Rocktopia: Slam Cartel - 'Handful Of Dreams' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: Here's an interesting new band that should appeal to fans of The Cult, Foo Fighters and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The six-piece Slam Cartel peddle gritty rock and roll with grating triple guitars from Tommy Hendriksen, Terence Warville and Adam Lee (who also doubles on keys), a thundering rhythm section of Marc Naudeck (bass) and Steve Campkin (drums), and a singer with a great voice and genuine charisma in Giles Van Lane. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/GQflj

Rocktopia: Leslie West - 'Unusual Suspects' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Duncan Jamieson: West's wife said, It's his leg, or his life, when explaining her decision to give the go ahead to have his leg amputated above the knee. It's certainly the kind of calamity that gives West the credentials to be a bluesman. Not that West needs such a disability to verify his status as a genuine blues legend. His work with seminal blues rockers Mountain had already done that. His new album has found its way onto the Provogue record label and their Where rock meets the blues slogan is a perfect description of the music West makes. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/RpfsI

Rocktopia: Tedeschi Trucks Band - 'Revelator' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: Just in case you're unfamiliar with the double barrelled name, anyone who knows the modern blues scene will realise that the Tedeschi in the title is singer Susan Tedeschi, and Trucks is the Allman Brothers Band co-lead guitarist Derek Trucks, and the Florida-based husband and wife team have both put their solo careers on hiatus so they could spend some more time together and still tour the world. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/sHCC5

Rocktopia: Jon Anderson - 'Survival And Other Stories' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: It is amazing how often it seems to work out that a band member who is asked to leave his day-job manages to rustle up an album just in time to go up against his previous band mates. Now I'm not saying that has been a deliberate decision from the rather unceremoniously removed former Yes singer Jon Anderson, however whatever way you look at it, people will compare the two. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/piu2U

Rocktopia: Thin Lizzy - 'Bad Reputation' / 'Black Rose' / 'Chinatown' (Deluxe Editions) - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Bott: Only a matter of months ago the expanded 'Deluxe' versions of 'Jailbreak', 'Johnny The Fox' and 'Live And Dangerous' were released, coinciding with a short UK tour of the new line-up, so it's quite an expensive time for Thin Lizzy fans. The latest batch of re-issues includes the 'Chinatown' album that first got me interested in the band back in 1980 (courtesy of the 'Killer On The Loose' single). Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/8cZa8

Rocktopia: Heaven's Basement - 'Unbreakable' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: 'Unbreakable' is the second release from the UK heavy rock act Heaven's Basement, who evolved out of the excellent band Roadstar and also released an EP under the name Hurricane Party (I hope you're keeping up here?!). The 2008 self titled debut Heaven's Basement EP followed pretty much the same blueprint to the classy blues rich, but in your face good time R'n'R of Roadstar, however since then there have been a number of changes in the HB family. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/iLPjh

Rocktopia: Katy Lied - 'Winter Lightning' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: I'm not sure whether it is Katy's propensity for not telling the truth, however there can be no doubt that 'Winter Lightning', which is the third album from Katy Lied has over the last few weeks led me astray. Instead of moving on to other albums that I have either been sent for review or purchased, I continually find myself being tempted back to the glorious vocal tones of Katie Harnett, which adorn a gently eclectic set of songs, lovingly crafted by guitarist Duncan Hamilton and producer Nigel Stonier. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/gdGhg

Rocktopia: Stoney Curtis Band - 'Cosmic Conn3ction' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: If you were wondering what style of music Stoney Curtis and his band play, then you need look no further than the first song on the band's second release 'Cosmic Conn3ction', which is simply and accurately titled 'Blues & Rock 'n' Roll'. Coming together nearly ten years ago, this power trio consisting of Curtis himself on guitar and vocals, Aaron Haggerty on drums and Steve Evans on bass have spent the majority of their time perfecting their craft in Los Angelis and Las Vegas clubs, pausing only to record their debut album in 2005 and take a short trek through Europe. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/maeIh

Rocktopia: Bobby Kimball - Jimi Jamison - 'Kimball Jamison' - CD Review

A Rocktopia album review by Carl Buxton: The number of quality releases issued by Frontiers Records just lately shows no sign of abating. This latest release keeps that record going. With the combined talents of Bobby Kimball (Toto) and Jimi Jamison (Survivor) on vocals and possible egos to suit it can sometimes be a risk to collaborate on a project, but it can also turn out to be a masterstroke. As it happens though, Bobby and Jimi are long time friends and have been singing live together with the 'Legends Of Rock' and the 'Voices Of Classic Rock', which consist of singers and musicians from very popular Classic Rock groups. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/4TiQC

