Tag: Hard Rock
3 M3 Rock Festival Announces 2013 Lineup!
GLAM & HEAVY METAL RETURNS TO MERRIWEATHER
I.M.P. PRESENTS 2013 M3 ROCK FESTIVAL
IN ITS 5th YEAR M3 IS THE BIGGEST, BADDEST METAL SHOW
DRAWING FANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
OFFICIAL M3 KIX-OFF PARTY & CONCERT FRIDAY, MAY 3 at 5:30pm
2013 M3 ROCK FESTIVAL SATURDAY, MAY 4 at 11am
2-Day and VIP Packages on sale Friday, January 25 10am EST through ticketfly.com
If Available, Single-Day Tickets on-sale in the coming week.
The heavy metal time machine will turn back to the1980s and ‘90s when Bret Michaels Band, Twisted Sister, and W.A.S.P. will be among the 20 bands to take over Merriweather Post Pavilion, playing full sets of their glam rock and heavy metal hits. M3 fans won’t have to choose between bands with overlapping set times, since each band will play one at a time. The festival will take place on two separate stages, each simulcasting the other, giving fans the option to stay in one seat and watch all the bands as they appear on both stages, or fans can move from stage to stage without missing a note.
M3, internationally renown, has attracted fans from six continents, 10 countries and 40 states. Now in its fifth year, I.M.P. Presents M3 Rock Festival starts with The Official M3 Kix-Off Party, which will get things started Friday, May 3rd at 5:30pm. Acts playing Friday night are W.A.S.P., KIX, Danger Danger and Bad Seed Rising. The full-blown 2013 M3 Rock Festival begins Saturday, May 4th at 11am and will include Bret Michaels Band, Twisted Sister, Jackyl, Steel Panther, JSRG, Firehouse, Great White featuring Jack Russell, Kings X, Loudness, Steelheart, Trixter, Love/Hate, Tuff, In The Pink, Korupt, and Streetlight Circus.
Each year VIP and Pavilion seats sell out in minutes. Two-day and VIP packages will go on sale Friday, Jan. 25th at 10am EST through ticketfly.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the 9:30 Club Box Office in Washington, D.C. If available, single-day tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks. For more information, visit http://www.ticketfly.com/ or http://www.m3rockfest.com
VIP ticket holders will have:
• Private VIP Entrance gate
• Official M3 2013 Festival T-shirt
• Official M3 2013 Concert Poster
• Access to floor and front of house seating
• Access to M3 VIP Deck located backstage (access to VIP concessions and VIP restrooms)
• Access to Artist Meet & Greet Lounge.
ABOUT I.M.P.
Formed in 1980, I.M.P. is a Bethesda, Md.-based concert promoter and event production company. In addition to launching the Virgin Festival in the U.S., the principals at I.M.P. own Washington DC’s legendary 9:30 Club, named the Top Club by Billboard Touring Awards and renowned as the premier place to see and hear cutting edge live music of all varieties. I.M.P. also programs and operates Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Over the last 33 years, I.M.P. and the 9:30 Club have put on nearly 10,000 events, hosting millions of music fans.
1 Loudness – Eve To Dawn (2012)
Heavy, powerful, dominate: all are good adjectives to describe Eve To Dawn, the latest record from Japan’s Loudness. This album is like a fresh kick to the groin in a world of stagnant metal. This is Iron Maiden meets Anthrax turned up to eleven! Even though they have been rocking the masses since 1981, Loudness proves that they still know how to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up while blowing out your eardrums in style.
If you haven’t followed Loudness in a while, Eve To Dawn is a good record to get you back into the band. If you’ve never listened to Loudness, Eve To Dawn is a great record to get you interested in the band (you may even seek out their back catalog after listening to this record). Innovation and style paint this disc in a musical landscape that is amazing to the ears of even the most seasoned heavy metal lover.
Songs like “Gonna Do It My Way” showcase how superb Eve To Dawn is. With smart lyrics, exceptional guitar solos, and gritty vocals from lead singer Minoru Niihara, “Gonna Do It My Way” reminds us all how much fun hard rock music can be. Blistering solos and fantastic finger work on “Hang Tough” are reminiscent of Nuno Bettencourt in his prime. “Hang Tough” is a hard and heavy rocker complete with some great rock screams, dark riffs, and mesmerizing guitar solos.
Guitarist Akira Takasaki provides chops that would put most modern guitar players to shame. The lead guitar work is some of the best that I’ve heard on any album released in 2012. Takasaki’s fret work is simply astonishing. If you are a fan of guitars, guitar solos, and a crisp thrash metal sound, Eve To Dawn should be added to your “must own” list.
The instrumental track, “Emotions” may be one of the best overall tracks on Eve To Dawn. Once again, it is Akira Takasaki’s guitar work that makes this song stand out. His playing is simply mind blowing on “Emotions.” Throughout Eve To Dawn, I continued to be amazed at the ability of Takasaki as a guitar player. The guitar work, changes, and musical prowess really helps solidify Eve To Dawn and raise it from mediocre levels to outstanding.
Eve To Dawn is a terrific record that I highly recommend for any fans of the hard rock/sleaze metal genre. It could be the biggest surprise of 2012. Just as I was blown away by the band’s M3 performance, I am once again blown away by their latest CD release. Hard rock has been made fun again thanks to Loudness and Eve To Dawn.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing
- A Light In The Dark
- The Power Of Truth
- Come Alive Again
- Survivior
- Keep You Burning
- Gonna Do It My Way
- Hang Tough
- Emotions
- Comes The Dawn
- Pandra
- Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!
Loudness Is:
Masayoshi Yamashita – Bass
Akira Takasaki – Guitar
Minoru Niihara – Vocals
Masayuki Suzuki – Drums
0 Three for Thursday Videos – The Last Vegas
Check out The Last Vegas’ brand new video “Evil Eyes”, as well as “The Other Side” and “Apologize” below.
“Evil Eyes” was produced and directed by the Chicago-based Motion Source Video Solutions (www.motionsource.net). Of the song and corresponding video, The Last Vegas frontman Chad Cherry commented, “We wanted to write a tune that people would want to rock out to, feel sexy and dance to…but in reality, the song’s message is creepy as hell. It’s about stalking people, watching them in their private and personal environment behind closed doors doing things they wouldn’t do in front of people…but someone is in the shadows watching all. Maybe that IS actually sexy, voyeurism and obsession.”
“Evil Eyes” will be on the new album BAD DECISIONS.
