Calling all AC/DC, Cinderella and Enuff Z'Nuff fans, check this baby out. Bang The Union are a fantastic new band from Atlanta who play in your face hard rock with glam overtones like the slamming opening track 'Gone Again' which is reminiscent of Cinderella's 'Hot And Bothered'. Bang The Union have been drawing in big crowds wherever they play live and with "American Dream" the bands label FastLane records are getting themselves into action with the promotion of this CD with some 300 promos being shipped out to major press mags like Billboard etc..and word is now starting to get around about these guys.

The album is with laced with lashings of whip-tastic fun rockin' songs, check out the killer 'On My Side', this song is as addictive as hell, the chorus is punchy and reminiscent of Cinderella, the guitars are gritty as you'd expect. 'GTO' is simple boogie hard rock like Aerosmith crossed with vocals like Michael Monroe. 'Why We Fight So Much' churns out some cool guitars and is like Ted Nugent/Rhino Bucket whilst the fun 'Ten Years To Life' beats us to death with a fun chorus again like Cinderella with slamming drums, I also here some Status Quo style melodies on this track which is very commercial and could see the band gliding up into chartsville. Next up is 'On Your Knees' a fast fun gritty addictive song. 'Useless' could almost be punky/glam rock, a cool song with a fun chorus, a little like GN'R. Next is the excellent AC/DC fuelled 'Hang 'Em High' followed by 'This Is Rock And Roll' which ends the album leaving you wanting more. If The Darkness have reinvented classic rock, then Bang The Union take things one step further reinventing punchy hard rock, this is great stuff, own it. Interview soon. 

http://www.bangtheunion.com 

www.fastlanerecords.com

85/100

Nicky Baldrian 

Firewind's debut, "Between Heaven and Hell" was a thunderbolt from Zeus himself, such was it's impact and resonance. Layer upon layer of searing riffs, coupled with lead breaks designed to lop heads, and superb songs saw Firewind crush all before them, and in particular propelled guitarist Gus G( Dream Evil/Mystic Prophecy) into the guitar world limelight.

With expectations now in the equation, it was important that the sophomore release "Burning Earth" slammed down the gauntlet once more. In fact. after a couple of spins, it is clear that said gauntlet has been buried. Gus G once more demonstrates his command of the guitar, but at the same time appreciates the need for the songs to breath, and that variance in tempo allows vocalist Stephen Fredrick ( (Kenziner) room to unfurl the full drama of his Dio meets Bonnet voice.

Opener "Steal them blind" is the musical equivalent of a Viking raid, a high octane rush soaring into tensile hook, while "I am the anger" is chest beating with a vocal arrangement akin to Virgin Steele.

The Priest meets Kamelot atmospherics of "Immortal lives young" demonstrates the growing maturity of the bands, as does the Rainbow tension of "You have survived", while "Brother's Keeper" has a flow and subtlety that may garner some radio play. Metal this good requires no explanation. 

85/100 

Andrew Paul

2003 saw Zakk Wylde's B.L.S. "Blessed Hellride" crack the US Top 50 and if there was a better collection of riff driven songs last year it passed this listener by. However "Hangover Music.." is something of a sideways step being close in spirit to the acoustic "Book of Shadows" album, and apparently Wylde attributes that to the album being mostly penned on the road. Certainly from moment one, the feel is of two lane black top, men of constant sorrow, Ronnie Van Zant fables and highways stretching beyond eternity.

"Crazy or High" is Skynyrd with a Page crunch mid-section that snaps you back, Wylde singing like the hellion imp spawn of Van Zant and Gregg Allman. "Queen of Sorrow" is early Sabbath if they'd emerged from Birmingham, Alabama as opposed to the industrial heart of England, while the walking bass line of "Stepping Stone" adds menace to a considered delivery.

This is an album spanning moods, akin to a long ride, an instance being the darkest before the dawn piano piece "Yesterday, today, tomorrow" that sounds like it was penned for Axl Rose, yet "House of Doom" is enlightened rogues gunning down the highway with bite.

Of particular note is the piano led version of "Whiter Shade of Pale" that reveals it's classical routes and sees Wylde growling like Tom Waits with a hound snapping at his heels.

Some be surprised by this album, but persist with it, and you will discover varying treasures worthy of your attention. 

