livealbum

Imperial State Electric – Anywhere Loud

Imperial State Electric – Anywhere Loud
Psychout Records
Release date: 16/02/2018
Running Time: 74:58
Review by: Alun Jones
7/10

Live albums, eh? I’m not a huge fan. A lot of the time they’re just cynical exercises in fleecing fans, getting them to pay again for songs they’ve already got, and usually poorer quality, due to being in a ‘live’ setting.

There are exceptions to the rule, of course. Back in my days with KISS, the boys were struggling to step up to the mega bucks level after their first few albums. I proposed that they record a live album, in order to try and capture their incredible live show. That was what they were good at, see? The studio albums were good, but live – wow, those kids could rock. So eventually the four prima donnas came round to my suggestion, released “KISS – Alive” – and their superstar status was assured. Bang! Mega platinum seller, through the roof, KISS had arrived.

Thanks to me.

Which brings me to this live release from Imperial State Electric? Although it’s called “Anywhere Loud”, it could’ve been another KISS live album. It’s big, bold and brash in a very Seventies Rock kinda way. It’s almost like we’ve stepped into a time machine and arrived back in 1976. Not that I’m complaining – these guys are all about fun, over the top Rock’n’Roll – just how it used to be.

A whopping 23 songs, the album certainly doesn’t scrimp on the tunes. There are plenty of them, and the sound is reassuringly good throughout. Snippets of audience noise and banter, applause and well performed improvisations help keep the energy – and authenticity – pushing the meters to overload.

Outstanding tracks in this collection include the catchy riffs of “Apologize”, “Reptile Brain” and “Uh Huh” – plus there’s a hint of their punkier side with a blinding version of The Dead Boys’ “Sonic Reducer”. If you’re a fan of KISS, Cheap Trick and Blue Oyster Cult then “Anywhere Loud” is for you. If, however, you’re not a worshipper of Seventies Rock like those aforementioned bands, this release probably won’t change your mind.

Which brings me back to KISS? Of course the masks were my idea. Though originally, I’d planned on Peter, the drummer, wearing a samurai style number. So, you’d have had the Star Child, the Demon, the Space Ace and the Samurai. Pretty good, yeah? Except Peter changed his mind last minute and decided to be a cat, for fuck’s sake. And just look how that worked out!

TRACKLISTING:
01. It Ain’t What You Think (It’s What You Do)
02. Empire Of Fire
03. Déjà vu
04. All Through The Night
05. Anywhere Loud
06. Deride And Conquer
07. Apologize
08. Break It Down
09. More Than Enough Of Your Love
10. Just Let Me Know
11. Faustian Bargains
12. Holiday From My Vacation
13. Down In The Bunker
14. Can’t Seem To Shake It Off My Mind
15. Stay The Night
16. Redemption’s Gone
17. Uh Huh
18. Reptile Brain
19. All Over My Head
20. Sonic Reducer
21. I’ll Let You Down
22. This Is Rock ‘n Roll
23. Throwing Stones

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Alun Jones and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Circus Maximus – Havoc in Oslo

Circus Maximus – Havoc In Oslo
Frontiers Music SRL
Release Date: 04/08/2017
Running Time: CD1: 43:19 / CD2: 41:55
Review by Tsarina Wilson
9.5/10

These Norwegian metallers celebrated their fourth studio album, Havoc, on the 4th February 2016 at the Rockerfeller Club in Oslo, with an explosive gig, complete with pyro, sparks, and a massive lighting rig, to make sure the show was as amazing as their songs. They, then, decided they wanted to give some of this atmosphere to those less fortunate who weren’t there by releasing this live album of the gig. Close your eyes, draw the curtains, put this on loud and you are there in the venue with them.

The band, Michael Eriksen on vocals, Mats Haugen on guitar, Glen Mollen on bass, Truls Haugen on drums and, finally, Lase Fribraten on keyboards, have moulded together so amazingly. The guitar riffs, that change from ice clean to pure metal, are a refreshing change and the keyboards leave you wondering if there are other instruments. It really is so good to listen to as it makes you stop and listen intently.