BAD DECISIONS is set for a North American street date of August 28th via FrostByte Media. Produced by Johnny K (Megadeth, Disturbed, 3 Doors Down, Airbourne), the album was recorded in the band’s hometown of Chicago and contains the straight-up rock n’ roll meets garage/punk rock sound for which the band has come to be known.
0 New Hard Rock and Metal Releases For 6/5/2012
There are a ton of cool hard rock and metal releases hitting stores tomorrow (6/5/2012)! Check below for the full list!
L.A. Guns – Hollywood Forever
The Hives – Lex Hives
JORN – Bring Heavy Rock to the Land
Fear Factory – Industrialist
Kreator – Phantom Antichrist
Circus Maximus – Nine
Grand Magus – The Hunt
Fates Warning – Inside Out
Tank – War Nation
Hexen – Being & Nothingness
Sabaton – Carolus Rex
Spider Rockets – Bitten
XFactor1 – Famous Last Words
2 Will Wallner & Vivien Vain – S/T (2012)
On their debut CD, Will Wallner & Vivien Vain have recruited some of hard rock’s finest musicians to help craft their songs. The end result is a remarkable hard rock CD that I can’t stop listening to. Will Wallner may not be a guitarist whose name you recognize. One listen to this CD, and I think he could possibly become an overnight sensation. Wallner delivers some of the best hard rock riffs I have heard in 2012, and that includes the recent works from Eddie Van Halen & Vinnie Moore (in UFO). Wallner’s style reminds me of a cross between Randy Rhoads & Jake E. Lee. That is pretty good company to be in, in my opinion.
Vivien Vain, where have you been hiding? Vain is easily one of the best new female hard rock vocalists that I have heard in quite some time. Her powerful pipes are a very good match for Wallner’s heavy riffs. Of course it doesn’t hurt when you attract the likes of Carmen Appice, Tony Franklin, Rudy Sarzo, Vinny Appice, Jimmy Bain, Tony Carey, Brian Tichy and Derek Sherinian to play on your songs. These hard rock legends help to craft some very cool tunes. I can’t begin to tell you how good it is to hear Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice (two-thirds of Blue Murder) playing on some songs together again. This is very cool stuff indeed!
The best songs on the CD are “Dreamstealer”, “Streets of Rage” & “Miles Ahead”, but there really isn’t a bad song in the bunch.
If you are a fan of 80’s hard rock, you ought to check out this CD. You won’t be disappointed!
For more information on Will Wallner & Vivien Vain, please check out their website. You can purchase the CD from CDBaby at this link or a signed copy from the Wallner Vain website. Check it out!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- The Dream
- Dreamstealer
- Streets Of Rage
- Fourteen Twenty Eight
- All That I Want
- Miles Ahead
- Soul Monster
- Rising
- Indestructible
Vivien Vain – Vocals
Will Wallner – Guitar
Guest Musicians:
Tony Carey – Keys on Tracks 1, 2, 8, 9
Jimmy Bain – Bass on Track 2
Vinny Appice – Drums on Tracks 2, 3, 4, 6
Carmine Appice – Drums on Tracks 3, 5, 9
Tony Franklin – Bass on Tracks 3, 5, 7, 9
Rudy Sarzo – Bass on Tracks 4, 6
Brian Tichy – Drums on Track 7
Derek Sherinian – Keys on Track 7
1 Sweden Metal – Four Bands That Released Music in 2011 That You Should Not Miss!
Sweden has been a major hot bed for hard rock and metal bands for several years now. While we have heard a lot of bands with a sleaze and glam sound, there is much more to the metal scene than just that style of rock. Here are four clips from some Swedish hard rock & metal acts who released great new music in 2011.
Fullforce released a video clip “Open Your Eyes” in support of their new album One that was released via SPV earlier this year. Check out the clip below!
Gothenberg’s Sweden’s Evergrey released one impressive album, with Glorious Collision. It is dark, moody, and some spectacular listening. Check out their clip “Wrong” below.
Nuclear Blast’s PAIN released their new album, “You Only Live Twice” in July. Check out their awesome clip “Dirty Woman” below.
Coldspell released their sophomore effort Out From The Cold in 2011. I have loved these guys since hearing demos of the debut album, Infinite Stargaze. Out From the Cold should not be missed! Check out their clip “Time” below!
3 Shy – S/T (2011)
Shy returned in 2011 with their 10th studio album, and their first with their new singer Lee Small. Small ,who sang with the bands Phenomena and Surveillance, turns in an outstanding vocal performance, and have helped Shy create what is easily their best new album since 2002’s Unfinished Business.
This album isn’t the heaviest of Shy albums. What it lacks in heaviness, it has in melody. The keys of Joe Basketts greatly augments, but never over powers, the guitar work of Steve Harris. Some of my favorites on this album include the songs “Sanctuary”, a killer melodic tune that has some awesome progressive rock elements to it, and ‘Pray”, a killer tune with a great message. Some of the other album highlights are the rocking cuts “Land of a Thousand Lies”, and “Blood on the Line”. There really isn’t a bad song in the bunch.
I thought I would miss the vocals of Tony Mills with Shy, but I have to admit that I am loving what the band is doing with Lee Small. Both Shy and TNT can forge ahead with the excellent singers they employ.
Sadly, this album will be the swan song for guitarist Steve Harris who passed away in October from a brain tumor. His guitar work will be greatly missed by the melodic rock community. He leaves us with an outstanding melodic rock CD and a catalog of hard & melodic rock that will never be forgotten by music fans anywhere.
For more information on Shy, please visit the band’s website. You can purchase Shy’s new CD at this link. I recommend it!
Rating: Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. Land of a Thousand Lies
02. So Many Tears
03. Ran Out of Time
04. Breathe
05. Blood On the Line
06. Pray
07. Only for the Night
08. Live For Me
09. Over You
10. Sanctuary
11. Save Me
12. Union of Souls
Shy is:
Lee Small – Vocals
Steve Harris – Guitars
Joe Basketts – Keyboards
Roy Davis – Bass
Bob Richards – Drums
0 Liberty ‘N’ Justice to Release “Hell is Coming to Breakfast”
Roxx Productions along with Liberty ‘n’ Justice are very pleased to announce for LNJ’s 20th Anniversary (1992-2012) the release of their 11th studio album ‘Hell is coming to Breakfast’. This marks the bands second release on Roxx Records after a successful partnership on the Limited Edition charity CD entitled ‘Chasing a Cure LP’ that the two teamed up on earlier in 2011. ‘Hell is coming to Breakfast is set for release on March 1, 2012 with pre-sales beginning now.
