Hard Rock Review: Red Hot Rebellion-The Mission

Release Date: February 3, 2015

Label: Solid Arts and Science

Website

With the self-described genre of “Soundtrack To A Bar Fight,” Red Hot Rebellion certainly has the right attitude for playing hard rock music. And it is not all bravado either, because it is hard to overstate the brilliance of their new album, The Mission. Formed in 2010 in Dayton, Ohio, The Mission is Red Hot Rebellion’s second full-length album (which comes with a 64 page comic book). Consisting of Jim Tramontana (bass, leading vocals), Doug Spencer (guitar, backing vocals), and Andris Devine (drums, backing vocals), these guys are at the top of their game of their new, concept album. With a great sense of humor, catchy riffs, and a hard rock sound with plenty of punk and metal influences, The Mission is one of the first great albums of 2015. 

“Super Epic Intro” gets The Mission rocking and rolling with the sounds of some blazing guitar work and rhythmic drums. Things definitely get off on the right foot, as this grand opening builds anticipation for the rest of the album. If the intro left any doubt in your mind, then “The Mission” will wipe them all away. It is one fantastic rock song. There is so much power and passion here that I am left thinking that these guys could level walls with their music. With its hellraising attitude, “The Mission” is gets the blood pumping and the heart racing. The music rolls right along with “Alright Alright.” The sound is a bit lighter, a bit catchier with its punk rock influence. Heavier and harder, “Prepare to Be Destroyed” delights with great guitar parts that really shred.

“You Bring the Thunder, I’ll Bring the Lightning” has great manic energy running through it, kick started by its opening riff. The music is just relentless, and backed by the lyrics, the song makes for a great party anthem. “Black Magic Dynamite” is a song that has it all. Everything about it is just on point. The lead and backing vocals just play off each other so well, while the guitar and drums never miss a mark. It is one of the best rock songs that you will hear all year. If you need to hold up a song that showcases the catchy riffs of Red Hot Rebellion, then “Battle Royale with Cheese” is that song. It is another pulse pounding song to start a bar fight to.

Promising that they are “Gonna get blitzed tonight,” “Dirtbags and Halfwits” is a great example of Red Hot Rebellion’s humorous and party sides coming together to make one romping rock song. With its electrifying energy, “The Seething Horde” is a sweet mix of punk and hard rock, with the album’s catchiest chorus that you will just want to belt out. Going into the home stretch, “Hellabyte” and “Victory Is Ours (For Now)” keep things energetic, fresh, and interesting. “Melt the Sky” and “The End (It Begins)” bring the album to a close with two memorable hard rocking tracks, especially the latter with the all the quintessential ingredients that have made this album so fantastic. 

Red Hot Rebellion’s The Mission is a marvelous achievement for many reasons. Not only are the performances nothing short of top notch, but also it is a complete album, which seems like something of a rarity these days. There is no filler to found here, making for an album that you will want to listen to from start to finish. I would be very surprised if The Mission is not in my top 10 rock albums at the end of the year. I cannot recommend it enough right now. 

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: The Mission, Black Magic Dynamite, The Seething Horde, The End (It Begins) 

Tracks:
01.Super Epic Intro
02.The Mission
03.Alright Alright
04.Prepare to Be Destroyed
05.You Bring the Thunder, I’ll Bring the Lightning
06.Black Magic Dynamite
07.Battle Royale with Cheese
08.Dirtbags and Halfwits
09.The Seething Horde
10.Hellabyte
11.Victory Is Ours (For Now)
12.Melt the Sky
13.The End (It Begi)ns

Brian McKinnon - Write A Music Review Sr. Staff

February 17, 2015

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Melodic/Hard Rock Review: Fair Warning-The Box

Release Date: June 24, 2014

Label: Steamhammer

Website

Hard rock is the type of music genre that never goes out of style and good hard rock bands produce some great timeless music.  It is the kind of music that feels right no matter what year is it listened to and always sounds fresh.  Release a song now, twenty years ago, or twenty years from now and it is as hot as ever.

Fair Warning is the type of band that creates this kind of music.  Formed in Germany in 1991, they released their self-titled debut a year later and Rainmaker in 1995.  Their line-up consists of Tommy Heart (vocalist), Ule Ritgen (bass), Helge Engelke (guitar), Andy Malecek (guitar), and Jurgen “C.C.” Buhrens (drums).  The Boxis made up of their next four studio releases and a live album – 1997’s Go!, 2000’s Four, 2006’s Brother’s Keeper, 2009’s Aura, and 1998’s Live and More.  With over five hours of music, The Box will take care of all your hard rock needs.  