Ever since the band released “Live in Japan” via YouTube, they have wanted to put together a live release in physical format for us all to listen to. With this album, they have got a giant pot, added amazing musicians, clear crisp metal vocals, rock, metal some maturity, strength and love, given it a stir around and this is the result. The vocals by Michael are gritty, mesmerizing but epic and guitars are almost hypnotic.

This band leaves no stone unturned in their expression of music but don’t let the softer songs lead you into a false sense of security. These guys mean business and pack a mighty punch and the synth playing is seriously good listening.

My favourite track is ‘Arrival of Love.’ It’s a ‘sing at the top of your voice song’ (ok maybe that’s just me then!) but I love the guitar riff and the synths in it keep you wanting more. ‘The Abyss’ is just ‘BOOOOM we’re off’ and does not stop from start to finish. It’s just brilliant, although a lot grittier than some of the other tracks.

This album is just raw pleasure from start to finish and they have definitely gained another fan.

TRACKLISTING:
CD1:
01. Forging
02. Namaste
03. The One
04. The Weight
05. Highest Bitter
06. Architect of Fortune
07. Arrival of Love
08. Loved Ones

CD2:
01. Sin
02. Havoc
03. Pages
04. Abyss
05. I Am
06. Chivalry
07. Game of Life

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Tsarina Wilson and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to do adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Pink Cream 69 – Headstrong

Pink Cream 69 – Headstrong
Release Date: 10/11/2017
Frontiers Music SRL
Running Time: 44:24
Review by Tsarina Wilson
10/10

Wow, Wow just Wow! Not the usual start to a review but there are not many other words I can use. Talk about being blown away by both the album plus the live album recorded in Ludwigsburg in 2013. This band are just totally amazing, from vocals to guitar riffs to brilliant drums. They are the whole package.

David Readman (vocals), Alfred Koffler (guitars), Uwe Rietenauer (guitars), Dennis Ward (bass) and Chris Schmidt (drums) will have you headbanging wherever you listen to this album. Headstrong marks the 30th anniversary of Pink Cream 69 and you get a treat of a live album to listen to as well.

Pink Cream 69, a German based band were founded in 1987 by Andi Deris, Alfred Koffler and Kosta Zafiriou. They were later joined by Dennis Ward on bass and when then singer Andi Deris left the band in 1994 auditions resulted in the addition of Englishman David Readman. In 2001 guitarist Alfred Koffler was diagnosed with Focal Dystonia which effects his left hand, so Uwe Rietenauer was recruited to help Alfred on their live shows before becoming a full-time member of the band. Chris Schmidt would later become the drummer when Zafiriou departed in 2012.

Headstrong is the 12th studio album from the band and I have no doubt there are many more to come. Everything from hard rock to slower ballads, from crazy drums to totally mad guitar riffs that keep you wanting more and more. Vagrant Of The Night starts with some beautiful guitar playing which will remind you of Stairway To Heaven. You could just imagine a whole stadium of people holding up lighters and singing along at the top of their voices, then to add some brilliant guitar. My favourite has to be Walls Come Down. It is just brilliant, bang into it and none stop all the way through. The vocals and harmonies are just brilliant, guitar riffs to play air guitar to and a solid drum beat all the way though just make this track for me. I have to love the lyrics in Bloodsucker though, “back stabbing dirty rotten double-crossing mastermind“, mmmm, kinda think someone upset one of them, but again the guitar riffs in this are just brilliant.

Dennis Ward, an American bassist, also associated with Unisonic and Sunstorm amongst a few, is also the producer on this album and is obviously a perfectionist in what he does. Taking the album and listening to it in his car for weeks to make sure the listener gets the sound and feel of what this band is about, is important to him. Calling it “their new baby” it shows a level of perfection this man credits to in his work.

David Readman who is from Burnley in Lancashire in England and has many projects before becoming part of Pink Cream 69 including Voodoo Circle and Tank

This is a rock band that you can listen to all day and never get bored of, clear lyrics, great music and brilliant harmonies. There is just nothing to dislike about this album and I actually changed my review number. I’ll be honest, it was originally a 9.5 but have changed it to 10/10 mainly because I can’t give it 11/10. These guys have a wealth of experience between them, not to mention a whole lot of talent and I, for one, are hoping they come to the UK. I would love for them to put together a dvd of their videos as they are just pure entertainment.