Justin Murr of Liberty ‘n’ Justice has this to say about the release… “We recorded so many songs for our yet to be released 2 CD project entitled ‘The Cigar Chronicles’ and with the delay on this release not happening until late in 2012 or early 2013 we didn’t want the fans to have to wait that long to get some new LNJ in their hands. So when Bill and Roxx Records approached me and asked if we had anything else up our sleeves we could release, we realized we had to many songs that were not all going to fit on ‘Cigar’ so we took the 6 songs that we couldn’t fit and then recorded another brand new song which is the title track ‘Hell is coming to breakfast’ especially for this release and added 5 more previously unreleased rare cuts and demos just for this one, I am really excited for our fans to hear this collection”
Bill from Roxx Records had this to say about the new release “We are very excited to be working with Justin and Liberty ‘n’ Justice once again, especially in the bands twentieth year! Justin and all the wonderful artists he works with continue to release nothing but top notch material and after twenty years it is just amazing how they keep coming up with so many great Melodic Rock songs again and again and again”
In addition to the 7 brand new tracks and various demos and rarities we are very excited to be able to include on this release and on CD for the very first time ever the original acoustic demo version of ‘Sin’ featuring the late great Jani Lane of Warrant out front on vocals.
Full Track Listing…
1. “Hell Is Coming To Breakfast” Seann Nichols (Adler’s Appetite / Tarsha), JK Northrup (King Kobra/ XYZ)
2. “Madhatter” Donnie Vie (Enuff Z’ Nuff), JK Northrup (King Kobra/ XYZ), Chris Dickens (Mission Of One) & Tommy Denander
3. “Whack A Mole” Johnny Lima, JK Northrup (King Kobra/ XYZ), Jerry Johnson (SAINT) & Richard Lynch (SAINT)
4.”Thankful Heart” Philip Bardowell (MAGDALEN/Unruly Child), Lynn Louise Lowrey (Vixen/Testify), & Anthony Gravley
5. “Nakatomi Plaza” JK Northrup (King Kobra/ XYZ), Greg Bishop (X-Sinner) & Scott Weisenborn (Testify)
6. “Stretch Armstrong” Louis St August (Mass), JK Northrup (King Kobra/ XYZ)& Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper)
7. “Get Down” Tony Mills (TNT/ Shy),Mark Allen Lanoue (Chasing Karma/ Bilioxi), & Anthony Gravley
8. “Your Memory Just Won’t Do” [Previously unreleased on CD] David Cagle, Alex Grossi (Quiet Riot) & CJ Snare (Firehouse)
9. “Thy will be done” [demo] Jamie Rowe (Guardian)
10.”What do you believe?” [Original demo of ‘Do what you believe’] Mike Ledesma (FAR CRY) Vic Rivera (Crunch)
11. “Monkey Dance” [Alternate Mix] Jack Russell (Great White)
12. “Sin” [Original Acoustic Demo] Jani Lane (Warrant)
This is a Limited Edition CD Release for full details including pre-sale information and special packages please visit www.roxxproductions.com
1 ’77 – High Decibels (2011)
Is it possible for an AC/DC like band to outdo AC/DC? If there was a band up to the challenge, ’77 would be the act. ’77 recently released their sophomore effort, High Decibels, and they show no sign of the dreaded sophomore slump.
Singer Armand Valeta continues to show his near perfect vocal mimicry of AC/DC’s legendary singer Bon Scott. His brother, LG Valeta, has Angus Young’s sound and style down to perfection. Sure the music or style isn’t very original, but what ’77 lacks in originality, they show in the pure passion they devoted to the music. Their latest effort High Decibels is a another hard rockin’ affair that will please those that enjoyed the band’s debut album, 21st Century Rock. Some of my favorites on this CD are the high octane title track “High Decibels”, “Let’s Beat It Up” and “Gimme A Dollar”.
If you need an AC/DC like fix to hold you over until Brian Johnson & Angus Young record another album, High Decibels is an album, you will want to purchase. I enjoyed it, and I think you will too.
You can listen to the song “High Decibels” below! The album is available for purchase at this link.
Check it out!
Rating: Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. High Decibels
02. (Gotta Go) Gotta Hit the Road
03. Are You Ready For Rock ‘N Roll
04. Let’s Beat It Up
05. Back Door Man
06. Give Me A Dollar
07. This Girl Is On Fire
08. Melting In A Spoon
09. Since You’ve Been Gone
10. Promised Land
11. Things You Can’t Talk About (Bonus Track)
’77 is
Armand Valeta – Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
LG Valeta – Lead Guitar
Johnnie Dolphin – Drums
Raw – Bass
0 KILL DEVIL HILL STREAMING NEW SONG
KILL DEVIL HILL is the new project featuring acclaimed drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, Dio) and bassist Rex Brown, (Pantera, Down) guitar slinger Mark Zavon and lead vocalist Dewey Bragg.
Vinny Appice and Rex Brown were featured guests on this past weekend’s edition of “That Metal Show”. Rex and Vinny spoke to hosts Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine about their debut album, playing live, and signing with SPV. More information on That Metal Show and future airings of the episode with Vinny and Rex can be found HERE.
KILL DEVIL HILL‘s self-titled debut is slated for a late March 2012 release.
For more info please visit:
8 D Generation and Guns N’ Roses – Concert Review & Photo Gallery – U.S. Bank Arena – December 2nd, 2011
New York’s D Generation and Guns N’ Roses came to U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday December 2nd.
I have been more excited about this show than many concerts in the recent past, as I never got to see Guns N’ Roses live back in the day. D Generation took the stage sharply at 9 P.M. and played a high energy set which the large crowd seemed to enjoy. I have to admit that I am not very familiar with D Generation, but I liked the songs that I heard in their set. The last time the band played in Cincinnati, they opened for KISS back in 1996, so hopefully it doesn’t take them another fifteen years to come back to Cincinnati.
I have to admit that I had no idea what to expect with Guns N’ Roses. My expectations were somewhat low for this show. I didn’t know what kind of shape Axl Rose’s voice was in. I have never heard his current band play before. I have loved the original incarnation of Guns N’ Roses for so long, I never gave the new version of Guns N’ Roses a chance. With that being said, Axl Rose & company, BLEW ME AWAY!! Axl Rose is still singing at the top of his game, and his three guitarists DJ Ashba, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Richard Fortus, all trade off the lead guitar duties. Each one of these guys are tremendous musicians, and they all put on one hell of a show. DJ Ashba might be the guitarist to help take Guns N’ Roses back to the top. He gives Guns N’ Roses a recognizable face that fans automatically associate with. The cool thing is, Ashba, Thal and Fortus play together perfectly. Axl had no problem sharing the spotlight and gave his trio of axe slingers plenty of time to share the limelight. He even let bass guitarist Tommy Stinson handle the vocals on the cover of the Dead Boys tune “Sonic Reducer”.