When it comes to the music of Fair Warning, one listen to “Angels of Heaven” is all that you will need to fall in love with their sound. It is one opener that soars, from the guitar to the vocals, and it is the type of song that sticks in the memory.  The sound is so large and filling that if you do not take a liking to this song, then I do not know what to tell you.  With lighter sound and stellar use of synthesizers, “Save Me” is a melodic rock gem.  It is the type of song that really hits its stride in the chorus and provides a great opportunity to sing along. Just roll up your car windows and belt it out.  “All On Your Own” is reminiscent of 80s hard rock ballads. 

If you are having a bad day or are feeling down, then “I’ll Be There” is just the song for the occasion.  The opening chords ooze with positive vibes. The music has a fun, festive sound with good energy and is nothing short of uplifting. Following it up is the haunting, “Man on the Moon.” “Without You” is a rocking love song that is very relatable, maybe too so for some. It does a great job of painting a picture of heartache and longing, and really dazzles with its guitar solo. “Somewhere” is another stirring melodic rock song in the same vein as “I’ll Be There.” “Sailing Home” is an amazing marriage of melodic and hard rock.  It rivals the opener in quality to make the two best songs on the album.  

Four, the 2000 follow-up to Go!, is a solid mix of old and new. It is consistent with the sound of their previous release, while injecting new blood in to keep things fresh and lively.  The opener, “Heart on the Run,” is a great example of this with its mesh of hard rock with a melodic sound, keeping things fresh. “Through the Fire” and “Forever” are catchy rock songs with a guitar parts that really shred.  With a slower tempo, “Tell Me I’m Wrong” is one ballad that has a great emotional resonance.  

“Dream” is certainly as pleasant sounding as a dream can be, with some wondrous guitar action and vocal harmonies.  “I Fight” is very enjoyable with its powerful vocals, sweet chords, and booming drums, not to mention the rip roaring guitar that completely steals the show.  It is a real gem on this album.  “Eyes of Love” is a typical melodic rock fare that does not stand out too much.  The catchiness of “Find My Way” along with its vocal harmonies and crisp guitars help to make for more of a memorable song than the previous, one that will leave a lasting impression.  “For the Young” really switches it up with its bagpipe opening.  The vocals are front and center, backed by military-esque drumming.  It brings this album to a close in style.

Brother’s Keeper is their first album after getting back together following their split in 2000.  There regrouping is marked by some differences in their sound in the six years since Four.  “Don’t Keep Me Waiting” comes out with more of an edge to it than their usual melodic sound.  The melodic element is still there, of course, but the sound here is definitely heavier. Channeling the Force, “Generation Jedi” has a nice crunchy groove to its sound in keeping with the heavier riffs. “All of My Love” is a love ballad that harkens back to the earlier albums.  I think that it slows down the pacing and disturbs the energy gathered by the first two songs.  

“Rainbow Eyes” and “Push Me On” do a lot to bring the rocking energy back to the album, as vocals and music soar alike.  “Wasted Time” is a little too vanilla for my tastes.  “The Cry” and “The Way” are both pretty good songs that mix up the old melodic/hard sound with a new found edginess.  “Tell Me Lies” is loud, fast, and has a nice kick to it to get the juices going.  “In the Dark” is the song the really shows off the edgier, and more hard rock oriented sound on this album.  I think they should have went all out and made a completely hard and heavy album for it to be better and stand out more in their discography. 

2009’s Aura is their second album since regrouping and comes out rocking with “Fighting For Your Love.”  It is a nice throw back to their late 90s sound.  “Here Comes The Heartache” is quintessential Fair Warning, soaring vocals, great riffs, and cool harmonies.  Despite being a love song, “Hey Girl” is able to keep a good rock vibe by slowing building up the sound from soft to hard rock.  

After a few lackluster songs, “Walking on Smiles” injects some life into this album with its fun atmosphere, positive vibes, and vibrant lyrical imagery, and kicks off a good run of songs that strengthen the latter part of the album such as “It Takes More” and “As Snow White Found Out” with sweet melodies and choruses.   “Station to Station” is a real standout thanks to its memorable baseline.  “Falling Reprise” is a nice and peaceful send-off.

The Boxwould not be complete without their 1998 live album, Live and More.  It features a healthy sampling of songs from their first three albums, Fair Warning, Rainmaker, and Go!. The songs “Angels of Heaven,” “I’ll Be There,” “Man on the Moon,” and “Follow My Heart” represent the Go! era.  They all sound very good compared to the album versions with an almost studio quality in sound. “Don’t Give Up,”, “Desert Song,” “Get A Little Closer,” “Stars and the Moon,” and “Guitar Solo/Burning Heart” give a good overview of Rainmaker, showing off their early 90s sound. There is some really fine album-oriented melodic rock in these songs, and the guitar in “Burning Heart” is just killer. If one thing is clear from Live and More, it is that these guys really know how to put on a show!

