A Sound of Thunder are back with an EP entitled Queen of Hell. It's a metal appetizer to hold fans over until their next studio album Time's Arrow comes out in the spring. If you liked their last album Out of the Darkness, shame on you if you didn't, then you are in for a huge treat on this EP. Here's my review for it for Rock Revolt Magazine:
They gave us quite a few 80s classic all while teaching us to have fun tonight. Wang Chung are back with a brand new album entitled Tazer Up! and they seem to have picked up right where they left off. Nick Feldman and Jack Hues may not have been all over your radio stations, but they have been keeping busy. Get caught up on all things Wang Chung with my new interview with Nick:
Anthrax released Worship Music in 2011 and they were suddenly thrust into the mainstream spotlight. After 30 plus years of thrashing and headbanging, the guys were getting major props thrown their way from publications and fans and critics unlike anything they had ever seen before. It was a reassurgence in their career, although they were far from being on life support. Drummer Charlie Benante talked to me about their upcoming tour, their surprise Grammy nomination and lots of other interesting metal tidbits. You can read all about it here:
If you have never experienced a live show from One Eyed Doll, then you don't know what you are missing. This band is one of the most creative forces to hit the music scene in years. What's that? You say you're not familiar with the band? Well, have no fear because that's why I am here. I will give you a crash course on this amazing band and give you some insight on what they are all about. Check out my interview with them at:
I am a firm believer that music is therapeutic. The guys in Otherwise are prime examples of that. Their music has touched so many lives in such a short time and has healed many, all while the band members are healing from their own tragic loses. Lead singer Adrian Patrick sat down and talked to me about healing through music plus the amazing ride that 2012 was for the band. You can read all about it here:
Lacuna Coil are like road warriors after they release a new album. They stay out on tour for what seems like an eternity promoting the album. I sat down with their singer Andrea Ferro and we discussed their road warrior mentality and what was coming up for the band in 2013. Check it out here:
I had a chance to sit down with In This Moment co-founder Chris Howorth before their show in Richmond, VA at The National to talk about the amazing 2012 the band had and what lies ahead in 2013. You can read about it here:
Check out my review of the new EP from Alexx Calise entitled "AC3". This release may be the closest of all her releases so far to really show the true artist that she is. Alexx is definitely an artist to keep your eye on!
Check out my review of the new Hinder album "Welcome to the Freakshow". These guys always deliver, but this time around they may just surprise you as they push the creative envelope on this new release.
Check out my interview with the amazing Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde for Rock Revolt Magazine. We have a long talk and discuss everything from living in the moment, cameras and cell phones getting on her nerves and Italian crack!
Check out my interview with metal icon Don Dokken for Rock Revolt magazine. We talk about the music industry, his dog and even a jello fight with George Lynch!!
I don’t know
which is harder to believe: the fact that it’s been 37 years since Heart’s
debut album Dreamboat Annie was released or the fact that they still manage to
put out amazing material today. Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart are at a point in
their career where they don’t necessarily need to put out new music, but they
want to. The commercial success enjoyed in the late 70s and again in the late
80s may not be there, but these talented ladies are at a much more rewarding
point in their long career. They are doing things their way and they haven’t
sounded happier.
Heart’s new
album Fanatic is the follow-up to 2010’s Red Velvet Car, their first Top 10
album in 20 years. That album was also praised highly by both fans and critics.
Fanatic has the Wilson sisters cranking up the amps and rocking a bit harder
than they did on their last album. There are also some new elements being
incorporated into their music
added yet another layer of complexity to these
talented ladies.
The album
opens with the title track and its distorted riff intro lets you know that this
is going to be interesting. This is a killer track with its psychedelic feel
and crunchy guitar tone. “Dear Old America” tells the tale of a father
returning home from war. An interesting note about the song found in the album’s
liner notes. The tempo switches to double time midway through the song. It
seems that this happened accidentally due to a computer tempo error, but the
band liked it and kept it that way.
“A Million
Miles Away” is a very interesting song with its incorporation of electronic
beats and elements not usually found on a Heart album. The ladies kick it old
school in the Zepplinesque “Mashallah!” which is amazing. The addition of a
string section in the song just takes elevates this rocking number to another
level. What’s that? You need some more rock from the Wilson sisters? Well,
there’s also “59 Crunch” and it won’t disappoint.
“Pennsylvania” brings us our first ballad with
a bit of a rock edge. A haunting song lyrically and the guitar tone adds such
an element to the song to compliment Ann’s amazing vocal delivery. On a gentler
note, “Rock Deep (Vancouver)” is a beautiful, gentle ballad and brings to mind
“Dog and Butterfly” with its peaceful acoustic side. Again, the use of strings
on this song gets a major thumbs up. It’s an absolutely gorgeous song. It’s
amazing how the Wilson sisters can tell a story in three and a half minutes.
Overall, I
don’t think there’s a bad song on here. You know how a band will put out an
album and there are one or two tracks that just seem to feel like “filler” in
order to make it a full album? You really don’t get that feel on Fanatic. Ann
and Nancy definitely rock out on it, but they also manage to keep in touch with
their folk roots as well. The guitars are loud and crunchy and distorted at
times, but they always rock. I mentioned it before, but I will again. The
strings used throughout this album add such a great element to the songs. What
a great touch!
Ann Wilson,
does this woman just keep getting better with age? She is definitely one of the
most amazing voices ever in music and at times probably one of the most
underappreciated as I don’t think she has ever gotten the credit she truly
deserves. Nancy is no slouch either, but even though she knows how to rock, her
vocals add such a tender element to compliment Ann’s voice. Their harmonies are
top notch. So many young artists today should pay attention to these ladies and
take note on how true talent can manage to keep a career going strong after
almost 40 years.
A music blog that explores all genres of music. My blog includes concert reviews, album reviews and interviews with artists. All of my articles are written from a fan's perspective and not just someone who is "doing their job".
I started this blog several years ago and it has grown into my own music magazine. I am currently the Owner/Editor of I'm Music Magazine. We interview artists/bands of all levels, offer album reviews, book reviews, live show reviews, live concert photography, the latest breaking news and more. Please join us now at http://www.immusicmag.com/. Thanks!
