The sensational Swedish Female Fronted AOR band ALYSON AVENUE sent me a CDR with 4 brand new songs the band recorded the past few months. Some time ago I reviewed their fantastic first demo CD, but this new one is even better and can almost be called a classic! Although the band told me they think it still isn't perfect, I can guarantee them the 4 songs on this CDR have the 'perfect AOR sound' all the way. In fact, the 4 songs are all CLASSIC AOR MASTERPIECES! This is really HUGE!

It reminds me of the year 1995 when a new English band called DANTE FOX sent me a demo tape with 4 brilliant AOR songs (a la THE STORM, WITNESS, 80s HEART). A few months later the band signed with Now&Then and released their wonderful debut 'Under suspicion'. This band ALYSON AVENUE is musically in the same direction, although I think they are better than DANTE FOX and also more AOR orientated, because the keyboards are not pushed to the background (like DANTE FOX does).

The CDR opens with "One desperate heart", a superb 'perfect' midtempo AOR song like THE STORM meets WITNESS, 80s HEART. This song shows right away that ALYSON AVENUE is clearly playing in the big 80s pure AOR sound (remember the DESMOND CHILD, DIANA WARREN collaborations?). Next song "Lost & lonely" is uptempo AOR in the same Classic 80s style as aforementioned bands. The song also is very much in the style of the first two TONE NORUM classics 'Stranded' and 'One of a kind' (probably the best female AOR ever to come out of Europe). Everything in this song as well as the other 3 songs sounds perfect.

This is what AOR is all about, huge sound, many harmonies, dramatic vocals, strong catchy choruses and a great combination of keyboards and guitars. "Tell me you love me" follows and is another classy 80s midtempo AOR tune that sounds very much like THE STORM (with female lead vocals). This song has a great keyboardsolo which makes the song even more interesting, because you don't hear that often these days.

The chorus of "Tell me you love me" is really SUPER AOR, man, this is AOR HEAVEN! Listening to songs like these just brings you up into AOR HEAVEN! Also the last track on this promo CD, "It's in your eyes" is superb AOR. This final track is a truly amazing
semi AOR ballad in the style of all the Classic 80s AOR bands. I don't know what to say anymore, but this band is right on top of my list of 'Pure AOR bands'.

I am gonna play this CDR over and over again the next coming months and the only thing I can't understand is the fact that not a single label is approaching this band. Man, this band easily beats most MTM releases and I even think the 4 songs of this CDR are better than everything put out in the AOR scene these days. Yes, they are that good and if it was up to me, I would sign this band as soon as possible before somebody else does, because this is really huge AOR! Believe me recordlabels, you must get in touch with this band asap! E-mail the band at: oniclas@hotmail.com Next week an interview with one of the best Swedish AOR bands at the moment!

Rating: 10

WICKED SINS comes out of Swoyersville, PA, USA and they have put out a 9-track demo CD. The sound is pretty professional and musically they are not out of place between most Z RECORDS signed acts. WICKED SINS is a real melodic hardrockband in a pure 80s style. There are also clear influences from the Partyrock of the old CRUE in a couple of songs. The CD opens with "I'm the one", a nice uptempo party MHR song in the late 80s style of SKID ROW, SLAUGHTER…

Next track "Firewater" is a heavy groovy MHR song and not really something special. But then we get to hear the best song of the whole CD, namely "One more night", a lovely melodic AOR ballad. This song is totally different than the rest of the album and shows a very melodic WICKED SINS which sounds very impressive actually. The partyrocker "Sex & rock" follows and is in the old CRUE/TEEZE style. "Dance for me" is a pure 80s cheesy melodic hardrock tune in the style of WHITE LION, DOKKEN… "Playin' with fire" is a nice uptempo melodic rocker.

The band is clearly writing all the typical cliché lyrics you can hear from an 80s Party/MHR band, but who cares, because the music is important. "Girls want it too" is very cliché, but still a cool party melodic rocker. Same goes for "Between the sheets". These last two mentioned songs both remind me of DIRTY BLONDE (if anyone remembers that band). Closing track of the CD is "We'll survive", a classy 80s melodic rocker with some great 80s melodic rock guitarsounds a la DOKKEN/WHITE LION. WICKED SINS is quite an enjoyable Melodic Hardrockband. Very much recommended if you like any of the mentioned bands. More info at: http://wickedsins.org and e-mail them at: open@epix.net

Rating: 7,5/10

Out of Phoenix, Arizona, USA comes guitarist/bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Chris Alcaraz who sent me his debut CD. Musically I have to say this is quite different than what I usually hear. Chris is playing Poprock, but not all the time, because there are also songs on his CD that can be described as pure Pop and even some Ska/Rockabilly is included. The songs that can be seen as poprockers (like BRYAN ADAMS meets TOM PETTY) are "So much" and "Do it again". The rest is way too Pop oriented according to me, but if you like an artist such as , then you will surely enjoy this CD. More info at: http://www.chrisalcaraz.com

Rating: 6/10

Wayne Davis returns with his first new tracks of the millennium, seriously White Alice are going to be on everyone's lips soon, this guys talent stretches beyond boundaries that some hard rock bands can only dream of, he has a likeable talents which flows out in his music, White Alice's songs on this demo are similar to old school VAN HALEN, very rap stripped down, in your face and lot's fun, I can imagine this stuff being killer live, as with previous Alice material Wayne has penned all the songs himself.