Guns N’ Roses stage show was one of the biggest ones I have seen in quite some time. Video screens were set up on the far left and right hand side of the stage, as well as a massive video wall behind the stage. The lights and pyro were extremely cool. No matter where you were sitting, you saw a great show. Axl and company took the stage at 10:45 and played for nearly 3 hours with the set list below.
“Chinese Democracy”, “Welcome To The Jungle”, “It’s So Easy”, “Mr. Brownstone”, “Sorry”, “Shackler’s Revenge”, “Estranged”, “Rocket Queen”, “Live and Let Die”, “Riff Raff (AC/DC cover)”, “This I Love”, “Sonic Reducer (Dead Boys cover)”, “Street Of Dreams”, “You Could Be Mine”, “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, “November Rain”, “Don’t Cry”, “Whole Lotta Rosie (AC/DC cover)”, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)”, “Nightrain”, “Madagascar”, “Better”, “Patience”, and “Paradise City”.
This concert made me a believer in the current version of Guns N’ Roses. I used to dream about a Guns N’ Roses reunion, but after the show I saw Friday night, I do not long for a reunion anymore. I am anxious to see how far this band can take things in the current lineup. If you have been on the fence about going to see Guns N’ Roses in your area, you should buy a ticket. This was an amazing night of rock and roll, and easily one of the best concerts I have seen in lifetime.
Check out our D Generation Slideshow & Photo Gallery below!
0 New Video – Bang Tango – Live Life
Bang Tango’s new CD, Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt is now available via the band’s website. Check out their new video clip,”Live Life” below!
0 Two For Tuesday Videos – The New Black – The King I Was & Ballad of Broken Angels
German rockers The New Black released their sophomore effort, Better in Black last January without much fanfare. I dig these guys, and I think you will to. Their videos “The King I Was” and “Ballad of Broken Angels are definitely worth another look. Check ’em out!
0 Free Download From Voodoo Highway
Voodoo Highway has released a video for their song, “Running Around”. You can get a free download of the song at the band’s Reverbnation page. Check it out!
0 Five Finger Death Punch – American Capitalist (2011)
Five Finger Death Punch shows no signs of slowing down in 2011. The band has cranked out another tasty slab of metal with their new release, American Capitalist. Typically, I am not a fan of bands with vocalists who scream more than sing. In the case of Fiver Finger Death Punch’s singer, Ivan Moody, he does quite a bit of both. For that reason, I have found Five Finger Death Punch’s music much more to my liking. I have seen them live a few times, and they always put on a great show.
Their latest CD American Capitalist does see the band breaking any new ground, but if you have a been a fan of the band’s screaming groove metal in the past, you are going to find plenty to like on the band’s latest CD. American Capitalist is packed full of songs with screaming vocals, excellent guitar solos and plenty of blast beats to get your blood pumping.
The first two songs “American Capitalist” and “Under and Over it” starts this CD off on a high note with two massive metal anthems that will likely be a fixture in future 5FDP live set lists.
What amazes me about Five Finger Death Punch, is Ivan Moody’s ability to transition from the heavy screams and growls, in pitch perfect clean vocals. The band can craft super heavy songs like the ones I mentioned above, and then have a song like “Coming Down” or “Remember Everything” which could easily be played on the radio. Zoltan Bathory’s blazing guitar solos are second to none on this album. Between Moody’s vocals, the outstanding guitar work of Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook, and the über tight rhythm section of Jeremy Spencer and 5FDP newcomer Chris Kael, I have been greatly enjoying American Capitalist.
Is the best Five Finger Death Punch CD yet? My response to that would definitely be yes. I thought the first two CD’s were good, but I have already listened to American Capitalist more than the first two CD’s combined. If you are a fan of metal, or Five Finger Death Punch, you should definitely seek out American Capitalist. I recommend it!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. American Capitalist
2. Under and Over It
3. The Pride
4. Coming Down
5. Menace
6. Generation Dead
7. Back For More
8. Remember Everything
9. Wicked Ways
10. If I Fall
Five Finger Death Punch is:
Zoltan Bathory – guitars
Jason Hook – guitars
Ivan Moody – vocals
Jeremy Spencer – drums
Chris Kael – Bass
0 House Of Lords – Big Money (2011)
On their latest release, Big Money, House of Lords reminds us yet again what an underrated band they are. Their last release (2009’s Cartesian Dreams) was so grand that it ranked on my top ten hard rock records of the year list (no easy feat). With singer James Christian still sounding magnificent on the microphone and his current bandmates following suit on their respective instruments, House of Lords prove once again that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Big Money opens with the hard rocking title track that immediate reminds the listener of why House of Lords is such a great band. Packed with strong guitar riffs, a heavy handed drum beat by B.J. Zampa, and some solid vocals by James Christian, “Big Money” is as strong an opener for a record as they come. James Christian can still pack a wallop when singing a tune. His voice sounds as magnificent today as it did back in 1989 when the band debuted. Father time has been very kind to James Christian’s voice.
Proving they can still belt out a ballad with the best of them, House of Lords included “The Next Time I Hold You,” on this record. A powerful love-fest of a song, cigarette lighters will be out in full force if the band decides to play this in concert. House of Lords was kind enough to remind us all what a power ballad should sound like and delivered a superb one in “The Next Time I Hold You.” With exceptional vocals, a solid guitar solo, and a classic arrangement, this is a fantastic ballad and one of the best tracks on the disc.
Synthesizers dominate the music throughout Big Money, making it sound like a harder edged Europe. While House of Lords has always had keyboards in their music, I can’t recall an album where they dominated the landscape of the music as much as they do on Big Money. The added element doesn’t take away from the music, but the disc may have benefited from more guitar solos and less synth work. There are areas on the record screaming for a guitar solo, only to be filled in by some keyboards. That’s not to take away from the great work that keyboardist Jeff Kent has done, but some more solos from Jimi Bell would have helped on certain songs.
