metalmaniac777

My review of indie retro-sleaze rockers Juliet's Vice new album, "d.g.a.f.," is now available over at Hardrock Haven. Click the link below to check it out: Juliet's Vice review Those who appreciate that early Guns 'N Roses sound will want to give these guys a listen. Upcoming reviews include: Issa: "The Storm" Switchfoot: "Vice Verses" Nightvision: "Consequence of Sin" Crowned By Fire: "Prone to Destroy"

I quite liked this as I enjoy modern metal. Agree his vocals have gone somewhat, and there are too many (mediocre) ballads on this thing. Otherwise not bad IMO.... Epic fail? Holy crap, man, I could not disagree more. Granted, I hoped it would be a little better, but it's still a pretty kickass heavy-hard rock album, and I thought Bach sounded damn good. Anyone expecting "Slave to the Grind Part Deux" is going to be a tad bit disappointed, but after "Angel Down" I don't think anyone had a right to expect that. "Hope for," maybe, but not "expect." And for the record, I really disliked "Wishin'." Disliked all the ballads, actually. All that said, if Bach wants to have someone like Chris Laney write some songs for him on the next go-round, I would not complain...

I agree, I didn't get the screaming complaints either. I loved "Angel Down." For the record, I personally was not complaining about the screaming in my review, merely pointing out how Bach's previous solo effort was received, because I like "Angel Down" and was perfectly content to hear Bach go in a heavier, more aggressive direction. Granted, it's not the kind of larynx-shredding screaming you hear from, say, Killswitch Engage, but it's certainly not pure melodic singing either when Bach goes into that aggressive vocal mode. That said, there's a little less of that on this newie, so folks who thought he screamed too much on "Angel Down" should be more content with this album.

I'd slot that song into the "good but not great" category. That said, Daughtry has not yet failed to impress, so consider me stoked for a new album. Does he have what it takes to end the 2011 modern rock stakes with a bang rather than a whimper? Time will soon tell...

Sebastian Bach is my all-time favorite vocalist. To read my review of his new solo album, "Kicking & Screaming," head over to Hardrock Haven by clicking the link below: Sebastian Bach review In short, better than "Angel Down" (which I liked), not quite as good as his Skid Row days, but still a damn good heavy-edged hard rock/metal album.

I really like the title track. Also Mark, you are starting to sound a bit like Blackadder with all these quotes! While not true fillers, per se, the songs that didn't grab me as much as the others are "How to Stop," "Let Go," "If It's To Be (It's Up To Me)," and "Summer Nights in Cabo." All the rest are excellent, including the title track. And as Tim mentioned, "Summer Nights in Cabo" features a world-class vocal performance (as does the whole album for that matter) from Hitchcock, but something about the chorus just leaves me going, "Meh." Glen, I must confess that the Blackadder reference missed the mark with me...who is Blackadder? And is it a good thing or a bad thing? I hate to think you gave me a good insult and it went over my head!

I agree, 7 plagues it way too much to ask. But seems to me just 1 plague would suffice in this situation. Something minor. Like locusts. "If thou is a jackass on Amazon, thou shalt suffer a plague of locusts within thy house, and they shall be ensnarled by the thousands in thy pubes."

My review of one of the finest melodic hard rock albums of the year, Toby Hitchcock: "Mercury's Down", is now available over at Hardrock Haven. Click the link below to check it out: Toby Hitchcock review Not quite as good as the hype would suggest, but still pretty damn good.

I know this band has limited appeal here at Heavy Harmonies, but for the handful who may be interested, my review of Trivium: "In Waves" is now available over at Hardrock Haven. Click the link below to check it out: Trivium review One of my favorite modern heavy/thrash bands and this album shows why. Upcoming reviews include: Toby Hitchcock: "Mercury's Down" Sebastian Bach: "Kicking & Screaming" Steel Panther: "Balls Out" Juliet's Vice: "D.G.A.F." Zombie Shaker Box: "Encrypted" Anchored: s/t

If you liked Revolver, you'll definitely like Famous Underground; it's really just a new Revolver album under a different name. And yeah, Walsh definitely has a great hard rock/metal voice. There are some folks on the boards here that really should give this album a chance. As I said in my review, it's not going to have widespread appeal, but fans of heavy hard rock should find plenty to enjoy.

