(9/10) It was in March last year when the metal community again got confronted with some sad news - the death of Twisted Sister drum legend A.J. Pero. He passed away on March 20st while being on tour with Adrenaline Mob. R.I.P.

Pero was one of the main pillars of Twisted Sister, joining the band in the beginning of the eighties and being part of the successful reunion that happened at the end of the last century.

In order to honor Pero and all his contribution and dedication for Twisted Sister the guys performed a show in the Hard Rock Casino in Los Angeles on May 30st last year that became a tribute to the passionat drummer. According to guitarist Jay Jay French it was a tough decision to play this show and also the other planned gig during summer without Pero. But the fact that ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy agreed on doing these shows was one of the facts that made Twisted Sister decide on doing these concerts and esp. the one that was recorded in Las Vegas.

The setlist of this gig was 90 minutes retrospective on Twisted Sister classics, that included highlights as "Stay Hungry" and "We're Not Gonna Take it". The band boiled down 40 amazing years of Twisted Sister to a setlist that is a treat for each and every fan of rock music.

What was included in the show was a drum solo which was projected on the back drop; an emotional moment for everybody that joined this show and I can imagine that the DVD/Blu Ray version (I only had the CD for review) gives you the shivers too.

The sound of this recording is excellent. Still being authentic each of the songs come with the right punch and a clear but powerful sound.

As an extra to the show there is another disc included in this package. "Rockshow" is a documentary that looks back on four decades of Twisted Sister, a band that was and is one of the most influential ones in rock history. From the early days in small bar to the glorious eighties the disc provides a view behind the scene, enriched by some rare interviews.

All in all "Metal Meltdown - feat. Twisted Sister at the Hard Rock Casino Las Vegas - A concert to Honor A.J. Pero" is an excellent way for the band to honor their long time drummer, a musician who's life was build around music and metal.

Next to this first release of "Metal Meltdown" there are some more releases in the pipeline, being part of this special series. Stay tuned for Extreme, Skid Row and Great White. All good choices too.

(9/10)

Tracklist:

1. What You Don' Know
2. The Kids are Back
3. Stay Hungry
4. The Beast
5. Shoot em Down
6. You Can't Stop Rock'n'Roll
7. I Believe in Rock'n'Roll
8. Under the Blade
9. I am (i'm me)
10. We're Not Gonna Take it
11. The Fire Still Burns
12. The Price
13. Burn in Hell
14. A.J. Pero Tribute
15. I Wanna Rock
16. Come Out and Play
17. S.M.F.

Label: Loud & Proud Records

Genre: Hardrock

Release Date EU: August 5th, 2016

(8/10) It was pretty much a year ago when I got an album of a band I never heard before: Schmutzki. Their name sounded German and the title of this debut was "BAM". No idea what to expect and to my big surprise this album blew me away after I heard it.

Schmutzki are from Germany, from Stuttgart to be precise, and their music is a mixture of 80' Neue Deutsche Welle, German 80's fun punk a la Abstuertzende Brieftauben and some indie rock. What makes Schmutzki rather unique is the way how the mix these influences to a totality that sounds pretty good.

Next to that, the guys benefit from the spirit and power of the youth. Easygoing and self-confident describes the best how the music of these guys comes across. Their songs on the debut, but also on the sophomore record "Spackos Forever" feels like total creative freedom, music the guys want to do more than 'they have to do'.

All this gives this second longplayer a crisp expression which feels like a refreshing breeze going through Germany's music scene.

"Spackos Forever" is again covering a wider range of songs that starts with the 29 seconds long "Tyrannosaurus Ex", reminding of some 80's hardcore crossover acts, to "Ohne Worte" that offers some parallels with German Beatsteaks.

Schmutzki's lyrics are more fun than accusing. "Sauflied" and "Zeltplatz Baby" are good examples herefore.

The best track on "Spackos Forever" is called "Baustelle". The chorus of this tune is just amazing and sticks from the first moment on. The highly rhythmic verse adds a well-done counterpart to the chorus and all in all it's a bit more than one minute of pure fun.