Following the mantra of “always leave them wanting more,” House of Lords waited for the final track of the disc to unleash their best song. “Blood” is a hard rocking masterpiece that includes outstanding vocals, a ripping guitar solo, and arena pounding drums. The synthesizers were reduced to a background rhythm section, making “Blood” a much heavier song than most of the album.
Overall, House of Lords have produced another solid record that is worth seeking out and adding to your collection. With any luck, we may see this band on some of the festival bills in 2012. A stop at M3 would be real nice! With new music to support, I suppose that anything is possible.
Rating: Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Big Money
- One Man Down
- First To Cry
- Searchin’
- Someday When
- Livin’ In A Dream World
- The Next Time I Hold You
- Run For Your Life
- Hologram
- Seven
- Once Twice
- Blood
House Of Lords Is:
James Christian – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Jimi Bell – Guitar
Chris McCarvill – Bass Guitar
B. J. Zampa – Drums
Jeff Kent – Keyboards
2 New Video – Evanescence – What You Want
Evanescence has a new self titled album coming out October 11th. Check out their brand new video “What You Want” below!
Vodpod videos no longer available.
0 Shiprocked Adds Another Animal
ShipRocked is very pleased to announce that the amazing rock supergroup Another Animal will be joining us onboard the cruise this November!
Incorporating elements of hard rock, metal, punk and grunge, Another Animal features three members of Godsmack – guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill and drummerShannon Larkin, along with original Godsmack guitarist Lee Richards (ex-Dropbox) and ex-Ugly Kid Joe singer Whitfield Crane.
The seeds of Another Animal were planted in 2004 when Godsmack was on their tour with Metallica and flourished in 2006 during the Godsmack sessions for the IV album. The band released its self-titled debut album in 2007 and first single “Broken Again” reached #8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. 2011 marks the return of Another Animal with the release of a new single “Fall of Rome” due to impact radio this Fall. The band will follow up the single release with a full-length record slated for 2012.
Another Animal joins a stout lineup that includes Buckcherry, Broken Teeth, Queensryche, Sevendust, Hinder, Hell Yeah, Sick Puppies, Candlebox, Filter, Living Colour, In This Moment and Lynam.
To reserve your spot onboard the ultimate rock and roll cruise vacation with a backstage pass, just click “book now” or call us at 1-888-438-9509 to book over the phone!
1 Pop Evil – War of Angels (2011)
Pop Evil has released their follow up effort to their 2008 debut Lipstick in a Mirror. While I thought Lipstick in a Mirror was good, the band has improved, and War of Angels is definitely a step above the debut. Luckily, I have been able to hear the band perform a few of the songs from War of Angels live prior to purchasing the CD, and I already knew that I liked the tunes I have heard.
War of Angels seems like a more balanced effort. Some songs like “Last Man Standing” and “Boss’s Daughter” are heavy, while the song “Let It Go” is more of a pop/power ballad, that has huge radio potential.
Leigh Kakaty’s voice surprised me on this CD, as I thought his voice sounded higher than it did when I have seen him live. He sounds great, as does the rest of Pop Evil.
I have to admit that I am not a fan of too many modern rock bands, however, Pop Evil has won me over with their energetic live shows. Judging from the tunes on War of Angels, Pop Evil is clearly one of the better new bands out there. I would compare their sound to Shinedown’s at this stage in their career, and that is not a bad place to be in my opinion.
I have enjoyed War of Angels much more than I expected to, and definitely believe it is worth picking up.
For more information on Pop Evil, please visit the band’s website. You can purchase War of Angels at this link.
Rating: Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Last Man Standing
2. Epitaph
3. Broken and Betrayed
4. Monster You Made
5. Let it Go
6. Boss’s Daughter
7. Daisy Chain
8. Purple
9. Black & Blue
10. Next Life
11. Save the World
Pop Evil is:
Leigh Kakaty – lead vocals
Tony Greve – lead guitar
Dave Grahs – rhythm guitar
Matt DiRito – bass
Dylan Allison – drums
0 Gary Barden’s Eleventh Hour Coming in October!
GARY BARDEN belongs to THE voice of British hard rock. The first time BARDEN appeared in the scene was as part of the newly formed MSG (Michael Schenker Group) founded by the former SCORPIONS guitarist of the same name. Their first collaboration resulted in the highly acclaimed album “The Michael Schenker Group” which was released in 1980. Besides the great songs and the great guitar output BARDEN’s voice was one of the reasons why this album became a huge success and allowed the band to hit the road in Europe, Japan and the USA.
Their second album “MSG” saw the light of day in 1981 and followed an even more melodic direction than its predecessor. After the following world tour BARDEN was informed that he was no longer part of the band and replacement was found soon in ex-RAINBOW singer Graham Bonnet. Chrysalis, however, released a live disc recorded in Japan by the original MSG entitled “One Night At Budokan”.
Searching for a new band, BARDEN started to write some songs with the late THIN LIZZY guitarist GARY MOORE which later on ended up on MOORE’s “Corridor of Power” release. Their working period was short and so was the collaboration between Bonnet and Schenker. Bonnet sang on the 1982 record “Assault Attack” but BARDEN was back with MSG for some live appearances including Reading Festival in the same year and the 1983 record “Built to Destroy”. The label’s pressure to steer more into a commercial direction made the band quit business in 1984.
BARDEN moved on and found a new home in the business together with ex-THIN LIZZY six-string Brian Robertson and the band STATETROOPER, who put out their highly acclaimed self-titled debut album in 1987 and played a couple of live shows in the following months. Statetrooper was reissued on CD by Escape Music (ESM095).
After a long break BARDEN returned to the scene with PRAYING MANTIS’ “The Power of Ten” and the live album “Captured Alive in Tokyo City” (1996). In 2000, BARDEN hit the road again for a couple of live shows with COMPANY OF SNAKES and founded the band SILVER together with Michael Voss (CASANOVA) and Bernie Tormé (IAN GILLAN). STATETROOPER finally re-united in 2004 and put out the classy new record “The Calling”.
The Escape Music album “Past & Present” (ESM106) marked the first solo album by GARY BARDEN and offered a very personal collection of new, exciting interpretations of some all-time MSG classics, a selection of songs that both suited GARY BARDEN and MSG fans! With his long time pal ´Michael Voss´(Casanova, Bonfire) and a couple of friends he went back to the roots to perform his bluesy smoky songs that will touch your soul and are exemplified on the release “Agony and the Xtasy” (ESM128). In 2007 the more rockier “Love and War” (ESM161) was released by Escape Music and it has been a long anticipated wait for the next chapter.