If you are looking for a good deal, then Fair Warning’s The Box is the way to go.  With over five hours of quality hard rock that spans roughly two decades of music, it is a must have for fans of the genre.  This is also a chance to get to know a group that might have flown under your radar back then, because they are worth it.  

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Angels of Heaven, Sailing Home, For the Young, Don’t Keep Me Waiting, Here Comes The Heartache

Brian McKinnon

January 10, 2015

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Holiday/Rock Review-Hard Rock Classic Christmas-Various Artists

Release Date: October 7, 2014

Label: Legacy Recordings

Website

Christmas music and hard rock are not two genres that people generally think of as going together, but that is about to change. I was even skeptical at first, but it did not take long to have me convinced that hard rock and Christmas make for a wonderful pair.  The Classic Christmas Hard Rock Album features eleven classic Christmas songs, with each being performing by a master of hard rock.  The likes of Jeff Beck, Steve Vai, Ted Nugent, Alex Lifeson, Joe Satraini, and others bring their rock talents to make music magic with a little help from the Christmas Spirit.

If there were any doubts about whether or not hard rock versions of classic Christmas songs could work, then Jeff Beck’s rendition of “Amazing Grace” should burn any and all of those doubts away.  “Amazing Grace” has a great spiritual, holiday atmosphere with some elegant guitar work to really solidify the emotional impact of the song.  Next up is Alex Lifeson’s “The Drummer Boy” and it does a very good job of capturing the solemnness of the traditional sound. “Silent Night / Holy Night Jam” by Joe Satraini is a real treat, as it does a wonderful job of respecting the original sound while putting his own unique touch to it.  It makes for one lively tune.

Steve Vai is brilliant, as usual, on “Christmas Time Is Here.” It is a great guitar lead song, with a crisp rocking sound, and the background instruments are wonderfully used to add a nice touch of Christmas atmosphere.  Steve Lukather’s “The Christmas Song” is a hopping rock song.  It sounds so natural that it leaves you thinking that it was meant to be a hard rock song all along. Stuart Hamm’s “Sleigh Ride” is a pleasant and lively version of a fun classic. It perfectly captures the playfulness of the original.

“O Come All Ye Faithful” is one of the standout songs.  Trevor Rabin probably does the best job at modernizing a Christmas classic.  It is the best of both worlds, with the old and new colliding to make this incredible song.  Nothing is lost from the original and I think that the quality has increased.  Ted Nugent’s

“Deck the Halls” really rocks and rolls with tons of energy.  Following it up is Robin Trower’s reverent version of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”  Rob Halford’s “We Three Kings” makes for a brilliant ending for this hard rock Christmas album.  It comes out blazing and rides that wave all the way to the end.

All in all, The Classic Christmas Hard Rock Album is a great rock album and great Christmas album, as well.  The classic versions that we have grown to love over the years are timeless classics, and these hard rock versions add to their already rich tradition.  These songs might not replace your favorites, but they will give them a run for their money.  This album will definitely add a little spice to any Christmas party, and should be another one to add to the album rotation every year. 

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Amazing Grace, O Come All Ye Faithful, Deck the Halls

Brian McKinnon

November 26, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Hard Rock Review: California Breed

Release Date: May 19, 2014

Label: Frontiers Records

Website

If you are looking for music to rock out to, then look no further, because California Breed has what you need to get going. With a sound that channels the great bands of the 70s, while bringing a 21^st century edge too, California Breed is one hot new band that will get fans of the genre talking with delight over their fiery debut release.  

Born out of the ashes of the hard rock group Black Country Communion, California Breed consists of Glen Hughes (bass, vocals) of Deep Purple, Andrew Watt (guitar, vocals), and Jason Bonham (drums), who was recently replaced by Joey Castillo due to Bonham’s other commitments. They have come together to make California Breedand it is one unrelenting rock album. They brought their A game on this and it sure does show in the final product.  

“The Way” comes out hard and unforgiving, like being run over by a stamped of wild horses. It is an incredible hard rock song that gives a modern take on the hard rock sound from the 70s. It is all attitude and swagger, making it the premier song on the album. “The Way” is the type of song that will come to mind when you think of California Breed.  Keeping the album going strong, “Sweet Tea” strikes the perfect balance in showcasing the trio’s individual strengths and what happens when it comes together for one fierce song. “Chemical Rain” shows off a heavier and slower sound, and the guitars really shred on this one.

