Mumbai based hard rock band Dream Out Loud has released its new single  ’South Indian Boy‘  which is also available for FREE DOWNLOAD at this location. Dream Out Loud consists of guitar maestro Chandresh Kudwa and Suraj Jagan on Vocals Melroy Coelho on Bass and Sheldon Dixon on Drums. In 2007  Dream Out Loud released their highly successful debut album Human Race.

Dream Out Loud on Myspace.

Dream Out Loud on Facebook.

Dream Out Loud on iLike .

Any Rob Zombie fans out there?  His song Meet the Creeper received a mention in my new book, Lost Days.  Why?  Because I needed something… creepy.

Felony – Helltown Hotel (2009, Eonian Records)

1. “Cat Daddy” … 3:07
2. “Dancin’ On My Grave” … 4:05
3. “Heist In Helltown” … 3:50
4. “Street Fight” … 3:43
5. “Well Of Souls” … 3:31
6. “To The Core” … 4:27
7. “Lost In The Closet” … 4:53
8. “Yank That Chain” … 2:49
9. “Days Of Disease” … 4:12
10. “Another Hero” … 3:48
11. “F.I.T.H.” … 3:17
12. “Shake The Faith” … 3:22
13. “Heist In Helltown ‘93″ … 4:00
14. “Heist In Helltown (live)” … 4:07
15. “Mississippi Rollin’ (demo)” … 3:59
16. “Shattered Innocence (demo)” … 4:04

Band:
Tommy Lee Lords – Lead Vocals
Dale O’Brien – Guitar (Tracks 1-4, 15, 16)
Michael P. Smiley – Guitar (Tracks 5-13)
Jeffrey A. Parker – Guitar (Tracks 5-13)
Shawn C. Nugent – Bass (Tracks 1-13, 16)
Rich Grillo – Bass (Tracks 14, 15)
Johnny Hustler – Drums (Tracks 1-4, 14-16)
John E. Williams – Drums (Tracks 5-13)

Indianapolis, Ind.-based Felony is another band from the late ’80s that never broke through past the local club scene for various reasons but luckily their music has been preserved by Eonian Records with this compilation of various recording sessions from 1989-1993.

With downright evil looking cover art, I was hoping this wouldn’t be another fluffy glam metal band and they’re not, especially once getting past the first four tracks (which were the band’s first recorded offerings). While the band never gets into full-blown heavy metal, later tracks are heavier, meaner due to a changing band line-up and I even hear a bit of alternative metal in some of these songs (Lords seems to be channeling Layne Staley a bit on “Days of Disease”).

For the first four tracks, there’s a strong Motley Crue influence. “Heist in Helltown” sounds like it could be a lost early Motley song and Tommy Lee Lords vocals are similar to Vince Neil with these songs as well.

One gripe I have is the inclusion of three different versions of “Heist in Helltown”. Seems a bit excessive, but then again, then band probably doesn’t have a whole lot of recorded material in the first place.

This isn’t a great album, but it is still a fun ride that shows Felony had some real talent at writing songs and were getting better at it as time went on. Would’ve been really cool if the band was able to soldier on in through the lifeless alternative-infested 1990s.

I’m still waiting for the day The Police, Warrant, Sheriff, Sentenced and Felony all share a bill together.

Highlights: “Dancin’ On My Grave”, “”Heist in Helltown”, “Street Fight”, “To The Core”, “Lost In The Closet”, “Days of Disease”, “Shattered Innocence”

www.myspace.com/helltownhotel
www.eonianrecords.com

The debut album by Foreigner, (self titled, released on March 8, 1977), was one of my first vinyl record albums that I ever owned. I actually bought the first Foreigner album shortly after receiving their Double Vision album as a birthday gift, back in 1979. (The Double Vision album was released on June 20, 1978). So it is safe to say, that the debut Foreigner album was playing on my turntable sometime in the Spring of 1979. Being an eighth grader in 1979, my exposure to Heavy Metal Music was at it’s most infant state, KISS was the only Heavy Metal Band I owned on album at this time. I always bring up my past history, as to the year of purchase of a said album and what bands I was into at the given time, so to make clarity to the evolvement of my becoming a Metalhead. It was a progression of listening to different Rock genres for me, since I was a kid. This Foreigner album is as integral a piece to that progression, as any other Rock album I ever listened to. Just as the Double Vision album, Foreigner’s debut album had me wanting more and that was a good symptom to have. There definitely was some psychological imbedding that happened to me with Foreigner at a young age, whenever I listen to their albums, (especially the first four), I feel like everything is alright.