Gary now presents us with “Eleventh Hour” which features 11 tracks of hard rock brilliance. These new songs are fresh and exciting and Gary has poured his heart and soul into them. Once again Michael Voss is ever present and the end result is just perfect. This is a hard hitting rock album that highlights what a great singer Gary is, his contribution to the British rock scene is just legendary.
Discography: Past and Present (ESM106) 2004 / Agony and Xtasy (ESM128) 2006 / Love and War (ESM161) 2007 Eleventh Hour (ESM231) 2011
Eleventh Hour Track Listing:
1- Baghdad
2- Fallen by the wayside
3- Child of Sorrow
4- What you wanna do
5- We are dead
6- All in
7- Blackmail
8- Shine a light on me
9- Easy does it
10- Before the eyes of the world
11- Don’t take me for a loser
Produced by: Michael Voss
Recorded and Mixed at Kidroom Recording Studio’s
Mastered by: Christoph Stickel at msm studio’s Germany
0 New Video – Supagroup – Hail! Hail!
Supagroup has released a new video for the title track of their recently released CD, Hail! Hail!. This video features Dash Rip Rock’s Bill Davis and Trent Ortega. Check out the video clip below!
Like what you hear? You can stream Supagroup’s new album, Hail! Hail! at this link. Check it out!!
0 Stampede to support Y&T on upcoming 2011 UK tour
Cult NWOBHM legends STAMPEDE have announced that they are to support Californian rockers Y&T this autumn on the UK leg of their ‘On With the Show’ tour, as part of their 2011 schedule.
The announcement comes after what has already been a busy comeback year for the British hard rockers whose lineup still boasts original songwriting duo Reuben and Laurence Archer and bassist Colin Bond. The band will be touring in support of their new studio album ‘A Sudden Impulse’ which was released in May on Rock Candy Records to critical acclaim, having already played a successful comeback show at The Peel in Kingston and supported legendary metallers Anvil in London earlier this summer.
Stampede are set to kick off their tour in Newcastle on 30th September, and have confirmed they will play 5 dates across the UK with Y&T before finishing with an appearance at the Hard Rock Hell IV Festival in Prestatyn, Wales.
They are also in the process of writing new material for another new studio album scheduled for 2012.
Tour dates are as follows:
- September 30 – o2 Academy, Newcastle (w/ Y&T)
- October 2 – Academy 3, Manchester (w/Y&T)
- October 11 – The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton (w/ Y&T)
- October 12 – The Brook, Southampton (w/ Y&T)
- October 14 – The Garage, London (w/Y&T)
- December 3 – Hard Rock Hell V, Prestatyn, Wales
For more news head to www.facebook.com/stampederock or www.stampederock.com
1 New Liberty N’ Justice Song Featuring Jani Lane Available on Tuesday 8/15
We are deeply sorry for the untimely passing of Jani Lane. Like many stars, his light burned very brightly but faded too quickly. We have one of, if not the last, recording that Mr. Lane finished in the studio. We have witnessed an out pouring of emotion from the world’s music community regarding Jani’s death. We feel obligated to his family, friends, and fans to share one of his last artistic endeavors. This single “Sin”, was originally scheduled for release in early 2012 as part of a double CD from L ‘N J entitled ” The Cigar Chronicles.” The song along with Lane features JK Northrup of King Kobra (who recorded and mixed the track), Keri Kelli of Alice Cooper, and Bill Leverty of Firehouse.
The single, “Sin” from Liberty n’ Justice featuring Jani Lane will be available for digital download through itunes starting Tuesday 8-15-11 and other digital stores to follow in the next few weeks. The song was written by JK Northrup, Justin Murr, Jani Lane, Keri Kelli, & Scott Bolan. The song is published by Up-R-North Music (Ascap), Justin Murr Music (BMI), & Snare Enterprises (ASCAP).The I-tunes artwork was done by David Dluzak and other medias by Mark Lanoue.
Here is what people associated with the Liberty n’ Justice project had to say……..
“Jani Lane was the Vincent Van Gogh of “Hair Band Melodic Hard Rock.” A brilliant artist wrestling with his inner self. I came to know him through years of touring together and through many conversations. It was difficult to see him fight with his demons. He was my friend, my contemporary, and he will be truly missed.
This may be one of, if not his last recording.
The performance has a poignant message in relation to his life story. I know that for him, Rock and Roll Heaven is indeed, not too far away !!!
Nothing but Love to you my Brother, Jani.”
CJ Snare of Firehouse/ Rubicon Cross
“In March of 2011, I was asked by Justin Murr to play on a song called “Sin”. I gladly excepted the offer because Liberty n’ Justice always puts out great music. The demo had a scratch vocal by the co-writer, JK Northrup that sounded really good, but I did not know who was going to be chosen to sing the real vocal. I’ve just learned that I was matched up with Jani Lane. I will tell you that Jani did an amazing job with his vocals. I am truly honored to be playing on this recording, which is quite possibly the last recording Jani ever made. I have extremely fond memories of touring with him since 1991 when we all became good friends on Warrant’s “Blood, Sweat, & Beers Tours”. Firehouse has played well over a 100 shows since then with Warrant and with Jani’s solo gig. Our friendship has never faded. This song’s lyrical content is very timely, and shows Jani in an
extremely vulnerable and honest light, where he bares his soul in an uncanny way. RIP my brother, your music will always be with me…”
Bill Leverty of Firehouse
“Like everyone, I was shocked to hear about the passing of Jani. I was privileged to have opened a show with Warrant in Los Angeles at a large venue called “The Country Club”. It was a sold out show, and just before they got signed! It was easy to see why Jani and Warrant would make such an impact on the music world with his stage presence and song writing abilities. Now some 24 years later, I found myself working with Jani on a song called “Sin” for the upcoming album with Justin Murr’s “Liberty N’ Justice” called “The Cigar Chronicle’s”. Jani’s vocals and input on this song are very powerful! Although it was not intended for release until 2012, all involved felt the importance to get this song out to all of his fans to hear this amazing song. I know he will be smiling when this song is heard by all. My sincere condolences to all of his family and friends. He will be missed, but not forgotten! R.I.P Jani Lane!”
JK Northrup
0 UFO Confirm Additional North American Tour Dates
UFO CONFIRM ADDITIONAL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
BRAZILIAN ROCKERS MINDFLOW TO SUPPORT ON ALL SHOWS
British rockers UFO have confirmed additional tour dates for the West Coast leg of their North American tour which kicks off this September in Santa Rosa, CA. The band will be touring in support of their greatest hits collection “Best of a Decade” which is out now on SPV/Steamhammer. UFO is also in the process of working on a new studio album which is scheduled for release in early 2012.
