The new PC'69 was pretty much a surprise to me, because 'Sonic dynamite' is actually sounding quite sensational. This new record of the German melodic rockstars is one of their best ones, and can easily beat the previous records. 'Sonic dynamite' contains perfectly performed melodic (hard) rock and while listening to the CD, I can hear influences of bands like TALISMAN, TAKARA, HAREM SCAREM (their first) and the old EUROPE. This Japanese release features 14 songs (two bonustracks included) and actually all of them sound really terrific.

If I had to pick my favourites, I would have to say "Followed by the moon" (lovely classy 80s uptempo melodic rocker a la FAIR WARNING), "The spirit" (quite superb midtempo AOR/Melodic Rock like NORWAY and old EUROPE), "Let the thunder reside" (great melodic rockballad), "Lost in illusions" (another lovely classy 80s uptempo melodic rocker a la FAIR WARNING) and the Japanese Bonustrack "King of my world" (yet another fantastic uptempo melodic rocker, very much like the first HAREM SCAREM, including the stunning harmonyvocals).

This new record is a must for every fan of classy 80s melodic rock! Grab yourself a copy of 'Sonic dynamite as soon as possible!

Rating: 9/10

Japanese like German bands, because on the Japanese label we can find almost only Melodic Rock/Metal bands from Germany. And MIND ODYSSEY is one of them. This band has already released 3 albums and so we can conclude that this 'Signs' is their fourth album. If I remember it well, their albums were much heavier than this new record, because 'Signs' is a very good and very melodic album. There are 10 songs on the album and I had much pleasure playing it, because it will definitely appeal to the melodic rockfans.

If bands like PINK CREAM 69, AXXIS are up your alley, you're gonna love this band too. The band is not melodic rock all the way, because there are also many progressive influences and therefore it will also appeal to fans of bands like HELLOWEEN, ANGRA and even RIOT. "Fountain of music" opens the CD and is the interlude to "Men of no return", a good uptempo melodic rocker like RIOT and HELLOWEEN. This opening song shows that this band may sound heavy at times, but always has very melodic guitars and choruses.

The next 3 songs are the best ones on the CD. "Golden age" (great keys and harmonies), "In the picture" and "Slaves of the desert" are very melodic songs with some lovely choruses. The second part of the CD is a bit weaker, but still features some good melodic tunes such as the PINK CREAM 69 typed melodic rocker "Welcome demon" and the melodic rockballad "Signs". I can only say that this new CD of MIND ODYSSEY surprised me and I can easily recommend it to the melodic rockfans. Now, where did I put their first 3 records?

Rating: 8/10

BLACKSMITH is a Swedish band and they have released a CD on the Japanese label VICTOR ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN. Musically I would like to describe them as a Melodic Progressive Heavy Rock/Metal band. I hear many influences of acts like LION'S SHARE, NATION and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN. There are 15 songs on the album, so you get a good long playing time of music.

The best songs are "Hall of the mountain king" (classical melodic rocker, like YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), "Come on" (nice uptempo MHR), "The king has lost his crown" (nice calmer melodic rockballad), "Love again" (nice semi melodic rocker) and "Another day" (great melodic rockballad). The rest of the CD is a tad heavier and a bit weaker every now and then. Not a bad record, but I am afraid there are other better releases in the progressive melodic rock/metal scene.

Rating: 7,5/10

Guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL is back again with a hot new release called 'The masquerade ball'. I lost the count, but I believe this is the 11th CD of Axel, but it's the second one with vocalist Johnnny Gioeli. Musically Axel never changed his style on all his albums. Right from the start in the early 90s until this new CD the style has been melodic hardrock with elements from AOR, Classic Rock and Heavy Metal mixed in between. This new CD is in the exact same style as the previous records. There are 10 songs on the CD and it all starts with "The arrival" which is the intro to "Earls of black", a faster but very melodic metal song.