What prompted me to blog about this Foreigner debut album is hearing the song Feels Like The First Time on the radio this past Sunday. My family and I just had to endure visiting a sad animal shelter that morning, (we are currently looking to adopt a cat), and all four of us were in quite the funk. I decided to bring my wife to a store that has 70% off of all their Christmas decor, what bargains were truly found – no kidding here. This stop to purchase Christmas decor was just the elixir of happy that my wife and daughters needed after a somber morning of seeing so many poor and sickly cats. My elixir of happy was hearing Foreigner on the store’s radio. As I have stated, Foreigner puts me on the – everything is alright trip. I actually felt my face give off a smile and get all flushed while I heard this Foreigner song. On the drive home from this store, I wished there was a Foreigner CD in the car… trust me, there has been many times.

This experience is just a fine example of how a band and their album can pull me right in… and take me back, while making my mood alright again. That is the magic of Rock and Roll, these are the benchmarks of an album and/or song that cannot be critiqued by lazy Rolling Stone Magazine writers who have not a clue. The personal memories and feelings that are stored within oneself, due to the impact from a Rock Band of any genre, their albums, an individual song or a concert experience from such band… money cannot buy, man. Listening to Foreigner’s debut again, reminds me as to why the Classic Rock genre exists. This album is a Rock Classic. Foreigner is in my Metal Odyssey Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Too bad that big, pompous building in Cleveland, Ohio, doesn’t get it.

I grin each time I stare at the front cover image of the band, on the Foreigner debut front cover. The first impression is – these are gentlemen. Hard Rock gentlemen, that is. The maturity that this front cover image evokes, also mirrors the maturity of the music heard from this Foreigner album. It wasn’t about boobs and beer, rebellion or political commentary, it was about quality Rock and Hard Rock songs. From the lyrics to each songs structure, Foreigner presented to the world a sophisticated, yet Hard edged sound, that could be radio friendly and street cool at the same time. Two of my favorite songs from Foreigner are not even considered to be hits at all. Headknocker and Starrider are two songs from this album that are individualistic and represent the two sides of Foreigner’s Rock style. Headknocker being the Hard Rock cranker and Starrider introducing Foreigner’s adoration for a more melodic, Rock ballad. I really like Starrider for it’s almost cosmic musical ambiance, the keyboards and chorus are what sets this song apart, for me. This is just me, yet it would be a kick to hear W.A.S.P. or Judas Priest cover Headknocker.

Long, Long Way From Home is without doubt, Lou Gramm singing at his very finest. Man, his vocals alone, makes this song resonate with powerful emotion. Cold As Ice will always be the hit staple from this Foreigner album… rightfully so. I would not argue that it is as important a Rock single as any from the 1970’s. Regardless of decades passing by, this Foreigner debut album is, yes, timeless. It may sound cliche, still those Rock and Hard Rock albums from days gone by, like this very album, need to be revisited and remembered for their Rock and Roll historical importance and sheer quality.

Trio formado por Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), precisa dizer mais alguma coisa? Acho que o download é obrigatório.

Faixas do álbum:

1. Nobody Loves Me & Neither Do I

2. Mind Eraser, No Chaser

3. New Fang

4. Dead End Friends

5. Elephants

6. Scumbag Blues

7. Bandoliers

8. Reptiles

9. Interlude With Ludes

10. Warsaw Or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up

11. Caligulove

12. Gunman

13. Spinning In Daffodils

LINK – Them Crooked Vultures

Parece com? Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss.

Vídeo com a música Scumbag Blues.

Enjoy o/

Enquanto uns perdem tempo noticiando que Tico Santa Cruz (Detonautas) tá implorando para disse que gostaria de assumir os vocais nos Raimundos e ganhar um troco extra fazer uma turnê com eles, chiveta mostra rock — rock de verdade, sabe, nada que o Rick Bonadio produziria ou tocaria um pianinho vagabundo.