True rock legends such as UFO are characterized not only by the fact that they have added several classic anthems to the annals of rock history, but that their musical output, after many years, still remains at such a consistently high level and they always have something new and fresh coming up. With classic albums such as “Phenomenon”, “Force it” and “No Heavy Pettin” Phil Mogg, Vinnie Moore, Andy Parker and Paul Raymond still sound vital and imaginative to this day.
Providing direct support on the tour with be Brazilian rockers MINDFLOW. Their latest release “With Bare Hands” is available now on Nightmare Records. Heavy metal, hard rock, modern rock…try to put MINDFLOW‘s music into a category and you either don’t know where to stop or you can’t find the words. It’s all there – the compelling energy of the rhythm section – drums and bass pounding relentless power.
UFO ON TOUR WITH MINDFLOW
9/15: Santa Rosa, CA @ Last Day Saloon
9/16: Sacramento/Orangevale, CA @ Boardwalk
9/17: Santa Clara, CA @ Avalon
9/19: Portland, OR @ The Aladdin Theater
9/21: Modesto, CA @ The Fat Cat
9/23: Las Vegas, NV @ Boulder Station Casino
9/24: Los Angeles, CA @The Key Club
9/26: Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theater
9/27: Fresno, CA @ Warnor’s Center For The Performing Arts
9/29: San Juan Capistrano, CA @ The Coach House
9/30: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
10/4: Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
10/6: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
10/7: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Studio
10/8: San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
For more info visit:
1 New Video – Work of Art – The Great Fall
Work of Art have released a new video for their song “The Great Fall”. This song is off of Work of Art’s new album, In Progress due out August 23rd from Frontiers Records.
0 Two For Tuesday – Hellyeah – Better Man & Hell of A Time
Hellyeah has released a new lyric video for their kick ass song “Better Man”. “Hell of a Time” is the first single and video from Hellyeah’s latest CD, Stampede! Check out both clips below!
1 Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Grammy Nominations Announced!
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will be televised February 13, at 8 P.M. on CBS. The following Hard Rock & Metal bands were nominated tonight:
Best Hard Rock Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Alice In Chains – A Looking In View
Ozzy Osbourne – Let Me Hear You Scream
Soundgarden – Black Rain
Stone Temple Pilots – Between the Lines
Them Crooked Vultures – New Fang
Best Metal Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Iron Maiden – El Dorado
Korn – Remember Who You Are
Lamb of God – In Your Words
Megadeth – Sudden Death
Slayer – World Painted Blood
HRH Comment: The picks year were not as bad as they have been in the past, but still could use an expert on the music genres of Hard Rock & Metal. Out of the entries listed above, I only see three or four that really make sense. Is Them Crooked Vultures this year’s Jethro Tull? Does the Grammy’s use the same folks that elect the bands for the Rock and Roll Halll of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio? One of the biggest metal albums of 2010 is clearly not present here. Where is Accept’s Blood of Nations? What about the best hard rock performances? Why wasn’t RATT’s “Best of Me”, or Avenged Sevenfold’s “Nightmare” nominated? Every year, I see these nominations, and I am left scratching my head, wondering who is doing the selections. If they want experts, why not let the writers at the big rock magazines vote on their favorites. Hard Rock Hideout would gladly offer our assistance on the Hard Rock nominees.
0 Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare (2010)
AVENGED SEVENFOLD “Nightmare” – The Crown Jewel Of A7X
It has been a little over two months since the July 27th, 2010 release of “Nightmare” from Avenged Sevenfold. This has been more than enough time for me to listen to their fifth studio album and come to this realization… “Nightmare” is profoundly bigger and more badass than any critics out there ever expected. To listen to this new A7X album and walk away unimpressed tells me only one thing… your oozing with quality Metal envy. The #1 album chart status and sales figures alone for “Nightmare” are telling of the popularity and quality that A7X carries with their brand of Heavy Rock.
The lead single of “Nightmare” alone is as fine an example of the musical maturation that A7X has reached, in factually just a decade. With shades of Metallica influence combined within their own Metal prowess, A7X can very well know they have made the song of their lives. Just when you think “Nightmare” is going to subside, it doesn’t. This song is uncannily relentless with its psyche-you-out continuity. I can’t help but think to myself… this “Nightmare” song will make Metallica wish it was theirs. I state this as a compliment to both bands, I’m opposed to stirring up controversy. Sometimes.
Anyone still unfamiliar with this “Nightmare” album should consider themselves either a rain forest hermit or walking in their sleep while still having functioning body parts. To pick apart this album would be rather easy… if you never listened to it. That sadly, has been the morbid case in situations that are few and far between. “Nightmare” is so much more than the lead single. As is always the case with A7X, this is a total album of songs. As diverse as it is dynamic, “Nightmare” flourishes with its originality from song to song, with not a micro hint of cut and paste with this extraordinary group of musicians.
If “Danger Line” doesn’t bring your eyes to some semblance of tears, then obviously the lyrics go right over your head. “Danger Line” incorporates whistling and a piano for extra emotional affect, evaporating the immature mentality out there that A7X is NOT a screaming Metalcore band for teenage boys only. Take that, all of you liberal and over compensated mainstream Rock Music critics. “Buried Alive” relies on its melodic heaviness to carry out it’s more than memorable song structure. This is a song that plays out in two parts, one part heavy ballad and second part melt your eardrums into Heavy Metal delirium.
“So Far Away” further removes the unsubstantiated stereotype and misgivings that A7X at times have to duck away from. This song is remarkable in both its musicianship and lyrics. “So Far Away” is the bridge between A7X the Metal Band and A7X the diverse and skillful musicians that they glowingly are. “Tonight The World Dies” tantalizes with a Classic Rock sensibility that marries into the emotionally driven darkness that is this “Nightmare” album. M. Shadows vocally switches from crooning to power bellows with flawless and inherent confidence.
“God Hates Us” is undisputedly the heaviest track on “Nightmare”, exposing the full throttle and extreme side that A7X can credibly unleash through song. If “Nightmare” was built around the sound and fury of “God Hates Us”, A7X would be just another Metal Band that made a “decent” album. This song is grand and mighty in every musical aspect, only A7X doesn’t need to rely on this high level of heaviness to be as great as they are. It is songs like “Victim” that enriches this “Nightmare” album into its “necessity to own” status. A heavy ballad is “Victim” and it does not resemble anything you have ever heard in a “heavy ballad” before. This is as modernistic and emblematic of what a heavy ballad should sound like… and A7X created it.