Schmutzki's new album is a logical next step after their well received debut. The three Swabians continue their journey through rock'n'roll, using their trademarks and developing these further. 100% Schmutzki, 100% fun. Check it out.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Hey Haters
2. Spackos Forever
3. Baustelle
4. Jesus Schmutzki
5. Was immer auch kommt
6. Tyrannosaurus Ex
7. Zeltplatz Baby
8. Ohne Witz
9. Lauter Traeumen
10. Sauflied
11. Dein Song
12. Blau
13. Nie mehr Drama
14. So durch

Label: Four Music/Sony

Genre: Punk Rock

Release Date EU: August 5th, 2016

(8/10) It was a year ago when I got an album from a band called The Dead Daisies. Not really sure of what to expect I digged deeper into some fact around the band that released an album entitled "Revolución". Musicians Like Marco Mendoza, Dizzy Reed, Darryl Jones and so on sounded quite interesting and what I got to hear on "Revolución" was even better. This debut was more than a few musicians coming together to make some music. This album was dynamic hardrock the old-fashioned way - without coming across dusty. Something that makes The Dead Daisies to a vital band/project is the fact that there is now fix line-up, something that leads to a constant flow of new ideas.

After a great start and live shows, supporting e.g. Kiss and ZZ Top, it was time for a new album. Beginning of August is the moment of truth when the five-piece band comes with the sophomore record "Make Some Noise".

This time the line-up consists out of John Corabi (v), David Lowy (g), Brian Tichy (d), Doug Aldrich (g) and Marco Menoza (b) and the guys definitely make some noise on this album.

"Long Way to Go" is the opener and the first highlight. A bit of AC/DC meets Contraband meets Krokus. This song has an irresistible groove, is a perfect headbanger and marks a well-done start into this longplayer. "We All Fall Down" is next and doesn't belong to my faves, something that changes with "Song and a Prayer". It's song that sounds like a harder Bon Jovi song from the early days and it's a good example for how hardrock has to sound like these days.

"Mainline" follows and speed increases too. We are talking about a dirty rock'n'roller that combines a fast pace with a catchy melody. The title track brings Def Leppard and Kiss together in one number and the result sound damn good. With all the cross-references you might think, that The Dead Daisies copy these bands which isn't the case at all. The quintet's sound might not be rocket sciences, but this album has another huge benefit. The Dead Daisies sounds authentic and with every note played you can feels that the guys want to do what they do. Nothing feels forced or being a 'must'. This come a cross more as a jam session that includes a lot of creativity and freedom. This record contains an ease that is needed for good rock'n'roll.

And if the guys want to do a cover they just do it. "Fortunate Son" from Creedence Clearwater Revival is the one that made it on the tracklist and I think that the guys blew new life into this classic of rock.

I could continue like this since the second half of the album doesn't show any loss in quality.

The Dead Daisies second album picks it up where they ended with "Revolución" and added some new facets to their sound. Modern hardrock needs to sound like this album.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Long Way To Go
2. We All Fall Down
3. Song And A Prayer
4. Mainline
5. Make Some Noise
6. Fortunate Son
7. Last Time I Saw The Sun
8. Mine All Mine
9. How Does It Feel
10. Freedom
11. All The Same
12. Join Together

Label: Spitfire Music

Genre: Hardrock

Release Date EU: August 5th, 2016

(7/10) Good Charlotte remains true to themselves, for the good and the bad. "Youth Authority" is the sixth album of the band from Waldorf, Maryland and the first one after their hiatus in 2011. On the one hand it feels like this break gave the guys some extra energy that is reflected on the new longplayer, secondly they continue with mainstream pop/rock/punk as we know it from the guys and in the end Good Charlotte go further on where they stopped at the end of this decade - bubble gum pop punk with a wide appeal

"Life Changes" is one of the harder tracks on the album, but I can't stop thinking about Bon Jovi while listening to the bridge/chorus. Anyhow, a good and crunchy song and a well-chosen opener for the album. If you ever asked yourself why Good Charlotte's music is classified as pop punk you should listen to "Makeshift Love". The song, even though being very entertaining, feels like the perfect Spring Break soundtrack.

