CD-Review: Steel Panther - "All You Can Eat"

If you are into 80's Hair Metal, you can't ignore the American cock-Rockers of Steel Panther. In a very short time they've gained a huge fanbase and most of all this is due to their image. Steel Panther are the worst nightmare for feminists, intellectuals,believers and many more. Especially the latter won't be happy when they see the cover artwork to the new album "All You Can Eat". Steel Panther stands for Rock'n'Roll, drugs and sexism like no other band, so the concept is clear. The question is: will this work a third time or is the whole thing worn off?

Exclusive Interview with NILS MOLIN (Dynazty)

Without a doubt Swedish Rockers DYNAZTY are one of the most promising groups in Metal right now. With each album the young band got stronger and stronger and also the forthcoming album "Renatus" is no exception, although Dynazty sound more different this time. The Hard Rock outfit turned into Power Metal, so it was time to ask vocalist Nils Molin some questions about this decision, the departure of Joel Fox Apelgren, Melodifestivalen and much more.

Exclusive Interview with NIC MAEDER (GOTTHARD)

If there is a man, who was not to be envied in 2011 it has to be GOTTHARD vocalist NIC MAEDER. After the tragic death of Steve Lee he had big shoes to fill - and he succeeded.
Now in 2014 he is an integrated band member, that gives the Swiss superstars a more fresh and younger note. The forthcoming record "Bang!" proves it (Review is coming soon). So it was time for me to talk with this very charismatic guy about the new album, the pressure of being the new Gotthard singer and his past. Here is what he had to say. 

CD-Review: Sonata Arctica - "Pariah's Child"

Beside the German band Freedom Call another Power Metal group wants to go a step back to their roots this year. Sonata Arctica are one of those bands that changed their musical style very much over the years. Starting as a traditional Power Metal band they quickly became a Progressive Metal band and the latest output "Stones Grow Her Name" felt more like a very melodic Hard Rock record. "Pariah's Child" was announced as the big revelation for die-hard-fans. Is this true?

CD-Review: Dynazty - "Renatus"

If there is a young talented band from Sweden that could impress me with each new album more and more, it has to be DYNAZTY. They came out of nowhere and with their latest album "Sultans Of Sin" they presented the best Hard Rock record in 2012 in my opinion. Now - two years later - they come along with their follow-up "Renatus" and one thing is for sure: this is their most controversial record to date.

CD-Review: Pretty Maids - "Louder Than Ever"

The Danish cult rockers PRETTY MAIDS don't want to take a break: it's exactly one year ago when Ronnie Atkins and Co. released their latest album "Motherland", which was followed by a long European-Tour. Inbetween they recorded their new effort "Louder Than Ever" - an album that consists of re-recordings from songs of the 1995 - 2006 era, plus four brand new tracks. Let's see if those new versions make sense.

Live-Report: STEEL PANTHER - Spread The Disease Tour (Berlin, 25.02.2014)

With a new album coming up, the American Glam Metal heroes STEEL PANTHER visited Berlin during their "Spread The Disease Tour". Yeah and what can I say? They brought the L.A. Sunset Strip and the glory 80's right into the capital of Germany. It was my first Steel Panther show and it was a blast (or to say it in Steel Panther slang: that was bitchin').  I'll tell you why in this live-report!

CD/DVD-Review: W.E.T. - "One Live - In Stockholm"

Last year the Melodic Rock Allstar-Project W.E.T. came along with one of the best records in this genre. To celebrate the release of "Rise Up" the band played an exclusive show at the Debaser Club in Stockholm, Sweden on January 17th 2013. The whole show was captured for a live CD/DVD release, which hit the stores yesterday. Because it's all about the live performance, I will focus on the DVD in this review.

CD-Review: House Of Lords - "Precious Metal"

It seems to be one of the most awaited releases in the Melodic Rock scene: the new album "Precious Metal" from House Of Lords. After three years James Christian and Co. finally present their follow-up to their critically acclaimed record "Big Money" from 2011. In the meantime many things happend: James won the fight against cancer, he produced the new record of his wife, the legendary singer Robin Beck and he released a new solo album last year. Seems like there wasn't much time to work on "Precious Metal". What it has to offer?

Exclusive Interview with JOHNNY LIMA

He is one of the most underrated musicians in the whole Rock circus, although he produces hits on the assembly line: JOHNNY LIMA. After five long years the Californian Melodic Rocker is about to release his new album "My Revolution" on March 1st. The contributers of his crowdfunding campaign already had the pleasure of listening to his album (in a Limited Edition) first. Find out what he had to say about the possibilities of crowdfunding, fraudulent fans as well as what it's like to be an independant artist and much more in my interview with this very charismatic and talented musician. 

