Originally published by L.S. Media. May 7th 2009.
Queensryche have long been held up as one of the best examples of the heavy metal/progressive rock genre, and after the critically poor showing of Operation Mindcrime Two, it is good to welcome back the band as they show off their brand new release American Soldier.
Originally published by L.S. Media. June 12th 2009.
With the imminent release of the 15th studio album, Into the Valley of the Moon King, perennial rockers Magnum have once more showed how good they are at recording new and exciting material.
Songwriter/Guitarist/ Producer Tony Clarkin seems to have pulled out all the stops on this album making it one of the catchiest records to date. The opening intro which makes good use of Mark Stanway’s keyboards is quickly followed up by the punchy ‘Cry To Yourself’. This track already has the feel of a gig opener and I suspect will be treated with respect by Magnum’s loyal fans.
Originally published by L.S. Media. June 15th 2009.
Cast; The voice of Richard Burton, Shannon Noll, Justin Hayward, Chris Thompson, Anna-Marie Wayne.
“No one would have believed…”
…that thirty years ago an album would come out that blew its initial budget within weeks of starting recording. An album that used some of the greatest musical talent ever and one of the most iconic and greatest of British actors to grace stage and screen. An album that was based upon the book by the “father of science fiction” H. G Wells!
Originally published by L.S. Media. August 21st 2009.
Alun Parry’s new offering is wonderfully titled We Can Make The World Stop and for a while whilst listening, it really seems as though we can. From start to finish the whole album is delightfully crafted, well written and excellently sung.
The opening track and the album title shows perfectly from the start how Alun perceives the injustices within society as he observes that they have got the money but never worked a railway line or drove a bus. The feeling of solidarity pervades through the whole album but there are some songs that hold a mirror up to the cracks that have spread through society.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 17th 2009.
One of the most consistent thrash / heavy metal bands have returned with the eagerly awaited album Endgame. Whilst the other thrash mainstays Metallica have raised their game over the last year to come back the pinnacle that they deserve to hold, Megadeth never really let their fans down and time after time delivered albums full of humour, stunning guitar work, drums that make your head spin and lyrics that stand the test of time.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 26th 2009.
The new album by Steve Hackett has been eagerly awaited by fans for a while now and for once the anticipation of a new offering by an artist has been well worth the wait.
Out of the Tunnel’s Mouth is Steve’s 22nd solo album since leaving Genesis after the Seconds Out live album and there is no sign of Steve slowing down with his incredible work rate.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 26th 2009.
The new album Peace Sign is a welcome return for guitarist Richie Kotzen to the rock music buying public’s ears. The man with one of the most distinctive voices around has released an album that will surely remind the ordinary person on the street how good a musician he can be.
Right from the off Richie shows his vocal talent on the opening track My Messiah, coming across as a mixture of a knowing verbal sage and a man with a message to pass on. His voice has actually seemed to have changed and improved (if that’s possible) over the last couple of years.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 27th 2009.
For lovers of genuinely good Scottish music the new McIntosh Ross album is a breath of fresh air. Two of the founding members of Deacon Blue, Ricky Ross and Lorraine Mcintosh have taken time out from recording anything new for the band and have instead come up with an album of high quality, gentle vocals and atmospheric musicianship.
The Great Lakes is the first venture for the twosome and although Ricky Ross has had some critical success with his solo career it comes across as a more fulfilled album, perhaps due to the influence of his wife Lorraine who has a few writing credits on the album including the stirring Winter is Coming and Silver and Gold.
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 2nd 2009.
Paramore released their new album Brand New Eyes this week and after the disappointment of 2007′s Riot, the band have come back with a more mature and lyrically improved album. The band seem more relaxed with themselves, possibly more than at any other time in their career and it shows from the off as vocalist Hayley Williams comes across as a genuine contender for top female rock voice.
Originally published by L.S. Media. October 7th 2009.
Big, brash, over the top, completely superb and unmistakably Kiss. The new album released this week by the fathers of rock theatre is the cunningly titled Sonic Boom and not one track on the album is delivered in any type of off hand sluggish way, this is an album that does what is says on the cover.