Some more silent moments are included in the tracklist too. "Life Can't Be Much Better" is a mid-paced number with quite some acoustic moments, build on a catchy melody. 

The album comes with two songs where Good Charlotte get support from Kellin Quinn ("Keep Swingin'") and Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro ("Reason to Stay"), both tracks being melodic rockers, written for a bigger audience. 

Talking about the masses, Good Charlotte and bands like Coldplay start to sound very similar. "Cars Full of People" is one example that underlines this statement. Even the sing-a-long part could come from Chris Martin & Co. 

There are some tunes where Good Charlottes takes it a bit too far. "Stray Dogs", the title actually associates a wild track, is an almost cheesy pop rock number that is pure mainstream, something that goes for "War" as well. 

"Youth Authority" is a rock album that has a few small punk references and a bigger pop appeal. In case you’re looking for music that is entertaining without being revolutionary, than this longplayer is the one you should go for. "Youth Authority" is more fast food than a five course musical menu, but sometimes it's the moment for fast food. In this case you shouldn't resist and go for it.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Life Changes
2. Makeshift Love
3. 40oz Dream
4. Life Can't Get Much Better
5. Keep Swingin' (feat. Kellin Quinn)
6. Reason to Stay (feat. Simon Neil)
7. Stray Dogs
8. Stick to Your Guns Interlude
9. The Outfield
10. Cars Full of People
11. WAR
12. Moving On
13. Rise

Label: MDDN

Genre: Rock

Release Date EU: July 15th, 2016

(8/10) Sinsaenum is the brainchild of Dragonforce guitarist and bass player Frederic Leclercq who has since many years a certain passion for death metal too - a genre not really covered by his main band. While being responsible for the four strings at Dragonforce Leclercq switched to the six strings with Sinsaenum.

It took a while till he got together an entire band/project. The first one joining the French musician was guitarist Stéphane Buriez from Loudblast, followed by nobody less than x-Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison who was looking for some new challenges. It was also Jordison who came up with the idea of Sinsaenum, a hybrid of 'sin' and insane'. I think these two words hit bulls-eye, leading to a band name that fits.

The role of being the frontman is split up between two great singers, growler, and shouters. Mayhem singer Attila Csihar adds a new dimension to Sinsaenum's sound. His powerful, desperate and sometimes moaning vocals are a perfect counterpart to Sean Zatorsky (Chimaira, Dååth) screams and aggressive growls. These two guys seriously rock. The line-up was completed by bass player Heimoth and Sinsaenum was ready to go.

The songs on "Echoes of the Tortured" are heavy and complex. The band doesn't sound oldschool at all and they are neither playing death metal the Florida-style nor Scandinavian style in its purity. In one or another way the guys, probably based on all their experience, build an own death metal expression that brings together various influences to a great total.

The album starts with "Materialization", an instrumental prologue for what comes next; the brutal "Splendor and Agony". The raging death metal track is a real start into an exciting album. After such breath-taking beginning "Excommunicare" follows, which another interlude. 

You might have asked yourself, why this longplayer come with 21 songs. In the end it’s a bit less, since there is a constant switch between death metal smasher and interlude, something that gives the entire album a sort of arc of suspense.

On of my favourites on "Echoes of the Tortured" is called "Army of Chaos". Musically the song is actually pretty well structured and less chaos. The joy with this tune is that it's kept in a more moderate pace, has a real groove and feels like a sonic steamroller. 

The Sinsaenum also doesn’t hesitate to add some acoustic elements to their sound proves "Condemned to Suffer" which starts slowly before it turns into a metal blast.

One of the most anarchic tracks on this longplayer is "Anfang des Alptraums". Yes, it got a German title which means 'Beginning of the Nightmare". It's a fast one that keeps the foot on the pedal, still including some melodic guitar lines and leads.

Last but not least the album can be seen as one unit since the songs are all belonging together, telling a story based on an idea of Leclercq, with contribution of each band member. The fact that song are divided into separate parts by some intermezzos gives "Echoes of the Tortured" almost a soundtrack expression. At least the album is creating some cinematic pictures, your own mind movie, transported by the various tracks.