Esse ano nasceu uma banda que mesmo que dure pouco tempo já entrou pra história. Seu nome, Them Crooked Vultures, seus membros?

No baixo/teclado/piano/voz Sir John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), na bateria/voz Dave Grohl (Scream, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Probot etc) e na guitarra/voz Josh Homme (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal).

Ao vivo o Them Crooked Vultures ganha ainda o multi-instrumentista Alain Johannes (que entre tocar e produzir já trabalhou com Chris Cornell, No Doubt, Mark Lanegan, Jack Irons, Puscifer, Spinnerette etc).

Amanhã, dia 17 de novembro, o primeiro e autointitulado disco sairá nos EUA e Canadá, e seu single, New Fang, a gente confere abaixo…

É, como é possível perceber, é apenas hard rock, mas gostamos!

( scroll down for German Text )

Rocktower Festival Lübeck – The Easter Metalfestival 3. April 2010

On the 3rd April 2010, at 11 am, the Lübecker Musik- und Kongreßhalle and Treibsand will open their gates for the second Rocktower Festival Lübeck. The buzz starts on Friday with the metalmarket in the „Muk“ and warm-up Shows in Treibsand and Sounds.

MUK rocks. And this time it’s gonna be heavy! Now in it’s second year, the Easter Metalfestival will be raising the roof of the white house at the River Trave on Easter Saturday. Get ready for Hard Rock and Heavy-Metal fever. Thanks to the cooperation of „Treibsand”, this year we are able to present 19 national and international bands performing live. Two stages – two worlds: MuK meets Treibsand. Perfect conditions for the 14 hours concert marathon with top-class bands showcasing different styles of Metal and Hard Rock.

Appearing live are: Kalmah, Endstille, Finntroll, Powerwolf, Van Canto, Blitzkrieg, Raven, Cursed Anguish, Nastrandir, Entombed, Thunderbolt, Omen, Equilibrium, Asmodis, RAM, Roxxcalibur, Ruffians, The Devils Blood, The Rods.

The buzz starts on Friday in Lübeck with the Metalmarket in the MuK and warm-up shows in the „Sounds“ and in „Treibsand“. (More information to follow)

Festival starts: Saturday 03. April 2010 – 11:30 a.m. (Doors open: 11 a.m.)

Festival Tickets: www.metaltix.com . Advance booking: 42.90 € incl. all fees; Available from all known ticket agencies. Box office: 46.00€ incl. all fees.

Tickets for the warm-up show: 12 € direct from the box office or advance booking also available online.

For more information on travel possibilities, location and tickets: www.muk.de / www.metaltix.com / www.myspace.com/rocktower / www.rocktower.de

RUNNING ORDER 2010 :

Stage one:
 
11:15 – 12:00 Uhr Nastrandir
12:20 – 13:05 Uhr RAM
13:25 – 14:10 Uhr Ruffians
14:30 – 15:30 Uhr Kalmah
15:50 – 16:50 Uhr Blitzkrieg
17:10 – 18:10 Uhr Endstille
18:30 – 19:30 Uhr The Rods
19:50 – 20:50 Uhr Raven
21:10 – 22:10 Uhr Entombed
22:30 – 23:45 Uhr Equilibrium
00:00 – 01:15 Uhr Finntroll
 
Stage two:
 
13:50 – 14:35 Uhr Cursed Anguish
14:55 – 15:40 Uhr Asmodis
16:00 – 17:00 Uhr Thunderbolt
17:20 – 18:20 Uhr Omen
18:40 – 19:40 Uhr Van Canto
20:00 – 21:00 Uhr Powerwolf
21:20 – 22:20 Uhr The Devil´s Blood
22:40 – open End Roxxcalibur

Rocktower Festival Lübeck – The Easter Metalfestival 3. April 2010

Am 3. April 2010 um 11.00 Uhr öffnen die Lübecker Musik- und Kongresshalle (MuK) und das“ Treibsand“ ihre Tore für das zweite Rocktower Festival Lübeck. Und bereits am Freitag beginnt in Lübeck, mit der Metal-Börse in der „Muk“ und warm-up Shows im „Treibsand“ und im „Sounds“, der Ausnahmezustand.

