Spiders – Flash Point 2012

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Watching Gothenburg-based SPIDERS’ video clip for “Hang Man” (available below) and all those things happening in such a tiny attic, I was stocked; these guys surely know how bluesy Retro Rock should sound, dealing with the perfect portions of Punk and, of course, psychedelia (the Orange amps in the background surely give a hint to the potential listener). So, what is Swedes’ music about leaving aside the enticing wrapping paper (including Ann-Sofie’s GIRLSCHOOL-esque vocal skills/beauty)?

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The Outside – The Outside 2012

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The members of The Outside come from Chile, Turkey and Germany and thus combine different nationalities and musical backgrounds. They offer a sophisticated blend of prog-influenced melodic thrash metal that has a high recognition value. 2009 they recorded their first demo in the Monogo studios, which are also known for other rock and roll greats like Motörhead. Her vision stems from the multicultural German capital Berlin, where they performed with an internationally respected metal bands like Sodom and Vicious Rumors and sold hundreds of demos. Mixed and mastered the album by Igor Leiva of the Atomic Noise studios in Santiago and the great cover design was was done by Claudio Bergamin, who is famous for his work with Rob Halford, Criminal, Paradox or Accept.

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DARE – CALM BEFORE THE STORM II 2012

Among fans of AOR melodic rock Britain’s Dare, formed by vocalist and keyboard player Darren Wharton (Thin Lizzy), has a legendary status, one that blurs line between cult and mystical. Every album they’re released has been exceptional, receiving critical acclaim. But Dare’s albums were not easy to get, especially here in the the states. (more…)

Willpowerless -Taking the Clock Apart 2012

NOW! Like a Breaking Benjamin Papa Roach Threee Days Grace!

The much anticipated follow-up release to “Found Their Way Home”. Hard rock meets alternative and comes alive to produce this deep, catchy, hard-hitting collection of songs.

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COHEED AND CAMBRIA – THE AFTERMAN ASCENSION VOL.1 2012

A one-and-a-half-minute video explanation of the cover artwork for the new album from New York progressive rockers COHEED AND CAMBRIA, can be seen below.
COHEED AND CAMBRIA’s sixth studio album, a double concept album entitled “The Afterman”, will be released in two separate full-length volumes.
The first volume, “The Afterman: Ascension”, will be available on both physical and digital platforms in the U.S. on October 9 via Hundred Handed/Everything Evil, and distributed through Fontana/Ingrooves(to be available in Canada via Universal Music Canada). The second volume, “The Afterman: Descension”, is due in February 2013.

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SKULL BRANDED PIRATES – An Oath Sworn On Broken Bones 2012

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Get ready to return to the golden age of ‘Evy Metal Piracy with 9 tracks of rip roaring adventure, lightning fast riffs, thunderous drums and more rum soaked vocals than have ever been put to tape.

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NIGHTBLADE – SERVANT TO YOUR LAIR 2012

NOW!TRUE ENG…

We all know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But when a record turns up on your desk bearing the kind of artwork you’d find on a gothic market stall t-shirt, you can make a pretty good guess at what the music contained beneath the hooded, scythe-wielding Grim Reaper on the front.

The album in question is Birmingham rockers Nightblade’s album ‘Servant to Your Lair’. It’s a record that offers little in the way of surprises from the moment you pick it up; brittle, brash guitars, hard-rock solo-orientated, lyrics laden with shadowy clichés.

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JAKE NIELSEN – PERSPECTIVE 2012

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Coming from Virginia, Jake Nielsen is a talented multi-instrumentalist, composer and music teacher. Perspective, his first album, is the culmination of over 10 years of composing and playing. For inspiration, Nielsen draws from a triumvirate of influences. On the musical side, it’s Billy Joel, in his early years, and Dream Theater, in his latter years. Lyrically, he looks to his Mormon faith and religion (not to be confused with orthodox and evangelical Christianity) for inspiration. Additionally, Nielsen did all the vocals and performed, or programmed, all the instruments onPerspective, except for the cello on A Still Small Voice.

Nielsen also cites recent influences including Ben Folds Five and Neal Morse. Actually, it might be best to describe Nielsen’s style, considering this musical and inspirational sources, as a Mormon version of Neal Morse (a confessing Christian), with heavier weight given to the piano. While hardly dismissing his compositional skills, which are exceptional, the piano work within Perspective is his greatest strength. You can hear echoes of Billy Joel, yet with a classical music style ramped up by a progressive rock injection; it’s a vibrant interpretation. (more…)

MICHAEL ADDISON – Blinding Shadows 2012

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Michael Addison is set to release his first full-length album “Blinding Shadows” on October 2nd, 2012. Reeling from the success he garnered from his last EP “Always You” and the single of the same name, he hit the studio with producer Larry Marciano at the helm, to create a truly powerful rock album that magnifies Addison’s talent for rock arrangements. Addison returned to the studio with the same team from his previous go-round. Christine Wu (Justin Timberlake/Usher) and Ryan Hoyle (Collective Soul), as well as newcomers, vocalist’s Adam Brooks (of TV’s “The Lying Game” and the band The Good Mad) and Vanessa Bryan each exhibit exceptional contributions.

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REBELLION -The Best Of Viking History 2012

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First global compilation REBELLION Teutons, who collect stages between 2005 “Sagas of Iceland – The History of the Vikings – Volume I” until 2009 “Arise: From Ginnungagap to Ragnarok – History of the Vikings, Vol III”, from by “Miklagard – The History of the Vikings – Volume II”.

It will go on sale on Friday October 5 thanks to Massacre Records label, and is available only on iTunes, Musicload, amazon and other digital platforms.

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