.......................................A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FEATURED ARTIST AND CD REVIEWS - 2007
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - Logo
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LAST UPDATE 12/06/2007..
. SPOCK'S BEARD - "Spock’s Beard - Ninth"
The band was formed in Los Angeles in the Spring of 1992, Spock's Beard were brought together by their common live of progressive rock. All consummate and seasoned professionals, the band members have spent their careers playing as session men to some of the biggest names in rock from "Aretha Franklin" to "Phil Collins" and "Genesis" to "Tears For Fears". The band was formed by Neal Morse, Nick D'Virgilio, Ryo Okumoto and the bassist Dave Meros joined the band after having worked with "Eric Burdon" of "The Animals" and Bobby Kimball of "Toto". Rounding out the band is Neal's brother Alan Morse on guitar, cello and mellotron. Having had offers from several independent labels, the chose to release their debut album "The Light", which received rave reviews across the world. The band immediately worked on a follow up to "The Light" and by March 1997 the album "Beware Of Darkness" was issued to insatiable fans to the world wide. Once again the band had pulled out all the stops and released an amazing album which included a superb cover of George Harrisons's "Beware Of Darkness". Many critics felt it was by far one of the best Progressive Rock albums of the year. With a new album called "Kindness Of Strangers" saw the light of day in February 1998 and was once again extremely well received by all fans and the critics. Following the tradition of pure Progressive Rock the band have recorded others albuns with a special signature and, creating a own style in all his compositions. Since the first time, when I have heard the songs of the group Spoken's Beard, I always had a special attention in the evolution of this band. I always come following the success of these talented musicians on the world-wide prog rock scene. In this time and, around the last ten years, Spoken's Beard comes offering an ambitious musical blend within the framework of progressive rock's suites. Their music is always creative and powerful, sometimes epic, melodic and symphonic, sometimes heavy, a cinematographic and extremely vibrant music, a band that is still doing today what it has always done, around the best progressive rock style from all ages, ignoring simple musical trends and following a proper and highly defined style. Now After years of a full sucess, Spock’s Beard return with the self-titled 9th studio album, a extraordinary collection of soundscapes which have a sublime impressive istrumental music. Spock’s Beard "9th studio album" consists of an ambitious 14 songs, if you want to know what Spock’s Beard has to show you? Try listen the melodic "On A Perfect Day", or if you want a hard rock songs try "Is This Love", "Wherever You Stand" but if you want something more special and magnificient progressive/symphonic rock songs listen "With Your Kiss", "The Slow Crash Landing Man", "Hereafter" and "As Far As The Mind Can See" (Really they are the best tracks on the album). "Spock’s Beard 9th studio album" is an excellent addition to the growing catalog of InsideOut Music, the perfect home for Spock’s Beard. The musicians on the band are: Nick D'Virgilio - Lead & Backing Vocals, Drums, Timpani, Percussion and some Guitar, Alan Morse - Guitars, Backing Vocals and Lead Vocal (6), Dave Meros - Bass, Bass Synth, Sitar and Backing Vocals, Ryo Okumoto - Keyboards and Backing Vocals. with the special guests: The Section Quartet: (1,7,10,13), Eric Gorfain -Violin, Daphne Chen - Violin, Leah Katz - Viola, Richard Dodd - Cello (The Section Quartet appears courtesy of Decca Records.) Stephanie O'Keefe - French horn (1,7,12,13), Jon Titmus - French horn (1,7,12,13), Jon Papenbrook - Trumpet & Flugelhorn (12,13), Eric Jorgensen - Trombone (12,13), Ray Yslas - Percussion (4,5,11,14), Kaylene Peoples - Flute (1) Kiko Izumi - Erhu (9), John Boegehold - Voices (5,7,11,12), additional guitar (2,13) and synths (1,2,10,13), Stan Ausmus - Voices (12) and additional guitar (1), Rich Mouser - Voices (12), "They Know We Know" kids voices - The Barnhart Chorus, Judith Stevens, Director. Brilliant and indispensable work, highly recommendable... (Comments by Carlos Vaz)		 .
01/09/2007,.....For more details and everything about the new band please check out SPOCK'S BEARD HOME PAGE...
. KATAGORY 5 - "The Rising Anger"
In 1999 Katagory 5 was formed in Utah (USA). In 2002 they release their first album “Present Day” recorded for themselves but distributed by Nightmare Records. This CD gave them a chance to be a song included in Progpower V CD, which is a good moment for every band. Some shows after that, they reunited to work in their second CD, “A New Breed Of Rebellion”, which was released in 2004. Some gigs happened (with bands like "Metal Church" and "Hellstar") and the band recorded “Bad To The Bone” to a "Running Wild" Tribute (called “The Rivalvry”). Now it’s time to check this new CD, “The Rising Anger”. As the other 2 CD’s, we have a metal band in its essence, with good tracks like “A Change In Time” and “Liberated Minds”. Good riffs, a correct vocal (thankz God he knows how using his voice) and a slow moment in “The Elitist” (good backing vocals). Another good moments can be found in the hard “The Rising Anger”, the heavy “Leave Us Behind” and the slow/pop/hard “Hostile Takeover”. But there’s something i must tell you before ending this review. It’s a good band, there’s no doubt, but i have heard this kind of sound before, and a lot of times. They don’t need to create the new wave of the new wave of heavy metal, but they need to work more in their musicality. From the first to the last song, it seems to be the same thing: speed/slow/melodic/vocals/speed/slow/melodical. They do good songs, I must agree, but they aren’t excelente, divine. And is something they must think on if they want to have more fans, more gigs, and not only an undeground band. But this CD is part of an big evolution proccess, and i believe they deserve us a lot of surprises! The Line Up on the band are: Lynn Allers - Vocals, Curis Morell - Guitars, Dustin Mitchel - Bass, Matt Suiter - Drums and Mark Hanson - Guitars...    (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
01/09/2007...................................,............Interested to know more about the Band? Visit KATAGORY 5 HOME PAGE...
. GYPSY CARNS - "Gospel Train Coming"
Hello my friends! I’m back to play blues for the Lord! Mr. Gypsy Carns has a space in the gospel world. How can you imagine a tatooed old man with his acoustic guitar travelling around the world playing blues? Just to bring the holy bible to the blues people. And he is in the road since 1966. Can you believe it? He has a mission, and seems to not stop it until the end of time (i trully believe he has immotallity). This time, while Gypsy prepares his new CD with his AZA band (January 2007), he gaves us 12 blues tunes, some written by him, some by his preaching brothers. The idea is easy: Gypsy and his single voice (totally blues and rocker) singing with his acoustic guitar. You will smile listening to “Gospel Train Coming” (old western gospel country music!) and “Keep Your Hands Trainned And Burning”, and the old 70’s blues “Join The Revelator”. Some pop elements make easier to listen to “Prayin’ Blues”, “Your Enemy Cannot Barn You” and the pop “Dark Eternity”. This is the secret of Mr. Gypsy Carns. His message comes to you with sweet melodies and funny songs, so you have time to learn and smile. Do you want examples? The funny “Satan Don’t Pay The Bills” and “Preaching’ Blues”. A CD to listen, learn and have fun. I wait anxious for the AZA CD! “Gospel Train Coming” was released by "Silent Planet Promotions", a company which has a heart of service to all it’s patrons; bands, venues, labels, the media and fans, which is always in a state of flux to move with the artist and culture.   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
01/09/2007.......................,.....Interested to know more about the this artist? Please visit GYPSY CARNS HOME PAGE...
