This ABSOLUTE ZERO came as a big surprise to me! A long time ago ROKBOX announced a side-project which featured Marc and Randy of ROKBOX (Vocalist/Guitarist Marc Engeran and Keyboardplayer Randy Setton) and also LE ROUX members Guitarist Jim Odom and Drummer David Peters. Together with Bassist David Campo and Lead singer Chris Roberts, these 6 musicians form the project ABSOLUTE ZERO who now have released their debut 'Never surrender' through the German label Point Music/AOR Heaven.

Without any doubts, this release should be in the collection of every fan of 80s AOR
and especially those of you that enjoy LE ROUX and ROKBOX must grab a copy of this ABSOLUTE ZERO as soon as possible. The CD contains 9 songs and they are all absolute Classic 80s AOR a la ROKBOX, LE ROUX, early FM, STAN BUSH AND BARRAGE, ALIAS… The CD opens with "Never surrender", the titletrack. This is a lovely midtempo AOR track, very much in the ROKBOX style. In this same style is also next track "Make believe".

Then we are right into Classic 80s AOR with the song "Jaimee". This tune is a superb uptempo AOR song in the best 80s tradition, just listen to the wonderful cheerful sound, the keyboards, hooklines and super melodic vocals. "Jaimee" is definitely the best song and features some of the best performed AOR today and most of all, this is the Classic 80s AOR all over again. If bands like LE ROUX ('So fired up'), early FM, STAN BUSH AND BARRAGE and also BRETT WALKER (remember his unreleased song "Undercover
love") are your favourite AOR acts, then you'll love this ABSOLUTE ZERO song "Jaimee" which is in the same style. 15 years ago, this would have been a major hit on the Radiorock stations in the USA.

Anyway, the CD continues with "Caught in the fire", a wonderful midtempo AOR song (a la ROKBOX). "Out of time" follows and is classy early 80s AOR/Pomp that sounds very much like the last LE ROUX classic 'So fired up'. Next track "Should have known better" is a nice AOR rocker. The following two songs are really the highest AOR quality you can get these days. First there is the superb uptempo AOR rocker "Stranded", including a killer classy 80s AOR chorus and a sound close to ALIAS. And then there's the re-recording of the ROKBOX song "Patiently'. The song now sounds like a pure 80s Power AOR ballad like JOURNEY and SURVIVOR. The CD closes nicely with the great midtempo AOR song "One lifetime" (a la ALIAS). I couldn't find any weak song.

The 9 songs on 'Never surrender' all sound superb. Also the production is crystal clear, so nothing is standing in my way to give this a high rating. Now get this CD asap!

Rating: 9,5/10

I was glad to hear that AOR HEAVEN recently announced the release of the new FRONTLINE CD here in Europe, because last year the band was looking for a label to release their material here in Europe. Unbelievable that one of the best European AOR bands around these days couldn't find a decent recordlabel. But happily now the band has released their long-awaited official third CD in Europe. In Japan they also released the CD 'Heroes' and were also working on a 'Heroes - part two' CD release, but the second one never got released I believe. Nevertheless, this 'Right attitude' is a fine collection of 15 songs that
were recorded by the band the past few years.

People who bought the 'Heroes' CD will recognise about 9 songs that were already released on that Japanese CD. But for most European AOR fans, all the 15 songs are new. Once again FRONTLINE proves that they are the best AOR band hailing from Europe these days. Need to be said that the material is not always original, because there are some clear influences from BAD ENGLISH, NIGHT RANGER and JOURNEY to be heard throughout the CD. For example, closing track "Look at you" sounds very much like BAD ENGLISH' "When I see you smile".

Nevertheless, this CD is a truly masterpiece of pure AOR. My favourites are "Shelter me", "Get to you", "Someone to love", "Whole lot of soul", "Any other way" and "Heroes". But actually all the songs are wonderful and pure AOR. The material ranges from ballads, semi-ballads, midtempo songs to uptempo rockers. Everything is included here and so there you have another must-have release for fans of pure AOR.

Rating: 9,5/10

OSSY is a band out of Finland who has been on the scene for more than 15 years now. Although all the lyrics are in the Finish language, most of the recordings took place in the USA. Through the years the band released some Eps, LPs and singles. This CD entitled ‘Lohikaarmeen aika’ is a collection of the band’s recordings between 1986 and 1996. Musically there is a variation of pure AOR songs, rough Melodic Rocksongs and Melodic Rockballads. While listening to this CD and checking the liner notes, I heard the band developing themselves into a good melodic rockband.