Die „MuK“ rockt. Und dieses Mal wird’s richtig hart. Im zweiten Jahr erbebt das weiße Haus an der Trave am Ostersamstag im Hardrock- und Heavy-Metall-Fieber. 19 nationale und internationale Bands haben sich angekündigt. Sie spielen parallel auf zwei Bühnen: in der „MuK“ und im „Treibsand“, dem Veranstaltungsraum der „Alternative e.V.. Zwischen beiden Veranstaltungsorten liegen Welten aber nur wenige Schritte zu Fuß

Der vierzehnstündige Konzertmarathon mit hochkarätigen Bands aus verschiedenen Richtungen des Metal- und Hardrock beginnt am Sonnabend, dem 3. April 2010, um 11.30 Uhr. Tickets gibt es im Vorverkauf für 42,90 Euro, an der Abendkasse für 46 Euro.

Am Freitagabend stimmen warm-up-Shows im „Treibsand“ und im „Sounds“, An der Untertrave 81-83, auf das Marathonfestival ein. In der „MuK“ beginnt am Freitag die Metal-Börse mit Fan-Artikel-Verkaufsständen. (Weitere Infos folgen)

Kurzinfos:
2. Rocktower Festival Lübeck – The Easter Metalfestival
Sonnabend, 3. April 2010
Musik- und Kongreßhalle Lübeck und „Treibsand”, Willy-Brandt-Allee 9
Einlass 11 Uhr, Konzertbeginn 11.30 Uhr
Karten: www.metaltix.com . 42,90 Euro im Vorverkauf, 46 Euro an der Abendkasse

Weitere Informationen und Eintrittskarten:

www.muk.de / www.metaltix.com / www.myspace.com/rocktower / www.rocktower.de

 RUNNING ORDER 2010 :

Stage one:
 
11:15 – 12:00 Uhr Nastrandir
12:20 – 13:05 Uhr RAM
13:25 – 14:10 Uhr Ruffians
14:30 – 15:30 Uhr Kalmah
15:50 – 16:50 Uhr Blitzkrieg
17:10 – 18:10 Uhr Endstille
18:30 – 19:30 Uhr The Rods
19:50 – 20:50 Uhr Raven
21:10 – 22:10 Uhr Entombed
22:30 – 23:45 Uhr Equilibrium
00:00 – 01:15 Uhr Finntroll
 
Stage two:
 
13:50 – 14:35 Uhr Cursed Anguish
14:55 – 15:40 Uhr Asmodis
16:00 – 17:00 Uhr Thunderbolt
17:20 – 18:20 Uhr Omen
18:40 – 19:40 Uhr Van Canto
20:00 – 21:00 Uhr Powerwolf
21:20 – 22:20 Uhr The Devil´s Blood
22:40 – open End Roxxcalibur

AC/DC – For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) [Remastered] (1994, Atco Records)
Original Release: 1981, Atco Records

1. “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” … 5:44
2. “Put the Finger on You” … 3:26
3. “Let’s Get It Up” … 3:54
4. “Inject the Venom” … 3:31
5. “Snowballed” … 3:23
6. “Evil Walks” … 4:24
7. “C.O.D.” … 3:19
8. “Breaking the Rules” … 4:23
9. “Night of the Long Knives” … 3:26
10. “Spellbound” … 4:30

Band:
Brian Johnson – Lead Vocals
Angus Young – Lead Guitar
Malcolm Young – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Williams – Bass, Backing Vocals
Phil Rudd – Drums, Percussion

Producer: Mutt Lange

I know the 2003 remastering is available at Walmart for $7 or $8, but besides having a digipak, I don’t really see what the difference would be from this 1994 remastering. I saved a few bucks at a used record store and picked this one up for $5!  I’ve had my eyes on this album for years. I’ve always thought the cover was very interesting as well as song titles like “Inject the Venom”, “Evil Walks” and “Night of the Long Knives”.

Though I burned myself out on AC/DC years ago, since the release of Black Ice I’m slowly coming around again and I’m interested in picking up their post-Back In Black offerings. Though I didn’t plan it this way, what better place to start than with this album, the follow up to Back In Black?

