R&M4U-Classics: Johnny Lima - "Version 1.2" (2005)

In my last Classic-post I told you, that I was looking for some more stuff in the vein of older Bon Jovi after I've listened to their suberb album "New Jersey". To my luck I found lots of great bands and musicians with a similar style, but nobody else could blew my mind like JOHNNY LIMA did. I just can say it again and again: Lima is one of the most underrated musicians in the Melodic Rock scene. He deserves so much more. He is an excellent songwriter, a pretty good singer and producer, who has much more to offer than the well-known "top-acts" of the scene nowadays. If you need a proof just listen to his album "Version 1.2" from 2005!

R&M4U-Classics: Bon Jovi - "New Jersey" (1988)

Today I reveal another classic for you: Bon Jovi's "New Jersey" from 1988. I've already mentioned that album in my last post and I thought it's time to discuss this album, because Bon Jovi was the most important influence in my youth and their older records still define my taste of music today. With this band everything started. I was 12 years old when I listened to "It's My Life" for the very first time. I loved that song so much, so I got their album "Crush" in 2000. That was my first rock record and with that one I started to discover the whole Bon Jovi discography. But it's not about "Crush" here, because this one is by far not the best album Bon Jovi did.

R&M4U-Classics: Kane Roberts - "Saints and Sinners" (1991)

Hey folks,

with this post I'd like to introduce you to a new series of posts, called "Rock & Metal 4 You - Classics". I think the name says it all: with this series I'll discuss some records, that have stood the test of time to me and which affected my life in many different ways. 
I always wanted to give this blog a more personal note and with all that review and interview stuff this idea got a little bit lost, so I'm very happy to use this new format as a platform where I can tell you something about those records and mix it up with things that happend in my life. 
You know, so many memories of mine are captured in many records and to me it is true magic when music can bring back those feelings you had a long time ago. It doesn't work with every album, but those who can do it are true classics to me! Those records won't get a rating here, because they are all amazing. 
I'm sure there will be many albums you already know, because they are belong to the "big ones", but there will be also some LP's you've probably never heard of. So, you are able to discover new music for you or at least you'll re-discover some older stuff you may have forgotten in all those years. 

Today I'd like to start with an album that isn't very well known: "Saints and Sinners" by Kane Roberts!

CD-Review: Elvenking - "The Pagan Manifesto"

When I read that the guys of Elvenking recorded a new album I was really excited. Some years ago I discovered this band, that combines Power Metal with folk music and anthemic stadium-sized choruses, topped by a pretty good singer, who has much of dirt and attitude in his voice. It was this mixture that made Elvenking so interesting and always special to me. "Red Silent Tides" is still one of my all-time-favorites and also the follow-up "Era" was packed with amazing songs. It seems like nothing could go wrong with the new effort "The Pagan Manifesto" ... or not?

Live-Report: H.E.A.T - Touring Down The Walls European Tour (Berlin, 06.05.2014)

After a great show from Reckless Love on Sunday, another fantastic Melodic Rock group from the North visited Berlin: H.E.A.T! Every fan of the genre should be familiar with this name. They always deliver quality work - you can count on these guys, so I was excited for the show. The concert was a premiere in many ways: it was the kick-off-show to their European tour, the first time that the guys were playing in Berlin and it was the first time that H.e.a.t came to Germany as a headliner.

Live-Report: RECKLESS LOVE - Live in Berlin (04.05.2014)

With "Spirit" the Finnish Glam Rockers of Reckless Love released one of the best party rock records in 2013. During their European Tour the band visited Berlin for the very first time and it was also my first chance to see these guys live on stage. Read here if this ride was worth the money or not.

CD-Review: Darkhorse - "Let It Ride"

These days the debut album from newcomers Darkhorse hit the stores. Ok, "newcomer" seems not to be the right word, because if you take a closer look at the band line-up you'll see that no other than former Danger Danger vocalist Paul Laine founded this band and that makes everything more interesting. Laine was absent for 9 years. At least I haven't heard something new from him for so long and now he is back in the Rock circus with a group that is supposed to be a country rock band. If you are shocked now, then you can skip this review, but open-minded people and fans of the genre may find an insider tip here.

CD-Review: Brother Firetribe - "Diamond In The Firepit"

What a surprise - the Finnish AOR rockers Brother Firetribe are back! Their last album was released back in 2008 and over the years I lost sight of them. Two weeks ago I didn't know that a new album is coming. I didn't expect something new from these guys and now here it is - out of nowhere - the third effort "Diamond In The Firepit". In those six years of silence the band should have had enough time to collect a bunch of great songs.

CD-Review: Timo Tolkki's Avalon - "Angels Of The Apocalypse"

Metal operas and allstar-projects are all the rage in recent years - everyone knows that. In 2013 former Stratovarious guitarist Timo Tolkki jumped on that train and founded a metal opera project called "Avalon". I had mixed feelings about this one: on the one hand it copied a lot from Avantasia, but on the other hand you've found some pretty good earworms and great singers on it. Now, only one year later, Timo Tolkki presents us his second part. I was wondering if the quality of the songs suffers from this short period of time.