80/100 

Andrew Paul

Having spent two years putting together the charity tribute CD's for Jason Becker I know how much work there is involved putting together something of this nature. Obviously one will never be able to remake the original Enuff Z'Nuff songs, the band were always classy and proficient songwriters (still are), so ultimately this tribute shows the bands featured having fun with the tracks they have done for their heroes.

I have to say it has always alarmed me why EZN have never got huge success, I have seen them live numerous times and they are always lots of fun to watch. I think personally that the band got looped and labeled as a hair metal glam band, a tag which still unfortunately hangs around their necks, they are worth more than that and their years in the business proves this valid point (I think it's their twentieth year next year). As well as featuring the songs we all know and love ENZ have a vast number of over looked song like the excellent 'Ain't It Funny' which is excellently performed by Barely Pink. Given the state of the nu-breed scene, I'd say Barely Pink sound a safe bet for any label, the singers voice is magic, soothing, and they really do a fine job on this song whilst adding in their own influence which makes me want to hear more from the band.

I like tributes as sometimes they serve well for discovering new or unheard of artists like Willie Hines who does a great version of 'I Could Never Be Without You', this guy has one hell of a voice that is up there with Eric Martin. Some of these new artists though are not so good like WWJLD's version of 'Day By Day', ok not really a new band as it features members of Mystery Bloom. The acoustic guitars are really enjoyable but Nick's vocals suck, better go listen to Firehouse's "Good Acoustics", come on Nick we know you can do better than this mate.

Other tracks of note include Dim's super cool cover of 'New Thing' Dim feature the excellent vocals of Keith Lubrant who has released a couple of solo albums and appeared on other tribute CD's. The Millions perform a raw version of 'Fly High Michelle' and their own flavor to the mix. 'Baby Loves You' is performed by Best Of Seven, which features guest vocals from Donnie Vie himself and is very cool. Shaw Mars of Mars Needs Woman covers 'Someday' which is admirable and then Crash Kelly do a very cool cover of the excellent 'There Goes My Heart' which I totally love, nice one lads. Next is another of my favorite EZN tracks, its 'Heaven Or Hell' covered by newcomers R50 who do a good job.

Impressive is Jim Crean and Phil Naro's version of the EZN classic 'Blue Island' which was always one of my favorite tracks from "Strength" and they do a great job that is on par with the original. It's hard to reach those vocal standards of Donnie Vie. Jim carries the song really well and his vocals come over like Aerosmith's Steven Tyler when he hits the high notes, good stuff.

Zion James covers a friendly version of 'One Step Closer', he has a good voice up there with Mr.Vie. The Rioteers cover 'Your Hearts No Good' and it's all sweet tongue in cheek pop/rock with a sunkissed chorus. Next we get to hear 'Freak' covered by the mighty Seven Wishes who are one of my favorite bands, now this is more like it, as the Swedish lads rock it up and give us a rocking chunky version, love the guitar sound on this which is really heavy, nice one lads, can't wait for the new album :-)

Next we get a live version of 'Long Way To Go' performed by newcomers Frankenstein 3000, the singer has a dirty gritty voice a little like the singer from Cinderella crossed with Tyla from Dog's D'amour, they perform a good sweaty cover and I like what I hear of this band. I hear little bits of American Dog and Aerosmith in there as well; yes I really enjoyed this band despite their tedious name. Last up is a bonus track donated to the tribute non-other by Donnie Vie. It's a new track called 'She Forgets' and it's a superb track, very catchy.

I enjoyed this tribute, it's a strong reminder at how good Enuff Z'Nuff are, I would like to have seen 'Hot Little Summer Girl' included in the mix but hey no complaints with this tribute which unlike many other releases of this nature works very well indeed.

www.cdsmashrecords.com

75/100

Nicky Baldrian

Lionsheart's last album, "Under Fire" was released over five years ago, and the distinctly underwhelming "Friction" project aside, little has been heard of Steve Grimmett, which is a criminal waste of talent.

Grimmett now returns with a revamped Lionsheart, the metal influences of guitarist Ian Nash and bass player Eddie Marsh coming to the fore and turning the band into a more metal beast than before, Nash's pinched harmonics and Wyldean crunch adding a drive and weight.

Opening track "Screaming" with it's bitter lyrical snap has more in common with Warrior than Whitesnake, while the mid-paced "Nightmare" is Dokken with a spine of steel.

"I need love" is sub-Coverdale dramatics, but "How can I tell?" is monster- a riff of De Garmo proportions from Nash, towering vocals and true drama, blending into a melodic whole with a subtle hook.