Though Back In Black will always and forever be viewed as AC/DC’s masterpiece, For Those About to Rock is more than up to the challenge of following that legendary release. This isn’t an album that stands in the shadow of the previous release, this is an album that casts its own shadow, in my opinion. I find it really funny not many critics at the time of this release agreed though. There are a few entertaining reviews floating around online (like the one from Rolling Stone) where this album is trashed as an uninspired effort. I just don’t see it that way at all!

It’s really hard for me to compare this album to Back In Black just because that album has lost all impact for me, but certainly the concert staple title track can compete with anything from that album. The rest doesn’t reach out and grab immediately, there’s a slower groove throughout the album, but it’s all still very satisfying. “I Put the Finger on You” is another one of my favorites from this album. Mutt Lange was back in the producer’s chair for this album (his last with the band) and it is not hard to imagine “I Put the Finger on You” or “Spellbound” as Def Leppard songs, with a few tweaks here and there.

Essential AC/DC and I’m glad I have some new (to me) AC/DC music to listen to!

Highlights: “For Those About to Rock We Salute You”, “Put the Finger on You”, “Let’s Get It Up”, “Inject the Venom”, “Evil Walks”, “Breaking the Rules”, “Spellbound”

www.acdc.com
www.myspace.com/acdc

Que tal curtir um Stoner Rock vindo diretamente de Goiânia? O som do Black Drawing Chalks é tão vigoroso que nem parece ser uma banda brasileira. Não querendo dizer que o Brasil não produza coisas legais, mas com a estética proposta por esta banda eu não conheço outra pelo país.
A banda abriu recentemente para o Eagles of Death Metal, banda das mais conhecidas do gênero, e dizem que o show foi muito foderoso!

Black Drawing Chalks – Leaving Home
Black Drawing Chalks MySpace

Este es el debut de la “superbanda” conformada por Sammy Hagar y Michael Anthony (voz y bajo de Van Halen, respectivamente), Joe Satriani (¿hace falta decir “en guitarras”?) y Chad Smith (batería, Red Hot Chili Peppers).

El resultado: un buen puñado de temas mezclando hard rock al estilo Van Halen, con pasajes iluminados por rock clásico muy a lo Zeppelin-Cream (guardando las distancias, obviamente).

En pocas palabras, se podría decir que se trata de un disco entretenido, sin desenfreno, sin rapidez inocua, que demuestra alegría (en el bueno sentido de la palabra, nada “happy” por acá) y compromiso y entrega en la composición.

Es jutso destacar a Chad Smith, que pone mucha onda y groove a los temas, con detalles interesantes en sus interpretaciones, cuestión que no le conocía en Red Hot. Si algún rockero purista podía dudar de la inclusión de este batero en un proyecto hard rock, su excelente trabajo disipa cualquier interrogante sobre su capacidad.

Por si alguien no se enteraba, Smith ha estado trabajando últimamente en los discos del mismísimo Glenn Hughes, con quien ya experimentaba en facetas más distantes de su banda original.

Por otro lado, Satriani sigue demostrando la versatilidad que se le conoce a lo largo de toda su carrera. Los solos son precisos, sin intenciones de rellenar todos los espacios con notas. Todo muy adecuado al correr del disco.

Merece un gran aplauso también Sammy Hagar, que tiene ya alrededor de 60 años y se mantiene a un nivel superlativo. Los años de experiencia se notan y sus líneas vocales suenan precisas para cada tema.

Anthony, tal vez brilla menos pero su trabajo siempre es efectivo, muy sólido a decir verdad. En suma, sólo elogios para la intervención de los músicos.

Destacan los dos primeros temas liberados a internet, Down the Drain y Soap on a Rope, que caracterizan muy bien la idea de la banda. Por otro lado cortes como Oh Yeah están sin duda hechos para vacilarlos con el público en vivo.

Quizás podría haberse incluido algun tema más “mainstream”, porque sin duda que esta banda da como para tener muchos seguidores y éxito. También extrañé algún tema más “duro”, que le diera un poco más de rapidez al disco; me quedo igualmente con la impresión de que algo faltó para redondear los buenos momentos de la placa, quizás un corte más coreable, algo como un “himno” con el que nos quedemos pegados después de escucharlo. Al parecer, y con mucha probabilidad, algo así fue omitido intencionalmente y a otras personas podrá parecerle adecuado. Es sólo cuestión de gustos.

