaho, and are an awesome outfit fronted by Molly Sirenne. They have just released this little piece of plastic, and what a great piece of plastic this is, featuring slow and mid paced rockers. We have the distinctive and somewhat haunting vocals of Molly, coupled with Dan Profitt's crunching guitar riffs. I myself really love Molly's vocal style, which seems to mix in so well with the music on offer here. There are eleven superb songs, and I immensely enjoy what I hear, with my fave tracks being 'Eternal', 'Clearly Blind', 'Drowning', 'Just Like You' and the foot tapper 'Out Of Time'. I actually woke up one night with 'Out Of Time' swimming around in my head! This cd may take two or three plays before it hits you, but it is worth it when it does. Rott are yet another independent band that has blown me away, and it shames me to think that a band like this can remain unsigned. However, Molly informs me that Rott may be attracting interest from a London based label, with another label in Greece keen on this band too. If you like Lacuna Coil and similar female fronted bands, plus may be Tool aswell, then check this out. It can be purchased at cdbaby.com. Also for band info..catch them at www.myspace.com/rottband and www.rottband.com . Roll on the next album. Meanwhile, I have said it before and I will say it again..support independent female fronted rock/metal. BUY!..8/10 (Reviewed by Dave).