A melodic Pantera motif leads the way into the bluesy growl of "Don't waste my time" resonating passion, a quality apparent on the classic British blues of "Save Me". Granted it's not perfection, tracks such the labored "How long" quickly outstay their welcome and the production is a little flat but nonetheless "Abyss" is a welcome return. 

70/100

Andrew Pau

London's Dragonforce play epic bombastic power metal and "Sonic Firestorm" is their second album which is a mega album. Songwise a whole bunch of comparisons come to mind from Yngwie Malmsteen to Stratovarius, singer ZP Theart gives a weighty performance as does the whole band, especially the fantastic shred work from guitarist Herman Li. 

'My Spirit Will Go On' starts the albums off. This song is frantic power metal, it does get quite melodic when the chorus slides in and is sprinkled in keyboard pomp and heavy guitar riffs that bring Yngwie Malmsteen and Dream Evil to mind. 'Fury Of The Storm' is even more bombastic, this is drilling addictive epic power metal, the guitars are sensational and so are the forceful vocals 'Fields Of Despair' is a frantic overblown in extravagant anthemic guitars, the track crammed full of irresistible melodies, its gets really bombastic like Stratovarious and Yngwie Malmsteen, wait until you get caught out by that awesome chorus.

'Dawn Over A New World' starts in a cool calmer manner like a power ballad, but eventually this song builds into a glorious melodic track coated in glossy keyboards and singable chorus, just close your eyes and let the music take you away. 'Above The Winter Moonlight' takes us back to the furious guitar shredding, the vocals seem to get lost behind the guitars on this track which isn't so good. 'Soldiers Of The Wasteland' is still frantic but shows a more melodic pattern, this is very good addictive song with cool classical piano passages. 'Prepare For War' is catchy power metal while 'Once In A Lifetime' is another highlight, its very epic in style with an addictive powerful chorus where the vocals get quite and the guitars just drill out of the speakers. 'Cry Of The Brave' is very anthemic commercial track then the guitars charge you at full speed, this is another of my favorite songs, keyboards color the song and its gets really pumping, simply stunning power melodic rock with a huge majestic chorus to sing a long to.

Overall this is an album which grows the more you play it, and you will play it over and over as its a totally wicked album.

www.dragonforce.com 

80/100

Nicky Baldrian

Warrior's last album "Code of Life" was a study in heavy metal, riff upon lacerating riff, a thunderous rhythm section, strong melodies and a resonant vocal performance from Rob Rock to add spice to the rice. Hence why change such a formula? In principle they have not, although Rob Rock has made way for Marc Storace of Krokus fame, though on the opener and utter juggernaut of a title track he sounds more akin to Biff Byford of Saxon than himself.

"Do it now" with Storace sounding as one expects does not fit, sounding like a Krokus out-take. The relentless drive of "Never live your life again" where the guitars of Joe Floyd and Mick Perez( I assume) mesh like Tipton and Downing, and Storace simply growls, redeems matters while the Audioslave brought up on Priest of "Salvation" is a decent tangent. "Three am eternal" with it's faint Middle Eastern resonance simply pounds as does the call and response of "Unseen Forces" while "Naked Aggression" defines itself. Musically this album is as strong as "Code of life" but as good as he is Storace does not fit into the Warrior scheme of things and one is left wondering what Rob Rock, Jorn Lande or Patrick Johansson would have made of the songs provided here. 

70/100 

Andrew Paul

While many labels bluster and boast, full of sound and fury but with little result, Italian label Scarlet has gone about it's business, building and developing a roster, aiming for quality not quantity. Though they could make more effort with press releases, as I have no information at all about Platitude to impart whatsoever. Still, if the music is worthwhile such things are of little import. Blessed with a clear production, and with a sound layered around extremely atmospheric keyboards motifs, Platitude display elements of goth, power-metal, and especially in the opening bars of "Avalon Farewell" classic Rainbow hard rock, with the vocalist peeling off a decent Gary Bardens impersonation leading up into a effective chorus.

"Catch 22" is a pop Nightwish, while "Halcyon Days" built around an insistent guitar riff and an impassioned vocal is Moonspell without the velvet drapery, foggy forests and razor blades at the wrists and is all the better for it. All in all a promising album by a band that may develop into one of quality. 

70/100 

Andrew Paul