Sumando y restando, esta megabanda pasa la prueba y nos deja con expectativas hacia el futuro. Ojalá sigan, porque sin duda agrupaciones como estas, con un sonido propio y muy cercano al rock clásico, hacen falta, mucha falta.

Check out the this sick song Created, Mixed and Produced by TK Kilpatrick (FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY STUDENT and Friend) specifically for us at DANQ

Thanks for the Love TK – LIFE is DANQ

Check out the brand new video from LMFAO ft: Lil Jon. Always a good time when these guys are around.

This is where I work – shot at Tao Beach, Las vegas, NV

LIFE IS DANQ

W.A.S.P. – Babylon (2009, Demolition Records – UK Import)

1. “Crazy” … 5:10
2. “Live To Die Another Day” … 4:41
3. “Babylon’s Burning” … 5:00
4. “Burn” … 4:50
5. “Into The Fire” … 5:54
6. “Thunder Red” … 4:20
7. “Seas Of Fire” … 4:34
8. “Godless Run” … 5:43
9. “Promised Land” … 3:13

Band:
Blackie Lawless – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Doug Blair – Lead Guitar
Mike Duda – Bass, Backing Vocals
Mike Dupke – Drums

Producer: Blackie Lawless

I haven’t listened to a new W.A.S.P. album since Dying for the World. The Neon God albums didn’t sound appealing since I’m not a big fan of concept albums and despite the best of intentions, I never got around to picking up Dominator (which never had a U.S. release).

The story of 2009 seems to be the scarce availability of albums released by veteran artists… From Blackie’s own lips this album has a U.S. distribution deal, but I’ll be darned if I can find it anywhere in town! Instead, I had to settle for ordering the UK import from Amazon.

Oh well, whatever trouble I went through to get this album was well worth it. The buzz around this album seems to be it is either one of W.A.S.P.’s best or one of their lamest. Well, I haven’t heard enough W.A.S.P. to say where this ranks in their catalog, but I’m loving Babylon and it’s a highlight album for 2009, IMO.

Blackie’s voice is still great. It’s just as powerful and mean sounding as ever and the music itself has the classic W.A.S.P. sound. If I didn’t know this was 2009, I’d fully believe this album was released in the ’80s. “Crazy” is by far my favorite track and it really sounds like something you might hear from the first three albums.

My biggest complaint is the album is too short at only nine tracks, I would’ve preferred one or two more. Of those nine, two are cover songs (Deep Purple’s “Burn” and Chuck Berry’s “Promised Land”) but I don’t really have a problem with that as some others do because W.A.S.P. frequently do covers and do it well and it’s no different this time around.

Blackie shows no sign of softening or slowing down and for that I applaud him!

Highlights: “Crazy”, “Babylon’s Burning”, “Burn”, “Into the Fire”, “Godless Run”

www.waspnation.com
www.myspace.com/wasp

Strike Twice – Strike Twice (2009, Eonian Records)

1. “Tuff Luck” … 2:40
2. “Intoxication” … 4:44
3. “Never Let Go” … 4:03
4. “Get It” … 3:04
5. “Dirty Lover” … 3:50
6. “One Night With You” … 4:05
7. “Undress Me” … 3:00
8. “Wake Up Cryin’”
9. “Tango” … 3:28
10. “D.F.W.M” … 3:55
11. “Back Door” … 4:33

Band:
Michael Hayes – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Rob Luv – Guitars
Trixx – Guitars
Chaz Domino – Bass, Backing Vocals
Randi Price – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Producer: Steve Amend (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 11), Strike Twice (Tracks 5-9), Donny Whaller (Tracks 2, 10)

A lot of rock acts from the ’80s and early ’90s seem to be getting a second chance these days thanks to retro-minded labels like Eonian Records. The New York-based Strike Twice is one of those acts. After having formed in 1985, the band reunited in 2008 and in 2009 Eonian has brought us this compilation of recording sessions from 1989, 1990 and 1991 (that enough dates for ya?).

