VELVET REVOLVER - Contraband (BMG) - 'ALBUM OF THE YEAR'
Ex-Gunners - Slash, Duff, Matt enlist ex-S.T.P. singer, Scott Weiland and guitarist Dave Kushner delivering what Axl Rose has been promising for years. This strong debut is, the ‘album of the year’ and quite possibly the only record in the last decade to give “Appetite For Destruction” - a real run for its money! (9/10)
BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION - Here Comes The Brides (Sanctuary)
Motley Crue’s - Nikki Sixx and LA Guns’ - Tracii Gunns team up with newcomer singer, London LeGrand & Scott Coogan rocking their asses off on this fine debut. Rough, tough and nasty sounding as hell, nearly pulling it off with some very good sounding songs. A couple of lame tunes spoil the party. (8/10)
SAXON - Lion Heart (SPV)
Biff & the lads come up with their best album - since ‘95’s, "Unleash The Beast" - with some of their best work since 83’s benchmark, "Power & The Glory"! Saxon have never sounded better, with an energy and urgency that they haven’t had in years. The new drummer has given them a major boot in the ass and by god it shows. (8/10)
KROKUS - Fire & Gasoline/Greatest Hits Live! (AFM)
From the land of chocolate and cuckoo clocks - this re-united ‘old guard’ band simply - gives it to us with both barrels. Talk about memory lane, with virtually all of their ‘classic’ hits here and a few songs from last years’ come-back CD, this double CD is an absolute must for lovers of balls out - hard rock or for those who still miss that Bon Scott era flavoured AC/DC! (8/10)
UFO - You Are Here (SPV)
Veteran British rockers, UFO come up with one of their finest record in ages. Great songs, great hooks, great execution and new axe-man Vinnie Moore plays some cool solos while leader - Phil Mogg is as usual in very fine voice and it's some of their best ever work. What was the name of their old guitarist - Michael who? (8/10)
SCORPIONS - Unbreakable (Universal)
15 years after that ‘whistling’ song - SCORPIONS finally re-discover, how to rock again with their strongest album since, "Crazy World" (1990)! Sounding like their ‘heydays’ with countless songs that have all their trademarks, there's plenty of tasty riffs, catchy melodies and a little of today’s crunch - the SCORPIONS have indeed redeemed themselves! Welcome back! (8/10)
JOSH TODD - You Made Me (Indpendent Import)
Forget that disappointing 2nd Buckcherry album, vocalist Josh Todd has a new band, a modern direction and still has that ‘fuck you’ attitude which he pushes to the hilt on this excellent debut platter. Talk about chunky riffs - there’s plenty of ‘em, some pretty good songs on offer as well. Definitely up there with some of the years’ best hard rock releases and a damn fine debut! (8/10)
MEGADETH - The System Has Failed (Roadrunner)
Main-man Dave Mustaine returns to form with an album packed with the substance of his better years. The quality of songs, riffs, execution and overall feel - is the best since, “Cryptic Writings”(95). Most people I know think it’s a welcome return - I couldn’t agree more. Compared to his ‘old’ bands’ last dismal release - this album absolutely shits all over it - as far as good metal music is concerned! (8/10)
MOTORHEAD - Inferno (SPV)
Lemmy & the lads come up with a real corker of an album, far superior to their last few – with easily up with some of their best releases, "Ace Of Spades", "Another Perfect Day" and "Bastards"! Having all the best elements 'on board' from this vintage British Metal institution, when the boys lock horns it’s a beautiful thing, experience the masters of their craft! (9/10)
JUDAS PRIEST - Metalogy (Sony)
Now that uncle Bob is back in the band, it’s time to remind the world of just how good a band, Judas Priest actually are. To say these UK metal 'legends' helped shape the metal world is a vast understatement. From humble beginnings - ‘Rocka Rolla’ through to Ripper’s final contribution, ‘Demolition’ - we get the best of Priest from the last 30 years! (8/10)
GUNS N’ ROSES - Greatest Hits (Geffen)
As a ‘best Of’ package goes this is pretty good CD with all the bands’ best moments on one album. They were 'legends' in their own time, it’s such a shame the wheels fell off the wagon. After Velvet Revolver’s excellent debut - maybe Axl has gone back to the drawing board - only time will tell? (8/10)
