Rocktopia Concert review: The Down 'n' Outz (Joe Elliott of Def Leppard)

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia concert review by Sue Ashcroft: At the start of what was to be a truly amazing rock 'n' roll weekend, we arrived at the tiny Borderline Club in Soho, located right behind the favourite rock star haunt, Crobar. I never even realised this club existed but although compact and bijou, it was a nice little venue. On entering, it seemed like a who's who of the rock scene with people like Luke Morley (not surprising considering drummer Phil Martin(i) is also a member of The Union), John Mitchell of It Bites (a great supporter of the Touchstone guys and a Joe Elliott fan), Cliff Evans of Tank (although I always seem to bump into Cliff in Crobar), to name but three, along with numerous journalists (Dave Ling, Jerry Ewing, Malcolm Dome & Derek Oliver), photographers (Mr Grumpy himself – Ross Halfin) and the like. http://ping.fm/orIsD

Rocktopia Concert review: Reckless Love / Jettblack (Moho Live, Manchester (UK), September 18th 2010)

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia concert review by Phil Ashcroft: Reckless Love, Jettblack – Moho Live, Manchester (UK) – September, 18th 2010: As if there weren't enough gigs happening at the Academy venues in Manchester these days the longstanding Moho Live has now also thrown it's hat into the ring for more traditional rock gigs with Tyketto and others already having played here during the summer. http://ping.fm/WNK82

Rocktopia: Wanted - 'Too Hot To Handle' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: As I've mentioned in my review of the Dear Diary album, Eonian Records specialise in releasing demos by eighties hard rock acts who somehow slipped through the net of the record labels. Coming out of Indianapolis in 1989, Wanted attempted to hit the big time with a sound that is strongly reminiscent of Motley Crue around the time of 'Girls, Girls, Girls' (especially vocally), with hints of Roxy Blue and Cats In Boots thrown in. http://ping.fm/36s83

Rocktopia: UFO - 'The Best Of A Decade' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: There have been countless UFO collections over the years, with the amount of compilations and live albums (official and otherwise) enough to keep the most ardent of UFO collectors on the bread-line. So what if anything sets this new compilation apart from those other releases? Firstly the fact that the decade in question is actually the current one, and secondly is that unusually for any UFO collection that includes studio material, is the total absence of the Mad Axeman himself, Michael Schenker, even though he did appear on 2000's 'Covenant' and 2002's 'Sharks' albums. http://ping.fm/eVxUy

Rocktopia: Tom Galley - The Creator Of Phenomena - 'Blind Faith' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Between 1984 and 1993 Tom Galley, along with his brother and one time Whitesnake guitarist Mel, recruited an all-star cast which included Brian May, Glenn Hughes, Cozy Powell, Neil Murray and Scott Gorham, among others and released three fantastic hard rock concept albums under the Phenomena banner. That third album completed the story arc of the concept, although Tom went on to resurrect the project in 2006 using the name PsychoFantasy, with many of those big name contributors happy to jump on board again. http://ping.fm/tJjMz

Rocktopia: Dear Diary - 'Dear Diary' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: As discussed in this month's excellent 'Melodic Hard Rock Labels' feature elsewhere in the magazine*, Eonian Records are not just another in the growing list of reissue specialists - in fact they have taken the idea one step further. Rather than highlighting releases that deserve a second chance, or have grown in mystique and value on eBay as the years have passed, Eonian specialise in releasing demos from bands who never quite got the breaks with record labels their music deserved. http://ping.fm/YRdFH

Rocktopia CD review: Crimson Glory - 'In Dark Places... 1986 - 2000'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Even before this five CD collection that includes all four of Crimson Glory’s albums ('Astronomica' comes with a previously unavailable demos and live disc) had been released, it had created quite a deal of controversy. The band themselves have completely disowned the release - alleging that Crimson Glory won't see a penny from this set and that Metal Mind don't actually own the rights to their music. In their defence, Metal Mind, who have built up a good reputation over the years, believe they have bought the rights to these albums from the band's previous label Road Runner in good faith. So putting that to one side, let's actually talk about the box set. http://ping.fm/RdMAH

Rocktopia CD review: Bat Kinane - 'A Lifetime To Kill'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Best known for his guitar playing and song writing with the criminally under rated Irish rockers Glyder, and hot on the heels of their excellent 'Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow' album, comes Bat Kinane's first solo album, 'A Lifetime To Kill'. Like all interesting solo albums, what this release does is illustrate a different and pleasantly unexpected side to Kinane that his main band only hint at. Always one for baring his heart in his lyrics, that process goes even further on these stripped down, bluesy, folky, country and in some places slightly Americana influenced songs that see Kinane write about life, love, inspiration and the frustrations of trying to earn a living from his music. http://ping.fm/2Ho0Q