As near as I can tell, the band never had any official release previous to this album, but the sound quality is very good from these sessions and these tracks are certainly not demo quality. These are honest-to-goodness well-produced recordings for the most part.

Had an album been released by these guys in the late ’80s, I can definitely see them having some success. Maybe not on the level of Poison or Motley Crue (though singer Michael Hayes does remind me of Vince Neil) or Ratt, but the music is solid radio-ready melodic ‘n’ sleazy hard rock. If the band had scored an album deal back then, they would probably be a cult fave now. I think where Strike Force went wrong is that instead of taking time to build a buzz with an indie label, they went straight to the majors trying to get a deal. Sometimes it works, sometimes it backfires.

Back to the songs themselves, there’s some inspired sleazy moments here. “Intoxication”, “Dirty Lover” and “Undress Me” are just as raucous as they sound, “Back Door” is an ode to… well, you know and “Wake Up Cryin’” is a worthy entry into the Great Hall of Power Ballads and it features just enough bite to not come off as too wimpy.

Now that the band is back together playing dates and they’ve gotten their older material released, I really hope to hear some new material from Strike Twice in the next year or two.

Highlights: “Tuff Luck”, “Intoxication”, “Dirty Lover”, “Undress Me”, “Wake Up Cryin’”, “Back Door”

www.striketwicerocks.com
www.myspace.com/striketwicerocks
www.eonianrecords.com

I’m a Rush fan.
And I’m not a compilations fan.

I think compilations exist only for sake of enriching record labels’ pockets. And Working Men is not different.

As you can tell by the cover, if you like the canadian trio, this is a compilation of live performances. With more than 30 years on the road, plus countless live albums, Rush easily exceeds the numbers of a single-disc tracklist. So you can expect great stuff here. The flaw is, nothing here is new.

Every performance is already released on a live album. Then if you’ve bought a recently released Rush live album, chances are that you have at least 30% fo Working Men. Because this release contains the best track out of Snakes & Arrows Live, R30 and my personal favorite Rush in Rio. I saw them at that tour, but in the São Paulo show.

That aside, all tracks are great and show that in spite of being in grandpas’ age, theses guys rule.

If you’re new to Rush and want to know how the band sounded live in the 00’s, that’s the album. Otherwise it’s just collectors stuff.

Οι AC / DC είναι ένα αυστραλιανό ροκ συγκρότημα που σχηματίστηκε το Σίδνεϊ το 1973 από Σκωτσεζους της Αυστραλίας, τα αδέρφια Angus και Malcolm Young (Angus & Malcom  McKinnon Young).  Αν και το συγκρότημα ταξινομείται συνήθως ως hard rock και θεωρείται πρωτοπόρος των βαρέων μετάλλων, αυτοί ταξινομούσαν πάντα τη μουσική τους ως rock ‘n’ roll.

Η μπάντα υπέστη πολλές line-up αλλαγές πριν από την κυκλοφόριση του πρώτου τους  άλμπουμ, High Voltage, το 1975. H Σύνθεση παρέμεινε σταθερή μέχρι την αντικατάσταση του μπασίστα Mark Evans από τον Cliff Williams το 1977.  Η μπάντα που καταγράφει ιδιαίτερα επιτυχημένη πορεία με το άλμπουμ Highway to Hell το 1979. Αλλά στης 19 Φεβρουαρίου 1980 ο “πρώτος” τραγουδιστής και  συνθέτης Bon Scott πέθαινει μετά από μια νύχτα μεγάλης κατανάλωσης αλκοόλ απο αναρώφιση.

Η ομάδα εξέτασε εν συντομία την διάλυση του συγκροτήματος, αλλά σύντομα ο πρώην τραγουδιστής των Geordie, Brian Johnson είχε επιλεγεί για να αντικαταστήσει τον Scott. Αργότερα εκείνο το έτος, η μπάντα κυκλοφόρησετον δίσκο με τις μεγαλύτερες πωλήσεις σε άλμπουμ, με τίτλο Back in Black.

Ένα τραγούδι γραμμένο, από όλη την μπάντα και το νέο μέλος της Brian Johnson, για τον Bon Scott. “Θέλαμε ένα τραγούδι που να μας θυμίζει τον Βon αλλά να έχει δύναμη, να διλώνει την επιστροφή μας και να μην είναι καταθλυπτικό” δήλωσε ο “πρώτος” κιθαρίστας Angus Young και αυτό ήταν το “Back in Black”.