. WILD TURKEY - "You And Me In The Jungle"
Wild turkey was formed in 1971 by Glenn Cornick after he left "Jethro Tull". The original members were Gary Pickford- Hopkins, John ‘Pugwash’ Weathers, Graham Williams, Jon Blackmore and Glenn Cornick, Pugwash and Graham left before any gigs were played (neither would work again with Wild Turkey until 35 years later!) and were replaced by Jeff Jones and Alan ‘Tweke’ Lewis. The first album ‘Battle Hymn’ was recorded early in 1971 and, had moderate success in Britain and the U.S.A. It was followed by extensive touring in Britain and an American tour, often supporting "Black Sabbath". After the American tour, Jon Blackmore left the band and was replaced by Mick Dyche and Steve Gurl. A second album ‘Turkey’ was then recorded in 1972 at Morgan Studios in London and was again followed by extensive British touring and another tour of the U.S. After many changes on the band, Glenn was approached by HTD Records to make a new Wild Turkey album and ‘Stealer of Years’ was recorded in January 1996 at Digitaff Studios in South Wales. Nothing further happened until 2005, when it was decided to investigate the possibility of reforming the band to make a new album and maybe even to tour.  The line up for the recording was Gary Pickford-Hopkins, Mick Dyche, Graham Williams, Steve Gurl, Pugwash Weathers, Glenn Cornick - all members at one time of the original band and with Clive Bunker who had played with Glenn in "Jethro Tull". Plans are in hand for another British tour in March 2007 and a European tour in Summer of 2007 and Glenn is currently working on new material in the hope that there might be a next Wild Turkey album!  In many ways this Wild Turkye's album is certainly reminiscent of previous "Jethro Tull" formation, in a more familiar format, linking the musical references around classic albuns such as "This Was", "Stand Up", "Living the Past" and "Benefit", the band back to the beginning and, bringing to the present an essence of a real and traditional Rock & Roll, with a sixties and seventies sensibility in great style, adding some folk influences. All the tracks show the usual Rock and Roll arrangements of guitars, bass, drums and keyboards, the vocals are sometimes highly melodic, sometimes harder, in a different kinds of tones. In fact here we will find songs full of pure emotions, that evokes good memories for all "oldies" fans of the classic Rock and Roll. "You And Me In The Jungle" was produced by Wild Turkye and David J. Burrows and mastered by David J. Burrows. The album was recorded at Bridgerow Studios in Glanammon, South Wales, April 2006, including eleven tracks. A special and particular attention to and my favourite songs are: "Propaganda", "Friendly Fire", "Split Down the Middle", "Snakewalk" (is a energetic song), "Catalan Lullaby", "You and Me in the Jungle", "Northern Lights" (really one of the best track on the album), "Play Another Fast Song" (a vibrant Rock Roll song) and "Soldier Boy". The main musicians on the band are: Glenn Cornick (Ex Jethro Tull) - Bass Guitar, Clive Bunker (Ex Jethro Tull) - Drums, John ( Pugwash Weathers ) (Ex Gentle Giant)  - Percussion and Vocals, Gary Pickford-Hopkins (Ex Rick Wakeman Band) - Vocals and Harmonica, Mick Dyche (Ex Joan Armatrading Band) - Guitar, Bass and Vocals, Graham Williams (Ex Racing Cars) - Lead Guitar and Steve Gurl (Ex Babe Ruth) - Keyboards. Brilliant and indispensable work, highly recommendable... (Comments by Carlos Vaz)		 .
01/31/2007...........,.....For more details and everything about the band please check out WILD TURKEY HOME PAGE...
. SCENERY - "Continuity (DEMO)"
From Czech Republic comes Scenery, with Petr (vocals), Lerry (gutars), Misak (guitars), Milk (bass) and still searching for a drummer. They recorded 3 full lenght CD’s since the first day of 1994 (when the band was formed) and had done some good shows in the european scene. Before loosing their drummer (Mark), they recorded some tracks to the new CD, scheduled to this year. This songs were taken from 2005’s “Continuity” CD. “Chains Of Existence” is an angressive mix of punk and hardcore, with melodical moments and screaming vocals. “Bells Of Eternity” keeps the adrenaline high, and works very well in the idea to make something crazy and melodic. “Twilight Of Antiquity” is slow and heavy, and very different from the other two, a new level for the band, and probably their best song in this DEMO. Things get more speed with “Behind Horizont”, and the riffs get more into 80’s metal, while “Evolution Mirror” is slow and agressive. I think they are trying to sound like "Pantera" from “The Great Southern Trendkill” age, but they have to work more into their guitars and the melodical moments. The first three songs seems to be the same song, and it’s not good, but in my opinion, It’s a good band and shows that, in the near future, they can do something better in a new record. Good luck for them!...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
01/31/2007......................,.....Interested to know more about the this Band? Then please visit SCENERY HOME PAGE...
. BLISSED - "Corrosive"
This north-american four boys, formed in late’s 90 in Tampa, had the support of Robert Sweet ("Stryper") in their first record, “Waking Up The Dead” . Now they are coming with their second work. And does it seem like "Stryper"? Yes and No. Yes because it seems like "Stryper" “Reborn” era, No because for me "Stryper" was a hard rock band, and this band is more into Heavy Metal and Modern Rock. But the work is good, very good: songs like “Superhero” is a good rock record, with dirty guitars and a good vocal. “Monster” is more into grunge, with slow guitars and agressive drumming, as the excelent “Decision”. “Run” is more hard rock, and really seems like 80’s hard rock, one of the best moments of the record. The grunge approach comes back with “Get Up” and the slow “Rise”. People who likes Heavy Metal will love “Reprise” and the ballad “Getting Better”, but this band is into modern rock sound. So, don’t expect to see something like “Yellow And Black Attack” and “To Hell With The Devil”. They do a good work, but I can’t see the band’s musical identity, because they go into a lot of styles, and is something urgent for them to find their musical brain-line. I think they will do it on the next record, but this one is good to be listened for those who likes heavy atmospheres and modern sounds. the line-up are: David - Vocals, Jeff - Guitar, Nathan - Drums and Geoff - Bass...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
01/31/2007.......................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Please visit BLISSED HOME PAGE...
. BILLY SHEEHAN - "Prime Cuts"
Billy Sheehan has changed the way bass guitar is played. Rising to cult status in the 80's with his Buffalo, NY based band Talas, Billy was recruited by David Lee Roth when Roth left Van Halen in '85. He recorded two platinum selling albums with the former Van Halen front man before setting out on his own. Forming Mr. Big in 1989, the band achieved a Billboard #1 single in the US and 14 other countries with "To Be With You" from their 2nd Atlantic Records album release "Lean Into It". While developing his trademark style of playing he has performed over 4000 live gigs on every continent except Africa and Antarctica. Billy Sheehan was voted the "Best Rock Bass Player" 5 times in Guitar Player magazines Readers Poll. With recording completed, Billy's first solo album entitled "Compression" was released on April 25, 2001 on the Favored Nations label. On "Compression", Sheehan wrote, sang, played Baritone 12 string and 6 string guitar, played bass and programmed drums on the entire record, except for 2 tracks featuring "Terry Bozzio" on drums and an amazing "Steve Vai" solo on the song "Chameleon" (the first pairing of "Steve Vai" and "Billy" since the "David Lee Roth" days). The search for the right bass player is equally difficult, but If someone ask me for any bassist who is one of my favourite bass players are, I will probably include Billy Sheehan, an innovative musician who prospective works are always on the technical top level. He knows how to use this instrument but as solo instrument as well, giving the necessary touches to the music without ever showing off. I would almost call Prime Cuts as a brilliant collection of songs that are 'heady' enough for any bass fan's, we can hear a lot of hypnotic and powerful bass sounds, where we can consider Billy Sheehan as a musician with dynamic musical reference. Among all the tracks, here are some of the best on this cd collection: "Sugar Blues" - Niacin, "Sub Continent" - Bozzio/Sheeham, "Super Grande" - Niacin, "The Trees" - Working Man Tribute, also including an exclusive track, a previously unreleased bass solo recorded live in Buffalo NY in 1994. This CD is enhanced with brand new bonus video “Who Is Billy Sheehan?”. A Selection of Billy’s Finest Work for Magna Carta Records, Featuring Performances by: Terry Bozzio, Dennis Chambers, Steve Howe, Steve Morse, John Novello, Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess. Brilliant and indispensable work, highly recommendable... (Comments by Carlos Vaz)		 .
01/31/2007.....................Interested to know more about this famous bass player? Visit BILLY SHEEHAN HOME PAGE...
. JUSTIN MURR - LIBERTY N’JUSTICE - "Soundtrack Of A Soul"
The band Liberty N’Justice (now only Justin Murr and special guests) was formed in 1991 and had released 4 records and some demos, always doing a good mix of heavy metal and hard-rock. In 2004 the band released “Welcome To The Revolution”, with special guests like "Michael Sweet" ("Stryper") and "Lou Gramm" (former "Foreigner" singer). This time “Soundtrack Of A Soul” is back with a lot of famous musicians, and does well his work to talk about the human soul, ideas and conflicts of a human being. The list of guests is giant, but we have names like "Mickey Dee" ("Motorhead") in the drums and "Mark Slaughter" ("Slaughter") playing guitar. “Kings Of Hollywood” (with "Ez Gomer" of "Jet Circus" in vocals) is a good metal song, with strong riffs, and is followed by “Another Nail” with Sebastian Bach (fantastic work!), another metal song, and the strong “State Of Grace”. "Oni Longan" ("Lynch Mob") does a good job in the interesting “Show Me The Way”, and "Tony Harnell" (former "TNT" singer) kicks ass in the hard-oriented “Flinch”. It’s defintelly a fantastic rock-metal concept record, and i’m not talking about that only because the guests. Justin does a good work. As so do "Stephen Pearcy" (former "Ratt" singer) in “Killer Grin” and its modern hard style, "Ted Poley" of "Danger Danger" in the slow “Always Tomorrow” and "Mike Lee" in the sweet “Make Believe”. Here we can see a group of amazing musicians that understand what they really want to transmit to all music friends. A great work for people who loves rock and roll and loves life. Soon, they will be releasing a new CD (with the same idea) this year, and of course I will buy it!...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
01/31/2007...........Interested to know more about the them? Visit JUSTIN MURR - LIBERTY N’JUSTICE HOME PAGE...
. WHITECHAPEL - "Le Masque d'Arlequin"
Whitechapel was born in 2004, and they come from French. But this wasn’t the beginning of this prog-metal band; they started earlier when Thierry Thuane, Laurent Isola, Greg Iung and Raphael Rigaud were playing in different cover bands and met each other on many projects. In that time, the guys decided to create a Progressive Metal band that they called Whitechapel. The former idea was to create enough songs to record a demo, so they worked on eleven songs during one year. The songs were just waiting for their singer, on that occasion, they met Fabrice Altairac who placed his nice voice on the music. They came in the “Studio 105” where the demo finally became an album called “Le Masque d’Arlequin”. Whitechapel is new French band revelation, they play a highly original brand of Progressive Metal, but their work contains strong elements of Progressive Rock, and some elaborate atmospheric touchs of Neo-progressive, combined with elements that explore symphonic musical textures. The musical themes (lyrics are in French) turn around "kings", "ghosts", "wars", "masks" and "drugs", exploring a new musical territory between the real and the fiction. I think that, the musicians have done all their best on this album, creating some astonishing, enjoyable and moving progressive rock music. Listen carefully the tracks you realize how many different passages of music they play, where each song has a special ingredient. Opening the album, the track "Au Nom Du Père" is a perfect Progressive Metal song, adorned by blazing guitar solos, followed by "Le Flûtiste", "Melissandre", "Whitechapel", "Pleine Lune" and "Echec Et Mat" including a wonderful instrumental explorations, "Elixir", "Le Masque d’Arlequin", "Les Enfants De La Nuit", "Sarajevo" and "Ailleurs" are the album’s star tracks, mainly because they are melodic epic and symphonic, where the keyboards are the main highlight on the songs, with a powerful atmospheric instrumentation and nice vocal melodies. If you want some references, think about some heavy sessions like "Dream Theater" and symphonic references towards French bands like "Ange", "Saggarah" and "Atoll". "Le Masque d’Arlequin" album was released in 2006, where is available and distributed by Musea Records. The musicians on Whitechapel are: Fabrice Altairac – Vocals, Laurent Isola – Guitars, Thierry Thuane – Drums, Greg Iung – Keyboards and Raphaël Rigaud – Bass. Brilliant, amazing and an indispensable work, highly recommendable... (Comments by Carlos Vaz)		 .
01/31/2007.....Want to learn everything about the band and their history, you must visit WHITECHAPEL HOME PAGE...
. STAIRWAY - "The Other Side Of Midnight"
From UK came 4-metal band Stairway. Formed in late’s 90 by Pete Jennens (Guitars), Rob Jennens (Bass), Graeme Leslie (Vocals, Guitar, producer) and Andy Edward (Drums), they are inspired by bands of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. With 3 good CD’s released, last year this “The Other Side Of Midnight” cames to our hands, with a good band working a heavy metal music, just metal, nothing more, as you will see in the opening track “No Mercy” and in the good “Sea Of Fools” (with chorus and good vocals from the members). “Burn” is a good slow metal track (fantastic to be played live) and “Taste The Blood” a heavy ballad that works very well. The band works very well with epical moments in “She Calls”, some hard riffs in the good “Death And Destruction” and with the 80’s metal in the excelent “Soldiers Of Heaven”. Well... still we have one track, and it’s a traditional heavy record, so this track is a good ballad, with the mystic title of “My Life Goes On...!”. Have you ever heard this before? Yeah, I think so... but’s it’s so good that you can keep listening with no mercy!...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
02/25/2007..............................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit STAIRWAY HOME PAGE...
. PHOENIX - "Dying To Find Myself"
Can you imagine Progressive Metal with hip-hop? No... it’s impossible! Is it? Well... Nicholas Vino from Pensylvania (USA) is aying NO, IT’s POSSIBLE! With that Phoenix debut CD. As a one-man-band since 1997, with guests in each recording, the come to their first CD trying to do something like Body Count (ICE T’s band) have done in the past, but with messages with religious content. Listening to “Where You Know” we see a RAP band before each style, with good guitars, but the Nick vocals are RAP and not metal. The guitars come back agressive in the slow “Only Thirty-Eight” and “Alienate”. Well, I haven’t seen any Progressive Metal in the record yet, but Nick shows a good hand to create songs with melody and musical elements, not using eletronic, but guitars and drums. It makes good to listen “Hand In Hand”, the atmospherical “Blood Flow” and the acoustic (and really good) version of “Hand In Hand”. As a bonus track, we see a remake of “When I Needed You Must”, from the early demos. A good work, and a good signal that rap and guitars work very well, in good hands. “Dying To Find Myself” was released by "Silent Planet Promotions", a company which has a heart of service to all it’s patrons; bands, venues, labels, the media and fans, which is always in a state of flux to move with the artist and culture...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
02/25/2007.................................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit PHOENIX HOME PAGE...
. SOURTONGUE - "Mechanically Grown Society"
Well... at least one good thing appeared from all the tragic elements of Lousiana’s 2003 hurricane. Nick Diaz (Guitar/ Vocals/ Keys) joined forces with Matt Williams (Bass) and Brian DeBate (Drums) to form progressive rock-trio Sourtongue. They decided to sound like the famous bands such as "Rush" and "Pink Floyd" addin some references from another good prog bands. After 2 EP’s and some shows full of energy and hability, here is their first CD, a must in Progressive Rock. "Katrina" and “The Waltz” are really influenced by the old "Pink Floyd" with some "Rush" elements (Matt’s voice is very similar to the fantastic "Geddy Lee"). A sweet moment comes with “My Worthy Epitath”, followed by the beautiful “Same Day” (reminded me a lot the "Rush" from “Test For Echo”). And to satisfy the new millenium fans, “Bury The Past” has some metal elements that reminds us the good Dream Theater’s days, while “Still Awake” and “Mechanically Grown” are more progressive and long (most of the tracks has 4 or 5 minutes, but these two comes to 9!). The great thing about this CD is the hability of the band to make their progressive style even with short tracks (“Cages And War”) and with long ones. A good start and you must pay attention in this trio! Good Start!...  (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
02/25/2007........................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit SOURTONGUE HOME PAGE...
. PHIL WALTON - "Reason To Live"
This guy had all the elements to be a popstar. Don’t agree with me? He went to the same school with Sting "Police" and Neil Tennant "Pet Shop Boys", and had contact with Steve Hackett "Genesis". So, why did it took so long to see something from Phil Walton? Well, i don’t know, but i think he was trying to put his influences and inspirations in the world of music. This first CD is a mix of pop/rock/guitar oriented songs, as we can see in “Passed Me By” and “What Are You Looking For?”. Some "U2" elements (wow! he did not study with Bono Vox!) can be found in “Do You Love Me?” and “Just Another Day”. Phil Walton still show us his hability in acoustic guitar when we hear “Go To Sleep” and “Reason To Live”, but he has to improve his vocals, because they are not to good (he abuses from low tunes) and seems he’s singing the same song in all the CD. Not a bad record, but he can do it better, just solving some little problems that are normal in a debut CD...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale) 		 .
03/29/2007.........................................,.....Interested to know more about the artist? Visit PHIL WALTON HOME PAGE...
. CELLADOR - "Enter Deception"
Well... i think they do heavy, but very heavy metal, considering that Erik Rutan "Morbid Angel" sings the production of this first Cellador album. From Nevada (USA), Cellador was formed in 2004 by Chris Petensen and after a demo and a EP very well received by the fans and press, now here it is their debut album. “Leaving All Behind” (opening track) shows that’s very heavy, with a melodic vocal (seems "Michael Kiske" from "Helloween") and speed guitars. “A Sign Far Beyond” is another german-oriented-speed metal track, but with death metal drums, so it’s pure agressivity. “Never Again” is more into 80’s heavy, with groove, slow riffs and a great atmosphere, to headbanging all the room. Some hard rock elements can be found in “Seen Through Time” and “Wakening”, working very well with the speed metal of the band. To close in high speed, “Releasing The Shadow” and the epic “No Chances Lost”. A good record, a good debut from an north-american band. They will have a good live test, considering they will tour with "Unearth" in this year. Good Luck for them! "Enter Deceptio" is available and distributed by Metal Blade Records. The band’s Line Up are: Michel Gremio - Vocals, Chris Petersen - Guitars, Bill Hudson - Guitars, Valentin Rakhmanov - Bass and David Dahir - Drums...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
03/29/2007..............................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit CELLADOR HOME PAGE...
. FEEDFORWARD - "Barefoot & Naked"
The Dutch band FeedForward has been around for 5 years now, and found its own unique style. They are having released 3 demo's, FeedForward has managed to build up a considerable fanbase in the south of the Netherlands. This shows by the concerts, with the number of visitors steadily increasing every time. The last released CDemo is the single "Stop To Think", which is downloadable from the band´s website. FeedForward played many gigs in the past years, with especially worth mentioning gigs in large venues like 013, the Effenaar, the Bosuil (support for "Enchant"), Todo (support for "The Gathering"), the Dynamo and at festivals like Paaspop Den Hout, Kempenerpop, All American Day and Cult & Tumult. FeedForward has on the stage, a power performance, full of energy with an intense instrumental music. According to the description of some musical "reviewer" around the world, FeedForward is being considered as a Progressive Metal band, but, in my opinion, I consider them like a band who blends three different styles, creating innovative, atmospheric and a heavy music combining sophisticated Melodic Prog Metal, with a magnificient Progressive/Symphonic Rock adding elements of a lush Art Rock. The compositions and arrangements are very well done, with intricate music structure, featuring symphonic keyboard arrangements mixed with dynamic heavy guitar sounds, where the powerful drums go on always on typical prog metal style, closing with an epic and vibrant female vocals. All the songs are accessible for a large Prog lovers audience, listen the tracks, we must start with the vibrants "Fade Away" and "Run The Race", followed by aggressives but also atmospheric "143", "Silent", "For 1 Time" and "Moving", the melodic "Before I Leave" and also, the beautiful melodic and symphonic "Crossing The Line" and "Innocence", however, I have a special attention to the melodic, symphonic and aggressive "Stop To Think" (it’s one of the best songs on the album). Using some references, their music is similar to "The Gathering", "Stream Of Passion", "Everon", "Nightwish", "Within Temptation", "Ayreon", "Enchant" and "Edenbridge". Barefoot & Naked containing 10 songs, all music by FeedForward, lyrics by Biejanka except for "143" by Biejanka and Pi, all songs recorded and produced by Hans Reinders/FeedForward at The Pit, Weert, 2005/2006, except for "Stop To Thing" (featuring Arjon on Bass) recorded and produced at Herrow,  Losser, January 2004. In fact, Barefoot & Naked is a work that you never must miss. The musicians on the band are: Biejanka - Vocals, Pi - Drums & Background Vocals, Mario - Guitars, Jan - Bass and Job - Keyboards. Brilliant and indispensable work, highly recommendable... (Comments by Carlos Vaz)		 .
03/29/2007........Would you like more information? Better check it out for yourself at:FEEDFORWARD HOME PAGE...
. COUNTER-WORLD EXPERIENCE - "Leaving Lotus"
Counter-World Experience is a Berlin-based Jazz-Metal outfit, being in activity since 2001. After releasing two acclaimed albums as "Always Home" and "Fraktal", the band is now bringing a brand-new effort to the market entitled "Leaving Lotus". This is an instrumental album featuring nine earth-shaking tracks where every fussy listener will surely take delight in some of the most fascinating instrumental performances ever done on the current days. As the band direction suggests, most of the songs on the album are performed bombastically through scorching bass lines, ever present on every single cut. The guitar interventions are often straight-ahead, being quite one of the strongest points on the album, and also helping to turn it into a top level one. The drumming is also flawless, which surely gives the drummer the real status of a great musician overall. Even being classified as a Jazz-Metal band, and releasing quite a zippy album, it's possible to find, rarely of course, some tenderness on a track or so. I don't really take it as a flimsy point at all, but a matter of creativity when deciding to smooth over the tune and driving it toward a more refined musical sphere. By and large, "Leaving Lotus" is an album filled with great surprises to be still discovered by those who use to be often in search of a sparkling sound. So if you enjoy listening to bands like "Spaced Out", "Talisma", "Nemo" and "Electrum", you will probably be into this music as well. Counter-World Experience consist of the following members: Benjamin Schwenen - Synth-Guitar and Programming, Thorsten Harnitz - Drums, Percussion and Programming and H.D. Lorenz - Bass. This album is highly recommended...  (Comments By Sergio Motta)		 .
04/09/2007.................Interested to know more about the Band? Visit COUNTER-WORLD EXPERIENCE HOME PAGE...
. THE ADVENTURES OF ... LEONID & THE DAYDREAMERS
And i tought that i heard all the most bizarre things when I bought myself the last Mr. Bungle CD... Leonid (a boy from New Jersey – US) showed me that my journey into different sounds was just beginning. With two CD’s on his career, this american boy wants to make the most different music you can hear. No matter what style we will call it, no matter what will be in the future, his adventures (he is the boss of the project, playing every instruments, with the help of Mike Callins on drums) are extremely complex (does he know Mike Patton?). “Overture: Forbidden” is a crazy intro to a jazz number in “Hallucinations” or a punk atmosphere in “Run”. Did you hear Fantomas (Mike Patton again...)? It seems to be a soundtrack to any movie (if he release this CD with a DVD will be a crazy moment). “Jack The Riffer” is a punk rock moment without vocals, “Innocence” is a totally crazy rock song, “Reprise Free” has some orchestrated moments (?), and “Finalle’’ has some oriental feelings... I don’t understand what can this can be. A musical experiment (an example of madness)? Some special soundtrack for a future movie? What is in the mind of Leonid and his adventures? I don’t understand, so I will give you the chance to listen this, try to understand, and email me please in the future with the answer... but please, do it before another Leonid’s adventure...  (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
04/20/2004.......More about? Please visit THE ADVENTURES OF ... LEONID AND THE DAYDREAMERS HOME PAGE...
. FALL OF ECHOES - "Red Tree"
Shake Lankford (vocals), Rob Perez (guitars), Rick Mals (drums/guitars) and Bill Yost (bass) are known musicians in USA, having played in several bands before joining forces for this interesting project. Fall Of Echoes is a different band than what we can see in the usual Demo CD reviews, because it has a mind in the 70’s and the hands in the 90’s. Did you understand me? The guys play the most 70’s rock with the 90’s technology, what is a good thing. “Groaning” is totally "Sabbath" -focused (Shake’s vocals remember a lot "Ozzy"), and “Mr. Orion” seems to be recorded by "Led Zeppelin". “Darkness Inside” has an 90’s metal approach, like "Black Sabbath" meets "Korn", if you can believe something like that. The band shows yet good hability to do some sweet ballads like “Little Girl Lost”, while “Red Tree” has a little grunge-approach. I can say I liked a lot this Demo CD because it’s a box full of surprises, but you can see that there’s a special line that conducts all the process, even in more modern rock tracks like “YFMO”, some heavy metal moments like “Behind My Closed Eyes”, and a little of "Alice In Chains" in “While I’m Alive”. I don’t have doubts: this band must record a full-lenght, because they have the hability of working with lots of music, and make it on their own. Good Luck boys!...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
04/10/2007......................If you want more information about this band? Please visit FALL OF ECHOES HOME PAGE...