The new tracks see Wayne handling the vocals himself, and I must say that his voice is very dark, but also very subtle with a style and charisma that is all his own, threes elements of 707 in White Alice's music to, all that is needed is for a label to get behind them and give them a punchier production sound, but saying that the sound compared to some band I have heard isn't too bad. Danny Danzi makes a guest appearance on the three tracks, but if your expecting the same style as Danny's album, then forget it as Alice is pure hard rock, sometimes QUEENSRYCHE, sometimes VAN HALEN, BADLANDS and even WINGER in places.

"How Long Today" is perhaps one of Alice's best songs to date and includes some mega guitar work, this song leans into QUEENSRYCHE, METALLICA and VAN HALEN territory and is most enjoyable, "Old Love Good-bye", is where those VAN HALEN influences shine through with some more chopping guitars and "Color Me", is a dark but heavy ballad with a simple chorus line. As it is, these new demos are fit enough for any label brave enough to take on White Alice, I certainly hope so, as Wayne is simply a star in the making and deserves a break. Email: whitealice@home.com

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Five brand spanking new tracks from Canada's finest rockers. These new songs show HTGR churning out more glorious hook ridden tracks, all of which are stunning top notch melodic rockers that take HTGR one step further above the rest of the rock brigade. Check out the unbelievably catchy "Feels Good" which reminds me of FM, the stomping "Got No Time", which has a spooky keyboard intro, this song is quite heavy almost progressive and a bit like HAREM SCAREM, ROX DIAMOND and ARCARA.

"Back In My Arms" is a beautiful STEVE PERRY/EXTREME like piano-led ballad filled with glorious vocals harmonies, the song then builds into an aortastic chorus, amazing!! the guitars crash open into the next song called "Melva Divine" which is another trademark HTGR song in the vein of SURVIVORetc.., and the last song "Stepping Stone", is a bit like LA GUNS crossed with THE REMBRANDTS, very catchy and build into a heavy finish. So there you have it, five expertley produced rock tracks of the highest caliber, this band are ready to rock the world!!!

Rating: 10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

This Sacramento band play hard rock with progressive tones, songs like "Pain" and "The Hero-Inn", remind me of KING'S X and SOUNDGARDEN, other songs like the gothical/metal attack of "Endless Night", have plenty of fire to keep fans of the old and new school of heavy metal happy, and "Run", has elements of progressive rock thrown in, "Run"comes over as the best track on the album, the song has some tasty guitar work from Darryl Zuber which lies in the heavier roots of DOKKEN and early QUEENSRYCHE.

Overall a nice selection of songs that take on a variety of twists and turns which keeps PLANET X fresh and enjoyable, well worth investigating!! Website: http://www.planetxrock.com

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

I met and interviewed Joe Satriani in May 1998 at Cardiff International Arena, I also interviewed Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker from MSG as this was the British leg of the G3 tour. Joe turned out to be a most humble person, and the interview went on for 45 minutes when originally I was only allowed 15 minutes. At that time Joe had just released his excellent "Crystal Planet" album, and live he was simply a star, and when all three guitarists jammed together at the end of the night, one could only marvel and wish that you were Joe up there on stage and having fun with Roth and Schenker. Talks of G3 2000 are underway with names like Yngwie Malmsteen, Richie Blackmore, Allan Holdsworth, being considered as part of this years G3 line up.

"Engines Of Creation" is Joe's eighth album, and whilst the use of samples, as used on "Crystal Planet" are put to use again, and slightly annoy, tracks like the atmospheric "Until We Say Goodbye", "Champagne?", and the title track show Joe at an eased peaceful pace, Satch has always had some very cool ideas with his music, and whilst most guitarists are happy to shred out fast unmoving notes, Satch is a player with a tremendous amount of passion and feel for his music, which has always shone throughout his records, and perhaps why he is one of the most popular and respected guitarists of the last decade and a half.