Rocktopia festival and concert reviews: Bloodstock 2010

BLOODSTOCK 2010 – Catton Hall, Derbyshire, UK – 13th to 15th August 2010. A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia festival review by Faye Coulman: Musicians in all manner of gory, brutal and glam trappings roll up to salute Bloodstock's momentous ten-year anniversary. Swamped by a 10,000-strong crowd, the UK’s premier metal meeting has expanded dramatically beyond its humble, indoor origins. But with this immense progress, the festival's once-cosy ambience has been sacrificed to the inevitable evils of overpriced ale and militant security checks. Nevertheless, a wealth of electrifying entertainment awaits, with BOA favourites and new blood alike entertaining the metal-hungry hordes gathered here this weekend. http://ping.fm/BDmfk

Rocktopia festival and concert reviews: SONISPHERE 2010 ? Knebworth Park, UK

SONISPHERE 2010 – Knebworth Park, UK, 29th July – 1st August 2010. A festival / concert review by Phil Ashcroft and Andy B.: Gary Newman, Alice Cooper, Lacuna Coil, Soulfly, Fear Factory, Anthrax, Skunk Anansie, Motley Crue, Slayer, The Cult, Iggy and The Stooges, Iron Maiden: live on stage - read the full review on Rocktopia! http://ping.fm/zvq1p

Rocktopia interview with David Reece (Bangalore Choir)

On the heels of a scintillating performance at Firefest 2010, I was able to catch up with the Bangalore Choir frontman between recording sessions. Mr. Reece is firing on all cylinders these days with the re-release of 'On Target', the exceptional follow up in 'Cadence', an upcoming CD with Tango Down and a cameo appearance on Voices Of Rock 2, 'High and Mighty'. Interview by Brent Rusche http://ping.fm/LpNUD

Rocktopia interview with Poison Sun (Herman Frank / Accept)

It's been almost two years since I spoke to Herman Frank, but you couldn't accuse him of letting the grass grow under his feet. As part of the Accept machine he's been enjoying international critical success and touring extensively. Somehow though, he's still managed to find the time to record a new album as part of the band Poison Sun, fronted by none other than his wife, Martina Frank, whose big gutsy voice is the perfect foil for Herman's meaty riffs and fretboard gymnastics. I caught up, over the phone, with the affable guitarist and his better half at their home in Hannover. Interview by Brent Rusche. http://ping.fm/1cSr3

Rocktopia Firefest 2010 post show interview with Ronnie Mancuso (Beggars and Thieves)

In the stairwell of the Welbeck hotel bar stands myself and Ronnie Mancuso, founding member and guitarist of Beggars & Thieves, about to embark on a completely impromptu interview. A band whose origins are firmly rooted in the heyday of the New York City hard rock/heavy metal scene in the late 1980’s, they quickly found themselves signed to Atlantic Records and released their classic, eponymously titled debut in 1989. Interview by Brent Rusche. http://ping.fm/blk0J

Rocktopia News: TNT provide a 'Farewell To Arms' on AOR Heaven

With the release of "A Farewell To Arms", their third album with the current lineup, TNT returns to their roots. The music is more hard edged than on the last few albums, and the truth is you'll have to go all the way back to 1984's "Knights Of The New Thunder" to find the band so heavy. http://ping.fm/6qX2o

Rocktopia News: AOR Heaven present Bad Habit's 'Atmosphere'

It's all about 'striking a chord...' both musically and emotionally... It's about connecting with listener... at more than one level... It's about delivering powerful melodic rock that inspires people... and that triggers positive feelings, thoughts and actions...This has been the Bad Habit approach for many years... and continues to be so... now more than ever - with new album 'Atmosphere'. http://ping.fm/kwpLo

Rocktopia News: Magnum to release new album and tour in 2011

Legendary British Melodic Hard Rockers Announce New 'The Visitation' Studio Album Released January 17th On SPV & 15 Date April / May 2011 UK Concert Hall Tour. Hugely influential British melodic hard rock group Magnum are set to release their sixteenth studio album, ‘The Visitation’, on Steamhammer / SPV, on January 17th, and have confirmed a massive 15 date UK Concert Hall tour for April 2011. http://ping.fm/9iB16

Rocktopia: Ronnie Wood - 'I Feel Like Playing' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by James Gaden: I don't mind admitting this one caught me completely by surprise. Sure, I know Ronnie Wood, who doesn't? He's in the Rolling Stones, he messes about and has a laugh with Rod Stewart who he was in The Faces with, he paints and he makes solo records. However, I'd not sampled any of his solo records, because, frankly, I didn't think Ronnie was much cop in the vocal department and I doubted I'd enjoy a full album of his. http://ping.fm/3wH0M

Rocktopia: Oceansize - 'Self Preserved While Bodies Flow Up' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: In the past I've really wanted to like Oceansize, but apart from the promising debut album 'Effloresce' their next couple of releases left me frustrated that they never seemed to want to go in the heavier direction I thought worked best for them. With too many nods toward indie rock the Manchester quintet were trying to be all things to all men and sadly scattered their sound around so many different genres that the most anyone could get from them was a great two or three tracks. http://ping.fm/HzV74

