Eclipse's Armageddonize

Eclipse began in 1999 as the brainchild of Erik Martensson and Magnus Henriksson and are a strong part of the exploding Swedish hard rock scene. Martensson handles guitar and  the lead vocals, Magnus Henriksson the lead guitar, Robban Back the drums and Magnus Ulfstedt takes care of the bass.   Interestingly Ulfstedt was originally the drummer appearing on the first two album releases, 2001's The Truth And A Little More and 2004's Second To None, before they shifted their focus and "took their melodic hard rock roots in a more contemporary direction" gaining them legions of fans for 2008's Are You Ready To Rock. But it would be 2012's Bleed & Scream
release that would ultimately place Eclipse in The Meister's cross-hairs, an album that still gets fairly regular airplay through my headphones and speakers. Erik Martensson also began to make a name for himself by producing a plethora of albums for bands such as Dalton, Adrenaline Rush, Giant, Jimi Jamison and W.E.T. (with Jeff Scott Soto).  These and many others helped to earn him the accolade of one of the most sought after producers/songwriters today. Eclipse went back into the studio to record the Bleed & Scream follow-up in the latter half of 2014. The result is Armageddonize, boasting to show that "they are not anymore the brightest hope for melodic hard rock music, but a very solid and strong reality" and describe their music as "by far the best you can have today if you love rock music with energy, great songs, and want to hear a band that has the ambition to be on top of the world". I'm not sure about the music contained on Armageddonize as yet, but I can certainly say that the cover artwork is rather less than awe-inspiring. Armageddonize is due to drop in February 2015 via Italian heavyweight record label, Frontiers Records.

Eclipse's Armageddonize starts off with "I Don't Want To Say I'm Sorry", a fabulous tone setting track exhibiting a feisty little guitar riff after the slow build up. Basically, just what I would expect to follow the Bleed & Scream album. The second slot is occupied by "Stand On Your Feet", another track easily worthy and certainly fitting of the back catalog with its inspirational lyrical message. "Stand On Your Feet" is also the first single and video for Armageddonize and hit the internet airwaves ahead of the album in late January 2015. "The Storm" surfaces next following in the same vein but seems just a step lacking somewhere to me although it does grow on you with every rotation. The guitar work of Henriksson leads off "Blood Enemies" before the rhythm section explodes and Martensson's strong distinctive vocals join the charge. The high energy pace changing of this track uplifts any feelings left over from the previous in this real fist pumper. "Wide Open" blasts off again leading to a melodic chorus for a definite standout on Armageddonize. The somber beginnings of "Live Like I'm Dying" lay down the trail for this ballad, a style that has trouble winning me over to its side, so this one will be a "skipper" for me. "Breakdown" puts thing back into my preferred listening realm with this punchy, at times bluesy flavored cut. "Love Bites" comes out of the gates a full tilt pounding its way through to an infectious chorus and I have to say the strongest inclusion on the record. "Caught Up In The Rush" runs a close second in the total dogfight for the "top of the heap" accolade of the compositions contained here and may even become my number one with more listens. An all around great track. "One Life-My Life" rips along next driving home another message to the listener of "don't take shit from anyone"! The final inclusion on Armageddonize is "All Died Young", drawing things to a close on another of many high notes. I definitely find the latter half of the album to be the strongest but overall the whole effort is certainly solid and a fine entry in the melodic hard rock category. But does it best my treasured Bleed & Scream release? Sadly, I say, no it doesn't but in Armageddonize's defense how the hell could it or anything else really top Bleed & Scream?

BUY: Eclipse - Armageddonize

Cheers,
The Meister

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Lucky Number Thirteen: A Harem Scarem Album Review

Canadians Harem Scarem have made a name for themselves internationally and at home with solid releases such as 1991's Harem Scarem and the critically acclaimed 1993's Mood Swings.  The Canadians continued to record and release albums throughout the 90's and 2000's albeit a little sporadically at times with 1995's Voice of Reason, 1997's Karma Cleansing, 2006's Human Nature and 2008's Hope.  For a short period of time they even went under the moniker of Rubber except in Japan where they had a loyal fan base.  They released two albums under Rubber, but soon reverted to Harem Scarem.

Pleased with the reactions from recent touring, Harem Scarem have launched a pledgemusic campaign to assist in the funding of their soon to be released 13th album.  The album is to be cleverly titled Thirteen and the pledge campaign titled Thirteen Weeks to Thirteen.  After less than 24 hours into the project the album was more than 100% funded!  Thirteen will be released on December 9, 2014 and the band features originals Harry Hess on vocals/keys, Pete Lesperance on guitars/bass and drummer Creighton Doane sitting in for Darren James Smith who has gone on to perform frontman duties for Jake E. Lee's Red Dragon Cartel, but contributes backing vocals for the recording.