"Voodoo nights" follows and takes us right back into classy 80s melodic rock. This fantastic song has a terrific strong melodic rocksound, comparable to the likes of WHITESNAKE, VICTORY, old DOKKEN, JADED HEART… The lovely semi melodic rockballad "Night and rain" is up next and brings the level of this CD pretty high actually. The CD continues with the slower tempo melodic rockers "The masquerade ball" and "The line" and the uptempo 80s typed MHR songs "Tear down the walls" and "Hot wheels" (both sounding like a cross between JACK STARR and FASTWAY).

Things slow down in the melodic ballad "The temple of the holy", a very good song with lovely piano-keys which makes this song sound like an AOR tune. The CD closes with the URIAH HEEP cover "July morning", a good semi melodic rocker. AXEL RUDI PELL has done it again and I can easily recommend it to anyone who likes good old guitar orientated melodic hardrock in the style of RAINBOW, VICTORY, JADED HEART…

Rating: 8/10

'Taragon' is a new mini-CD by the German Melodic Progressive Metal band FREEDOM CALL. The CD features 5 songs and I believe this CD is only available as Japanese Import. Musically this is very much in the HELLOWEEN style, because songs like "Warriors of light" and "Heart of the brave" are typical faster uptempo melodic rock/metal songs with happy sing-a-long choruses.

Closing track "Tears of Taragon" is the best song of the whole CD. This song is midtempo melodic rocker with a speaking part during the middle of the song. Fans of the progressive melodic rock/metal will totally love this new record by FREEDOM CALL.

Rating: 7,5/10

I lost the count somewhere along the way, but this new CD of SINNER is in the same style as all their previous records. 'The end of sanctuary' contains 13 songs and they all can be described as melodic heavy rock/metal. IF you like this band, then you'll certainly enjoy their new record. But I ask myself if there any melodic rockfans out there that really like this band, because I rate them as a very average band. Anyway, SINNER fans can enjoy another new CD of Matt and co.

Rating: 6,5/10

Guitarist/Keyboardist/Vocalist TONY MACALPINE is a well-respected musician in the Hard Rock scene and 'Master of paradise' is a good example of the capabilities from him. This new solo-CD contains 10 songs of which the last two are instrumental. The Progressive Melodic Rock has a lot of similarities to BLUE MURDER (if anyone remembers that project
from the late 80s/early 90s) and also FIFTH ANGEL and JAMES BYRD'S ATLANTIS RISING come in mind when hearing this CD.

The material on 'Master of paradise' is a variety of uptempo rockers, midtempo songs, ballads, very fast progressive metalish tracks and instrumentals. My favourite songs are "Imagination" (great midtempo melodic rocker with a very good chorus), "Tears of darkness" (nice uptempo melodic rocker with some progressive touches, nice keys too), "Live to die" (semi melodic rocker a la BLUE MURDER) and "Still" (uptempo melodic rockballad, very 80s orientated).

Tony is a very good guitarist and his CD sounds pretty nice, also production wise Tony did a very good job, but only vocally it lacks a bit. Nevertheless this is a fine record that needs to be heard by all guitar fans and also the melodic rockfans will find something of interest.

Rating: 7,5/10

Out of Colorado, US comes BLOOD & FIRE, a Melodic Hardrockband that combines 80s and 90s elements in their songs. There are 12 songs on their debut CD 'Covenant'. Opener "Shadowlight" is one of the better sounding songs, because this is very good quality uptempo melodic hardrock/heavy rock a la AXEL RUDI PELL meets EMERALD RAIN. Notable are the good lead vocals from singer J. Stone Lyons, who sounds like Jeff Scott Soto from TALISMAN. Unfortunately the band also takes us right into 90s heavy rock in songs like "Sweet thorns", "Augury" and "The nethermost".

Happily, the 80s influenced melodic hardrock with good melodic vocals and choruses can be heard most of the time. Besides opener "Shadow/light" other highlights are "Soulsick" (semi ballad with very good lead vocals, very melodic, a la TALISMAN), "Third party discipline" (uptempo melodic hardrock like AXEL RUDI PELL) and "It's shelf" (great 80s guitarsound, uptempo melodic hardrock).