In their early existence, the band sounded like a melodic heavy rockband (a la UFO) and that’s what you can hear on the 5 songs that were recorded around 1986-1988. These are the songs “Kiirus on”, “Sakkijarven polkka”, “Rakastunut taas” and “Helsinki” which sound like a cross between UFO and VICTORY. Not bad or anything, but just average and nothing special.

But like I already mentioned, the band comes up with much better material in the years to follow. I am talking about the period around 1990-1991, when the band is moving into the famous late 80s cheerful uptempo melodic rocksound (a la ZINATRA, BAD BOY, BON JOVI, EUROPE). Songs like “Tuuli kay”, “Merian”, (TALK OF THE TOWN style) “Taivaaseen” (DOKKEN style) and “Petturi” (fantastic uptempo AOR rocker, wonderful harmonies in chorus, best song on the whole CD) are the living proof of the updated style change. On songs like these, the band sounds like a great Melodic Rock/AOR band to me and can easily be placed next to Scandi bands like TREAT, DALTON, VICE, EUROPE…

The recordings from the year 1993 that can be found on this CD show that this band is even moving into a pure AOR style. Songs like “Noitanainen”, “Sa saat tuntemaan” and “Naa yksinaiset yot” are three wonderful semi AOR ballads and are very close to pure AOR. Another three years later, we are in 1996 and from that period 6 songs are featured on this CD. These songs are drifting away from the AOR sound of their previous recordings. Songs like “Miehet ei tanssi”, “Pumppaan” and “Sydan pimeessa hakkaa” are just nice melodic hardrocksongs. The band still produced the good old 80s typed melodic rockballads (like old SCORPIONS) on songs such as “Jaa mun luo” and “Jainn kiini” (catchy chorus). But the AOR influences (JOURNEY, FOREIGNER) are hard to find, because the keyboards are put to the back on these songs.

Finally, there are also two single recorded songs on the CD. First one is the 90s alien mix of their semi melodic rockballad “Jaa mun luo”, which now sounds like an awful 90s Poptune. And the other song is “Gimme your key now”, their song in English. This final track is a nice uptempo melodic rocker, kinda like RATT meets DOKKEN.

The band is now working on a CD that will only feature songs sung in English. I am looking forward to hear that one, because this ‘Finish’ CD sounds pretty good to me. Yes, a few ups and downs, but mainly this is a great Melodic Rockalbum that will please the fans of the Scandinavian AOR/Melodic Rocksound (ALIEN, TREAT, DAVINCI, DALTON, VICE). More info on OSSY at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/5/ossy_tiger_shark.html

Rating: 8/10

STILLWATERS come out of Elko, NV,USA and they have released an EP which features 5 songs. The band core consists of Dave Hall (guitars, lead vocals) and Tim Pitts (guitars, bass, drums). This Christian Rockband was formed in 1997 and this debut EP came out a few months later. The band informed me about the tight budget they had for the recording of this EP, but it is still nice to listen to and I think the sound of the EP is good for an independent band. The EP starts with "Listening", a 90s typed rocker which sounds o.k., but is nothing special.

Next up is "All I can remember". This fantastic song is much better and actually is a classy 80s styled uptempo AOR/Melodic Rocker a la SURE CONVICTION, VU… A very cheerful song and without any doubts, this is STILLWATERS at their best. Notable are the very good melodic lead vocals of singer Dave Hall. Following track is the 90s typed melodic rocker "Over" which has a nice chorus and again good melodic vocals. The rhythm and guitarsound sound very 90s and make this song radio-ready, though it is not my favourite song.

After the weak ballad "Sometime Sunday", the EP closes with "Pay per-view", a nice semi melodic rockballad that reminds me of the first SKID ROW ballads. A fine effort and I already look forward to hear more material of this interesting Christian Melodic Rockband
STILLWATERS. They are working on a 12-song CD which should be out in July. For now, more info at their site: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/59/stillwaters.html and e-mail them at: TimP@ELKONV.com

Rating: 7/10

SHELDON LOUD is a Canadian band formed around guitarist/vocalist Shelley Jacobson. She has a very long musical history that goes back to the early 80s. '1000 miles' is the debut CD of SHELDON LOUD and this album contains 14 songs. Musically this is a mixture of the classy 80s Female Fronted Canadian AOR/Melodic Rock (like HEADPINS, DARBY
MILLS, CHRISSY STEELE…) and the 90s Pop/Rock sounds.

