This band from Chicago was kind of surprise when I listened to their CD. The band is based around lead vocalist/guitarist/bassist/songwriter/producer Robert Mackey who is a very talented man. He recorded some songs in the studio of AOR hero Jim Peterik (SURVIVOR/WORLD STAGE 2000) who was impressed when he heard Jim performing in his studio. No suprise, because this AVENUE MAX is a very good AOR band that captures influences of 80s acts like SURVIVOR, KANSAS, 38 SPECIAL and FOREIGNER. Robert has opened shows for acts like LOVERBOY, CHEAP TRICK and the already mentioned SURVIVOR.

Robert also got help in the mixing of some of his recordings from the well-known Frank Pappalardo who has worked with the Classic AOR acts SURVIVOR and STYX. This all has lead to the wonderful release of AVENUE MAX, the project of Robert. The CD of AVENUE MAX contains 12 songs and like I already mentioned the musicstyle is a cross between mid 70s Classic Rock, 80s AOR and late 70s Pomprock. I hear SURVIVOR typed guitar riffs, FOREIGNER oriented AOR keyboards and a lot of KANSAS influences. The CD starts with "It's tonight", a very relaxing early 80s typed AOR tune which even has similarities to FRANKE AND THE KNOCKOUTS and BE TAYLOR GROUP. Next up is "Oou baby", a nice AOR rocker that has a 'SURVIVOR-feel' and a chorus a la FOREIGNER (their 70s style).

"I'm leaving" follows in an early 80s Midwestern AOR/Radiorock style which reminds me of a cross between CHANNEL and MICHAEL STANLEY BAND. Following track "I am the rock" has some nice harmonyvocals, although the song is just a nice calmer epic AOR song which has some PINK FLOYD influences.

But then we get into a total different style on the next track "Tired of telling you". This song is really incredible and I haven't heard a band playing this kind of rock for a long time. "Tired of telling you" is namely a pure late 70s midtempo Pomprocker that sounds a lot like KANSAS and ROADMASTER. Just listen to the wonderful piano-keys, harmonyvocals and the strong pompous sound of the song. I didn't expect a song like this and to me this was a big surprise. "Tired of telling you" is definitely one of the best songs on this CD. Just
when I thought it was just one song in this Classic late 70s Pomprockstyle, I got to hear another song in this style.

First I heard the acoustic "Mama", but then there was another Pomprock gem titled "Don't take no chances". This song is again in KANSAS/ROADMASTER territory. "Don't take no chances" and "Tired of telling you" are both Pomprock madness that simply can't be ignored by the fans of this 'lost' genre. Without any doubts, these are the best song on the AVENUE MAX CD. But the band's diversity continues throughout the rest of the CD. A song like "Won't-U-Be my love" shows another side of the band, this is a bluesy AOR song. And "Thoughts" is suddenly 70s oriented Progressive Rock like KANSAS did on their first couple of albums.

The band also has a sort of medley on their CD which is titled 'The river'. This song is build up in 3 parts of which the first is reminding me a lot of QUEEN. Pop meets Classic Rock can be heard in the second part, while the third part is very Pompous again and reminds me of HOBBIT. The CD closes with the intro "Secret/Introlude" and the poppy Pomp song "Secret" which is in the style of early STONEBOLT.

Basically what you get hear is a very diverse Rockalbum. There are pure Pomprockers on the album, but also AOR and Classic Rock tracks can be found. If you like any of the mentioned bands, then you can easily find something that will satisfy you. For more info on AVENUE MAX, you should check out their site at: http://www.AVENUEMAX.com

Rating: 8/10

RAZOR'S EDGE is a great new Melodic Rockband hailing from Germany. They sent me a 4-track Promotional CD of their forthcoming (?) second CD 'Strange' that I can hopefully review too, because the 4 songs I heard so far sound really good. The first song, "Dream within a dream" is a nice uptempo melodic rocker like PINK CREAM '69, WHITE LION, and SARGANT FURY…

Next track "Burning in my soul" is a bit weaker, but the other two songs are really great. "When I think of you" is a pretty good semi/midtempo melodic rockballad. And closing track "Welcome to millennium" is a nice semi melodic rocker. Hopefully soon a review of the full CD 'Strange', for now, if you're into German Melodic Rock a la HOTWIRE, BONFIRE, PINK CREAM 69… then check out this new band at: http://www.razors-edge.de and e-mail them at: Jung_Ralf@t-online.de

Rating: 8/10

AC/DC is not coming out of Australia, but they hail from New York! The new AC/DC clone is called BALLBREAKER and they sent me a CDR of their upcoming debut CD. Sure, musically this is your typical pure Hard Rock and besides AC/DC other simlar sounding bands are definitely acts like BRITNY FOX, BULLET BOYS, KROKUS, KINGS OF THE SUN…

Though this BALLBREAKER is not a pure AC/DC clone, because a couple songs sound more melodic than their Australian friends. I am talking about the songs "Give me a reason" and "Put out". These are prime-time 80s uptempo melodic rockers like WHITE LION meets DOKKEN. It would be interesting to see the band making more tunes a la "Give me a reason" for a future CD. Anyway, if you like the good-old Hard Rock of bands like BRITNY FOX, AC/DC, KROKUS… then do check out this BALLBREAKER at: HTTP://WWW.BALLBREAKER.NET and e-mail them at: edspock@hotmail.com