Thirteen leads off with "Garden of Eden", a song that harkens back to Harem Scarem's heyday ala Mood Swings.  "Live It" sits in the second track position, often the "make or break" slot for me with an album, and does not overly thrill me, but rest assured it's not a bad composition.  "Early Warning Signs" features a catchy hook and is classic Harem Scarem with a melodic chorus, great track!  Things turn a little more melodic with "The Midnight Hour", another that easily holds up to their 1993 release.  As many of you may well know I'm less than a fan of ballads, but it's something to be expected from Harem Scarem and as I fan I accept that.  That being said however "Whatever It Takes" gets skipped in every listen as it's just not my flavor, but I can tell you it features a chorus loaded with vocal harmonies.  "Saints and Sinners" is much more my style, a favorite of Thirteen and a really strong track to bring me back after the ballad.  "All I Need" keeps thing moving in this same Harem Scarem fashion through to "Troubled Times".  I can definitely hear this one fitting right in with the revered Mood Swings album, another standout "must hear" track.  "Never Say Never" dials down the tempo just a little, but still moves along nicely showcasing the guitar work of Pete Lesperance as does every other track contained here.  The longest track at just over the five minute mark, "Stardust", serves as the album's closer.  A grinding start gives way for another melodic harmony chorus that Harem Scarem do so well.

Thirteen is an absolute must for not only Harem Scarem fans but melodic rock fans in general, a definite return to form for these Canadians.

Buy: Harem Scarem - Thirteen

Cheers,
The Meister

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Who's Nigel Bailey?

Who is Nigel Bailey you might ask and you wouldn't be alone in that, I myself only recently hearing the name.  Bailey, a UK musician, Bradford West Yorkshire to be exact, comes from a musical family where both his parents and his younger brother are all musicians.  You could say it's in his blood.  Italy's Frontiers Records signed Nigel Bailey and they struck a deal to record the songs
 that Bailey had been writing and recording for years in his dining room at home.  These songs would ultimately become Bailey's Long Way Down album set for release December 9, 2014 in North America. Somewhere during the process Nigel Bailey was introduced to guitarist Vinny Burns (Dare/Ultravox/Ten/Asia) by Frontiers President Serafino Perugino and the two began to write together.  Things quickly evolved and with the addition of drummer Greg Morgan the band Three Lions was born, the debut album, Three Lions, being issued earlier this year.  The album was well recieved among melodic rock fans and critics and now it's time for Long Way Down, which Bailey promises will be heavier than Three Lions.  Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio, whose name likely carries more weight than Bailey's, he handles keyboards and backing vocals while also in the fold are: Mario Percudani (guitars) and Alessandro Mori (drums).  Let's get into Long Way Down.

Starting out strong, "Feed the Flames" is first up with an absolute melodic marvel, containing great riffs and a hooky chorus.  Eleven tracks on the album, all well over four minutes, more than half over the five minute mark I hope it keeps up the caliber of this opener.  Check out the video for "In the Name of the King", the second track of the album, frankly no where near as strong as "Feed the Flames" on a first listen for me, but the more I hear it the more I think it's even better, a sleeper perhaps.  "Dirty Little Secret" oozes an 80's vibe that could have easily been heard on rock radio in the day while "Bad Reputation" has a heavier groove to it.  Things slow down a little, but keep the spirit with "Stay" and even slower with "Somewhere in Oslo" serving as the obligatory ballad.  The title track starts out with a tasty little distorted guitar, ramping up the energy once again for one of the standouts on the record.  The ballad, "Spend the Night" is up next and anyone who's read any of my previous reviews knows my thoughts on the majority of these ballad songs, this one is tolerable but I could happily do without it.  "Love Falls Down" is more my style with a good rhythm and catchy harmonies.  "Ticket To Yesterday" is another mid-tempo, verging on ballad style of song, but I do rather like this one, maybe I'm softening up in my old age?  The albums final entry, "Dirty Angel" is without a doubt my pick as best with a pumping, up tempo, hard-driving groove that's bound to be an inclusion on the ole I-pod (MP3 Player)!

It seems to me that the British are cornering or dominating the melodic rock scene this year with bands like In Faith, Bailey, Ten and those are just the albums I've reviewed in the last couple of weeks or so!  If you're a fan of melodic rock pick this one up and also check out what else the British rock scene are offering, methinks you shan't be disappointed old chap.

BUY: Bailey - Long Way Down

Cheers,
The Meister

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PHOTO CREDIT: FRONTIERS RECORDS PRESS KIT 2014

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The Revolution of Xtasy: Review of Xtasy's Revolution Album

Pamplona, Spain was the scene for the beginnings of melodic rock outfit Xtasy back in 2011.  The project started out as a studio outing from vocalist Silvia I. and guitarist Jorge Olloqui but in December of 2013 they became a band with the addition of guitarist Angel G., bassist David Clavero, drummer David Tutumba and keyboardist Jakin Tza.  During January and February 2014 the compositions written by Silvia and Jorge, now recorded with the help of some friends and special guests, were mixed and mastered by Erik Martensson (W.E.T./Eclipse).  The band has shared stages with some of my favorites such as Helix, Crazy Lixx, Thundermother and soon to be Eclipse.  Now the Revolution album has been unveiled to the public and has found it's way to The Meister.