Sinsaenum are more than just a project or a one-time all-star collaboration. These guys are still hungry, something that is a very positive news for fans of modern death metal.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Materialization
2. Splendor & agony
3. Excommunicare
4. Inverted cross
5. March
6. Army of chaos
7. Redemption
8. Dead souls
9. Lullaby
10. Final curse
11. Condemned to suffer
12. Ritual
13. Sacrifice
14. Damnation
15. The forgotten one
16. Torment
17. Anfang des Albtraumes
18. Mist
19. Echoes of the tortured
20. Emptiness
21. Gods of hell

Label: Peccatum Records

Genre: Death Metal

Release Date EU: July 29th, 2016

(7/10) Aeges (pronounced as 'ages') are from Los Angeles, CA and the band consists of Kemble Walters, Tony Baumeister, Cory Clarke and Mike Land. The quartet releases these days their new longplayer "Weightless" which follows "The Bridge" from 2012.

A check of their Facebook page provides you with the informationof the quartet describing the genre their music fits to as "nasty riffs". And yes, the songs on "Weightless" are full of riifs, the best ones being included in the title track, being also the opener, and the mighty "Another Wasteland". Having mentioned these two tracks I already told you about the real highlights on "Weightless".

The other eleven tracks on the sophomore record are not too bad, but they are missing the spark that starts the fire. In one or another way the guys build most of the songs on the same principles which makes the variation between the tracks very limited. I was tempted to press the 'skip' button more than ones which isn't a good sign.

On the other hand I have the feeling that there is more potential in the band than what they present on "Weightless". Vocals done by Walters and Clark are pretty good, the riffs are sharp and powerful and the rhythm section is like a smoothly working rock engine. And last but not least the album got a well-done production too. All these things are good prerequisites for an excellent release, if, yes if, the songs would be more exciting.

Therefore it will be seven points going to Aeges for "Weightless" with the hope of making use of the band's full potential next time.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Weightless
2. Save Us
3. A Reason Why
4. Clear
5. All of Me
6. Another Wasteland
7. Echoes
8. What if
9. Nothing to Prove
10. Better
11. Drown
12. Listening
13. Drying Out

Label: Another Cetury

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release Date EU: July 22nd, 2016

It was last summer when Faith No More released their latest longplayer "Sol Invictus" which was the first studio release after almost two decades. Faith No More celebrated a tremendous return and the album scored many top 10 positions all over the world. I guess there are not that many bands that can make something like this happen.

Now it's time to have a look back in time, something that's pretty smart since their might be new Faith No More fans that haven't been part of the outstanding success journey of Billy Gould, Mike Patton & Co.

It's the last two albums from the 90's, "King for a Day" and "Album of the Year" that will be re-released in a deluxe edition. Each of the records went through remastering and will include an additional disc with rare recordings from the same period in time. Next to the CD versions both records will be available as vinyl too, which is a premier. Release date is September 9th and both records come via Warner Music.

Here are the tracklist(s):

KING FOR A DAY…FOOL FOR A LIFETIME

Disc One: Normal Album Tracklist

Disc Two – Bonus Tracks:

1. Evidence [Version en Español] 3:58
2. Absolute Zero 4:06
3. Greenfields 3:43
4. I Started A Joke 3:01
5. Spanish Eyes 3:00
6. I Won't Forget You 4:10
7. Hippie Jam 4:57
8. Instrumental 5:00
9. I Wanna F**k Myself 2:55
10. Evidence [Versão em Português] 3:56
11. Digging The Grave [Live] 3:13

​

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Disc One: Normal Album Tracklist

Disc Two – Bonus Tracks

1. Pristine [Billy Gould Mix] 4:17
2. Last Cup Of Sorrow [Roli Mosimann Mix] 6:25
3. She Loves Me Not [Spinna Main Mix] 4:38
4. Ashes To Ashes [Hard Knox Alt. Mix] 6:06
5. Light Up And Let Go 2:19
6. The Big Kahuna 3:06
7. This Guy's In Love With You 4:20
8. Collision [Live] 3:37

(8/10) Twenty one years after the originally planned release date, Cradle Of Filth's sophomore album "Dusk and Her Embrace" was published by Cacophoneous Records. In case you think that this album has been revealed already, you're right. Due to problems with the label and bigger changes with the line-up "Dusk and Her Embrace" was re-recorded and released by Music For Nations in 1996.