Rating: 7,5/10

SNAKES'N'ANGELS comes out of North-Carolina, USA and is fronted by guitarist/ Keyboardist/Vocalist JC Stephenson and Bassist/Vocalist Nannette Stephenson. There are 12 songs on the CD and the music is most of the time pure AOR/Melodic Rock in the best 80s tradition. However the problem is that both JC and Nannette sing and if was up to me, in the future all the vocals will be done by Nannette, because she has a fantastic voice (a la TONE NORUM, ANN WILSON…). The songs on which she sings are also wonderful AOR tunes, while the songs with JC on vocals are much weaker. And his vocals are also weak, especially compared to Nannette's vocals.

I really hope on a future release only Nannette is singing, then SNAKES'N'ANGELS are the new sensation in the AOR scene. Now it's a bit up and down, but nevertheless still very interesting. For example opener "Love's hard to find", a superb 80s typed uptempo AOR rocker a la VIXEN, WITNESS, first two TONE NORUM albums, DANTE FOX… Just listen to the wonderful vocals of Nannette! Unfortunately next track features the vocals of JC and this song, titled "Caveman", is also a very weak boogie rocker. Boy, what a change in style from one song to another!

Next up is the titlesong, a duet between JC and Nannette, a nice midtempo melodic rocker. Up next is "Take me back", a nice AOR ballad, only the vocals by JC are a bit weak. "Kingsnake" follows and is a nice uptempo melodic rocker. Then we get to hear two wonderful pure AOR tunes again and both sung by Nannette. The first one is "No surrender", a great semi AOR ballad a la 80s HEART. And "Don't cha know" is a wonderful midtempo AOR song that reminds me a lot of FIGHTER. In fact, most of the songs remind me of that band, so anyone that likes that band will love this SNAKES'N' ANGELS too.

"Couldn't resist" follows and is a bit weaker rocker, a duet again. Next track "Cry for justice" is another lovely semi AOR ballad in the 80s HEART style. Although the next track "Only time will tell" is sung by JC, this is a superb semi AOR ballad. I wonder how it would have sounded if Nannette had sung this song. Nannette sings the following track again, the song is called "You're in my blood", a nice uptempo melodic rocker. Closing track "Secret love" is a nice semi AOR ballad.

If Nannette had sung all the songs on the CD, then this would easily be one of the best independent releases so far. Unfortunately now there is a split between great AOR material with Nannette on vocals and a sound like early TONE NORUM, 80s HEART, FIGHTER, WITNESS, VIXEN… and weaker Rockmaterial (still also AOR orientated) with JC on vocals. Still this band can't be ignored, especially if you like any of the mentioned bands. Check the band out at: http://www.snakes-n-angels.com and e-mail them at: snakes-n-angels@oocities.com

Rating: 8/10

Out of Dumfries, Virginia, USA comes THE NEGATIVE, a band that combines the melodic harmonies and choruses of the 80s melodic rock with the 90s progressive orientatated rock. They sound a little like TREASON. There are 9 songs on the band's debut CD and the start of the album is pretty good. Opener "Heaven bound" has a great melodic rockchorus, while being a slightly progressive rocker. Next track "Poverty" is actually very good, this song has a wonderful melodic chorus that sounds really catchy. Again the song itself also has many Progressive twists, but never annoying.

The following four songs are a change in style and show a very 90s orientated pop/rock band. "Self pollution" and "Scarred" are not bad, but a bit too 90s for me. "Why" is the best song on the CD, because this is a great melodic rocker with a lovely chorus that is almost pure AOR based. This band could be much better with more songs in this style. "Honest" follows and this song also has a very nice melodic chorus. The last two songs are on the other hand less interesting and very 90s pop/rock inspired.

The band has already shared the stage with the likes of 38 SPECIAL, FIREHOUSE, GREAT WHITE… so these guys are really ready to attack the scene and with their first CD it shouldn't be a big problem to reach interesting parties, because their album features a collection of well played melodic tunes. Not all the songs will appeal to melodic rockfans, but throughout the CD each and everyone will find something they like. More info on THE NEGATIVE at: http://www.angelfire.com/on/thenegative and e-mail them at:
negamail@yahoo.com

Rating: 7,5/10

This band from Brockton, MA USA sent me a demo CDR consisting of 6 songs. Musically they play melodic heavy rock, comparable to BAD MOON RISING at times. Opener "Margot" is a good example of this comparison, because this tune is a very heavy melodic rock/metal song with 90s influences, kinda like the last BMR album. Next track "Got it wrong" is better, a nice 80s typed uptempo melodic rocker.