My review of Nick Walsh's (ex-Slik Toxic) new band, Famous Underground, is now available over at Hardrock Haven. Click the link below to check it out: Famous Underground review Solid stuff for fans of the heavy-edged end of the hard rock spectrum, and Walsh sounds as great as ever. Upcoming reviews include: Trivium: "In Waves" Juliet's Vice: "D.G.A.F." Zombie Shaker Box: "Encrypted" Toby Hitchcock: "Mercury's Down"

I wasn't particularly impressed with this movie overall, but that tire-burning scene was a chilling punch to the gut, closely followed by the nihilistic ending.

If, due to Jani's unfortunate and untimely death, copies of "Cherry Pie" were now going for $250 a pop, are you telling me you wouldn't sell your copy in a hot 3 seconds?

Huh?? I haven't commented anywhere in this thread Adriano; what exactly are you referring to? Congratulations, Mike, you are officially the first innocent casualty in this little war. How's it feel to be collateral damage?

Yeah, what he said. The album is awesome beyond words. "If That Ain't Love" and "Tears of a Broken Heart" to this day remain two of my all-time favorite Christian rock songs.

My review of modern hard rockers Against All Will, featuring ex-Puddle of Mudd and Soulfly members, is now available at Hardrock Haven. Click the link below to check it out: Against All Will review Sounds like Puddle of Mudd mixed with Nickelback crossed with Alter Bridge...in other words, good stuff for the modern rockers out there.

Agreed. I got this last week to review for Hardrock Haven and while I've only spun it once, my initial impression is that while it has a nice, heavy edge, most of the songs are pretty average (though there are a couple of really good ones). It's not bad, per se, but probably nothing that will blow your skirt up or send you cartwheeling in paroxysms of delight.

My review of "Hated," the latest offering from Swedish glam/sleaze-metal merchants Sister, is now available over at Hardrock Haven. Click the link below to check it out: Sister review Reminded me a lot of Shake the Faith. Good, solid stuff.

The guy that writes those is hella-handsome too.

Crutchfield is as awesome as Geoff thinks he is. Unparalleled customer service; seriously, these guys could function as the model for other businesses on how to treat your customers. I just used them a few months back to replace the stereo in my truck, as I wanted something that was iPod-compatible. When I broke the mounting bracket by accident during installation (totally my fault), they overnighted me another one at no charge (a $27 piece of equipment, mind you). Yep, if you're in the market for some electronics, you can't go wrong with Crutchfield.

My review of the new solo album from Andreas Novak, "Novakation," is now available over at Hardrock Haven. Click the link below to check it out: Novak review Despite some fillers, it's a good summertime AOR/melodic rock album in the Bryan Adams vein. Upcoming reviews include: Sister: "Hated" Anchored: "Listen to This" Defuse: "Bangkok Addiction" Against All Will: "A Rhyme & Reason" Famous Underground: s/t

Some great releases so far, but imo Strike Twice still schools them all. Yes, I do think Rattleshake is better than TNA. Kind of a similar sound/style, but Rattleshake do it a little better, in my opinion. But I do agree completely with Geoff: Strike Twice remains my personal favorite Eonian band.

I believe next up in the queue is Rattleshake and Vandal. Not sure when they're scheduled for release, but I just started writing the Rattleshake biography today as a matter of fact. Since I work for the label, you may want to take the following claim with a grain of salt and I guess I can't blame you for that, but I will say that Rattleshake is easily one of the best bands Eonian has ever signed. That's not me pimping for the label, that's me sharing my honest thoughts. I think a lot of people 'round here are going to like what they hear when it finally comes out.

Tim, to quote the movie True Grit, "You do not varnish your opinions." While I understand your hatred for the debut (which I consider passable but nothing more), this new CD, while far from perfect (a new lead vocalist is definitely needed) is a decent blend of '80s glam and modern hard rock/metal. They haven't written a single passable tune, you say? And this coming from the guy who adores Job For a Cowboy...

My review of the genre-mashing Black Veil Brides: "Set the World on Fire" is now available over at Hardrock Haven. Click the link below to check it out: Black Veil Brides review In a word, I like it (OK, that was 3 words).