The album’s first single, “Midnight Oil,” is a fantastic, catchy rock song. It has that musical quality that just draws the listener in with great riffs, inspiring vocals, and methodical drumming. But the ending really takes this song to the next level. The guitars are crazy and the drumming is insane, as we hear that the apple did not fall from the tree. California Breed show off their softer side on the beautiful “All Falls Down.” It is a song full of passion that hits deeply. The heavy and melodic “The Grey” gets things rocking again. The song moves swiftly along and really explodes when it hits the animated chorus. “Days They Come” is a visceral song with great energy and mesmerizing vocals and “Spit You Out” is a fun, spirited rock song. 

Starting off the last part of the album is “Strong.” It is not my favorite song on here, but it has grown on me with repeated listens. It is a fluid and lively song that some will appreciate. “Invisible” sinks its teeth in deep and early and does not let go. The vocals just soar over everything. It is the type of hypnotic song that will have you singing along without even noticing at first. “Scars” opens with a pretty funky baseline and carries a certain bravado in the vocals that gives it an extra edge. Bringing the album to a close is “Breathe.” The music rises and falls at all the right moments and Julian Lennon’s vocals work quite complementary with Hughes’.  

When all is said and done, California Breedis kick-ass rock album from this new band. If you are a fan of hard rock, then I would strongly suggest that you go out and pick this one up. From start to finish, it does not disappoint.  California Breed is one band to keep a close eye on in the future. 

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: The Way, Midnight Oil, Invisible

Brian McKinnon

November 10, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Hard Rock Review: D-A-D-Dic.Nii.Lan.Daft.Erd.Ark – Deluxe Edition

Release Date: April 23, 2013

Label: AFM Records

Website

I don’t know what it is about the rock bands that come from the Scandinavian regions. I have reviewed a few of them over the years, and they certainly seem to love their rock. They seem to be un-phased by the stigmas that have plagued hard rock in the U.S. for the past 20 years or so, and their music is better for it. D-A-D (formerly Disneyland After Dark, but forced to change their name for obvious reasons) is no exception to this.

D-A-D has been rocking out since the mid 80s. The core of the band has been together this entire time. Jesper (lead vocals/guitar) and Jacob Binzer (guitar), and Stig Pederson (bass/vocals) have a dozen studio albums to their name, and Laust Sonne has been with them on drums since 1999. Their last several albums have continually done well on their native Danish album charts, generally climbing as high as first or second, and Dic.Nii.Lan.Daft.Erd.Arkis no exception.

If this is your first listen to D-A-D, I don’t think you would think that they had been doing this for 30 years. From the opening notes of “A New Age Moving In” there is a youthfulness and energy that exists in this band that many new bands wish they had, never mind ones with this kind of tenure. The result is a strong rock album full of influence from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but still has a modern sound and avoids the clichés that have hurt many a rock band over the years.

What I also enjoyed about Dic.Nii.Lan.Daft.Erd.Ark is that they balance the album up from track to track. Songs like “Fast on Wheels” and “Breakin Them Heart By Heart” add a pop/rock style, while ballads like “We All Fall Down” and “Your Lips Are Sealed” show that D-A-D can slow it down from time to time as well. And if you purchase the Deluxe version of Dic.Nii.Lan.Daft.Erd.Ark you get another 16 tracks of acoustic and live recordings. I don’t know if you’ll prefer many of the acoustic versions to the album versions, but it is nice hearing the tunes stripped down and in such a raw form. The live tracks cover songs from previous releases as well and give you a glimpse at what D-A-D sound like live as well.

Dic.Nii.Lan.Daft.Erd.Ark is a quality rock album, and spending the bit extra for the Deluxe Edition is well worth it for the 16 tracks of additional recordings. It’s certainly not one of those bonus discs bogged down with sloppy alternative takes or material that wasn’t good enough to make an album. Ultimately D-A-D has once again shown that they can withstand the test of time. Not only withstand it, but can evolve as a band and keep their sound fresh when it can be so easy to put out more of the same. Dic.Nii.Lan.Daft.Erd.Ark is sure to fill a need for those of us that still love to rock.