BLOOD&FIRE is not a pure Melodic Hardrockband, because they add some 90s Rock influences to their material. Happily, the band has a good melodic lead vocalist who makes the music of BLOOD&FIRE even more interesting. Recommended to people who like Melodic Hardrock with an attitude and are not afraid of some heavy guitarwork and a couple of 90s typed rockers.

More info at: WWW.THEORCHARD.COM and WWW.IUMA.COM and e-mail them at: STONELYONS@AOL.COM

Rating: 7/10

Last year Thoughtscape Sounds released a video about the life of ERIC CARR who tragically died in 1991. At the end of the video there was some sort of anouncement about a soon-to-be released CD of Eric Carr. The CD has now been released through Spitfire Records. The album is titled 'Rockology' and contains 12 never-before released songs from Eric himself. It's not only Eric drumming, but also singing and actually he has a very good voice (better than Gene Simmons!). Other guest musicians include former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick. Some songs sound very much like cheap demo recordings, but in general speaking this CD gives you a good idea of the life and times of Eric besides KISS.

A couple of songs could have easily made any 80s KISS album. Opener "Eyes of love" and closing track "Nasty boys" are pure KISS rockers (circa 'Hot in the shade'). The song "You make me crazy" also is a typical 80s KISS rocker, only this song has a very bad sound. Further I would like to mention 4 really great songs. First there is "Somebody's waiting", a huge Power semi AOR Ballad with BOSTON typed harmonies. A song like this would make any MTM release proud! "Just can't wait" is the only instrumental piece on the record, but this song really rocks. The song is a fantastic classy 80s AOR rocker and I wonder how good it could have been if it had featured vocals, because it really is quite a superb tune.

Remember the Stanley/Child written song "Sword and stone" (recorded by BONFIRE and KISS and)? Well, on this CD we can hear a song called "Nightmare" which is in the exact same style as that classy 80s midtempo melodic rocker. "Nightmare" features lovely harmonies and has a superb melodic chorus. The 4th track I would like to mention is another midtempo melodic rocker titled "Can you feel it", another wonderful pure 80s
rocker with of course the KISS influence. Every KISS fan should get this CD asap.

Melodic rockfans will enjoy at least 4 tracks, but it won't hurt to listen to the rest of the CD. Maybe not an essential release, but still an interesting release to purchase, because it shows the talent of a great musician and person, who died much too young.

Rating: 8/10

80s Pop Metal producer MICHAEL WAGENER (DOKKEN, WHITE LION, SKID ROW) produced, engineered and mixed the CD of this band from Los Angeles. The sound quality of the CD is indeed perfect, but it doesn't sound like the bands Michael produced back in the 80s. Opener "Rise" for example is a weak heavy 90s Metal song, but happily it stays with one such a song, because the rest of the CD is much more Melodic Hard Rock orientated. Especially the song "You are the one" is really fantastic. This track is classy 80s melodic rock with some AOR influences, kinda like the first SLAUGHTER with better
lead vox.

Also very nice are "Five to nine" (uptempo melodic hardrock), "I can't fight you" (melodic hardrock with raw vocals), "The almighty strut" (melodic hardrock), "Sometimes is enough" (melodic hardrock) and closing track "I" (70s typed KISS rocker). I heard some similarities to VAUGHN in "Rescue me". Although the CD started very heavy and weak, the rest of the CD didn't sound bad at all. Recommended to those of you who like rougher melodic hardrock with some 90s influences, kinda like XYZ and VAUGHN. More info on this and any of the other reviewed Spitfire Records releases at: http://www.SpitfireRecords.com

Rating: 7,5/10

THE SPINATRAS come out of New York and they are on the CMC INTERNATIONAL recordlabel, so we got a 'big' act here. They play a style that is quite popular at the moment in The States. I would describe it as fun uptempo melodic poprock with the driven rhythm of 70s punk, the melodic harmonies of the 80s and the guitarsound of the 90s. If you love one song, you'll love them all.