TRACKLISTING:
Studio Album
01. We Bow To None
02. Walls Come Down
03. Unite And Divide
04. No More Fear
05. Man Of Sorrow
06. Path Of Destiny
07. Vagrant Of The Night
08. Bloodsucker
09. Whistleblower
10. The Other Man

Bonus Live Album (Recorded In Ludwigsburg 2013)
01. Special
02. Talk To The Moon
03. Break The Silence
04. Do You Like It Like That
05. The Spirit
06. Livin My Life For You
07. Wasted Years
08. Welcome to Night
09. Shame

LINKS:

Pink-Cream-69-2017-2-°Julia-Braun-Rising-Arts-1

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Tsarina Wilson and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to do adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities

Rose Tattoo – Tatts Live In Brunswick 1982

Rose Tattoo – Tatts Live In Brunswick 1982
Golden Robot Records
Release Date: 24/11/2017
Running Time: 63.32
Review by Tsarina Wilson
8/10

As the title suggest this album has been remastered for the fans in 2017 and has been around for a few years, recorded with a line up of Angry Anderson, Pete Wells, Rob Riley, Geordie Leach and Dallas “Digger” Royall. This albums gives you it all; raw vocals , a bit of blues and heavy rock. Close your eyes and you’re there at the gig with them.

For those who don’t know much about the band, they are from Australia and fronted by Angry Anderson, who has a tattoo or two! Their first few albums were produced by Vanda and Young, the team who were also responsible for early AC/DC albums. During many of the songs you could be mistaken for thinking it was being recorded in a good old fashioned bar with the crowd and banter going on. Being up by the stage in a hot sweaty club with band interaction is a rare thing these days. In 1980 the band toured the United States and Europe including the UK. They also supported Guns and Roses on the Australian part of their Use Your Illusion Tour.

The band, over the years, has had people leave to come back again, some have sadly passed away but one thing that hasn’t changed is their formidable sound. Angry Anderson (yes, known by many as the voice of the song Suddenly) is raw and rocking and he has so much energy yet so much anger in his voice that you can tell he is passionate about his music.

The innuendos in Juice on the Loose will easily make you smirk “momma come stroke the goose”. The ace slide guitar sound on this track just keeps rocking, with a combination of rock and blues sound. Scarred For Life has to my favourite, the story of getting a first tattoo at the early age of 16, probably as I get the same thing said to me. Bad Boy for Love has a AC/DC edge to it but is just pure rock. The Butcher And Fast Eddie, at over 7 minutes long, has a definite blues start to it but still has the raw rock sound, and with fantastic guitar riffs is formidable. Unlike most of todays music, which is mainly all studio based and perfection, this album is literally warts and all. You have the rawness of Andersons voice, the crowd cheering, the interaction of the band with the crowd and you will be forgiven for forgetting this album isn’t one from the past few months but is over 30 years old. They just don’t make bands like this anymore. One Of The Boys has to be an anthem for many guys I know. This track is pure gritty rock and roll, and the guitar riff in it is what air guitar was made for, to feel and love the music.

The band will be releasing a new album in 2018 and touring worldwide with their new line up, which includes Mark Evans on bass and if they are as good now as this album suggests, then they will really be worth going to see and I look forward to hearing their new album, to see just how much more of the epic sound they can produce.

This CD is stickered Parental Advisory (Explicit Content)

TRACKLISTING:
01. Out Of This Place
02. Bad Boy For Love
03. Assult And Battery
04. Tramp
05. We Cant Be Beaten
06. Butcher And Fast Eddie
07. Rock And Roll Is King
08. Texas
09. One Of The Boys
10. Branded
11. Revenge
12. Juice On The Loose
13. Rock And Roll Outlaw
14. Scarred For Life

LINKS:

Primal Fear – Angels Of Mercy

Primal Fear – Angels Of Mercy
Frontiers Music srl
Release Date: 02/06/2017
Running Time: 75:45
Review By Dawn “The Metal Priestess” King
9.5/10

I have been a fan of Primal Fear ever since I first heard Angel in Black many moons ago, so it really was a no-brainer when asked to review it. BUT, I really should have read the blurb about the album BEFORE I listened to it. Angels of Mercy is, in fact, a live album, and really one of my pet hates.