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: A New Age Moving In, Breakin Them Heart By Heart, We All Fall Down

Kevin Kozel

April 11, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Tracks:
Disc 101. A New Age Moving In
02. I Want What She’s Got
03. The End
04. Fast On Wheels
05. The Place of the Heart
06. Last Time in Neverland
07. Breaking Them Heart By Heart
08. We All Fall Down
09. Wild Thing in the Woods
10. Can’t Explain What It Means
11. Drag Me to the Curb
12. Your Lips Are Sealed

Disc 2
01. I Want What She’s Got (Acoustic)
02. The End (Acoustic)
03. A New Age Moving In (Acoustic)
04. Last Time in Neverland (Acoustic)
05. The Place of the Heart (Acoustic)
06. A New Age Moving In (Live)
07. Jihad (Live)
08. The End (Live)
09. Everything Glows (Live)
10. Ridin’ With Sue (Live)
11. Monster Philosophy (Live)
12. We All Fall Down (Live)
13. Last Time in Neverland (Live)
14. I Want What She’s Got (Live)
15. God’s Favorite (Live)
16. The Place of the Heart (Live)

Hard Rock Review: D-A-D 30 - Years 30 Hits: The Best of D-A-D 1984-2014

Release Date:March 18, 2014

Label: AFM Records

Website

Longevity is something that is noteworthy, especially in the music business where fads come and go and audiences can be fickle. For a band to last for decades is an achievement in itself, but to continue to produce quality music year after year is something else. It is a testament to the bond and dedication between the members and, of course, to their talent as musicians.  

Formed in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1984, D-A-D has been producing their brand of rock music for 30 years. Originally known as Disneyland After Dark, they were forced to change their name after being threatened with a lawsuit from the Disney Company. The band consists of Jesper Binzer (vocals, guitar), Stig Pedersen (bass, vocals), Jacob Binzer (guitar), and Laust Sonne (drums). Impressively, they have had only one line-up change in their history together.   

30 Years 30 Hits is a two disc compilation album that spans from 1986’s Call of the Wild to 2011’s DIC·NII·LAN·DAFT·ERD·ARK. The selections of songs are just phenomenal.  From the good-naturedly defiance of “I Won’t Cut My Hair” to the catchiness of “Black Crickets” to the head banging “Jihad,” these songs really are the best of the best of D-A-D.  And no collection is complete without the song that brought them into the international spotlight and bringing the type of attention that caused their name change, the infectious “Sleeping My Day Away.”  It is precisely the type of song that will run through your head for days. 

From the opening note, “Marlboro Man” is hard rock at its finest.  Its uncompromising attitude, blistering guitar, and roaring drums make for one of the most memorable songs on the album.  Its visceral outro makes for one helluva impression.  This song demands to be played at full volume.  The narrative “Call of the Wild” takes things in a different direction.  The infectious refrain is undeniably pleasing to the ear in this dark tale. The cheekiness of “Point of View” shows of the humorous side of D-A-D’s lyrics and “Reconstructed” finds them at their heaviest.

The second CD opens up just as strong with the rocking “Naked (But Still Strippin’).”  Overall, the second part pretty much matches the first in quality; though there are a few songs I do not much care for, such as the forgettable “Home Alone 4,” sounding too much like any other 90’s soft rock, and the overly sentimental “Soft Dogs.” The bitter sweetness is done better on “Empty Heads” and “Hate to Say I Told You So.” Some of the highlights include “Nineteenhundredandyesterday,” which strikes a nice balance between being emotional and not too sappy, and the energetic, punk sounding “Evil Twin.” D-A-D are at their hard rock best on such songs as “Everything Glows,”  “Scare Yourself,” and “A New Age Moving In.”

You are certainly going to get your money’s worth with D-A-D’s 30 Years 30 Hits.  30 Years 30 Hits is one compilation that is full of hard rock gems.  The timelessness of these songs and the fact that they are just as good as they were years ago, is a true mark of D-A-D’s musical skill. It is a shame that they never broke out bigger internationally, because they have made some great music. Here’s to one of rock’s finest underappreciated bands.

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Malboro Man, Call of the Wild, Sleeping My Day Away, Naked (But Still Strippin’), Ninteenhunredandyesterday

Brian McKinnon

March 30, 2014

Tracks:
01.Marlboro Man
02.Call of the Wild
03.Riding with Sue
04.It’s After Dark
05.0Isn’t That Wild
06.I Won’t Cut My Hair
07.Black Crickets
08.Sleeping My Day Away
09.Jihad
10.Point of View
11.Girl Nation
12.Bad Craziness
13.Grow or Pay
14.Laugh and a Half
15.Reconstructed
16.Naked (But Still Strippin’)
17.Empty Heads
18.Home Alone 4
19.Hate to Say I Told You So
20.Everything Glows
21.Nineteenhundredandyesterday
22.Something Good
23.Evil Twin
24.Soft Dogs
25.Scare Yourself
26.Lawrence of Suburbia
27.Monster of Philosophy
28.A New Age Moving In
29.I Want What She’s Got
30.We All Fall Down

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