SEEKER is a Californian band from the 80s. They told me they haven't performed or recorded for the last 12 years and the 9 songs of this CD were all recorded in the late 80s. So, this is actually some sort of re-issue, because the songs were only available on Cassette Tape back then, and are now for the first time out on CD. Those tapes were very hard to get, because their bio says they only passed on copies to pastors and performed in churches. So, this band is a Christian Rockband and a very good one too. A shame not many people were able to hear their music back in the late 80s, because SEEKER is a very exciting pure 80s AOR band.

The 9 songs all have that perfect Classic 80s AOR sound and can easily be compared to the likes of AVION, AVIATOR, first RPM, GIDEON'S ARMY, CROSSFIRE and most of all BATTLECRY. The keyboards, hooklines, guitarsolo's, repeated melodic sing-a-long choruses and harmonyvocals are all at the right places and sometimes this just sounds like that perfect 80s AOR record we haven't heard for a long time. I needs to mention that all these songs were recorded in 1987 and 1988 and may sound dated to some people, but I really enjoyed this wonderful pure AOR record of SEEKER.

The only comment I would like to add here is that 8 out of 9 songs are uptempo and so there isn't much diversity in tempo style. Nevertheless they all sound wonderful and that's what is important. Opener "Father's house" is a lovely Classic 80s cheerful uptempo AOR rocker a la RPM, CROSSFIRE, AVION, BATTLECRY… The next track "Cry to you" is in the same style, although I noted some AVIATOR references in this song. "I believe" and "You are the light" follow and are also both Classic 80s uptempo AOR tunes in the style of afforementioned bands.

It's very cool to hear so many great keyboards upfront, because recent AOR bands don't do that anymore. "Catch me" is a little different than the other songs. This song is a little faster early 80s typed AOR/Radiorock/Melodic Poprock that reminds me of a cross between 80s LOVERBOY and ERIC MARTIN BAND. Following track "Always loving you" is the best tune on htis terrific record. This song is superb classy 80s uptempo AOR in its best shape with lovely keys and harmonies, and a sound comparable to FAITH NATION and AVIATOR. Without any doubts, this song can be called a 'Classic'! The final 3 songs on the CD are the weakest songs of the album.

First there is "Only one way", a weaker uptempo AOR rocker. "Not livin' just to die" follows and is in the same weaker rockstyle. Closing track "Once in a lifetime" is the only non-uptempo song, because this is a nice AOR ballad. So, basically the first 6 songs of this CD are wonderful uptempo AOR tunes and very much comparable to bands like RPM, AVION, BATTLECRY, CROSSFIRE and that type of Classic 80s AOR. The closing 3 songs are just nice, but nothing special after you heard the first part.

Anyway, the CD is available through their mp3 site at: http://www.mp3.com/seeker Get this CD as soon as possible if you're into Classic 80s AOR. I was wondering if the band would ever come back together and write new tunes in their old AOR rockstyle. If so, then I would be prepared to do an interview on them. For now, check out this great band!

Rating: 9/10

SHELLY RASTIN from Canada is somewhere balancing between 90s pop/rock and 80s calmer AOR/Pop. Of course there is the inevitable comparison to Shania Twain who basically does the same and scores massive. Shelly though is a little more AOR based, without losing her MOR influences. There are 5 songs on her debut CD and to me the best ones are the semi ballads "I can't get close to you", "Am I dreaming" and "Cross against the moon". The other two songs are a bit too soft.

This lady is perfect for the radio and top-40 stations and songs like these are a guarantee for much airplay. Still I hope she adds some more electric guitar to her songs on a future CD, so the fans of female fronted AOR will also dig this. For now, it's a bit too soft, but still nice to listen to and it has much radio potential. Besides, Shelly is very good looking, so just go and visit her site at: http://www.shellyrastin.on.ca and e-mail her at: shellyrastin@odyssey.ca

Rating: 7/10

MARK BRAM is a multi-instrumentalist from Providence, Rhode Island, USA and he sent me two CDs. The first one is an instrumental CD titled 'Soundtrack of life: Crystal Pick 2' where he explores his musical roots and comes up with a nice album filled with different musicstyles. I rather prefer the rock as performed on his other CD 'Mark Bram/Ruby Topaz'.