Opener "Michelle" is a cool catchy melodic poprocker that sounds very refreshing and radio-ready. This first track sounds actually very good and is super melodic, kinda like the last NELSON, only rockier. Although the whole CD follows this style, I still need to add that the other 12 songs are a bit punkier and less melodic poprock orientated as the first track. Nevertheless this is quite a funny CD and is stylish somewhere between the polished melodic poprock of NELSON and MATCHBOX 20 and the 90s PunkPopRock of bands like BLINK 182 and GREENDAY. Check it out if you don't mind a very updated sound.

Rating: 7/10

This is the band of KAI HANSEN, guitarist from HELLOWEEN. Musically I think this IRON SAVIOR is a lot heavier and the vocals are less melodic. Still, the best song, which is "Stonecold", is a great uptempo melodic rocker with a great chorus. And this song sounds very melodic, sure wish the whole CD could have been in this style, but it's not. Songs like "Brave new world", "Riding on fire", "The hatchet of war" and "For the world" are very fast metal tracks and have nothing to do with melodic hardrock.

Happily, the rest of the CD is not bad at all, and is reminding me of the NWOBHM from the early 80s when bands like SAXON, ANGELWITCH conquered the Hardrock scene. Besides the already mentioned "Stonecold", other highlights are "Watcher in the sky" (quite melodic, still fast, like HELLOWEEN), "Confortions of time" and "Touching the rainbow". If you are into early 80s Heavy Metal a la SAXON/PRIEST, then do check out IRON SAVIOR.

Rating: 7/10

Formed in 1995 "Immortal" is the English progressive rock bands fourth studio album. 1998's "The Visitor" became Arena's biggest selling album, they toured constantly throughout Europe in support of "The Visitor" and have established themselves as
one of the UK's leading progressive rock bands.Last year Clive Nolan released the all star project "Jabberwocky" with Rick Wakeman, "Jabberwocky" recieved much praise
and respect in the music press, the album that also featured Bob Catley.

To meet with the desired standards that their fans now expect of them "Immortal", has finally been released, it's a profound album which took two years to make. Arena's music is thrilling, dramatic, and sensitive, there are many special moments on this album like the gorgeous "The Butterfly Man", this song is very cinematic, listen to John Mitchell's compelling bone tingling riffs,and Clive Nolan's haunting keyboard textures for example of the bands skillful musicianship.

"Climbing The Net" maybe the most commercial song on the album which reminds me of Yes and Marillion, possibly due to vocalist Rob Sowden's passion filled vocal powers, whilst "Friday's Dream" is a swirling effective ballad to stir up your emotions, yes I really enjoyed this album, can't wait for the tour.RECOMMENDED. For more info email: verglas@verglas.com or http://www.verglas.com

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

"Spyglass Hill" is an alarmingly good solid pop album with some neat little AOR edges to it. Lisa McClowry is a singer/songwriter from Chicago, and since the age of fifteen she has been performing live on a regular basis. She is classically trained, and has been studying soprano for thirteen years and gained a degree, piano and guitar serve as her main songwriting tools which has manifested itself into this glorious debut record.

"Spy" is an album that you would have found Willson Phillips, Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Gloria Estefan, Marilyn Martin, Robin Beck and even Madonna recording in the eighties, considering Lisa doesn't have the huge $ budget from the major record labels, for all the millions those artists have spent on their recordings , Lisa has been remarkably resourceful in creating a high quality, haunting and profoundly moving record that will appeal to fans of both AOR and pop genres. You see Lisa sings with tremulous power, a power usually found in established singers like Celine Dion and Mariah Carey, for example "If I Knew", is the best song of the whole cd, it's a strong summer song with a catchy driving guitar sound from Lavant Coppock, "If I Knew" sits nicely along side newcomers Alyson Avenue and has the musical ( not vocal) charm of Vaughn/Tyketto in some places, I would love for Lisa to churn out more material like this.

Further evidence of Lisa's powerful and soothing voice is evident on track three "There Will Never Be Another You", a personnel piano led ballad of sheer finesse, the guitars crash in halfway through and this kinda remind's me a bit of Bad English's "When I See You Smile", after hearing this classy song you can now delete the likes of Celine Dion and Tori Amos, a glorious heartwrenching piece, destined for cinematic appearances, listen to her voice towards the end of the song, man she could even be the female Michael Bolton.

Another great song is "Carry Me", this song has a gospel presence about it, kinda like Carly Simon and Mariah Carey, never the less a very pleasant and inspiring song. addmittingly the scene is hard for the ladies, which is why many of them veer off into mor/pop/dance territories, Lisa amazingly captures you with her dreamy honey coated soothin voice, "Spyglass Hill" is a knee-trembling experience, the young ladies songs have an original style which is more important than anything else, I love this album too bits, I feel that very soon Lisa will be riding sky high into the charts. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED http://www.LisaMcClowry.com

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Now let's take a look at this very interesting female fronted rock band from Texas USA. The band were kind enough to forward me their two cd's.Lochinvar are husband and wife team Paula Blade (lead vocals,drums), Bret Blade (guitar, bass) and John Walker (keys, bass and guitar). Paula founded the band, and is the main songwriter, the bands name is taken from a poem by Sir Walter Scott and Paula is influenced by such bands as Heart, Led Zeppelin etc, she has also recorded with various other artists including Kirk Yano whos best remembered for producing 80's hard rockers Spread Eagle.

Bret Blade is a superb guitarist with his own identity, he is influenced by King Diamond, Zakk Wylde, George Lynch and Ace Frehley, his influences are certainly evident as he rips up a storm on tracks like "The Untamed Child", John Walker plays on various tracks too and is quite spectacular on the instrumental "Free Fall" from "It Came From The 80's".
John Walker has been with the band from the very beginning, his influences include Kings X, Gary Moore, Rush, Kate Bush and like the others he has also worked with various bands.
Together the bands collaboration has gained a healthy following in their hometown and Dallas area, they are constantly performing live.

Lochinvar's material is very catchy, the songs are developed around simple riffs, and it's often the simple riffs that catch on, songs like "Walking On The Edge", "Loves A Game", "Driving Force", "Captive Love", "One More Tear" and the ballad "Won't See Me Cry" from"It Came From The 80's" are all perfect examples of Lochinvar's musical diversity. Their foot-tapping, hand -clapping arena sized hard melodic rock brings back to mind, Dokken, Dante Fox, Lynch Mob, Millenium, Steelheart, Warlock, Damned Nation amongst others, Paula's vocal range is very sharp, I would love to watch the band live on stage, live, the bands power must truly come into vogue. Each song threatens to burst the ear drums, the songs are simply superb, if your looking for the next Saraya or Vixen then this is the band.

Prior to "It Came From The 80's" Lochinvar released a six track ep entitled "Knight Songs". These earlier batches of songs are weaker and thus come accross slightly more dated, but mention must go to the brilliant cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up The Hill", a note perfect rendition sung with Pamela's added sultry charm. I'm sure the band could gain themselves a hit if they issued this as a single.

Overall Lochinvar have a few weak songs, but essentially this is a marvelous start, it's nice to see a female fronted band actually rockin-out instead of sticking to the safe formularized AOR and pop a'la Pat Benatar, check out the Warlock-ish power of "Driving Force" for proof of the pudding. This song sticks in your mind for days. Paula Blade is possibly one of the best and most convincing female singers to have emerged since Lana Lane, she is also a very, very powerful drummer, I urge you to check out Lochinvar, i'm sure you won't be disappointed. As the press flyer states "Prepare to be blown away"...........

Contact the band: http://members.aol.com/LordLknvar/realm.htm or email: LordLnvar@aol.com or write to Blade Walker Productions, 8992 Preston Road, Suite 110, #309, Frisco, Texas 75034, USA

Rating: 9-It came/6,5-Knight Songs (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

John Taglieri is a native New Jersey musician, he began playing guitar at five years of age, now at 32, the multi-instrumentalist has been recording with independent bands for fifteen years including "American Heartbeat". He is also very active on the live scene having toured with such notable artists as Rick Derringer, Little Richard etc.. he even got to sing with Survivor when they played in his town. "Leap Of Faith" has been receiving alot of praise throughout the world of the internet as well as other press, radio airplay and constant interviews, so it looks as if John is finally making a name for himself.

"Leap Of Faith" is filled with sharp shooting catchy riffs that you may find an artist like Jon Bon Jovi or Danny Vaughn recording for a solo venture. "Leap Of Faith" is a nifty collection of pop/rock songs that get the thumbs clicking and the feet tapping. Structured for radio airplay, this album is too much fun to ignore. Supplied with a clean and sharp production, songs like "Leap Of Faith" (strong Tyketto vibes a'la "Nothing But Love/Seasons"), "Shangri-La", (Firehouse "Don't Treat Me Bad"/ "Good Accoustics vibe), "Reason To Believe", driving up tempo summer ballad a'la Bon Jovi, "The Two Sides Of Love", a'la Richard Marx, Bon Jovi, Henry Lee Summer, "Need To Hear" a killer up-tempo semi-ballad with cool guitars, through to the excellent "Here Without You", a moody and captivating Richard Marx/ Jeff Healey-ish number that builds into a charming country/rock song and "High Road" a hard hitting radio friendly rock song with a killer chorus, are all definite examples of John's capabilities as a singer and songwriter.

"Leap Of Faith" is a superb album get it bought pronto.RECOMMENDED. email John: LeapDogMus@aol.com or http://www.LeapDogMusic.com You can write to John: Leap Dog Productions, P.O. Box 7663, East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073 USA.

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Whilst the rest whole of the world is happy to indulge in power metal, melodic rock and AOR, Loud 'N' Nasty are slowly bringing back the glam era all on their own, forcing themselves not to follow the trends of the metal genres, the band are proving that people still want fun and are waiting to rock 'n' roll again.Loud 'N' Nasty were originally Motley Crue and Kiss cover bands from Sweden.Lead vocalist and bass player Rob Nasty decided to form a new outfit with Chris Loud.

Influenced by the cream of hard rock and glam bands Loud 'N' Nasty don't sound as cheesy as one would think, thus this single is actually very good and rocks with the best of them, better in fact in places, because the band pack a mighty punch.Prior to this single the band recorded a twelve track album, the album was straight ahead party rock, the band showed that they weren't afraid to dabble with aor and melodic rock on such songs as "Lake Of Tears" which bought to mind other Swedish bands like Treat and Alien, more songs in this direction and the band would be onto a winner in the melodic rock territories, the album brings back the memories of the 80's, and shows of something that is missing from the music scene today, pure FUN!!!

And lot's of it, including a cover of Motley Crue's "Piece O The Action", Loud 'N' Nasty are cool and rock hard, and could just bring back the glam scene, The girls will go apeshit when they hear Loud 'N' Nasty.Anyway back to the single, opening up with "Hellbound", you know exactly what to expect, "Hellbound" reminds me of Babylon A.D. and even Dokken in places.

"Sweet Sixteen" itself is a fast grooving sleazy number with some cool riffing from Chris Loud, there is a part in the song where Rob suddenly raises his voice louder, this caught me off guard and made me jump, very cool guys, this is what Motley Crue etc should be recording now instead of their sub-pop nonsense, so it's time once again to raise your fists, whip out the old air guitar and enjoy the fun packed entertainment that is Loud 'N' Nasty. I hope these guys become massive.RECOMMENDED Contact Info: email: loudnnasty@hotmail.com or http://torget.se/users/vloud

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)