Revolution leads off with the first single and video "Stronger".  A soft piano against the backdrop of rain falling begins the track softly before it explodes with the rest of the band.  Silvia's powerful and distinctive vocals guide the listener through this strong hard rock track that oozes a European power metal feel.  The album's title track, "Revolution", ramps up the pace and energy with some great riffs and guitar solo for probably my favorite song.  The album moves on with "Million Miles", a little higher pitched for my complete enjoyment, before "All For One" which has "radio hit" written all over it.  "Scream" takes us through to the acoustic beginnings of the ballad "It Is You".  "Rebel Rider" picks up the pace once again in one of the stronger tracks on Revolution while "Many Years" again slows down, power ballad style.  "Rocking the World" does just that in fine melodic rock fashion and the appropriate "Bye Bye" wraps things up with another sleeper ballad.

Overall quite a solid outing here for Xtasy's debut with Revolution, the strong tracks are just that, solid melodic rock efforts.  A little too much slower material and/or ballads for my personal likings, but then I've never been a fan of those things anyway.

Here's the video for "Stronger" and you can also find "All For One" and "Many Years" available for listening on the band's website.

BUY: Xtasy - Revolution

Cheers,
The Meister

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PHOTO CREDIT: PRESS KIT 2014

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The Storm Has Arrived: In Faith's There's A Storm Coming Review

I discovered this melodic rock masterpiece while over in Nottingham, England for Firefest: The Final Fling Festival October 24-26, 2014.  In Faith is a British outfit made up of former members of Vaughn, Wild and Eden’s Curse/Tainted Nation.  The collaborations originally begun in 1991 with vocalist Pete Godfrey and guitarist Tony Marshall, but nothing came to fruition.  They made contact with each other a few times over the resulting years and finally sat down again and began to

In Faith @ Firefest CD Listening Party Oct 23, 2014 - photo Shawn Irwin

write together in 2012/2013.  Pete Newdeck became involved at the behest of Tony Marshall when he asked Newdeck to help with the drums and the recording process for the material he and Godfrey had crafted.  Newdeck liked the work and quickly became the third member of this band that had still to choose a moniker.  Firefest Festival organizer Kieran Dargan, suggested that the guys write a song that would serve as the international anthem for Firefest X (October 2013).  They chose In Faith as their band's name and with that they began writing, re-writing, tweaking and improving the songs in preparation for an album.  Some assistance was enlisted in the form of Chris Green (Rubicon Cross), Pat Heath (Furyon) and Brooke St. James (Tyketto) on select tracks.  The whole collection was produced by Pete Newdeck and Tony Marshall, engineered and mixed by Pete Newdeck and mastered in Toronto by Harem Scarem's Harry Hess.

The tuning of a radio fades in before the opening song, "Radio", erupts to ride full out in this melodic masterpiece.  There's A Storm Coming was mastered by Harry Hess of Canadian band Harem Scarem and it's readily evident that he and the band have done an incredible job.  Everything is so clear and defined here, an excellent sound all around.  The lead single, "Does It Feel Like Love", is a sing along delight while the awesome "Church of Rock an' Roll" was the theme song written for 2013's Firefest: X Festival.  "Where I Wanna Be" slows things down a little, not something I'm usually a fan of, but can't help toe-tapping and singing along here.  The crunchier "Addicted" is one of the stand outs if I was forced at gunpoint to choose one track over another here.  Another slower track appears next with "If That's What Love Means" and once again, although not my usual preference works well here.  A quick native sounding chanting leads off "All Or Nothing" and the longest track at just over 5 minutes,"In Flames", is nothing short of genre defining.  "A Million Ways" and the acoustic "Leave Me Now" bring us to the final track on There's A Storm Coming.  The hard rockin' "Bitter End" is just that, leaving an empty void until you hit play and start all over again.

Posted on the band's Facebook page on November 11, 2014 was "Theres a storm coming has sold out on Amazon in the UK and NEH records in the states. Reorders have been placed and stock should be in place very soon. Thank you for your support and please be patient."  After being on sale for only about two weeks, in this day and age of the lack of CD buying that's great to see!

The buzz that I've been seeing on this release has been swamping the internet and all of it beyond impressively awesome.  One of the best albums I've heard this year, watch for this effort's placement in my top of 2014.

Cheers,
The Meister

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PHOTO CREDIT: SHAWN IRWIN 2014

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