This version is the original album that was put on ice after having been recorded. Therefore it enters the market now as "Dusk and Her Embrace: The Original Sin".

This moment is a very exciting one, at least for Cradle Of Filth fans, since it shows the band in an early state, a time when black metal was growing, leaving the underground and gaining more momentum.

"Dusk and Her Embrace: The Original Sin" is reflecting this period very well. The tracklist is almost the same on both albums (new and old), with the exception of "Nocturnal Supremacy" being on this album instead of "Malice Through the Looking Glass".

This album version is kept more raw and wild compared to the 1996 release. It is more basic, showing the energy that sits in black metal. Dani Filth is screaming and yelling if there would be no tomorrow, guitars are heavy and puristic and the rhythm section delivers a constant push. At the same time Cradle Of Filth added already at this early stage bombastic sound elements that got more attention on the later releases. And just listening to the embedded classical female vocals on the title track gives you the shivers, it's almost a goth expression that Cradle Of Filth included in this track.

For me, both versions have it's right of existence. The 1996 album is more professionally produced which gives the tunes a better sound while the original one is raw, unbound and brutal. It's has more of this underground vibe that makes it special. "The Original' is a mean black metal masterpiece that come right out of hell.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Macabre, this Banquet
2. Nocturnal Supremacey
3. Heaven Torn Asunder
4. Dusk and Her Embrace
5. A Gothic Romance
6. The Graveyard by Midnight
7. Funeral in Carpathia
8. Beauty Slept in Sodom
9. The Haunted Shors of Avalon
10. Carmilla's Masque
11. A Gothic Romace (Demo version)
12. Nocturnal Supremacy (Demo version)

Label: Cacophonous Records

Genre: Black Metal

Release Date EU: July 8th, 2016

(7/10) Never heart about Attica Rage berfore, but when I read the name of the band, releasing an album namend "Warheads" I was expecting something else, than what I got on my plate. I thought that this album is full of heavy metal, deeply rotted in the NWoBHM or a thrash metal album that blows you away. And even nthough Atilla Rage comes from thrash metal ("Ruin Nation") this album is heavy metal with a many hardrock and classic rock cross references. 

Attica Rage is based in Scotland and the band started in the end of the eighties. The guys didn't manage to release more than one demo and it took the guys till 2003 for publishing the first EP called "In My Dreams. Another half a decade later Attica Rage made their debut accessible and after two more longplayers it's time for record number four called "Warheads Ltd.".

One of the songs when Attica Rage unveil their more metalized background is the title track. "Warhead Ltd." is like a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, from the way the song is build as well as from the vocals of Jonny Parr. "El Chupacabra" follows a similar pattern before "All Summer long" is a more standard heavy rock song that doesn't create a true wow-effect.

The album has with "Lost in Memory" a ballad too which is well-crafted and solid - not more but also not less.

The best moments on "Warheads Ltd." are the ones when Attica Rage plays heavier stuff like "New World Decay". There are some of these tracks on the album that feels like the band searching a bit for their way forward.

In the end "Warheads Ltd." became a longplayer that is not really sticking out it's head very much, but it's also far away from being a downer. It's easy approachable heavy rock/metal as we have heard many times before.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Beyong the 45
2. Falling Down
3. Warheads LTD
4. El Chupacabra
5. All Summer Long
6. Lost in Memory
7. Into the Ether
8. New World Decay
9. Haunted (Prelude)
10. Haunted

Label: Off Yer Rocka Recordings

Genre: Heavy Rock

Release Date EU: June 6th, 2016

During this years Dynamo Metal Fest I had the chance to talk to Metal Church's Kurdt Vanderhoof and Mike Howe who recently returned to the mighty metal institution. The band came from Balingen, Germany where they performed at Bang Your Head, before coming over to The Netherlands. Everybody has been in a good mood, looking forward to a great show. Read here what Kurdt and Mike had to say about the new album, some pressure connected to success and the fact that both musicians are together on stage for the first time.