M. Shadows sings his heart out on this entire album, with the purest and most legitimate emotion spilling over each and every syllable. Yes, hearing Dream Theater founder and former drummer Mike Portnoy on drums is evident and incredible all the same. Mike Portnoy only escalates the totality of power and drive with his rhythmic essence and elegance within these songs heard on “Nightmare”. Synyster Gates on lead guitar and Zacky Vengeance on rhythm guitar compliment one another to the point where they are a guitar brotherhood. Listening to both play together on “Nightmare” is seamless in their unison. Johnny Christ on bass is heard very clearly, playing alongside Mike Portnoy with rhythmic precision, to my ears anyways.
“Save Me” is the epic song on “Nightmare”, coming in a few seconds short of eleven minutes. If Synyster Gates intentionally wanted his guitar to sound as if it were singing, he succeeded here. This song is not going to be a dreaded epic listen, for those of you who have not heard it just yet. A7X took great care into considering song structure for “Save Me”, it plays out as a short story with ample guitar parts that focus on melody and harmony, rather than raw power leads. With a ballad formula that compensates by its overall hardness, “Save Me” never loses my attention for a second. The speed kicks in at the midway point, with multiple guitar solo’s that brandish speed, while never compromising this song’s melodic intent.
Jimmy “The Reverend” Sullivan sings on “Fiction” and is credited with the drum arrangements as well. Hearing “The Rev” sing these lyrics on “Fiction” is chilling and leaves an emotional impression on me. Not to sound cliche, yet, “The Rev” was a one of a kind drummer. A7X will never be the same band without “The Rev”, his untimely and tragic passing only reminds me to never take for granted great musicians who have brought joy to my Metal loving life… and to not take life for granted either.
“Lost It All” is the non-album track that is available on itunes as a deluxe version bonus track. This song’s dark theme and heaviness fits right into the “Nightmare” scheme of things, showcasing just how brilliant sounding A7X is, when they combine present day “hardness” with their already patented “heaviness”.
I liken “Nightmare” to be Avenged Sevenfold’s “Back In Black” album, possibly their “Black Album” of their career. It surely comes across this way to my ears and senses. A7X took a dark approach lyrically and delicately weaved some heavy emotion into an album of songs that is fittingly titled “Nightmare”. Not one song sounds forced or contrived “at the last minute” of recording. This is an album to embrace for not just its skillful musicians, this album must be embraced for its end product being the totality of “real” songs. There is nothing pre-packaged here, this is “Nightmare” and A7X can stand tall and proud in “my” Metal world.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Nightmare
- Welcome To The Family
- Danger Line
- Buried Alive
- Natural Born Killer
- So Far Away
- God Hates Us
- Victim
- Tonight The World Dies
- Fiction
- Save Me
Avenged Sevenfold is:
M. Shadows – vocals
Synyster Gates – lead guitar, backing vocals
Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Johnny Christ – bass
The Rev – Drum arrangements, Lead Vocals on Fiction, Drums on Nightmare’s demo
Additonal Musicians:
Mike Portnoy – drums, percussions
Brian Haner, Sr. – guitars on “So Far Away”
Sharlotte Gibson – backing vocals
Jessi Collins – backing vocals
David Palmer – piano, keyboards
Stevie Blacke – Strings, string arrangement
Stewart Cole – trumpet
Mike Elizondo – keyboards
The Whistler – Whistling
1 The Golden Gods – The Thorny Crown of Rock and Roll (2005)
I am not sure how I manged to miss The Golden Gods magnificent piece of revival rock, but I am glad that I have found it now.
This San Francisco three-piece has a sound that borrow heavily from the mid 70’s, without sounding overly dated.
The Golden Gods tap into their influences like Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple to create eleven new tunes that rock hard.
I have read where people have compared singer Simon Scott to Justin Hawkins, as well as Eric Martin, and he does kind of sound like a mixture of the two. Judging from the album cover, you might think this band falls into some of the over the top styling of The Darkness, but The Golden Gods are more of straight forward classic hard rock band.
If you want to hear an album full of hard rocking stadium anthems that will get your blood 
pumping, you need to make it a priority to check out “The Thorny Crown of Rock and Roll”. My reaction every time I hear this is the same. Holy crap?! This band is amazing.
If the opening tracks “Even I Don’t Know”, and “Dynamite Lady” don’t get you rocking, there may be no hope for you. The band’s live energy comes through in their music, and makes a big statement on these songs. It sounds as if The Golden Gods have been infused with soul of Grand Funk Railroad and Humble Pie, and found away for that funky 70’s groove to work for them. One thing is certain, The Thorny Crown of Rock and Roll is packed with high energy tunes that are a lot of fun to listen to.
I don’t know if it the funky bass, the cowbell, soulful background singers, or just the overall tempo that captivates me with this CD, but is a very happy sounding disc, and quite frankly, I could use quite a few more of these! “Even I Don’t Know”, “Dynamite Lady”, “Midas Touch”, and “Stone Fox” are my favorites, but there really isn’t a bad tune on this disc.
The Golden Gods close out this album with a cover of the Carole King classic, “I Feel The Earth Move”. This version is so rocked out, you will hardly recognize the song as a cover tune. Cool stuff indeed!
It is a shame that The Golden Gods have broken up, but Simon Scott, and Richard Shelton Davis have formed a new band, called The Resurrection. You can check out The Golden Gods on their myspace page. You can find The Resurrection here. You can purchase “The Thorny Crown of Rock and Roll” at this link.
My only disappointment with “The Thorny Crown of Rock and Roll” is that I didn’t hear this album sooner. Highly Recommended!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Even I Don’t Know
2. Dynamite Lady
3. Funny Lookin’ Mama
4. Rock And Roll Salvation Part II
5. Midas Touch
6. Un-Ltd. Baby
7. Stone Fox
8. Trouble And Bad Women
9. Liver’s On Fire
10. Test The Fire
11. I Feel The Earth Move
The Golden Gods are:
Simon Scott- Vocals and Guitar
Dynamite Dan Trilk – Bass and Vocals
Richard Shelton Davis – Drums and Vocals
0 New Video – Sister Sin – Outrage
Sister Sin has released a new video “Outrage” in support of their new album, True Sound of the Underground. Check out “Outrage” below!
Hard Rock Hideout 