This SHELDON LOUD sound very much like acts such as LIZ LARIN, ZINA LINDBERG, BRATZ INC., later HEART, first VENUS AND MARS album. If you like this type of Female Fronted Melodic Pop/Rock with a light 90s edge, then this is the band to look out for. The first two songs ("100 miles" and "Old too soon") are very radio-friendly semi ballads with a 90s twist.

Track number 3 "All I want" is pure 80s and is also one of the best songs on the CD. "All I want " is a typical 80s typed midtempo melodic AOR rocker a la CHRISSY STEELE,
DARBY MILLS… Next two songs ("Jessie" and "The innocent") are again more in the 90s tradition, but still nice to listen to. "As a matter of fact" moves again in 80s territory. This is a good melodic rocker a la early ALANNAH MYLES. In this same style is the next track "Look inside".

The first real weak song is "Dance to the rhythm" which is a bit too complicated, and is a bunch of experimental 90s pop/rock. Happily, following track "Reckless" picks up the good old Canadian 80s rocksound. "Reckless" is a great uptempo melodic poprocker like 80s LOVERBOY, BRYAN ADAMS, HEADPINS… I wish SHELDON LOUD could make some more songs in this style, but the variation of 80s and 90s rockers they now have is also nice to hear.

After another two 90s typed pop/rocksongs ("Just another day" and "Dream on little sister"), we get to hear the best song of the whole CD. I am talking about the superb midtempo AOR song "Victim" which moves into DANTE FOX/WITNESS territory. This is definitely my favourite style and some more songs of these on a future record and the band will instantly become a hit in the AOR scene. Then comes the 90s influenced rocker "Some dogs". The CD closes nicely with the ALANNAH MYLES typed melodic rocker "If it doesn't fit".

This is a good CD release and I can recommend it to those of you that like the Canadian typed Female Melodic Rock (ALANNAH MYLES, DARBY MILLS, CHRISSY STEELE, HEADPINS, BRAZT INC….) More info on SHELDON LOUD can be found at: http://www.shellsong.com and e-mail at: shelljac@norlink.net and also visit the website of Shelley at: http://www.winningpages.com/righttrack which is her own publishing company called "Right Track Music Publishing".

Rating: 7,5/10

MARICOPA HAZE is a Minneapolis based band who were formed in April 1997. And if I had not checked their website at mp3.com, I wouldn't have noticed they are connected to BLUE RAIN. If anyone remembers that band of course, but I remember that band very well. BLUE RAIN released a fantastic AOR (mainly ballads) CD titled 'Just the beginning' that got a very good review in our printed magazine years ago. I also did an interview with leader/guitarist Eric Menge who told me that this was just the beginning. Unfortunately I never heard something of them and also the promised solo-CD of Amy Monaghan, who sang on two songs of the BLUE RAIN album, never saw the light of day. So I had given up the hope to ever see releases from the band or it's bandmembers.

Now recently I discovered this band MARICOPA HAZE (I haven't got a clue where this name comes from). This band features two former BLUE RAIN members, namely guitarist/vocalist Daniel V. Monaghan and bassist Brian Johnson. Together with drummer Dan Lochner they form the core of MARICOPA HAZE, a band that musically is in the same style as BLUE RAIN, yet with a 90s edge every now and then. I was really surprised to notice the connection with BLUE RAIN, because in their bio nothing is said about that project. Anyway, this MARICOPA HAZE is pretty good actually.

Sadly, there are only 3 songs on the album, but they sound pretty good and that's what is more important. The CD opens with "Make up your own mind", a very good AOR song with a slight 90s edge, but a very melodic chorus. The song features a melodic guitarsolo and can easily be called a pure semi AOR ballad. Next track "Race against time" is a groovy 90s poprocker which really is nothing special.

The closing track though is MARICOPA HAZE at their best. The song is called "Life was easy" and this is superb uptempo AOR in the best 80s tradition. After a few minutes, the catchy harmonies take over and then the song takes you right into TAKARA, TYKETTO, and VALENTINE territory. "Life was easy" has a brilliant memorable chorus which sticks in your head after you heard it once. I really hope the band makes more songs in this style on a future CD, then they would be a sensational band.