On this album, we get eleven instrumental tracks that offer a 90's edge as well as the classic Satch signature riffs, this will open new doors for Joe's music into the indy and movie world, but fear not fans of "Flying In A Blue Dream" and "Surfing With The Alien" as there is pleanty of riffage and melody to keep you happy. "Engines Of Creation" again keeps Satch on top of the genre, it's nice to see him exploring his boundaries and stretching out, this is a new move for guitar music, which shows no limits and keeps the listener interested right the way through., this is a most expressive record and perhaps in time may be held up as a ground breaking record, we shall see. Recommended. http://www.satriani.com

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Incase you don't know by now, Guitarapalooza ia an yearly event that showcases the talents of various guitar players. This is volume one and features tracks by 16 players, it's actually quite good and features contributions from GARSED/HELMRICH, Brett Garsed you may remember from his collaboration with the NELSON on their "After The Rain" cd, ADRIAN GALYSH, RON THAL, JENNIFER BATTEN, JAYE FOUCHER and LARS ERIC MATTSSON, and ten tracks by players that I haven't heard of before. So let's concentrate on those, with the first being new comer DAVE MARTONE, this guys has an incredible technique, this song titled "B52" has a great intro that reminds me of the music in the film INDEPENDENCE DAY, the song then progresses into DREAM THEATER territory and is really really mindblowing.

JOBOJ is up next with the song "Raw Sausage Finger", this is ok and feature some nice playing that's quite bombastic, RUST COOLEY is next and this is a classy guitar trip, lots of wacky scales in the style of TODD DUANE, this guy is awesome. "Adrenaline Ruins The Meat" is from a player called CURTIS, this is similar in style to MICHAEL LEE FIRKINS and has slight jazz fusion influences but is quite entertaining and fresh, on the other hand SHAWN MICHAUD throws us some interesting tapestries from hell, this guy is similar to TODD DUANE and RUSTY COOLEY, the track just kills, I must get his album to experience more of his music.

SCOTT HUGHES takes us into progressive neo-classical territories with "Prelude/ Swagger",and MARC PATTISON is a bit lame next to the other guys, with song steering away from the hard rock being more psychedelic and indy sounding. MARCOS DE ROS is another fine talent this song has a Mexican feel, a very cool song with lots of cool shredding, another must have. LAURENT FLEURY spice things up with his TESTAMENT like shred attacking, and STEVE BOOKE is another fine player with lots of feel and passion for his music. These new players are great, and it's nice to see that the guitar hero scene is still very miuch alive thanks to these young bucks.

Of the more known musicians ADRIAN GALYSH, RON THAL, and JAYE FOUCHER come up tops. This is a worthwhile and exciting album full of various guitar style. Recommended. http://www.guitarapalooza.com

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Feel the energy and the excitement of EMERALD RAIN in concert, with this debut live album from Canada's finest stars.
LIVE 2K was recorded live in Ontario, Canada in December of last year, and you can really feel the sweat and sinew pouring
from the band and audience, as both connect in heated melodic mayhem.

This is a walloping sixteen track affair, that spans both "Age Of Innocence" and "Broken Saviours", and brings back treasured memories of their debut God's appearance in 1998 a year earlier.

Amongst signature ER songs such as "Heart On The Line", "Don't Tell The Rain", "Broken Savours", "Misery Loves Company" and "No Saviour", we are treated to a shit hot drum solo from Kyle Lazenka, this is a short and sweet solo, I would like to hear an extended recorded version, if the band can manage to fit it onto their next album?, later on into the album sexy grooves, we are treated to a brand spanking new song called "Take A Stand" both in live and studio format. "Take A Stand" is a glorious crunching melodic rocker and possibly the best ER track to date, more tracks like this and their next album is going to be the big one! Lots of really cool riffing from Mike Dmitrovic, and superb vocals from Murray, as the song goes on it becomes even more addictive thanks to the bands tight power., the live version of "Take A Stand" sends the crowd into a frenzy.

We are then treated to a cover song in the form of ALICE IN CHAINS - "Man In The Box", and what a superb cover it is, ER sound dead good covering this song. I can't wait to see them on tour again, a great band who are going to be around for a very long time indeed, don't miss them next time they play in your area!!!

http://members.home.net/emeraldrain

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

This band features 180 bassist Jason Woods, and musically this is radically different, it's still hard rock but with slightly heavier elements, and a bit of humour added in. What comes to mind is "Waiting For The Punchline" era EXTREME, and FAITH NO MORE.

I really liked "Jameson The Fool" which was quite amusing and featured some tasty ZAPPA like guitar work, most of the songs are in your face and rely on crunching metal riffs to set their standards, if you like bands like MR.BUNGLE, FAITH NO MORE, EXTREME, SCATTERBRAIN and PRIMUS then you will like this, it's not a bad record at all, difficult to characterize, but the songs eventually do sink in, this band are trying to take melodic rock to the next level, but it will be hard for die hard melodic rock fans to digest, still it's nice to see something different coming out, which sets 21st Century Pirates a million miles away from most other bands.

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)