Rocktopia: Glyder - 'Black Pearl' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Often viewed as the logical successors to the Irish rock legends Thin Lizzy, Glyder are a band who right from their 2006 self titled debut album have consistently delivered quality classic rock, while also offering a whole lot more. The band, who were made up of Bat Kinane and Pete Fisher on guitars, Dave Ryan on drums and Tony Cullen on vocals and bass, released a further two albums in the shape of 2008's 'Playground For Life' and last year's fantastic 'Yesterday Today & Tomorrow' before seeming to call it day. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/rNL0Z

Rocktopia: Mars Hollow - 'World In Front Of Me' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: I need to start this review of the 'World In Front Of Me' by getting something off my chest. WOW!! OK, I've said it, now I can get on with a review of a progressive rock album that is simply sublime. The self titled debut effort from Mars Hollow which saw the light of day only a year ago was a pretty spectacular introduction to a band who bring a vast array of progressive influences together to wonderful effect, with that release bringing everyone from Yes, Genesis, Styx, Kansas and Gentle Giant to mind. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/XJX41

Rocktopia: Dream Aria - 'Fallen Angel' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: On first impression it would be easy to dismiss Canadian female fronted act Dream Aria as another attempt to cash in on the success of bands like Nightwish or Within Temptation, however delve deeper and it becomes apparent that this is an act who are actually pushing boundaries just a touch further than many acts in this genre. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/XrJlG

Rocktopia: TCP - 'Fantastic Dreamer' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid. Think what it would have been like if Wish You Were Here era Pink Floyd had decided that they wanted to merge with Gabriel era Genesis to create a new, but familiar sound and then add a more contemporary verve and a cutting edge production. You're getting there, but there are still plenty of twists and turns to make TCP's second album 'Fantastic Dreamer' into what should genuinely be held up as a progressive rock classic - and I don't say that lightly. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/liA6M

Rocktopia: Fergie Frederiksen - 'Happiness Is The Road' - CD Review

A Rocktopia album review by Carl Buxton: It’s remarkable that this album ever saw the light of day as Dennis ‘Fergie’ Frederiksen (ex Toto/Trillion/Le Roux/Mecca) was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer in June of last year and for most people that would have been that. However, Fergie decided to seek alternative cures and this very Summer announced positive results. He continued to work on his solo album throughout this time and what has now emerged is simply sensational! This is a truly striking album with fabulous songs that have been placed all over it like brightly coloured lights on a Christmas tree! Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/QCloI

Rocktopia: Issa - 'The Storm' - CD Review

A Rocktopia album review by Carl Buxton: It’s very hard not to view this album as anything other than a vehicle to showcase the outstanding vocals of Norwegian ISSA (Isabell Oversveen) who comes across as a mixture of Janet Gardner (Vixen) and Shania Twain with a hint of Delta Goodrem on some of her vocal phrasing. For those of you who already have her first album (Sign Of Angels) you know what to expect and here are another twelve songs to whet your appetite. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/GQ9mF

Rocktopia: Stevie Nicks - 'In Your Dreams' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ray Paul: The last release from Miss Nicks solo was Trouble in Shangri-La in 2001, so you can say In Your Dreams is long overdue for us long term fans. To be honest for me everything since Rock A Little has been a little patchy and it's well documented that Stevie had a severe case of writers block in the past. The cd begins with a song that has been traded around in bootleg circles for some time 'Secret Love'. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/LHViY

Rocktopia: Alta Via - 'Girt Dog' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: I think that it is necessary right from the outset to dispel any notion amongst those of you reading this that despite its title 'Girt Dog' is NOT an album of good ol' southern rock but is an album of really rather good, and essentially British-sounding progressive rock – but from a band based in northern Italy! I am sure that anyone venturing as far as the track listing and seeing 'The Circle Gallery' and 'Ghost Caged For Keepsake' amongst the titles would soon have their erroneous thoughts corrected, although 'Wounded' (parts 1 and 2) might still confuse (as does Windows Media Player that suggests this is R&B…). Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/nXUdR