Now, I know there have been plenty of fantastic live albums over the years from Kiss Alive to Queen’s Live Killers to Live and Dangerous by Thin Lizzy, but they just do not appeal to me. Having listened to the studio albums first I have learnt the words and the music of the STUDIO version and this completely goes out the window with a live album, leaving me singing words they have missed out or omitting ones they have put in. (The ONLY exception to this rule is Kiss’s Strutter as the live version is the first one I heard and therefore my favourite.)

But, having said all that, this album kicks serious ass!

First, a bit of history.

Primal Fear, for those who don’t know (and if you don’t, where have you been living for the past twenty years?) are a German power metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Matt Sinner. Both men had been involved in the metal scene for a long time, Scheepers had previously been with bands Tyran Pace, FBI and internationally recognised band, Gamma Ray, before setting up his own Judas Priest tribute band Just Priest, which Matt and Tom Naumann helped him with. (Scheepers was also turned down as replacement for Rob Halford when he left Judas Priest, something I think, we, as metal fans, should be grateful for. Not only did Judas Priest gain a fantastic singer in Tim ”Ripper” Owens but we also got one of the greatest ever german metal bands.)

The band signed with Nuclear Blast in 1997 and their debut album “Primal Fear” was released on 1998, entering the German charts at number 48, one of the highest chart positions for a debut band in German metal, and they also toured with metal veterans, Running Wild and Hammerfall.

Their biggest mainstream success was with 2012’s album “Unbreakable” which entered the charts in no less than eight different countries and was the first time they hit the US Billboard Heatseekers chart, peaking at number 44.

Angels of Mercy is the band’s first live album since 2010 and is their first ever live Blu Ray dvd (I unfortunately don’t have this) and unleashes the best Primal Fear performances since the band formed, with a mix of power, ambition and enthusiasm, as well as their great talents as musicians.

Rewind a little back to 2016 which was a busy year for the band. Their eleventh studio album “Rulebreaker” was released and on the back of this, the band entered a world-wide tour that shattered all previously held records for shows played in one year by the band. And it was in a smaller venue in Stuttgart that Angels of Mercy was recorded.

With elements of pure thrash metal, traditional heavy metal and 1970’s European hard rock, the audio on this cd is clear and crisp and the production is fantastic. If it wasn’t for the sound of the audience and Ralf Scheepers speaking in his very good English, you would be forgiven for thinking this wasn’t a live album at all.

The band’s energy is apparent, and it is clear they want the fans to have a good time just as they, themselves, do. This is the first time I have heard them live and it has given me a hunger to actually see them perform at a gig. The set list is excellent, featuring a great mix of older stuff for the more seasoned fans and newer music for all the newbies. Gold star, also, for including my favourite Primal Fear track of all time, Rollercoaster (the first song I attached to my old Myspace page – remember them?)

The notes to the album state that “this live album offers a barrage of metal anthems in their full glory that will please any headbanger” and that is exactly what it is. It is traditional, balls in your face, heavy metal full of pounding drums and heavy guitar riffs and Scheepers voice just seems to get better and better.

This album really is a MUST for any metal fan and I, for one, am now looking forward to the new album Apocalypse, the band’s twelfth studio album, which is due for release in mid-2018.

In the words of the great band themselves….

……METAL IS FOREVER!!!

TRACKLISTING:
01. Countdown to Insanity
02. Final Embrace
03. In Metal We Trust
04. Angel in Black
05. Rulebreaker
06. Sign of Fear
07. Seven Seals
08. Angels of Mercy
09. The End Is Near
10. Rollercoaster
11. The Sky Is Burning
12. Nuclear Fire
13. When Death Comes Knocking
14. Metal Is Forever
15. Fighting the Darkness

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Dawn “The Metal Priestess” King and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to do adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities