Lithuanian-born Michael Palace has been living in Sweden for a long time, and listening to his new album 'One 4 the Road', one notices that Palace has absorbed a lot of the Swedish feel for attractive melodies. Palace stands for melodic rock and AOR, music anchored in the depths of the '80s. The one-man project,... Continue Reading →
Review ORIANTHI ‘Live From Hollywood’
Orianthi is certainly no stranger to the rock and metal genre. The Australian guitarist has performed on stage with the legendary Santana and Alice Cooper, which says a lot about the quality of her guitar playing. Besides all these impressive engagements, the guitarist managed to release solo albums on a constant base, of which 'O'... Continue Reading →
Review KHOLD ‘Svartsyn’
Black is the new black. That's how you could describe Khold's new album 'Svartsyn'. It was at the beginning of the new millennium when Khold started releasing albums. This also happened with some regularity until 2008 ('Hnudre År Gammal'). But then it took until 2014, the year when Khold released 'Til Endes', their sixth album.... Continue Reading →
Review ANTHRAX ‘XL’
Anthrax's 40th birthday fell on a year that was characterized by the pandemic. Concerts and tours were in the far distance and yet the five metal veterans didn't want to let the date pass by just like that. Since livestreaming was the only real way to play live at the time, the guys got together... Continue Reading →
Review FLAMES ‘Resurgence’
Even though some of you may not have heard of Flames, the band is not new. It all started in 1984 when Chris Kirk founded the outfit. 'Made in Hell, that's the title of the debut album which was released in 1985, followed by five more longplayers. Even though the band never broke up, it... Continue Reading →
Review LESSMANN/VOSS ‘Rock is Our Religion’
When the German rock/metal icons Claus Lessmann and Michael Voss announce a new album, it raises expectations. Both musicians belong to a generation of musicians who have helped shape melodic rock/metal in Germany. Claus Lessmann, his voice is connected with Bonfire and Michael Voss is the driving force of Mad Max. Voss has also gained... Continue Reading →
Review TRAITOR ‘Exiled to the Surface’
Balingen is the home of the Bang Your Head Festival and Traitor also have their headquarters in the heart of Swabia. Andreas, Lorenz and Gerd started Traitor there in 2009, while guitarist Matthias joined the band in 2013. With every album Traitor releases, the four Swabians solidify their position in the German metal scene. It... Continue Reading →
Review MANTAR ‘Pain is Forever and This Is the End’
Mantar belongs to the group of bands that fascinate since many years. It all started in 2012 in Northern Germany when Erinc and Hanno decided to make music together as Mantar. The duo released their debut album 'Death by Burning' via Svart Records in 2014 and initially leaned towards sludge. However, Mantar cannot be easily... Continue Reading →
Review SINNER ‘Brotherhood’
Mat Sinner has been integrated into many bands and projects for decades. Mostly he is even the driving force, fueled by an unbridled passion for rock and metal. It all started in the '80s when Sinner debuted with 'Wild'n'Evil'. Slowly and steadily Mat Sinner and his band built up a solid base of fans and... Continue Reading →
Review DARKANE ‘Inhuman Spirits’
Darkane from Helsingborg, Sweden started when bands like Dark Tranquillity and In Flames were already on their way to the top of Swedish death metal. Even though the five musicians could never really catch up with this lead, they managed to constantly expand their fanbase with very good albums. With 'Demonic Art' the band released... Continue Reading →
Review HORIZON IGNITED ‘Towards the Dying Lands’
With the first track of the new album of Horizon Ignited it is immediately evident where the inspiration of the Finnish sextet is to be found; in Gothenburg, Sweden. Riffing, melody line and the pounding rhythm, everything reminds of the genre-defining five-piece from the Swedish west coast. But in order. Horizon Ignited started in 2017... Continue Reading →
Review DEREK SHERINIAN ‘Vortex’
Derek Sherinian, known as a keyboard wizard who refined the sound of Dream Theater Black Country Communion, among others, comes these days with a new solo album around the corner. Vortex' is the name of the new record which contains eight instrumental tracks. The king of the keys has brought in with Tony Franklin and... Continue Reading →
Review JOURNEY ‘Freedom’
Popular, well-known and consistent, that's how the 40 years of Journey can be described. It all began in 1973 in San Francisco when Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie started the band. What developed from there is impressive. Not only that Journey has significantly influenced the development of melodic rock for four decades. The highlight of... Continue Reading →
Review MUNICIPAL WASTE ‘Electrified Brain’
Of course, artwork and music should always come along as one. But in some cases it fits like a glove. One of these releases is the new album by Municipal Waste. The band has been in the business for many years and also the band members are no rookies. Each of the five musicians has... Continue Reading →
Review ZARRAZA ‘Kreated in Blood’ – EP
Kazakh thrash metal unit Zarraza is active since 2011 and launched their full-length debut in 2018. Next to the longplayer a few EP’s have been released by the quartet and these days the next one is in the pipeline ‘Kreated in Blood’ is the title of the newest offer by the band and features three... Continue Reading →