Rocktopia: Mostly Autumn - 'That Night In Leamington' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Friday 2nd April 2010 was a monumental date in the history of Mostly Autumn; it was the final performance to involve their iconic singer (and so much more), Heather Findlay, after a 13-year tenure of the role. The remarks that follow are therefore not aimed at the MA cognoscenti and close fans of the band, for this double CD set will have been purchased by them immediately upon release earlier this year. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/r6EGP

Rocktopia: Fiona - 'Unbroken' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Bruce Mee: Nineteen years after her last release, 'Squeeze', way back in 1992, melodic rock's long lost, adorable chanteuse makes her comeback; and one look at the cover proves that the years have been very kind to Fiona. And the music? Well, you can all relax, because with the rare exception, this is well and truly a love letter to the 80s. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/79Ac6

Rocktopia News: FIONA returns with new CD 'Unbroken' - album preview on Rocktopia

Rocktopia News: After a 20 year hiatus, international recording artist and actress Fiona is back in action with a new CD, Unbroken, produced by James Christian of the famed House Of Lords. Unbroken contains mostly all new songs written by Fiona, James Christian, Tommy Denander, Holly Knight, Marc Tanner and UK pop production team, The Elements. Check out the snippets of all songs here on Rocktopia and judge for youself! Read the full article on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/YLu81

Rocktopia: Interview with Fiona

Rocktopia Interviews: Little Miss Dangerous - In the late 80s and early 90s, Fiona Flanagan was the darling of the KERRANG! office, being at once both irresistibly cute and phenomenally talented. Bursting onto the scene in 1985 with her self-titled debut album, Fiona went onto record three more albums, even generating a minor hit with 'Everything You Do (You're Sexing Me)', a duet with Kip Winger from 1989's 'Heart Like a Gun', before calling it a day after 1992's 'Squeeze'. Read the interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/P37kP

Rocktopia: Don Airey - 'All Out' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: A list of all the albums and bands that keyboard wizard Don Airey has cast his spell over would probably fill this entire review, however anyone who has spent time recording or performing with Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, UFO, Gary Moore and of course his current residence Deep Purple is obviously a musician of the highest calibre and deserving of the utmost respect. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/PZHES

Rocktopia: Every Avenue - 'Bad Habits' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: It's been two years since the excellent 'Picture Perfect' and now Michigan pop punk purveyors are back with a brand new album. You would think you would know what you're going to get with Every Avenue especially since they have toured with every other high profile pop punk outfit from All Time Low and Boys Like Girls through to Mayday Parade. However Every Avenue has progressed, even grown up. The result is an album chock full of hook filled songs, only this time around there's far more of a rock edge. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/U0JAF

Rocktopia: Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 'Live In France' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mónica Castedo-López: The Mexican tornado release a live CD of the tour promoting their second studio masterpiece '11:11'. 'Live In France' captures the essence of the explosion these two guys are all about when playing live. From the very start with the fiery 'Hanuman' to the very end with 'Tamacun' (the only representation from their first and eponymous work of art from 2005), you can perceive the radiant power of their material and the frenzy they manage to get their audience into. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/lOdx9

Rocktopia: Karl Demata Band - 'Cross The Mountain' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: Those of us on this side of the keyboard know Karl Demata as the head honcho of ElevenPR, a company which has worked with a number of great metal acts in the past including Nightwish and Sabaton, to name but two. However, when he's not holding a mobile phone he picks up an electric guitar and is a very accomplished player, working with both Crippled Black Phoenix and The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/PPxr3

Rocktopia News: Warrant will no be playing Firefest 2011 - W.E.T. to join Saturday line up

Rocktopia News: FIREFEST PRESS RELEASE September 16 2011 - It is with great sadness and not an inconsiderable amount of anger that we have to announce that Warrant will not be playing Firefest. Despite us having a signed contract with the band since last January, and the band having been paid in full some months ago for their performance, we were advised by their agent via Email just this week that Warrant would not be playing the show. Read the full article on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/5U7EM

Rocktopia: Fozzy - 'Remains Alive' / 'Chasing The Grail' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: Five years after the release of their first all original album 'All That Remains', Fozzy, led by WWE star Chris Jericho and Stuck Mojo maestro Rich Ward, released 'Chasing The Grail' - the album did exactly what a follow up should - it expanded and improved on it's predecessor. It impressed a lot of people upon it's release and now Fozzy have reissued it with the help of Edel. To further improve the listening experience, a second disk 'Remains Alive' has been included - a superb live album recorded in Australia on the 'All That Remains' tour. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/I8naA

Rocktopia: Steve Ellis - 'Loot' (re-issue) - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: Having recently parted with the band Love Affair after the media revealed that only he had actually performed on the band's biggest hits (including the classic track 'Everlasting Love'), singer Steve Ellis found himself trying to decide how to continue his career. With a Steve Ellis solo album in the offing and the offer to form some bands being mulled over, Keith Mansfield who had overseen the arrangements of many of Love Affair's songs asked Ellis to sing on the soundtrack to the movie 'Loot', which he had just been commissioned to record. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/TFd89

Rocktopia: Lansdowne - 'Blue Collar Revolver' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mike Newdeck: Boston based Lansdowne is one of modern rocks best kept secrets, or if you're cynical, they come from a city without much opportunity since many clubs and bars have closed. That hasn't stopped the band touring with everyone from Halestorm and Saving Abel to Theory of a Deadman. Indeed they're currently on tour with Pop Evil and Black Stone Cherry in the United States. So what's all the fuss about? Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/brJ8W

Rocktopia: Epigene - 'A Wall Street Odyssey' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: Epigene are a new name to me, and from the photos of the New York trio (Sean Bigler, his wife Bonnie Lykes and drummer Jeff Gretz) I would have dismissed them as not being the kind of thing we usually cover in Fireworks. However, there were a couple of things that made me give them a listen. Firstly there was the PR blurb that compared this double concept album to bands like The Who and Pink Floyd ... read the full review on Rocktopia http://ping.fm/pra12

Rocktopia: Young Blood - 'Transfusion' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: Young Blood arrived late at the NWOBHM beach party, and released just one single, the 12 'First Blood' EP, before the musical tide changed and the band were washed away. In their brief lifespan they had some notable successes, including touring with Phil Lynott's Grand Slam and opening for Motörhead at Hammersmith Odeon in May 1984 – a bit of a mismatch given Young Blood's more melodic take on things – but they did have interest from the media and the industry at large, and for a while it looked like they would be a band to break through. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/qTrv6

Rocktopia: Devin Townsend Project - 'Ghost' & 'Deconstruction' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Andy B.: As these are both released together, to complete the four album set which also includes 'Ki' and 'Addicted', I have decided to review these together. Being a big admirer of Devin's 'Project' work, but not so much of the heavier stuff such as Strapping Young Lad, I fully expected, from what I had heard previously, to really like 'Ghost' and have a bit of a problem with 'Deconstruction' because, if 'Deconstruction' was like Strapping Young Lad, then Mr Townsend would no doubt be screaming his lungs out and I wouldn't be able to understand a word of it. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/8diGT

Rocktopia: Stargazery - 'Eye On The Sky' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: The name of Pete Ahonen might be familiar to some of you, he is the guitarist and song writer with the excellent melodic metal band Burning Point, who have released some great albums over the years. Pete decided to form the band Stargazery around 2007, when he started writing some songs that just did not fit in with the sound of Burning Point or his other band Ghost Machinery. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/rt9eV

Rocktopia: Vanderbuyst - 'Vanderbuyst' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: The debut album from this Dutch power trio is well worth investigating. Vanderbuyst's roots go back to Powervice, a relatively well-known act who split up during the recording of their first album. The two guitarists went their separate ways, with Selim Lemouchi forming The Devil's Blood and Willem Verbuyst hooking up with bassist/vocalist Jochem Jonkman and drummer Barry van Esbroek in Vanderbuyst in 2008. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/oE9nr

Rocktopia: Robert Plant - 'The Band Of Joy' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Neil Daniels: With a name derived from his pre Led Zeppelin band which he shared with John Bonham, Robert Plant continues his exploration into the music that inspired him in his youth with 'The Band Of Joy,' a sort of unofficial sequel to his highly acclaimed collaboration with Alison Krauss, 'Raising Sand.' As a young man, Plant wasn't only interested in the American blues masters of the immediate pre and post war years like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters but folk, country and bluegrass artists too and it shows in his latest album, which has won just as many rave reviews as its predecessor. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/2ipk9

Rocktopia: Burn Halo - 'Up From The Ashes' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: I really would like one of the major labels to explain their marketing strategy, because it seems completely nonsensical. Take a band that has had success with their debut album as a result of some hits that have done well in pop format and rock format and then on the sophomore effort push them completely into metal territory. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/3WZcj

Rocktopia: Believer - 'Transhuman' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: Originally lumped in with Cynic and Pestilence when they started out back in the Eighties Believer has pretty much always been at the forefront of boundary-pushing metal. A sixteen-year gap after their third album put them in the MIA file, but 2009 saw founder members Kurt Bachman (guitars/vocals) and Joey Daub (drums) hook up with Kevin Leaman (keyboards/programming), Jeff King (guitars) and Elton Nestler (bass/programming) for the critically acclaimed 'Gabriel' album, and although Nestler is no longer in the frame, the band continue to ride a wave of critical creativity with 'Transhuman'. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/Snmla

Rocktopia: A New Dawn - 'Seven Faces Of Truth' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: Back for their second full length release, following on from 2008's 'Falling From Grace and last year's 'Finally…' EP, metal female voices act A New Dawn show no signs of slowing up now that they're on a roll. 'Seven Faces Of Truth' – the title could easily refer to the band's seven members and each musician's version of veracity – is a complicated album lyrically but one which shows the young Dutch band aren't afraid to take chances and push boundaries. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/LgkSK

Rocktopia NEWS: Strangeways DVD Update

Rocktopia News: Pre-orders for the Strangeways DVD have been flooding in today, on the first day of sale. We're now also taking orders on Rocktopia via the Fireworks Mini-Shop, so if you haven't already got your hands on this wonderful piece of Firefest history, now's your chance to do so, and pick up the latest copy of Fireworks at the same time. Read the full article on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ZFTWg

Rocktopia: Styx - 'Babe The Collection' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: Budget label Spectrum's latest offering is a nineteen-cut collection which mainly covers Styx's live and times from February 1976's 'Equinox' album (represented by 'Lorelei') and ending exactly seven years later with the release of 'Kilroy Was Here' ('Mr Roboto' and 'Heavy Metal Poisoning' being the album's showcases) after which (one live album aside) the band splintered and wasn't heard of again until 1990. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/6tuha

Rocktopia: Wolverine - 'Communication Lost' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: Sparse, bleak, dark and haunting are all words that can be used to describe the music that inhabits the new album of Swedish progressive metal band Wolverine. Though you could also use the words enchanting, enthralling, captivating and mesmerising because this new album 'Communication Lost' is such a diverse musical beast, that it provokes strong, powerful emotions that run the gamut from melancholia to exuberance, when you listen to it. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/XQlch

Rocktopia: Raygun Rebels - 'Bring Me Home' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Faye Coulman: So authentically Sunset Strip is 'Bring Me Home' that it's somewhat difficult to believe that the brains behind this gloriously sleazy operation hail from Germany. Following a recent pilgrimage to the notorious LA quarter, Raygun Rebels have since more than proved their mettle, dazzling newly-converted fans at the legendary likes of The Viper Room. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/23wgX

Rocktopia: Kleveland - 'Harder' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Faye Coulman: A surefire fix for those still craving the sleazy sounds of yesteryear, this bizarrely titled outfit pays shamelessly obvious homage to the likes of The Runaways, the Ramones and Blondie. Heavy on hooks and light on grey matter, it's strictly an exercise in retro hard rock that's as instantly gratuitous and ultimately forgettable as a hazy night on hard liquor. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/wIDtC

Rocktopia NEWS: Strangeways - 'Where Do We Go From Here' DVD to be released soon

Rocktopia News: STRANGEWAYS - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE - THE DVD. For the very first time the UK / American AOR Gods Strangeways can now finally be seen live in concert on DVD. Recorded at the reunion show at Firefest 2010 in front of an adoring crowd, Terry, Ian, Jim, Munch and Warren combined some of the greatest AOR tracks ever written such as 'Love Lies Dying', 'Only A Fool' and 'Never Going To Lose It' with some brand new tracks from the comeback album 'Perfect World'. For those that have waited 21 years, this is finally your chance to see the band in all their glory on stage for the first time since 1989. Read the full article on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/D3bzJ

Rocktopia: Pharao - 'Ten Years' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: I've been following the US band Pharaoh for a few years now and have found their brand of metal, infused with touches of prog, to be highly entertaining. Sadly I thought 'Ten Years' was the band's new album, unfortunately it isn't, instead this is a stop gap EP that has been put out until the new album is ready. So on offer is a couple of songs that didn't make the last album 'Be Gone' and a few cover tracks, though not your usual ones. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ckGDs

Rocktopia: While Heaven Wept - 'Fear Of Infinity' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: To be honest, it would be almost impossible to quickly recap the history of While Heaven Wept, as the full story comes over as a cross between a Shakespearian tragedy and a therapy session, but suffice to say that, off and on, the band has been the driving force in guitarist Tom Phillips' life for almost 22 years. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/3H1rK

Rocktopia: Mark Healey - 'Inside Out' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Since 1986 Mark Healey has been the bassist in the reformed Badfinger, although the majority of his time is spent recording and producing other bands in the studio. Encouraged by others Healey decided to put together his first solo album 'Inside Out' over a twelve month period, before finally having it released in North America in 2009. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/gExLt

Rocktopia: Del Bromham - 'Devil's Highway' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Hot on the heels of last year's 'Valhalla', which was a sharp, yet muscularly blues infused hard rock comeback album from veteran outfit Stray comes a welcome reissue of the Stray mainman's 2004 solo album 'Devil's Highway'. Now as all good solo albums should this effort represents a slightly different side to Bromham and while his main band may well wear their blues influences on their collective sleeves, 'Devil's Highway' moves firmly into traditional blues territory. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/OMPd7

Rocktopia: Black Sabbath - 'Born Again' (Deluxe Edition) - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ray Paul: Someone once compared Ian Gillan joining Black Sabbath to Paul McCartney joining the Rolling Stones for sheer shock value in the metal community! Surely this had to be some mistake? But it wasn't, and the resulting 'Born Again' sent critics and fans into a frenzy of debate in 1983. Here in 2011 with this fine deluxe special edition we can reassess the merits of this controversial release and where it stands in the Sabbath legacy. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/KRND5

Rocktopia: Sunstorm - 'House Of Dreams' - User CD Review

A Rocktopia user album review by Deirren Lombard: E pluribus unum - Out of many, one. There were numerous songwriters on House of Dreams, but this album has a solid, unified sound and all of the different contributors and their varying influences were able to blend into a seamless series of songs. This is mostly thanks to the incomparable talent of Mr. Joe Lynn Turner, whose voice is just as strong and dynamic now as it was over 20 years before. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/Behp8

Rocktopia: Fullforce - 'One' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: Seemingly home to all the world's great metal at the moment, Sweden is the musical place to be and the country's latest export is Fullforce. Originally formed in 2008 by ex-Hammerfall guitarist and bassist Stefan Elmgren and Magnus Rosén and Cloudscape's frontman Mike Andersson, it's taken a while to get a final line-up together but with ex-Narnia guitarist CJ Grimmark and Hammerfall drummer Anders Johansson finally on board the band were in business by early the following year, although one more recruit was necessary when Rosén left in 2010 to be replaced by ex-Heed bassist Tommy Larsson. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/JpWLu

Rocktopia: Elixir - 'The Son Of Odin' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: Although Elixir came a little late to the NWOBHM party, their debut album, 1986's 'The Son Of Odin' has taken on legendary status over the years, with 'Terrorizer' including it in their 'Top 20 Power Metal Albums Of All Time' and staff at 'Sweden Rock' putting it under the microscope as their 'Classic Album Of The Month' a year or so ago. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/w1oYs

Rocktopia: Roxxcalibur - 'Lords Of The NWOBHM' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: The loveable German 'Keepers Of The NWOBHM Grail' are back for their second outing of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal covers and tributes, following on from their 2009 debut 'NWOBHM For Muthas'. A side project featuring drummer Neudi, vocalist Alexx Stahl and guitarist Roger Dequis from Viron, guitarist Kalli from Abandoned and ex-Into The Abyss bassist Mario Lang, Roxxcalibur came together after a boozy barbeque and vinyl spinning session threw up a mutual liking for all things NWOBHM. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/mOhkW

Rocktopia: Twisted Sister - 'Under The Blade' (Special Edition) - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ray Paul: I am always cynical with the batches of poor reissues offering little extras for your money, with nothing more than a poorly produced demo or booklet, the Ozzy era Sabbath and Rainbow releases being a good example. So well done Twisted Sister for giving us the full monty for this release!! Not only do we get a remixed 'Under The Blade' and the original 'Ruff Cutts' ep, but a dvd of the band's legendary performance at the 1982 Reading Festival and extensive interviews, but more about that later. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/pZCDa