Επόμενο άλμπουμ του συγκροτήματος, “For Those About To Rock, We Salute You”, το οποίο ήταν το πρώτο τους άλμπουμ που πήρε την πρώτη θέση στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες. Οι AC / DC είχαν μια πτώση δημοτικότητας
αμέσως μετά τον ντράμερ Phil Rudd ο οποίος απολύθηκε το 1983 και αντικαταστάθηκε από τον μελλοντικό Dio ντράμερ Simon Wright. Ο Phil Rudd επέστρεψε το 1994 (αφού ο Chris Slade κλήθηκε να εγκαταλείψει υπέρ του) και συνέβαλε με το 1995 στο άλμπουμ της μπάντας με τίτλο Ballbreaker. Το 1991 πραγματοποιούν ένα από τα καλίτερα τους live, και ένα απο τα καλλίτερα live στον κόσμο, στο Donington στην Αμερική.

Το επόμενο τους άλμπουμ κυκλοφόρησε το 2000 με τίτλο “Stiff Upper Lip” και έτυχε να έχει ευνοϊκή υποδοχής από τους κριτικούς. Πιο πρόσφατο άλμπουμ του συγκροτήματος, είναι το Black Ice, το οποίο κυκλοφόρησε στις 20 Οκτωβρίου 2008 και συνοδεύτηκε από μια τεράστια περιοδία μέσα στα πλαίσια της οποίας ήρθαν και για πρώτη φορά στην Ελλάδα. Από το 2008, οι AC / DC έχουν πουλήσει πάνω από 200 εκατομμύρια άλμπουμ σε όλο τον κόσμο, συμπεριλαμβανομένων 71 εκατομμύρια άλμπουμ στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες. Το Back in Black έχει πουλήσει περίπου 45 εκατομμύρια κομμάτια σε όλο τον κόσμο, καθιστώντας το υψηλότερο σε πωλήσεις άλμπουμ από κάθε ζώνη και το 2ο υψηλότερο σε πωλήσεις άλμπουμ στην ιστορία, πίσω από “Thriller” του Michael Jackson.

Το άλμπουμ έχει πωλήσει 22 εκατομμύρια μόνο στις ΗΠΑ, όπου είναι το πέμπτο κατά σειρά υψηλότερο σε πωλήσεις άλμπουμ. Οι AC / DC κατατάσσονται τέταρτοι στην λίστα του VH1 μέσα στους «100 μεγαλύτερους καλλιτέχνες του Hard Rock”  και η μπάντα πήρε το όνομά του έβδομου “Greatest Heavy Metal Band όλων των εποχών» από το MTV.  Το 2004, το συγκρότημα κατετάγη αριθμό 72 στη λίστα του περιοδικού Rolling Stone (το πιο καταξιομένο μουσικό περιοδικό στον κόσμο) των «100 μεγαλύτερων καλλιτέχνων όλων των εποχών”.

Ακόμα είναι μια από τις ελάχιστες μπάντες ανάμεσα σε group ή ακομα και ανεξάρτητους καλλιτέχνες που έχει την δικιά της οδό με τίτλο, φυσικά,  AC/DC Lane. Η “AC/DC Lane” είναι ένας δρόμος στη Βικτώρια της Μελβούρνης. Είναι ένα μικρό, στενό, που “κοιτάει” προς το νότο από το Flinders Lane μεταξύ Exhibition Street και Russell Street και βρίσκεται στην κεντρική επιχειρηματική περιοχή της Μελβούρνης.

Format: Full-length
Year: 2009
Label: Self-released
Country: Russia
Genre: Hard’n'Heavy
Official Website

01. Нищие
02. Los Extraños
03. Камень Сомнений
04. Домой
05. Свет И Тень
06. Плен
07. Городские Партизаны
08. Рулетка
09. Детство Хозяина
10. Последние Слова

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Format: Single
Year: 2007
Label: Self-released
Country: Russia
Genre: Hard’n'Heavy
Official Website

01. Мадера

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