Markus' Heavy Music Blog: Hej guys, first of all thank you for finding a few minutes for Markus' Heavy Music Blog. You guys released your new album "XI" a few months ago and it has been a huge success. Did you expect all of this very positive feedback - for the album but also for Mike being back in the band?

Kurdt: Well, we knew it was going be 'new' and we knew that people were going to be excited, but we didn't know it was going to be like this. It's pretty amazing.

MHMB: Did this positive resonance put any extra pressure on you.

Kurdt: I did the music and we were demoing the songs. Mike and myself, we sent the songs back and forth. The pressure was modest at that time and that was the great thing about it. All the response was after the record was done. So, we just knew that people would actually pay attention to what we did, but we didn't let it affect us this time. We were just happy to work together again and wanted to make the record that we were trying to make for a while.

Mike: We purposely started this project saying "we're not a band yet". We were just trying to write some new songs, do a record and take one step at a time, seeing how it goes. That was one way to keep the pressure off ourselves.

Kurdt: We did the announcement that was is back in the band when the record was basically written and we knew that we had a good one. He didn't even decide till we knew that we had a good record. So there was no pressure. But now it's the next record, OMG (laughing).

MHMB: Indeed, now expectations are pretty high.

Kurdt: True, now I'm doomed (laughing again).

Mike: But seriously, in the meantime we are old enough. We don't feel the pressure; we just do it for the fans and hopefully they like it.

MHMB: "XI" has a certain ease. It doesn't feel forced or like 'we have to it'. Is this because Mike is back or was there more?

Kurdt: It was definitely different for me, because the Mike Howe era of Metal Church was much more rock'n'roll and much more melodic than the David Wayne era, something that actually appeals to me much more. So, the prospect of Mike coming back allowed me to write songs that are much more in a vein, in a style, that is still heavy and 100% Metal Church, but leaning more towards rock'n'roll, which was very exciting for me. It was really great for me to write from this aspect.

MHMB: Mike, you have been out of the music business for many years. Actually since you left Metal Church in the 90s you haven't been part of any band. How is it to literally be back in the spotlight after all those years without being on stage?

Mike: It feels fantastic.

MHMB: That's great. Was it a big change for you or did it feel more like something natural?

Mike: It was surprisingly natural. It's like riding bike. You get back on and your memories, your muscle memories and all that comes back. You just feel like a kid again. That's also what we get back from the fans saying "You make us feel like we are 20 again", something that goes for us too.

MHMB: Looking at the setlist, you're focussing more on the earlier releases plus the new album.

Kurdt: Yes, we are focussing more on the Mike Howe era, that's right.

MHMB: Thinking about 'Dynamo' and 'Eindhoven', you guys had some good shows here. The 1991 concert was even released as a VHS video. How does it feel to be back?

Mike: It feels great. It's not the same place, that's the thing for me, but, playing music festivals in Eindhoven is a great thing. I'm ready and I'm very excited about it.

MHMB: Speaking of live recordings, there aren't that many live releases from Metal Church. Do you think that we can expect a live album / DVD in the near future?

Kurdt: That's right, there are no proper ones out there. It was more like fulfilling contract obligations and it wasn't like 'great'. I would love to do a proper double real live album and we talked about it. But the timing for that is very important and we have to make sure that the moment is right for such a release. Anyhow, I would love to do it and we'll know when it's the right moment.

MHMB: Kurdt and Mike, it's the first time that you're together on stage. In the first Mike Howe era, Kurdt you were more a crucial player behind the scenes.

Kurdt: That was actually another inspiration for us, because this time we made a record and we have to play these songs together on stage.

Mike: It feels great for you to recognise this question because most of the time we bring this up.

MHMB: One of the reasons I'm asking this is because I have the feeling that very often it is important to have a guitarist and singer on an equal level, something you guys represent too. Does this have such an important impact on a band and the music?

Mike: Yes, it's the chemistry that is important.

Kurdt: Yes, definitely. Of course we are a band and everybody puts their stamp on it, but maybe it affects the initial part of writing new songs when Mike and I are collaborating together.

MHMB: Kurdt, how about Vanderhoof? I liked the two albums you released, but is it frozen forever or are you thinking about another release?

Kurdt: No, it's not frozen at all. The Vanderhoof thing turned into Presto Ballet, which was a natural progression. That's my 70's rock ideas that I need to get out of my system and then it morphed into the prog-rock thing. Actually we are hoping to release a new Presto Ballet album this coming November.

MHMB: Kurdt and Mike, thanks again for spending some time with Markus' Heavy Music Blog and let's look forward to a great show tonight.

Kurdt & Mike: Thanks for having us.

Thanks to Eron Witzel for support...

(7/10) Mos Generator is basically Tony Reed and Sean Booth even though we are talking about a trio. The guys can look back on a long discography to which they add a new longplayer called "Abyssinia".

Mos Generator haven't had a big break-through yet and I also think that the most recent release will not change this fact. But this also doesn't mean that you should stop reading at this stage. The music that Mos Generator generates on their newest album sounds good and you should check it out.

The guys started almost 16 years ago - new century, new band - with already a full bag pack of on-the-road and studio experience.

Mos Generator describes their music as heavy rock which, I think, nails it down very well. According the band Black Sabbath belongs to the biggest influences, something you hear with each of the tracks. I guess it was more than a onetime thing that the guys listened to records like "Sabotage". So, in the end "Abyssania" contains well-crafted doom metal that includes some songs played more in slo-mo ("Easy Evil") and others that are more vigorous ("Strangest Times").

I can recommend this album to each of you that loves 70's doom rock/metal. This longplayer is bringing back almost forgotten times, a moment that makes you walking down the memory lane.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Strangest Time
2. You've Got a Right
3. Catspaw
4. Easy Evil
5. Wicked Willow
6. As Above so Below
7. Red Canyons
8. There's No Return from Nowhere
9. Time & Other Thieves
10. Outlander

Label: Listenable Records

Genre: Heavy Rock

Release Date EU: July 15th, 2016

(7/10) I can't imagine that the songs on "New World Order" will lead to the like. This album is more a step back into the past when the NWoBHM rose and bands like Iron Maiden and Saxon gained momentum. It's especially the latter I had to think of for more than once while listening to Q5's newest output.

Knowing that Q5 started in 1983 it's not a too big surprise that the guys are rooted in this kind of traditional metal music. What is surprising though is the fact that Q5 are releasing a new album. It's actually their first release since 1985, not considering the 1986 single "Living on the borderline".

It was in 2009 when Nightshades, the successor band of Q5, was asked to perform at the Headbanger's Open Air in Germany, something the band did under the banner of Q5. Things got more concrete after Q5 performing at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2014. What was meant to be a 'one off' show became the start of a renewed cooperation - with "New World Order" being the result of it.

This longplayer features 14 songs that are melodic metal with a well-done oldschool expression. What's fortunately less dusty is the production that is powerful and crystal clear. This means eighties metal with a moderized appeal achieved by a well done production.

Like said in the beginning, this album doesn't lead to a 'new world order', but it provides you with a lot of very entertaining music that you at least should give a chance, esp. if you like Saxon.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. We Came here to Rock
2. One Night in Hellas
3. The Right Way
4. New World Order
5. Tear Up the Night
6. Halfway to Hell
7. A Prisoner of Mind
8. Unrequited (A Woman of Darkness and Steel)
9. Just One Kiss
10. Fear is the Killer
11. Land of the Setting Sun
12. A Warrior's Song
13. Mach Opus 206 (instr.)
14. Get Next to You

Label: Frontiers Music

Genre: Heavy Metal

Release Date EU: July 8th, 2016