Rocktopia: Bitch - 'Be My Slave' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: A timely re-issue of the band's early material, given their recent – and long overdue – success on the European festival circuit. LA quartet Bitch shot to fame at then start of the US metal boom, after vocalist Betsy's advert for attractive female singer, unique stage presence, looking for hard rock/heavy metal band was noticed by guitarist David Carruth and drummer Robby Settles. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/tHsPt

Rocktopia: Mother's Army - 'The Complete Discography' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Dave Bott: Jeff Watson (Night Ranger) on guitar, Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, King Kobra, Blue Murder) on drums, Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen) on vocals and Bob Daisley (Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore) on bass ... a mouth watering musical alliance. What could go wrong? Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/P8TSa

Rocktopia: Aaron Lewis - 'Town Line' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Bott: Seems like a lengthy period of time since the last Staind release - it was actually 'The Illusion Of Progress' back in 2008. Somewhat out of the blue we have a solo EP from frontman Aaron Lewis, which may surprise anyone used to the Alice In Chains-like material associated with his regular day job. Whether it's just a time filler for Lewis before the new band album, 'Seven', sees the light of day at the end of the year, or an artistic release for ideas considered unStaind like, I'm not sure, but I've a feeling it may raise a few eyebrows nevertheless. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/o1XSS

Rocktopia: Freedom Call - 'Live In Hellvetia' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: Freedom Call's ninth outing – and second live album after 2004's 'Live Invasion' – 'Live In Hellvetia' finds Germany's finest power metal troupe at the Z7 Club in Pratteln, playing their final show of 2010. The band's own booklet notes refer to it as one of the best concerts of Freedom Call ever and it's hard to disagree. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/H6mTF

Rocktopia: For All We Know - 'For All We Know' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: This progressive rock album is the brainchild of Ruud Jolie, who is the guitarist in the band called Within Temptation as well as being a member of Maiden uniteD. For All We Know though isn't anything like the music from these bands, as it has more in common with the Riverside's, Sieges Even's and Porcupine Tree's of this world, being darker and more introverted in nature. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/Rz5WQ

Rocktopia: Hydrogyn - 'Judgement' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Dave Bott: When the first Hydrogyn CD, 'Bombshell', was released in 2005 I was impressed by the package as a whole (both songs and playing were very good) but have to admit the first thing that grabbed my attention was the cover photo, which turned out to be lead vocalist Julie Westlake. I'd never heard of the band before but because the legendary Michael Wagener was at the production helm I figured I couldn't go wrong with their straight forward approach to melodic rock. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/mIWju

Rocktopia: Mike Tramp & The Rock'n'Roll Circuz - 'Stand Your Ground' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ant Heeks: After the re-launch of White Lion in 2006, the band with which he first made his name on a global scale in the eighties, Mike Tramp had seemed to give up on the music business altogether. It was only when a T.V. programme 'All Stars' about his life was broadcast in his native Denmark in 2009 that Tramp found his profile once again re-established, that he returned to a studio to record the 'Rock'n'Roll Circuz' album, his fifth solo release. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/4hOPc

Rocktopia: Kottak - 'Attack' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ant Heeks: Drummer James Kottak first appeared on the radar as a member of Kingdom Come, playing on the first two albums, then would go on to stints with Wild Horses, McAuley Schenker Group and Warrant before landing a dream job with Germany's finest The Scorpions, with whom he would spend twelve years. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/SJsTj

Rocktopia: Bad Company - 'Live At Wembley' - DVD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine DVD review by James Gaden: The original version of Bad Company are back again - founder members Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke, augmented by Heart guitarist Howard Leeseandbassist Lynn Sorensen, are captured live at Wembley, when they played there supported by the Joe Perry Project. This DVD set features the quintet blasting through what is probably the closest you can get to a definitive Bad Company set list. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/5Zma5

Rocktopia: Skin - 'Alive And Kicking' - DVD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine DVD review by James Gaden: As great British bands who never received the success they deserved go, you'll do well to name one better than Skin. A class act featuring Myke Gray, Neville McDonald, Dicki Lizar and Andy Robbins, they made some great records and blew away pretty much everybody who saw them live. Sadly, the band decided to call it a day after their 'Experience Electric' album ... until eleven years later, a chance to reform and play Download in 2009 changed everything! Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/2sBcH