CD-Review: Lover Under Cover - "Into The Night"

I was already wondering if a new Last Autumn's Dream album will arrive this month, because usually we get to hear a new album from these guys each year. But this time they released just a Best-Of. So, nothing new from workaholic and singer Mikael Erlandsson this year?  No - how could I think about that. Seems like Erlandsson took a break from LAD to write a new album togehter with his buddy Martin Kronlund. Under the banner "Lover Under Cover" they released their second album "Into The Night" a few days ago.

Exclusive Interview with AXEL RUDI PELL (ARP, Ex-Steeler)

He is a true veteran in the Metal and Hard Rock scene: the German Axeman Axel Rudi Pell celebrates his 25th anniversary together with his band. To get the party started he blessed his fans with a great present: his 15th studio album "Into The Storm" was released a few days ago and a big tour including a special anniversary show is coming up next. Reason enough for me to talk to the guitar-maestro about his new record, the Heavy Metal scene and the reason why a band is named after their guitarist.

Special: Best Of 2013 - Your Results!

Hello folks,

two weeks ago I asked you about your favorite albums, bands, etc. in 2013. First of all I want to thank everyone, who joined the survey.
When I take a look at the results I'm very happy, because it seems most of you have the same musical taste like me and that shows me that I'm not alone with my opinions.

CD-Review: Freedom Call - "Beyond"

It's time for a new Happy Metal party! The Bavarian Power Metal heroes Freedom Call are back with a new album called "Beyond" and want to show how a Power Metal LP should be done. This time under the motto "back to the roots". In advance, it was announced that the guys wanted to take a step back to their first records, because of the reactions they got on their last tour. With this review I'll tell you if they succeeded.

CD-Review: Axel Rudi Pell - "Into The Storm"

Every second year the German Axeman Axel Rudi Pell brings a new record to the Hard Rock community and with this persistence he has gained a large fan base since the late 80's. His latest work "Circle Of The Oath" brought him his highest chart positions until now. The forthcoming album is called "Into The Storm". That sounds quiet epic - let me tell you what it has to offer.

CD-Review: Iron Mask - "Fifth Son Of Winterdoom"

I know, I know, I'm a little bit late with this one, because the 5th album from the Belgian Metal band Iron Mask was already released at the beginning of November 2013. But I think this record is worth to get reviewed here. Iron Mask is another band I totally ignored over the years. I was familiar with the name but rarely more so I won't refer here to previous albums from this band. Very often this is a good thing, because everything is a bit more objectiv then. So, let's go!

Special: Best Of 2013 - Reader's Choice!

Hey folks,

I hope all of you had a great New Year's Eve!
After I showed you my album/song of the year lists it's YOUR turn. I'd like to know what you think about the Rock/Metal year 2013. Please fill out the form below. I'll collect the answers and will do another post with YOUR results in a few days. So please be part of it and spread the word! Thank you! :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Hey my friends,

I just wanted to take the time to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas! I know, you can read that everywhere at the moment, but so what? Enjoy the last few days of the year with your loved ones and some cool Rock Christmas songs (you know there are a bunch of them on Youtube).
Thanks again for reading and supporting this blog. I hope all of you will be with me next year and will make 2014 to an outstanding Rock/Metal year! I'll do my best to keep you updated with my reviews, interviews and live reports. Is there something you miss? Then don't be afraid to write me a message. Rock on!

Thomas

CD-Review: Beautiful Beast - "Kick Down The Barricades"

As you might know there are so many retro-bands out there, who try do bring back the Hair Metal sound of the glory 80's, but none of them does it with so much passion and perfectionism like the German Hair Metal band Beautiful Beast. Bandleader Julian Angel (who is also responsible for songwriting, production and guitarplay) is one of those guys, who really live this lifestyle from that era and has the ability to transport this mood in his music. The latest record "California Suntan" was my summer album of the year in 2012. So, expectations were high on the third album, which will be released on January 24th, 2014.

CD-Review: Johnny Lima - "My Revolution"

How long I've been waiting for this album? It must have been up to five years, because back in 2009 the Californian Melodic Rocker Johnny Lima released his latest record "Livin' Out Loud". In the meantime I had the chance to see him live in 2012 in a smaller venue. Here he performed a few new songs and left me hungry for more. Now he finally is about to release his new effort "My Revolution". Let's see if it was worth the wait!

Album Of The Year 2013: # 05 - 01

Hello my friends,

now the time has come: today I reveal my top five album of the year list! Those five albums are the ones I can always listen to without getting bored.
Some of you wrote me already which records you prefer. For those of you who didn't do it until now: feel free to write me a message or leave a comment under this post. I'm very interested in what YOU are thinking. So, now let's start the final countdown. :)

Album Of The Year 2013: # 10 - 06

Hey folks,

I'm very excited to present you the next five records in my album of the year ranking, covering # 10 to 06 this time. It was a hard decision to choose the order of those 5 longplayers, because the quality from each one of them is excellent.