. STEVE WALSH - "Shadowman"
YEAH! Believe it or not! We’re listening to the "Kansa's voice solo record! While he had an fantastic job with his band, putting his voice in songs like “Dust In The Wind” and “Carry On Wayward Son”, Mr. Walsh has done several participations in some interesting rock projects, like "Daniele Liverani’s" “Genius” Rock Opera. “Shadowman” is his third solo effort, with Joel Kosche in the guitars, Joe Franco in the drums, and some special guests like Michael Romeo and Matt Still. This CD is a good rock/prog work, with some special songs like “Rise”, the pop moment of “Shadowman” (fantastic chorus!), and the hard-rock of “Davey And The Stone That Rolled Away”. Steve Walsh shows the tradicional singing and keyboarding in some AOR moments like “Pages Of Old” and “Hells Is Full Of Heroes”. The Progressive Rock fans will love the long “After” followed by the pop (and beautiful) “The River”. The main thing is that Steve Walsh had done a fantastic record, and we cannot close our eyes to it. If you are a "Kansas" huge fan, you have this in hands, but with you don’t even know the band, please do yourself a favor and buy this record ok?...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
04/15/2007.......................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit STEVE WALSH HOME PAGE...
. PRAVDA - "Walking Through Walls"
Pravda is a new generation in Progressive Rock outfit hailing from the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A. The group consisting of veterans of the Austin, Orlando and Northwest music scenes, is realy to take on the musical enclaves of corporate rock, with a bold and invigorating sound, where their sound combines the best of Old & New Progressive Rock with some touchs of Jazz adding the power of Progressive Metal. Pravda is a reunion of talented musicians playing some seriously well-thought out Progressive Rock music, in fact, we are talking about the perfect combination from Dave Thomas with 18 years experience as a live and studio drummer and a veteran of the Austin Texas & Northwest music scenes, K.C. Thomsen a B.M. Music Theory & Composition BSU, (U of U) another veteran of the Northwest music scene and Tom Svanoe over 22 years experience as a touring and studio musician as well as a jingle writer across the country also as a classical trained at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. "Walking Through Walls" is the second work from this powerful and energetic band, of course Pravda are very much a group of the modern age, somewhere between the 1970 ‘s and the third millenium, with an unique charisma, where we can listen a mixture of many different musical influences. The instrumental prowess on the this album is top notch, where the guitar, bass and drums playing are very reminiscent from famous bands as "Kansas" and "Rush", including lot of intricate keyboards and grandiose musical passages, reminding me "Yes" and "Rush", in fact Pravda play a emotional music that is beautiful and refined with a sumptuous instrumentation. Listen all tracks, my favourite songs are: "Edge of Fire", "After The Deluge" and "Ethereal" (they are the best), and the sensational "Excursion", "Lhasapsodic", "Walking Through Walls" and "At The Zoo". Followers of imaginative Progressive Rock should definitely pay attention to this release. "Walking Through Walls" contains 10 good tracks and was released by Sonus West Records, recorded at Sonus West & Sonus East Studios from August 05 to April 06, recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered by Thomsen and Thomas. The musicians on Pravda are: K.C. Thomsen - Keyboards & Vocals, Tom Svanoe - Bass & Guitar, Dave Thomas - Drums & Vocals and as a Guest Musician: Chris Holman - Guitars. Amazing, brilliant and an indispensable work, highly recommendable... (Comments by Carlos Vaz)		 .
04/16/2007.......................................,.....More information? Better check it out for yourself at: PRAVDA HOME PAGE...
. THE GATEWAY - "Same"
Wow! The Gateway are a French Progressive Rock band! Could you imagine something like that? Well, now you don’t have to do it because Will (drums), Stef (bass), Gil (guitars/vocals), Ben (guitars) and Schrisse (guitars/vocals) made your dreams come true. With this first self-released CD, they work with all the progressive elements and had the intelligent idea to put some very aggressive guitars sounds, with an excelent results. The track “Moth” is a good example, as the good drum-working of “Far Open Sea” (anybody talked about "Dream Theater"?). While “Civilized” is more into modern heavy metal (the 3 guitars created a fantastic work), “Little Leaf” is a good pop moment, and “Her Dad And Rusted Fields” come back to the progressive atmosphere, with long solos, long riffs and a good time to sit and relax listen a good song. The most interesting thing in this CD is the possibility of hearing some heavy sounds like “Californian Dream”, and at the same time put your ears into something beautiful and progressive like “Maelstrom Of Emotion”. Some young progressive metal bands could use this musical influence as an example how Progressive Rock can be interesting when you know how doing it. Good luck guys from The Gateway, stay tuned and keep your minds in the Progressive Rock!...  (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
04/18/2007.......................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit THE GATEWAY HOME PAGE...
. OZRIC TENTACLES - "The Floor´s Too Far Away"
Once again I have here on hand another great effort from the legendary Psychedelic, Space Rock, Ambient UK-based ensemble Ozric Tentacles. The album title is "The Floor's Too Far Away", which is a 2006 release. It's interesting to know the band has now an only remaining member in the person of Ed Wynne from the original line-up, which created true masterpieces over long years of existence. Fortunately Ed Wynne carries on picking out highly-gifted musicians to follow him on his adventurous craft of making self-styled music, which has been for ages bearing him good fruits though. "The Floor's Too Far Away" consists of nine top-notch tracks, which won't let the legions of Ozric Tentacles´ fans down at all, as the old essence of the band has been unceasingly kept over 57 minutes of an enjoyable listen. Although I have been a termless fan of the band since long, I must say however, this album doesn't really break fresh ground. But if some of you ask me if I mind about it, I really say no; mostly because the album sounds splendidly like a true Ozric Tentacles' outgrowth, where every die-hard fan could notice it right off even if listening to its songs at a distance. In my view, "The Floor's Too Far Away" is doubtlessly able to bring emotion, delight and excitement as all its predecessors. Its music still sounds great and plenty of originality as usual. The impeccable percussions, synthesizers and space guitars are thoroughly preserved here. Definitely, the music performed by this standout quintet still sounds like no other in the world, although I gladly admit there are other stunning bands as "Hidria Spacefolk", "Mohodisco" and "Stereokimono" exploring this sort of sound as well. Just a little more before penning off this article, as Ed Wynne is the only one to stay, and the band direction didn't even suffer any decline musically, this demonstrates very well how much he has been contributing to the band's success over all these years through his ideas, skills and so forth. So I thank to God for keeping the band control at Mr. Wynne's hands so that the flame of Ozric Tentacles' music never comes to die out. The new line-up of the band features the following members: Ed - Guitars & Keyboards, Metro - Drums, Brandi - Bass & synthesizers, Marv - Percussion and Tom Brooks - Bubs. Another great release from Magna Carta Records. This album is highly recommended, ever...   (Comments By Sergio Motta)		 .
04/25/2007........................,.....Interested to know more about this great Band? Visit OZRIC TENTACLES HOME PAGE...
. ROINE STOLT - "Wall Street Voodoo"
What can I tell you about one of the most gifted, charismatic and prolific guitar players on todays' Progressive music, whose inspiration fortunately never seems to vanish? This is Roine Stolt, one of the major figures in Scandinavia's musical scene so far. He became known when performing firstly with "Kaipa" in the 70's. However, his name did really echo around in the 90's on giving life to his band "The Flower Kings", whose discography is extensive, consisting of over eighteen albums among official and bootlegs releases. Including also, some special editions featuring some of his best efforts until then. His co-operation to the all-star band "Transatlantic" couldn't fall into oblivion either, whereas they have got some earth-shaking albums out since 2000. In spite of his commitments to all these projects, he can further find enough time to work on his solo albums, as this one I have here now. This is a double album released in 2005 whose title is "Wall Street Voodoo", which features sixteen top-notch songs. As I understand it, this effort turns around the human blemish toward the greediness, power and so forth. Musically, "Wall Street Voodoo" doesn't follow the very same steps from Roine Stolt's prior outgrowths when performing with the aforementioned bands, but it doesn't mean at all that this release is inferior to the others. This effort just seems to me like being an old project now put into practice. How so? As the sound of this album clearly differs from the others, being mostly a Blues/Rock-driven one, I suppose Roine Stolt has kept this project for ages inside his mind, just waiting for the right time to bring it into reality. Well then, far from comparisons, "Wall Street Voodoo" is quite a lucky hit as it features Roine Stolt doing what he likes most, playing his guitar gorgeously and managing one more successful project so far. Honestly, I have appreciated most of the songs on this album. Besides being rather long, all the songs are strongly structured on their basis where every single cut may turn it into a big challenge for all instrumentalists ever since. Furthermore the album has plenty of joy to offer to. Another point to mention on this release refers itself to the perception that not all the songs are fully linked to Roine Stolt's skills. Thus, I have never had the impression to be hearing an album performed by one-man band. It surely makes the album even more captivating overall. Besides taking delight to the thrilling performances of the guitars, I was also hog-wild when listening to the sweeping interventions of the Harmmond organ, which brought back memorable sounds of the 70's to my mind. Definitely, "Wall Street Voodoo" is a great album and it surely stands a good chance to become a fantastic discovery for manyother listeners out there, unless they still insist on beholding an only side of Roine Stolt's creativity. The musicians involved in this project are: Roine Stolt - Lead Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Percussion, Neal Morse - Lead Vocal & Harmmond, Slim Pothead - Wurlizer Piano, Mini Moog & Harmmond Organ, Victor Woof - Fender Bass, Marcus Liliequist - Drumkit, Hasse Bruniusson - Percussion and Gonzo Geffen - Congas, Percussion & Loop Treatments. "Wall Street Voodoo" album" is an excellent addition to the growing catalog of InsideOut Music, the perfect home for Roine Stolt. This album is highly recommended, ever!!!...   (Comments By Sergio Motta)		 .
04/29/2007......................,.....Interested to know more about this great musician? Visit FLOWER KINGS HOME PAGE...
. A.C.T - "Silence"
This five swedish man band lead by keyboard/singer Jerry Sahlin makes an interesting fusion of progressive rock and heavy metal, but very different that what we would call prog metal. This is the fourth CD since they formed the band A.C.T. (don´t ask me what does it means, they will never tell), and definitelly they are very well suceed to make a different sound and music. “Truth And Pain” is a good rock/prog number, while “Puppeteers” has a sweet pop approach. To be more complex, “This Wonderful World” is a rock song, just it, like the good “Into The Unknown”. A band very interesting, good musicians, a feeling that makes the difference, specially in more heavy moments like “The Voice Within”. But the great surprise stays in tracks 11-19, which they call the “Consequences” suite. A little opera with eight movements with heavy metal, progressive moments, pop atmospheres, and a lot of ideas that makes this song a masterpiece of this record, a “must” into progressive rock fans. I can find some similarities with "The Who’s" “Wire And Glass”, so please, understand me, this really impress. A great job from a great band. Buy it, and go into the journey of silence, would you like to make some noise? I guess not! "Silence" is an excellent addition to the growing catalog of InsideOut Music, the perfect home for A.C.T....  (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
05/03/2007.....................................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit A.C.T. HOME PAGE...
. GPS - "Window To The Soul"
Do you know John Payne (vocals/bass)? If the answer comes to “no...” i would ask you if you know "Asia". Well... it is easier to say yes now, isn´t? John was part of this great band, but in 1992 a collective split made him creating a new project, called GPS. Now this band, with Jay Schellen on drums, Guthrie Govan on guitars and Ruy Okomoto in the keys release this “Window To The Soul”. Who expects something like "Asia" will be plenty satisfied with GPS, a mix of “AOR” and some heavy riffs. “Window To The Soul” (the title track) is heavy and acessible, like “New Jerusalem”, and the long rock called “Heaven Can Wait” (some moments i swear that there are some riffs like the Maiden one). This is a great rock/AOR record, and you will discover this in the great “I Believe In Yesterday”, the fantastic “All My Life”, and the pop “Gold”. A beautifull "Whitesnake" ballad “Since You´ve Been Gone” and a slow and pop “Taken Dreams” close this record with a good smile in the listener´s face. Go and get yours. Who knows how to do it would never do something bad for us! "Window To The Soul" is an excellent addition to the growing catalog of InsideOut Music, the perfect home for GPS...  (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)... 		 .
05/03/2005....................................,.....Interested to know more about this great Band? Please visit GPS HOME PAGE...
. STEVE HACKETT - "Wild Orchards"
What about getting an album that's able to sublimely put to experience, talent, virtuosity and an impeccable musicianship overall. It all is possible through Steve Hackett's last studio album entitled "Wild Orchards". An album featuring thirteen mind-blowing songs blending symphonic rock, erudite, Eastern-oriented music and some forceful acts as well. Does it all sound strange for you? It may even sound primarily drab to everyone's view, but the result is remarkable afterwards, where almost an hour of enjoyable listen is guaranteed. "Wild Orchards" is doubtlessly one of the finest 2006 releases, which is predominantly grounded on refined compositions exploring an opulent variety of unconventional instruments such as harmonica, sitar, psaltery, trumpet, viola among others. On the back of that, some tracks are also developed under a superb orchestration, which is performed by The Underworld Orchestra. No doubt this personnel's support did bring splendidness to the album. Thus, most of the songs flow by with a tuneful atmosphere, making the album fully agreeable to the ears. On the other hand, such climate is put aside off and on when giving room for some lively upswing with exciting guitar solos where Steve Hackett's giftedness is majestically employed. If the all-out instrumental is worth being mentioned, warm praises must also go to the amazing vocals introduced in every song here. The track "Ego and Id" is for instance, a good testimony of my saying, besides being as well one of my favorite songs on the album so far. Due to this perfect balance between softness and rowdiness, "Wild Orchards" has currently become one of the most captivating albums within its category. As an album of such superbness, an attentive spin is highly suggested, or the listener will miss much of what this release has to offer to. Oh yeah, just a quick note before penning off, when I said above this album will afford the listener almost an hour of enjoyable music, I meant about the standard version that I have here on hand now, but there's another special edition of this release hovering round 75 minutes range. Don't miss it out folks!!! The line-up in this release consists of the following musicians: Steve Hackett - Guitars, Electric Sitar, Harmonica, Psaltery, Optigan & Voices, Roger King - Keyboards & Rhythm Guitar, John Hackett - Flute, Rob Townsend - Saxes, Flute, Tin Whistle & Bass Clarinet and Gary O'Toole - Drums & Harmony Voices. The Underworld Orchestra: Christine Townsend - Principal Violin & Viola, Richard Stewart - Cello, Dick Driver - Double Bass, Colin Clague - Trumpet and Chris Redgate - Oboe & Cor Anglais. "Wild Orchards" is another great addition to the growing catalog of InsideOut Music. This album is highly recommended, ever!!!    (Comments By Sergio Motta)		 .
05/09/2007..........................,.....More information? Better check it out for yourself at:STEVE HACKETT HOME PAGE...
. RICK RAY BAND - "Temporary World"
The story starts In 1973 when Rick Ray and two friends "Al Wilhelm" and "Harvey Phillips" decided to put a power trio together called "Neurotic". Then in 1985 "Neurotic" decided to hang it up and Rick went on to form the Rick Ray Band with Mr. Schultz on reeds. This band went from '85 to '89 playing all over and releasing the album "There's A Riot Outside". Then comes Riot Act in 1990. Rick wanted this band to be a little more accessible than the previous two. Today Rick Ray is an onwer of a big discography and, many of his albums are a complete success with a high level of instrumental intensity. Rick Ray explores a variety of musical styles, creating a special signature and also developed his own guitar´s style in all his compositions, adding interesting lyrics and a good vibe to the Prog Rock fans. “Temporary World” is a well produced and well written example of how good Progressive Hard Rock music can sound perfect. Calling Chuck Abraham to vocals, Frank Pellino to guitars and keys, Jack Ambrose to bass, Rick Schultz for Reeds and Sam to Drummer, Rick Ray makes here a good mix of 70´s Hard Rock with progressive touchs. Tee track “Until The End” seems to be wroten in 1974, while “Rumor Clinic” could be in the first "Alice Cooper" record, as “X In The Sky”. I can say without any doubt that Rick Ray would do a great job with he plays with "David Bowie" when i listen to “Change Stays The Same” (the vocals of Chuck are very similar to "David Bowie", even "Iggy Pop") and the melodic and also pop “Together Forever”. In fact, “Temporary World” is a good album, from a band that know how to entertain and show a good music feeling. Still in doubt? Go to the pop “Passage Of Time”, the progressive “Temporary World” and the prog-metal (YEAH! They do it very well) “Alteration”. Good work, an album that you have to give at least a chance, ok...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
05/09/2007......................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit RICK RAY BAND HOME PAGE...
. STEVE HOWE - "Homebrew 3"
"Homebrew 3" is the third of a series of albums entitled "Homebrew 1 & 2" composed by the legendary British guitarist Steve Howe. Besides featuring some interesting unreleased tracks, this one also consists of stunning pieces once performed by Steve Howe when still teaming up with "Yes" and "GTR"; however, these songs are displayed here under new arrangements so far. Notwithstanding, I'm definitely convinced this album will be warmly received by all those who are fond of Steve Howe's playing, which often abounds in techniques, nimbleness, soulfulness, elegance and originality overall. This is the sort of material to catch my attention mainly when thinking this material was on the verge of being kept unreleased for years, or even forever who knows. Checking this album out carefully is possible as well to notice some tracks are still in rough, as if needing a final touch. Fortunately, the sound quality is perfect, being really far from such a bootleg recording or something like that. On getting acquainted with this album after two or three attentive spins, I didn't only see I had a good album at my hands, but also a great historical document being just rescued now. "Homebrew 3" is an album to take us back in time through a bunch of songs performed in a very original way. After checking the whole content of the album out, I was thoroughly convinced this release is somewhat very close to a relic overall. So, "Homebrew 3" has definitely become a great discovery to me since I have found stunning tracks out all around, some even performed differently from everything that I have ever heard through Steve Howe's pieces so far. To my great surprise, some tracks in this album verge strongly toward an introspective sonority as if taking me far into a self-reflection journey. Yeah, I really got this feeling mostly when listening to the song "In the Course of the Day", a short piece in range, but great in creativity and fairness overall. Besides appreciating very much the aforementioned song, I also enjoyed myself listening to the following songs: "Hint Hint", "The Main Title", "Just a Passing Phase", "Suddenly", "Family Tree", "Solar Winds", "In Your World", "From Door to Door", "Between Your Smiles", "Reaching Out" and "The Last Word". As it usually happens to most of Steve Howe's efforts, few vocals were thrown in here. Otherwise, the instrumentation is superb as always, where Steve Howe's talent is really unquestionable. "Homebrew 3" was produced, engineered, arranged, performed and written by Steve Howe, except tracks 17 & 21, with Jon Anderson and Steve Hackett. One more great release from the ever growing catalog of InsideOut Music. This album is highly recommended!!!...   (Comments By Sergio Motta)		 .
05/14/2007................,.....Want to learn everything about this great musician? Please visit STEVE HOWE HOME PAGE...
. STRAVINSKY - "The Rite Of Spring For Eletric Guitar, Bass And Percussion"
Well... that´s the fact: when you say that you listened to all kinds of musical ideas that can exist in this little earth, there is a guy called John Ringer, born in USA that has a idea to do a ... not exactally rock, but using bass, guitars and drums... adaptation of the classical piece “The Rite Of Spring” writen by "Igor Stravinsky" in 1913. I keep me asking if is he crazy? Can you imagine a opera section with chords, chorus, keys and orchestras converted to a power trio? Well... you don´t need to imagine anymore. He did it. Using two parts (“The Adoration Of The Earth” and “The Sacrifice” - with one of 15 minutes), he does a fantastic job. With a good sense of melody, music, and a fantastic feeling he created a organic masterpiece of classical music without classical elements. Something organic, from the bones I can say. Using the guitar as the master-line and the drums and bass as the background, it worked, it really worked. None of I wrote before can be understood without a good listen to this CD, so if you were curious to see and listen, go for it!...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
05/14/2007.................................,.....More information? Better check it out for yourself at: STRAVINSKY HOME PAGE...
. TAPROBAN - "Posidonian Fields"
Italian outfit Taproban's third album "Posidonian Fields" saw the light last year, but only reaching my ear now. This is a concept album inspired by the submarine abyss, such as a metaphor of a no returning journey into the human mind subconscious, as well as shown in Ken's Russell's film "States of Allucination" and it's also inspired by some life experiences from the drummer of the band Davide Guidoni, who's in fact the author of all lyrics here. The album consists of ten high-class songs, subdivided into three chapters, where all the songs are sung in English. Taproban is a keyboard-driven outfit, whose direction proposes overall, Symphonic Progressive Rock Music. Such as it happened to the band's previous releases, this album is also strongly based on complex themes evoking distinct climates, going from melancholy to mirth. Some tracks are also continuously performed under sudden changes, rhythm sections and so forth. Although "Posidonian Fields" brings forward strong traces of originality, the band can't unfortunately, get rid of the comparisons with the legendary Italian band "Le Orme", whose direction sounds very close to each other, but not overly on the verge of making people take Taproban for a clone. I personally attribute such comparisons to the heavy use of the keyboards on the bands' compositions; also, for featuring the same number of musicians in both bands' line-up. Setting all sort of comparisons aside, "Posidonian Fields" is quite a great album on all senses. Its instrumental is grandiose to the point of standing up the hairs of my arms, mostly when the sound of the Harmmond organ is thrown in. As always, this amazing instrument provides memorable moments to me. After few, but thorough spins, I definitely came to the conclusion this album would make my days happier. In my humble opinion, Taproban is one of the biggest names from today's progressive scene. Therefore I'm sure this band will further bring us great surprises in times to come. If you doubt it, you shouldn't. The line-up of Taproban consists of the following members: Gianluca de Rossi - Keyboards, Guglielmo Mariotti - Bass, Bass-pedals, 12 String Acoustic, 6 String Electric, Bazouki & Vocals and Davide Guidoni - Drums, Percussions & Sound Effects). This album is highly recommended, ever!!!...    (Comments By Sergio Motta)		 .
05/14/2007.................,.....Interested to know more about this Italian Prog Rock Band? Visit TAPROBAN HOME PAGE...
. THE CURTAIN - "New Sound Made"
This 5 guys from Sweden make a mix of rock/electro/pop music, with hability and creative good ideas. You will not compare them to "Rammstein" or any band of this, because they´re more into the alternative movement. Johan Carlsson (drums), Oscar Olsson (bass), Stefan Juhlin (vocals), Daniel Carlsson (guitars) and Jan Martensson (percussion) are more interested in bands like "Sugar Cubes" or "Beck", as we can see in the opening act “The Thought” and the curious “For The Floors”. “New Sound Made” seems to be a "Pet Shop Boys" track (not bad, I swear!), and “John Doe” is a mix of keys, effects and special vocals. Okay, it´s not something that you will hear easily, maybe you will need one more listen to understand numbers like “Birdnest Day” (totally eletronic), the long and crazy “Dolores” and the sweet and oriental “J.C.D.C.”. Good ideas, but you need to be open-minded to understand this band. If you are waiting another "Beck" band, or a "Bjorn" clone, get out quickly. But if you are one that understood all the "SonicYouth" ideas since “Goo”, go into this and get yourself a party!...   (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
05/15/2007..........................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit THE CURTAIN HOME PAGE...
. THE ROAD - "Drift"
The Road is a North American outfit formed by five highly-gifted musicians, proposing quite a top-notch sound emphasizing a variety of tendencies like Jazz, Alternative and Progressive Music among others. However, in my view, this wondrous quintet covers substantially the fields of Progressive Rock music overall. In spite of being involved with the craft of making good music since long, these boys could only perpetuate their pieces last year when issuing a self-produced album entitled "Drift". Before entering into further details on this corking effort, I must whole-heartedly express here how much I have had a crush on this one, which can hardly stop spinning round into my CD player. Well then, "Drift" features eleven mind-blowing tracks, whose music is able to please right off the bat due to its peerless beauty, elegance and completeness. This work also peers out like a legacy for the world of quality music, which will ever be called up as one of the coolest releases in its category so far. Thence I can't frankly find any flimsy point on this album. The instrumental performed by this outfit is quite flawless, where the guitar-works are consistent and often developed under great skills. The album offers as well subtle bass lines with impressive rhythm changes. I also enjoy the princely keyboards thrown in here, which lead up the album occasionally to a more tuneful sound. The drumming is impeccable too, being really far from any sort of disappointment. Also, the inclusion of wind instruments on the band's direction ended up turning them into very peculiar ingredients to take this work to a higher dimension overall. The band also introduced in its music a very unfamiliar stringed instrument called "Viola da Gambas", I remember watching a man playing it during an erudite concert some 10 years ago. No longer I had such an experience thenceforward. "Drift" is instrumentally one of the best and most creative releases to get to my ears in the late years. Besides playing the wind instruments beautifully, Greg Wilson's stately voice also brought a real shine to the album, indeed. Though I understand both bands have their feet on rather different grounds, in a moment or so the music performed by The Road reminds me greatly of some "Timothy Pure" acts', mainly when developed tunefully as I like most. This album is definitely a great find for people like me who need music everyday as well as we also need oxygen to keep on living. The line-up of the band consists of the following members: Greg Girardin - Electric Guitar & Synthesizer, John Martin - Bass, Aaron Maulin - Electric, Acoustic & Classical Guitars, Lute, Bass, Tenor, Treble and Viola da Gambas, Sean Mullan - Drums and Greg Wilson - Vocals, Trumpet & Cornet. This album is highly recommended, ever!!!...  (Comments By Sergio Motta)		 .
05/15/2007..........................Want to learn everything about the band and their history, go to THE ROAD HOME PAGE...
. SAGA - "Worlds Apart Revisited"
Originally known as "The Pockets", Saga formed in 1977 from the nucleus of Canadian rock band "Fludd". In June 1978, they released their self-titled debut album. A modest success in Canada, it would eventually sell over 30,000 copies in Germany as an import. It also became a major seller in Puerto Rico, after a local stereo equipment store featured the guitar-keyboard duet of the band's single, "Humble Stance" as part of its radio advertisements. Their 1979 follow-up album "Images at Twilight" gave them their first charting single in Canada with the song "It's Time" peaking at 84 in the Canadian Charts. The album "Silent Knight" was released in 1980 and included the single "Don't Be Late". In 1981, the band's 4th album "Worlds Apart" was released. The lead single "Wind Him Up", finally broke them into the Top 40, peaking at 22 on the Canadian Charts in January of 1982. A second single "On the Loose" also fared well, and in December of 1982, proved to be their breakthrough in America where it peaked at 26 on the Billboard Charts in March of 1983. "Wind Him Up" became the second single in America, peaking at 64 on Billboard the following month. After many years of great success around the world, it was announced by InsideOut Music, the band's current record label, that lead singer Michael Sadler will be leaving Saga for personal reasons at the end of 2007. A farewell tour of sorts is in the works which will also commemorate Saga's 30th anniversary as a band. It is not known whether Saga will carry on without Sadler or not. I think there are no more words to best describe their music and alive performances from this amazing and famous Band. Since their first release, the musicians on Saga are able to keep always an excellent musical originality, blending elements from Progressive Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock and Neo Progressive, creating a highly innovative form of Rock Music, where everything seems perfect and very well balanced. In fact, we can say that, Saga is a band with a large musical spectrum and an even larger sound. "Worlds Apart Revisited" is an album that deserves some special attention, where the production is, of course, stellar and extremely well done, a special collection of old and new Saga´s songs, which makes it one of the most impressive alive double album, that you'll never forget from the first moment you play it. We can hear, on this album, their best "Hist" such as: "The Pitchman", "Give `Em The Money",  "You're Not Alone" (a killer song), "See Them Smile", "The Runaway" (a Hard Rock in the best Saga´s style), "On The Loose", (a song where the band members interact very well with their fans), "Wind Him Up", "Framed", "The Interview", "Conversations", "Don't Be Late" (a beautiful prog rock song), "Careful Where You Step", and many others great songs. In fact, I consider Saga one the most talented and impressive band from all times."Worlds Apart Revisited" is an excellent addition to the growing catalog of InsideOut Music, the perfect home for Saga. Actually, the main musicians on Saga are: Jim Crichton – Bass, Keyboards, Ian Crichton – Guitar, Jim Gilmour – Keyboards, Clarinet, Harmonika, Brian Doerner – Drums and Michael Sadler – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards. Brilliant and indispensable work, highly recommendable... (Comments by Carlos Vaz)		 .
05/23/2007...............,.....Much more infomation about the Band and their history are available at SAGA HOME PAGE...
. RONIN - "Dissolving Pinch Roller"
Remember this names: Capitan T (vocals/guitar), Ranger X (vocals/guitar), Ninjaboy (bass), Michael Sapp (drums) and John Shi (additional vocals). This five guys from NY are in their second release trying to mix everything they can. Since punk rock until heavy metal and funk... do you have any doubt? Just go into the track “Paint The Floor” and listen some heavy solos into a funk bass, or go into the heavy “Concubine”, and the pop “Something Out There”. They are good musicians and the songs work well, even sometimes I ask to myself  “what do they want?”. Well... they are ninja-rockers (see the cover of the CD and you wil understand), so they seems to conquer the world with their music. With heavy moments like “Tarot Cards”, funky tunes like “Future” and pop songs like the title track (with some progressive elements...) they are shooting to all the possibilities, but they know what they are doing, because they are ninjas! HAHA! Sometimes I hear a new Rage Against The Machine coming in tracks sch as “West End Girls” but they put a track totally crazy like the instrumental “Monson” to make me crazy. Well... as I always say... open you mind... you like it... I really think so!...    (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
05/28/2007.....................................................,.....Interested to know more about the Band? Visit RONIN HOME PAGE...
. IMOGENE - "Imogene"
Can you imagine this? A 8-string bass player, a 4-string bass player, a keyboard player and a drummer playing together in a band? Holy Hell! What does this four guys (that didn´t say their names, no way!) want to make with me? Can you imagine something like “Happy Communing” or “Paper Dolls”? Two bass players, one with tons of distortions and a singer from hell? They used to call it “Indie Music”, but i think it fits more like the new Metal meeting the Jazz players from LA-Underground. At the same time we have a track like “Wormwood Raindrops”, a percussive moment that will scare some fans, but go into it, it´s funny! “Wasteoids” seems to be the more commercial moment among all tracks on the CD, with some melodies, and a bass that seems to be a guitar. Do you know "Primus"? I think they make something like this old good band.”Seraphim” would be an excelent terror movie song, while “Dark Room” has a interesting pop idea that i really liked. The most interesting track, the pop and crazy “Quoth i” finnishes the CD. Well... i didn´t say that will be easy to listen this CD, but open your mind and go into the madness of the Imogene guys. Released by Intrepid Sound Records...    (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
05/28/2007..............................,.....If you want to know more about the musician? Please visit IMOGENE HOME PAGE...
. SCOTT ALLEN PROJECT - "What Lies Beyond Words"
From the GIT Music Center here is Scott Allen. He was born in Sacramento (USA), this good guitar player started his musical activities in the 70´s. But the 80´s reserved for him a good moment in his life, when he joined metal band "7 Years". The band finished activities int the 90´s, so he decided to form his own band, called Scott Allen Project. Doing good gigs as opening act from "Eric Martin" (former "Mr Big" singer) and "Planet X" (band from "Derek Sherinian"), he started recording his first CD with Tom Frost in the drums, Brian Kinney in the Bass and Marty Cresci in the second guitar. What do we have here? Another "Steve/Satriani" clone? Not... Scott Allen is more into hard rock and "Eddie Van Halen", as we see in “U Want Some Of This (Bring It On)”, and “The Grind”. “A Girl I Once Knew” is an excelent hard-AOR moment, with a good vibration (it´s difficult to me to sing a solo, but in this track it happened), and “Mr Bad Mojo” has some pieces of Satriani (okay, he´s one of the biggest influences of all guitar players). Tracks like “Eternal Optmist”, the slow and sweet “Under The Mexican Moon” and the good “The Clock Is Ticking” shows that he has done a great work. I can say that I´m waiting a lot for his next record, promised to be released in the end of 2007. He ROCKS!...    (Comments By Rafael Carnovale)		 .
05/28/2007......................,.....For more about this great musician? Please visit SCOTT ALLEN PROJECT HOME PAGE...
. ASTRID PRÖLL - "Same"
Here's Astrid Pröll, a noteworthy outfit hailing from Puerto Rico, and formed by some of the most experienced musicians from that country's scene. I must firstly say here this is the very first time I have got the chance of getting acquainted with a Puerto Rican Progressive Rock outfit so far. Otherwise, I confess the experience has been really worth for me. Well then, Astrid Pröll cut an interesting self-titled album last year. This one consists substantially of a guitar-driven sound exploring intricate themes where the listener will have a lot of surprises to be discovered all along. In spite of having the guitars overlording most of the sound here, there's no doubt about the musicians' greatness involved in this captivating and adventurous project. The music proposed by Astrid Pröll is richly developed when embracing the instrumentation where as the album features very skillful musicians in its original line-up, and also excellent guests' contributions. Due to that, I have hugely appreciated the inclusion of instruments like Saxophone, Fender Rhodes and Synthesizers, which helped diversify the sound structure of some pieces. In this case, the stuff was welcome mostly when coming to break the supremacy of the guitars whereas the band makes a strong use of them over its repertoire. Musically, I'd say the band's direction trends substantially toward the sphere of Progressive Music, but everyone could find strong clues of a Canterburian sound in some of its pieces. Along of that, no wonder if you happen to find some similarity to bands like "Soft Machine", "Matching Mole" and others from that fertile scene. Furthermore, when going on with this band's music, the listener will also find other heavy influences recalling bands such as "