"Coming home" follows and is a nice semi melodic rocker that actually has an own sound in which some 70s influences can be heard. Hard to compare this band, maybe a little like the first album of NEVERLAND (remember them?). Anyway, up next is "Fine day", party metal like BLACK'N'BLUE. "Dancing on the edge" follows and is a good uptempo melodic rocker. The final two songs ("Portrait" and "Headlines") are weaker and hard to define. Nevertheless, if you like a band such as NEVERLAND, then you may try out this MOP STANLEY at: http://home.ici.net/~jrudo and e-mail them at: jrudo@ici.net

Rating: 7/10

There are a few bands going around under the Chinawhite banner, these guys are from Gabor's homeland of the Netherlands, and what I can tell you is that if you like bands like Balance Of Power, Dokken, Kings X and Spocks Beard then this band will warm up your rock chops with their gratifying mix of melodic and progressive rock.

"A Dragon's Birth" is a four track mini cd, or ep if you like that gives birth to some great songs, top of which are "The Revolution By Night" and "Big Money" which oddly sounds like a progressive Bon Jovi mainily due to the commercialised keyboards, and nice chorus. Overall this isn't bad and I would very much like to hear more material from them.

Email them for more info chinawhite@tref.nl or visit their website at: http://www.dprp.vuurwerk.nl/bands/chinawhite

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

2ND OPINION REVIEW

It's already turning into a great year for the guys at Frontiers/Now And Then. Lets take a look at what has already come out in the space of four months, Fair Warning, Hugo, Norway, Street Legal etc... and now we get the long awated release of Kevin Chalfants "Two Fires" project. Some to class albums well worth checking out.

Well upon first listen I found Two Fires slightly uninspiring, it felt as if the album was filling the gap in-between Kevin's own "Running With The Wind" solo album and the last Storm album "Eye Of The Storm". Never the less after continuous plays we get to hear some finally crafted aor and melodic rock. Chalfant does what you expect from him, and the album has some very nice moments in the shape of the excellent semi ballad "I Won't Give Up On Us", the pompish "Remember" through to the superb "Alyssia" and "I Can See You".

The winners this time though for me are "River Of Destiny" and the excellent dose of summery driving AOR that is "Piece Of My Heart", a song that is up there with The Storm's own "Love Isn't Easy". So there you have it, the music simply has do the talking with this album, if your into most of the albums that Kevin Chalfant has released then you will simply adore Two Fires. Can't wait for THE VIEW guys.

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

Call me naive, call me stupid, but I honestly thought that Good Rats were a brand new band, so without leaving egg on my face I checked up on them and as it turns out the band have been around for quite a while and originally sported none other than Bruce Kulick. The band are also heavily touring in the states which is good news. The Good Rats play kick arse good time rock n roll, I for one was very suprised of the quality of the material, in fact I love this album, it full of hugely catchy songs that should be dancing all over the radio airwaves.

To my suprise Good Rats feature talented vocalist Peppi Marchello, many of you will remember Peppi who is best remembered for his own "Marchello" band on CBS records.
The band have played with such big name artists as Rush, Aerosmith, Meatloaf, Extreme, Ozzy, Kiss, Journey, Heart, Styx etc and have developed their individual characteristic charms of delight into a truly excellent album. If you want to define the sound of the Good Rats then mix together the above bands and wham!!!somewhere right there in the middle is the Good Rats.

There are so many infectious tracks to choose from on this record which makes it very hard to choose the best, Peppi voice is amazing and is right up there with Gary Cherone, Steve Perry and David Glenn Eisley. Check out the excellent crowd pleaser "Thunder Rocks The Soul", the riffs from Gene Marchello on this song are very infectious, another favorite is the excellent "Love On The Beach" a hugely catchy song a'la Van Halen circa "5150", "Major Minor Chord" is totally different, it has a jazzy swing to it that maybe youd find Styx playing or David Lee Roth covering , the song it's masterfully sung by Peppi and help to balance the album, and is one of the standout cuts, but the top song awards goes to the rocking "She's Staying Home Tonight" and the very Extremish "Hotline" which has some very cool axe
work.

The rest of the album continues to rock with the added inclusion of your obligatory ballad. Make no doubt about it, "Cover Of The Night" is an essential purchase and another of my top albums of the 2000 so far.

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

2ND OPINION REVIEW

Else where on this site Gabor picked up on an amazing band called Mystic Cross, so I decided to check them out for myself, you know it's bands like Houston based rockers Mystic Cross that are simply the future of this genre. Bands like Metallica, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, etc aren't going to be around forever and it's new bands like Mystic Cross who deserve support and appreciation from both the labels and the fans."Shadows In The Mind" is the follow up to the bands excellent debut "Visions Of Time".

And right from the moment the first song kicks in, we are greated with huge slabs of excellently produced hard melodic rock, that bare comparisons to Dokken, Slaughter, Ozzy (Zakk Wylde era), Tesla, Lillian Axe etc, the band have also done shows with top names like Warrant, Dokken, Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P., Zebra, Survivor, Slaughter, Lillian Axe, Dangerous Toys etc, and have gained themselves a healthy fan base stateside as well as the odd jump or two over to Japan.

There are so many good songs on this album like "Over The Edge", the solid melodies of "Man With No Name" and the slow grooving "Don't Walk Away" that it's hard not to be impressed by the bands talents, it's all good solid fun and I love this album and urge you all to check it out. Website: http://www.mystic-cross.com

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)