This album features 12 songs and takes us musically back to the 80s Glam/Partyrocksound of bands like RATT, CRUE, WASP… I have to inform that I think the vocals can be better, because they sound a bit weak for my standard. Nevertheless the songs are ok here, with as best ones "I want you now", "Forever near", "Looking 4 U" and "Can't be mine", all four nice melodic rocktunes. "Can't be mine" even features some cool keys and can be seen as an AOR tune (the only one on the CD). Anyway, the rest is much more Partyrock orientated and will please fans of RATT, CRUE, KEEL… More info at: http://www.rubytopaz.com and e-mail him at: Mark@rubytopaz.com

Rating: 6,5/10

A little while ago I reviewed the CD of FRANK KRISTOFFERSEN, a multi-instrumentalist from Canada. Frank is also in the band SIZE 13 that further consists of Chris Michaud, another multi-instrumentalist. Together they have put out a CD called 'Enormous proportions', which contains 8 songs. Frank told me this SIZE 13 was much more Rock based and after listening to their debut CD I think he's right. This SIZE 13 is playing both 80s and 90s typed Poprock. For example opener "Say anything" is sounding ok, but is a very 90s inspired melodic poprocker.

Next track "Somethin' about you" on the other hand is much better, because this is a great uptempo straight-ahead melodic poprocker with a late 70s/early 80s approach, kinda like BRYAN ADAMS, DANNY WILDE, TIM KARR… In the same style is the track "Nineteen 84" and actually these are the two best song. This last mentioned track is really sounding like 1984 and wouldn't it be great if on a next record they would record more of such songs, because after all these are the real rockers.

The rest of the CD is namely very much 90s orientated, especially on songs like "Faded last", "Not the one" and the hidden track (number 9). OK sounding are the 90s influenced semi ballads "Ten days" and "Letter to you". But some more 80s typed uptempo melodic poprockers would do absolutely no harm for this band. For now, check out their music at: http://www.mp3.com/size13 and e-mail them at: ace@videotron.ca

Rating: 7/10

I am proud to present you the very first (and only?) Melodic Rockband from Israel. Yes, you read that well, this band is coming out of Israel and the two songs on their single-tape can easily be described as good uptempo melodic rockers in a sort of 80s style. I never heard any music group from Israel, so this DIPLOMA is the first one and believe it or not, these guys sound pretty good.

The songs are titled "Levad" and "Lauf", so I think you understand that they sing in their own language. Nevertheless this isn't disturbing at all. "Lauf", which means "To fly", is the best song, a great uptempo melodic rocker with a very catchy melodic chorus that features great harmonyvocals.

I heard the band has many more songs, but like many other independent bands, it's hard to just record your music these days. I hope I can hear more of this good new melodic rockband from Israel in the near future. For now, check them out yourself at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/51/diploma.html or http://diploma-band.tripod.com/ and e-mail them at: sharonm@shani.net

Rating: 7,5/10

Bassist/guitarist/producer JOHN POLLARD sent me a Tape with one song on it. The song is titled "Jaugernaut" and this is a nice instrumental hard rock tune. I wonder how this song would sound like with vocals. Anyway, this guy can really play well and if you're a fan of instrumental hard rock, then do check out this song at: at www.mp3.com (and search "john pollard") and e-mail him at: jpollard12@aol.com and check out his other website at: http://www.oocities.org/johnpollard1 for other songs.

Rating: 7/10

Finally, at long bloody last, one of my favourite singers of all time Ronnie James Dio returns with a brand new spanking album and probably his best since 1987's commercial "Dream Evil" album. Magica sees the return of guitarist Craig Goldy, and together the band muster up a satisfying feast of mystical melodic rock heaven.

Dio himself hasn't sounded this good in years, I think the last time I heard him sing this good was on Sabbath's "Dehumanizer" album. .Some of the songs have orchestral symphonic structures and other songs are just simple melodic power rockers with charging guitars like on the superb "Turn To Stone" and great power ballads like "As Long As It's Not About Love". There is the odd bit of computer/voice over intros like on "Feed My Hand" that are a bit annoying, but this is a very satisfying return to form from one of rocks greatest frontman. Recommended.

Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Loud, bombastic, dark, serene and riffy as hell, best sums up yankee hard rockers Vicious Circle. If your into bands like Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, Metallica, Bon Jovi, Dokken, Emerald Rain, Saigon Kick and Extreme, then you'll be sure to love this band. The songs have been lavished with a mighty powerful production and the songs that standout the most are "Sleep Again", "Forever Rain", "Hear Me" and "I'm Blind" all of which follow along the lines of the afforementioned bands.

"Fine Line" is a massive sounding album that is hugely enjoyable, but be warned as it takes until track six "Sleep Again" (a powerful hard rocker like Dokken and Emerald Rain) before the lift off button is pushed and the band totally show their artistic creations. A good album, despite the weak start, varied and well performed, Vicious Circle indeed have a strong future ahead of them.

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

2ND OPINION REVIEW

Radar are one of the hottest female melodic rock bands to have appeared in years. Their music has huge hooks in every song and Radar come across in a similar vein to Vixen, Saraya, Femme Fatale, T' Pau, and Romeo's Daughter. Lead vocalist Pamela Moore has one hell of a powerful range, so powerful that the album is all over before you even notice, and then you go back to the beginning and play it all over again.

This is seriously massive news, songs to listen out for are the pure aor of "Something's Going On" which is like Romeo's Daughter and FM, this has a chorus to die for with lots of nifty keyboard work going on, "Something Going On" is very addictive and powerful , so is the breathtaking "Power Of Money", "Looking For Love", "Yours Tonight", and the gorgeous ballad "In Your Eyes". "Yours Tonight" kicks off with some cool keyboards and then all systems are go as Pamela rocks her sexy heart out causing every male on the planet to fall flat to her feet and worship the very ground she walks on."In Your Eyes" is a superb ballad dripping of heartfelt emotion, and reminds me of T'Pau's "China In Your Hands" rocked up a touch.

Radar have recorded a very fine album that resets the standards for female orientated oar and melodic rock.Go get it folks!!! A winner.

Rating: 9,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

2ND OPINION REVIEW

Firstly Eye is one cool long lost AOR treasure, with lots and lots of glorious keyboard melodies. Eye are/were from Atlanta, California and the band originally released this eleven track album way back in 1989. Had it been noticed at the time by the major magazines, then Eye would have been cited along with the likes of Rick Springfield, Boulevard, Signal, Roxus, early Bon Jovi and Fortune.

At times the album does sound a little dated, but this doesn't alter the fact that Eyes songs are adorable and affectionate. The best song on the cd for me is the excellent and very singable "Under The Weather", the chorus is so catchy it amazes me how this little gem went by unnoticed at the time. Fast forward eleven years and Eye are now know as "Timmy" and have just released a four track mini ep on Rudolf Music called "The Atlanta Project". Timmy features original Eye members John Harrison, Don Macleod and Peter Penhallow. The ep features reworkings of the excellent "Nuclear Affair", "Baby Lady" from
the Eye album and two new songs called "Broadway Hollywood" and "Back Up Slow Down". The first is poppy/aor a'la Rick Springfield and the second is along the same lines except that this reminds me of Honeymoon Suite and Loverboy , both these song has a lovely chorus and lots of parping keyboards.

So if you want to get an eyeful of er Eye/Timmy then simply send an email direct to the guys at: abs@abrown.com or write to "A BROWN SOUN" 23 Joseph Ct, San Rafel, California, or visit their website http://www.abrown.com

Rating: 8,5-8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Coming out of Ontario in Canada multi musician Dennis Ryckman is internationally recognized for his field in engineering in the music industry. Dennis has been playing guitar for seventeen years and is currently guitarist in Shelly Rastin's band. Canus Copuli is his first album as a solo artists, and these seven songs are pre-production samples from the album which is due to be released later this year.

The songs even in this pre-production standard sound very promising indeed, check out the opening track "Never Feel The Pain" with it's Def Leppard and Ratt inspired harmonies and chorus, also in this vein is "Say It One More Time", a couple of light weight ballads are included that are ok but nothing outstanding, listen out for "Holding On 'Till It's Gone", possibly the best song of the whole cd. This song bares comparisons to Talisman, especially Dennis' vocals which here are like Jeff Scott Soto, very gentle yet melodic and powerful as the song reaches is climax.

Overall this is a good start, I'm already looking forward to hearing this album in it's completed form, then I think we'll be able to make more of a clear judgement on this promising new star. To contact Dennis email: canuscopuli@home.com or visit his website at: http://www.members.home.net/canuscopuli

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Pedanian are a power hard rock band from Sweden, their music is heavily related to bands like FREAK KITCHEN, DOKKEN, RACER X, JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON, CONCERTO
MOON, NIGHTINGALE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, MEGADETH and QUEENSRYCHE.
Each song has bone crunching riffs that rip right through the album, but unfortunatley singer Darryl Knight seems to be a bit cagey on letting his voice harmonize with the guitars. The guitars also need more care and attention, this however does not stop Padanian from being a very promising band, they need to work a bit harder if they are to succeed that's all.

The best songs on this album for me are the excellent and racy "Children Under Siege", this song reminds me of DOKKEN, LEATHERWOLF and MEGADETH, very heavy and very powerful.Also cool is "Unholy Wars" which continues their bombastic blitz and the dark piano led ballad "Gates" which is just a great power metal ballad. Pedanian are defintley a powerful unit, the more I listen to this cd the more it grows and grows on me, the production could use a bit of a polish but simply on the strength of this material I don't
think it will be to long before the record labels show interest in these guys as their music is just what the European market is looking for. http://www.mp3.com/pedanian

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)