Nevertheless, this is a band worth checking out. I hope to find out more about the other BLUE RAIN members and also what happened to Amy Monaghan soon. For now, more info on this band at: http://www.maricopahaze.com

Rating: 7,5/10

This American band is playing 80s-typed groovy melodic hardrock (a la LYNCH MOB, MR. BIG, DOUBLE DEALER, WHITESNAKE). There are 10 songs on their independent CD 'Arizona'. My favourite tracks are "Let it roll" (semi melodic rocker like HEAVENS EDGE, WINGER), "All I need" (HEAVENS EDGE styled melodic rocker with a fantastic melodic chorus), "Learn how to love" (uptempo melodic hardrock like WHITESNAKE) and final track "Lonely game" (an acoustic radio-orientated ballad a la EXTREME/MR. BIG).

The rest of the CD is a little bit weaker and cover influences from Bluesrock and also are pretty groovy every now and then. They remind me of a mixture between WHITESNAKE and BADLANDS. If you like any of the mentioned bands, then you need to check out this RAGGEDY ANN at: http://www.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Raggedy_Ann/

Rating: 7,5/10

This Australian multi-instrumentalist sent me a demo CD that contains 4 songs. He hopes to release the official DAM CD via mp3.com in April, but in the meantime I had the opportunity to check out some songs in advance. Musically this is very much alike the quirky poprock of guys like MARTIN BRILEY, MOON MARTIN and SCOTT MICHAEL WEBB… First song "Fallen angel" (written in 1999) is a quirky early 80s typed poprocker that sounds like DONNIE IRIS.

Next up is "Centerfold" (written in 1980), a song with a very cool start using pure AOR keys a la TOTO, and also the song itself is in this style, good uptempo light AOR/westcoast/ poprock, kinda like RAY KENNEDY. "Perfect world" (written in 1987, recorded in 1999) is another quirky poprocker a la MARTIN BRILEY. Closing track "Even bullets don't fly in straight lines" (written in 1987 and recorded in 1993) is the best song of the CD, this is a good uptempo AOR. More info on DON CAMERON on his site at: http://www.mp3.com/DonCameron

Rating: 7/10

Only AC/DC can get away with writing the same song over and over, they never cease to amaze me with this concept that they toy around with. They're just so damn likeable, you can't knock em for anything, AC/DC are always ready to rock, and they do it time and time again, pulling off some really great rock n' roll songs. The new album has been produced by Angus and Malcom's brother George Young, and I think he has bought some dirt back in to the bands music which was starting to fizzle out on 95's "Ballbreaker" album. Hat's off too George, he's done a superb job with the band, and they sound so much better for it, fitter, larger and ready to kick arse, AC/DC mean it again, and it's good to have them back.

How many times has this band come up with the same anthemic riffs and made them sound new and exciting? "Stiff Upper Lip" is no exception to the AC/DC school of dirty hard rock, this is a tremendous album that goes right back to the roots of their early albums,whilst still holding on to their former glories, but you know AC/DC always come out on top what ever they do, you know what to expect when you play an AC/DC record and the band must be commended for not taking the alternative root and selling out. Mind you I was beginning to worry weather they would still be able to cut it and start becoming tedious like STATUS QUO, thankfully though "Stiff Upper Lip" is a pleasure and joy to listen to, so sit back crack open a tin of beer, and enjoy this album at maxium volume.

From the opening riffs of the title track to the insanely catchy "Thunderstruck/ Heatseekerish" delight of "Can't Still Still" through to the solid "Satellite Blues", the ultra cool "Damned", "Come And Get It", and the superb "Give It Up", all bare similarities to AC/DC's earlier works like "HIGHWAY TO HELL" etc.. but who cares, you be bringing the old air guitar out and cranking it up as each song marks another chapter in history of one of the greatest and most loved rock bands on the planet. ESSENTIAL.

Rating: 9,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Fatal Smile are from Stockholm, Sweden and this two track effort was recorded last October and bares great riffy melodic hard rock, that is fun and easy to listen to. "Hip Motherfucker" is an amusing song which builds and builds into an infectious chorus, this song is mainstream eighties hard rock. After a while though the song does seem to go on for a little bit too long for it's own good.

Whilst this is not essential Fatal Smile however are talented players and have made a fairly decent promo cd, of which I hope their debut fully blown record will soon follow. email: yuksel.unutmaz@swipnet Website: http://www.crosswinds.net/~fatalsmile/

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)