MONSTER MAGNET - Monolithic Baby (SPV)
Back from the dead - after 6 years in the rock world wilderness, Monster Magnet bounce back with their most consistent, tough sounding release ever. It has a real urgency with great songs, great playing and enough bite to make a Doberman Pincher run for cover! (8/10)
AXEL RUDI PELL - Kings & Queens (SPV)
This ‘legend’ German guitarist doesn’t disappoint with a CD that again comes up with the goods. ‘Kings & Queens - is a CD that just gives you that warm, glowing feeling when you hear it with a brilliant sound, great songs, superb solos and talk about melodies - it has it all. The Rolls Royce of melodic metal?! (8/10)
HIM - And Love Said No/Greatest Hits 1997 - 2004 (BMG)
Well, you’re gonna here a lot more from this Finnish outfit - that’s for sure. HIM are definitely one of the most exciting, exhilarating, fresh sounding rock acts to emerge in half a decade! Filled with a number of hits and a few misses - these guys will be HUGE - listen and see what you’ve been missing?! (7/10)
QUEENSRYCHE - Tribe (Sanctuary)
With long time absentee Chris De Garmo - back in the fold for this album, many hoped for the return of their ‘glory days’ but sadly it just didn’t happen. Surprisingly, though they almost pulled it off as far as their most consistent release in years. A number of songs possess a fire in their soul but that special magic - just didn’t return as we all hoped. It certainly is a step in the right direction. (7/10)
TWISTED SISTER - Still Hungry (Import)
One of New York’s finest, Twisted Sister re-record their 1984 ‘classic’ and give it a more modern sound which works fairly well. All the old songs sound far meatier and meaner and it works well. Unfortunately, the 7 new songs on offer - pale in comparison letting the whole project down! (7/10)
METAL CHURCH - Weight Of The World (SPV)
It’s been a while between drinks but this veteran US Metal act - have come up with a solid release definitely heading in the right direction. Plenty of tough riffs, good songs and the new singer gives the band a kick in
the ass. A couple of tunes drag a bit, which spoils the overall package but it still is a good metal release. (7/10)
DOKKEN - Hell To Pay (Import)
Better than their last but still not the killer they promised. About 50% of the songs on offer here make the grade, the rest are fairly average at best. There’s definitely more substance this time around but still lacks that magic factor?! (7/10)
LIVING COLOUR - Collideoscope (Import)
Welcome return by this unique rock band who always gave us something a little left of field. There’s plenty here to entice old fans and the band sound very good throughout. Their version of AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ is a real highlight. (7/10)
GENE SIMMONS - Asshole (Import)
What a load of crap - self indulgent wank, a total waste of time! Hey Gene you might be stinking rich but it just goes to show your best musical contributions were in KISS from 1975 - 1978, FACT! (3/10)
WARRIOR - The Wars Of Gods & Men (Independent Import)
Talk about disappointing - what the hell happened? 2001’s "Code Of Life"’ - was a spectacular while this miss mash is far below the standards of their previous 3 albums. While KROKUS singer Marc Storace - does a credible job - it's the lack of 'killer' tunes herein, that makes this a real dog! (4/10)
LA GUNS - Ripping Off The Covers (Independent)
There are some cool covers here but the majority sounds tired and jaded. It sounds like a band that’s on its last legs. Their last studio album, ‘Waking The Dead’ was atrocious, this cover album is only slightly better. Do the world a favour, it’s time to hang up those leathers boys! (4/10)
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY - Hangover Music Volume 6 (Shock)
Hey, I love the band and Zakk is a sensational guitarist - but this is pure filler folks. There's a couple of songs, House Of Doom and Steppin’ Stone - that have what it takes but the rest of the album is pretty limp. Hey Zakk, less beer drinking and more concentration on cranking out those cracker riffs next time please! (4/10)
AEROSMITH - Honkin’ On Bobo (Sony)
While it’s great to have a new ‘Smith record - this album has filler written all over it. Sure, the band rocks but the songs are all pretty lame, let’s hope the next album sees a return of a devastating rock record? (4/10)