DOUG RATNER & THE WATCHMEN – LESSONS WELL LEARNED EP 2012

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Hailing from Springfield, Massachusetts, Doug Ratner & the Watchmen’s main claim to fame is getting banned from a popular TV show, Mass Appeal, in their hometown, for their song Bomb in the Backseat. It appears the show neither listened to the song nor understood it’s meaning. They only heard the references to bombs and explosions. O well.Ratner and company play a blend of classic guitar rock with some modern alt references. Here’s the skinny on their debut EP Lessons Well Learned. First, if you give it more than a few spins, it will grow on you. But the significant songs are three.

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THE COMO BROTHERS BAND – THE SPEED OF SOUND EP (2012)

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Long Island based Como Brothers seem a little conflicted on their new EP, The Speed of Sound. Sandwiched between the positive chick songs You Are My World and Can I Be Matched With You is a nearly vitriolic rant against an unfortunate gal, I Don’t Like You.

I’m hoping, maybe, that first song is about one of the brother’s pet dog or infant daughter, and the last about online dating services, as one Como bro seems pretty pissed about some chick. Otherwise, The Como Brothers Band is about some very good music. It has a foundation of classic melodic rock, with a touch of blues, and enough alt-indie edge to make the hipsters take notice. It’s nearly raw,

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SINESTRESS – SINESTRESS 2012

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The 80s saw NIAGARA SANGRE AZUL and closer to us, we HARDREAMS, 91 SUITE, NEXX and Guru to name the main ones. This new group we are talking about today is SINESTRESS, consisting of musicians already experienced and highly inspired melodic rock of the 80s. The singer Juan Carlos Garcia, guitarist and keyboardist Penedo Alejandro Miguel Angel Gala them come from Abu Simbel group who released two albums, the second from 2008 entitled por cumplir Sueños, a real gem of melodic rock. This first album SINESTRESS was born last year and it is clear that their compositions have tone, enthusiasm and especially the melody! Keyboards present well bring this bit of heat for this major art and melodic choruses present well give them also the extent to disk. The singer uses course

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NEM – Q 301.81(2012)

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Five years ago Dutch progressive rock band Nem-Q independently released their debut album, “Opportunities Of Tomorrow”. It showed a band in pursuit of the right direction. The guys knew how to handle their instruments, but their songs sounded a bit too flat and monotonous to hold my attention from start to finish. We’re now five years further and Nem-Q has just released a sophomore album, strangely called “301.81”. To cut a long story short: this concept album is certainly better, thanks to playing a lot of gigs and shaping their sound along the way. Released by RVPrecords and produced by newcomer Twan Bakker (who replaces Paul van Limbeek), “301.81” tells ‘the story of Adrian’s dreams, delusions, rise, aggressive outbursts and inevitable incarnation’. So, not only do these guys have an interesting story to tell, they also succeeded to pack it up in songs, that sound a lot more diverse than on their debut. Although the theme of the album is a bit heavy, the music is easy digestible and as such it could appeal to a wide audience. One to check Dout

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Bad Luck Train – BAD LUCK TRAIN 2012

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DeFox Records and Heart Of Steel Records are excited to annunce the Record deal with an brazilian Modern Hard rocker called Bad Luck Train.The upcoming release is entitled “Bad Luck Train” will be available in every Digital music store and scheduled for mid-September 2012.Coming from different bands from São Paulo, Brazil, four longtime friends who shared many hangovers decided to come together and form Bad Luck Train.The name Bad Luck Train refers to life misfortunes, theme very explored in the songs. The lyrics are written in English due to the great influence from abroad bands, which makes the writing process more natural. Among the band’s influences there are: Alice Cooper, Lordi, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters and Motörhead.

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SIDEBURN – IV Monument 2012

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SIDEBURN is a Swedish formation formed at the end of the years 90 (to not to confuse with his homonymous helvète), of which the beginnings was in line with themselves the mouvance Stoner. Profit of seniority, the group has since had the time to diversify his catalog, to widen his horizon and to take its distances with the ecombrante and restrictive label Stoner. The formation has to preserve an authentic knowledge done in the matter of riffs huge ones and of fatty rhythmic ones, as the prove the opening title, Diamonds, the almostDoom The Last Day or again TheSaviour.
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OBSESSION – ORDER OF CHAOS 2012

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Most people will remember American metal band Obsession from the Eighties, which launched the career of vocalist Michael Vescera. Before resurrecting Obsession in 2004, Vescera has performed with Malmsteen, Loudness, Roland Grapow, and Dr. Sin, among others. With Order of Chaos, the band returns with their sixth album.

First impressions of Order of Chaoswill remind more of the Eighties Obsession with a touch of 2006’sCarnival of Souls. Fundamentally, this is classic American heavy and power metal: sometimes steady, often brisk, with clear melody and harmony, an assertive rhythm section, soaring twin guitar work, and Vescera’s solid vocals. Against modern trends, these are the common strengths that makes for ‘true’ heavy metal, and what makes Order of Chaos sound great.

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Sovereign – Warning Heaven 2012

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The legendary vocalist Mike Vescara (Animetal USA, Loudness, Yngwie Malsteen) and guitarist, bassist and keyboardist Samir Mhamdi, published with his band Sovereign, a new studio album under the name of “Warring Heaven”. According to a press release on CD is finished and has excellent vocal work, with catchy melodies and guitar solos Epic. The vocals were recorded in full in the Toy Room Studio owned by Mike Vescera, in Nashville, Tennessee, all instruments were mixed and mastered at Studio Slabsound in France by Gwen Kerjan.

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Jay Tausig – Ipse, At Non Solus 2011

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This is an Instrumental Progressive Rock release in the Classic Style from Jay Tausig, Highly Recommended to Fans of Yes, The Strawbs, Gong, Hawkwind, Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson, Rush, Pink Floyd, Todd Rundgren, Jethro Tull, Soft Machine. Etc.

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Platinum Blonde – Now & Never 2012

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Canadian cult new wave-formation, Platinum Blonde, recently risen from the ashes after 12 years of silence, will release their new full-length album “Now & Never” on August 21 at label Fontana North / UMG.For the first time in a long time Platinum Blonde gave a concert on June 16 in The Mod Club in Toronto, giving thus beginning his new tour, passing to this day in which the team with the old hits performed his new material.At the moment, with the original band members Mark Holmes (vocals) and Sergio Galli (guitar) Platinum Blonde Leydlo includes Rob (bass) and Dan Todd (drums).”I’m aware that there are thousands of old groups who for years tried in vain to regain his former glory, but our path leads to another – we earn a new reputation” – says Mark Holmes, the voice of Platinum Blonde.

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