Rocktopia: Roger Glover - 'If Life Was Easy' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: Roger Glover has had a sporadic solo career during his time as a celebrated bassist for Rainbow and Deep Purple, two of rock's greatest and most influential bands. Now, following the example set by Ian Gillan's 'One Eye To Morocco' and Don Airey's 'All Out', Glover gives us a brand new solo record himself. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/N38z4

Rocktopia: Consortium Project V - 'Species' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: It's 1999 and Ian Parry (Elegy/solo) puts together the band known as the Consortium Project, their first album 'Criminals & Kings' came out later on that same year. The band played/play a mixture of sophisticated progressive metal and hard rock with some gothic elements thrown in for good measure. Since the release of the debut there have been four more albums with 'Species' being number five. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/tkgbj

Rocktopia: Falconer - 'Armod' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: Swedish folk metal merchants Falconer are back with album number seven and it's as good as many of their best works, yet this CD also differs from everything they have done before. Differs because on this release the band have decided to let the folk metal elements that they utilise in their music, come to the fore and dominate the sound of 'Armod', and this album also differs because this time they have decided to sing the album in their own language. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/Khlmm

Rocktopia: Human Zoo - 'Eyes Of The Stranger' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: German melodic rock band Human Zoo are back with their third album 'Eyes Of A Stranger', and if you like your rock with great melodies and a generous dose of saxophone then you should look no further than this album. With album number three the band have toned down the heavier elements that they used on their last album 'Over The Horizon', and have gone back to the more AOR friendly sound they had on their debut release. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/EdXnc

Rocktopia: Salim Ghazi Saeedi - 'Iconophobic' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: Whilst reading through some posts on a music forum I frequent, I noticed a message from a guy that posted a topic that said Music has no boundaries. Intrigued I read his post a couple of times then contacted him. It turned out the man Salim Ghazi Saeedi was a musician from Iran of all places, who had recorded an album of instrumental prog rock music, that he was keen to tell the world all about. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/kyqZj

Rocktopia: Sahara Rain - 'Eternity' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: The debut album from Sahara Rain, whilst being an excellent slab of melodic hard rock, had a few problems for me.Most of these problems (which may be too strong a word) were down to the involvement of former Jaded Heart vocalist Michael Bormann. His presence on the album could be felt on nearly every aspect of the recording, production and song writing that occurred on 'Sand In Your Hands' (an album which I did enjoy a lot). Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/UQsca

Rocktopia: John Wetton - 'Raised In Captivity' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ant Heeks: This is the sixth solo album from John Wetton, and the first since 2003's 'Rock Of Faith.' In that time, Wetton has released three 'Icon' collaboration albums with his Asia colleague Geoff Downes, and has also seen a full blown reunion of the band which brought him the most commercial success of his career. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/96H2f

Rocktopia: 3 Doors Down - 'Time Of My Life' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mike Newdeck: Following the trend for using Howard Benson as producer, Mississippi rockers have come out with perhaps their best album to date. Their fifth album features better songs and a commercial edge that follows a period of stagnation on the previous two albums. Seemingly going through the motions and cleverly rewriting previous hits in a new form to satisfy their fans, 3 Doors Down has finally grasped the mettle and decided to get outside help producing a new album. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ul5k7

Rocktopia: Weeping Silence - 'Theatre Of Life' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Scott: Weeping Silence is a symphonic metal band coming from Malta. They formed back in the mid nineties and their debut album was let loose back in 2000, entitled 'Deprived From Silence'. The follow up album called 'End Of An Era' was completed in 2003 but was not released until 2008. By the time it was out the band had already started working on their third album. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/x6OgF

Rocktopia: The Kordz - 'Beauty And The East' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Graham Hatton: Hailing from the Middle East, a part of the world one would not normally associate with the rock and metal scene, comes the very intriging band The Kordz and if you like your rock very dark and mysterious, thoughtful, full of Eastern promise and with more than a leaning to prog rock, then you should lend your ear to this surprisingly good new release from the band. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/c7yqo

Rocktopia: Better Tomorrow - 'Home Is Where Your Heart Is' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Graham Hatton: Of all rock/metal music genres, I tend to struggle most with progressive rock. Depending on my mood I can either love or loathe an album, there never seems to be a grey area with me. That was until this album arrived through my letterbox. I decided it was only fair that I gave it several spins before I picked up a pen and put my words down onto paper. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/uruCf