Rocktopia: Volbeat - 'Beyond Hell / Above Heaven' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: On paper the Metallica meets the Misfits (well the Elvis impersonator style vocals anyway) fusion that Volbeat create really should not work. However there's no denying that the rocked up wall of riffs that has been produced on their fourth album 'Beyond Hell / Above Heaven' is not only a prime slab of metal, but is also catchy as hell. http://ping.fm/0YAPY

Rocktopia: Mexicolas - 'The Minerva Suite' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Sometimes you just have to be honest and admit that while an album is actually pretty good, it just really isn't for you. Well with Brit indie rockers Mexicolas, that is exactly where I find myself. There's no denying that the songs on the band's second album 'The Minerva Suite' are catchy slabs of chart friendly rock and that this album will appeal to huge section of the people who put rock into the charts, but it just passes me by. http://ping.fm/4PG8b

Rocktopia CD review : Forbidden Dream - "Less Equals More" - '< = >'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: I have to say that I quite like the quirkiness of calling your album after the mathematical symbols for less equals more and Canadian rock band Forbidden Dream, whilst not exactly reinventing the riff, carry that quirky edge into their music. Put together by brothers Chris (drums/vocals) and Phil Houle (guitar) along with Brad Fetter (bass/keyboards), '' is the band's second album, following 2008's 'Slightly Out Of Frame'. http://ping.fm/smlrs

Rocktopia: Buckcherry - 'All Night Long' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review Ray Paul: What's not to like about Buckcherry with the down to earth infectious brand of rock'n'roll? The band are not claiming to reinvent the wheel but certainly know how to keep it spinning with their new release 'All Night Long'. The title track kicks things off in fine fashion with a guitar sound that's like a cocktail of classic Kiss and AC/DC. Josh Todd has lost none of the rock'n'roll rasp in his voice, and his distinctive tone sets him apart from the competition. http://ping.fm/FQEwQ

Rocktopia: Steve Lukather - 'All's Well That Ends Well' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Guitar virtuoso Steve Lukather is a bit of an enigma when it comes to his solo albums. It can never be predicted what the Toto mainstay will deliver and his sixth album is no exception. I was especially fond of his 2008 release 'Ever Changing Times', which was a heady mixture of his rock, pop, jazz and fusion sides, and I suppose 'All's Well That Ends Well' covers the same wide spectrum but with most of the album hovering around the middle ground between all these genres without going overboard on any of them. http://ping.fm/M4HjC

Rocktopia: Danzig - 'Black Red Saboath' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ray Paul: Since the departure of guitarist John Christ from the Danzig ranks his releases have been patchy at best and it seemed Danzig's darkest days were behind him. Well I am glad to announce the dark cloak of doom has descended once again upon new release 'Black Red Saboath'. The furious riff of 'Hammer Of The Gods' is like a handshake from the grim reaper himself. http://ping.fm/GQP40

Rocktopia: Katra - 'Out Of The Ashes' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review: It can certainly be argued that female fronted gothic /symphonic rock is becoming a very well worn genre, so it's easy to be sceptical when I chanced upon Finland's Katra for this review. Kristian Kangasniemi supplies some impressive guitar work to 'Delirium' and avoids the predictable symphonic guitar chops that so many players favour. Within the confines of the band's wall of sound singer Katra sounds impressive enough. http://ping.fm/OrCWA

Rocktopia: Shadowgarden - 'Ashen' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: To say don't give up the day job to Johan Ericson would be extremely unfair. 'Ashen' is the debut release by Shadowgarden, the side-project to his more well-known post in Swedish goth-doomsters Draconian, and it's an extremely good album indeed. The idea behind Shadowgarden was originally conceived by the guitarist and his then Draconian bandmate Andy Hindenäs back in the mid-nineties, and as a project it's been picked up and put down more times than a well-thumbed copy of 'Playboy'. http://ping.fm/lkRhJ

Fireworks Magazine CD review on www.rocktopia.net : Monster Magnet - 'Mastermind'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: Fire up the masterburner – they're back! Three years after the release of the vaguely disappointing '4-Way Diablo' and 15 years since the breakthrough 'Dopes To Infinity' album, the seemingly MIA volcano-humpin', powertrippin' space lord Dave Wyndorf and his fellow monster magnets are back in business once more with a new label and a cracking new album. Bigger than a crop circle, heavier than an elephant bell and stranger than a dinosaur vacuum, 'Mastermind' is a real return to form and the perfect antidote to the impending winter blues as the album's twelve tracks transport you to the weird and wonderful world that is Wyndorf’s uncharted, unchained and possibly unhinged imagination. http://ping.fm/wND35

Fireworks Magazine CD review on www.rocktopia.net : Circle II Circle - 'Consequence Of Power'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: It has been ten years since Zak Stevens left Savatage to begin work with Circle II Circle. The band's first album 'Watching In Silence' arrived in 2003 and quite amazingly seven years later we have the band’s fifth studio effort 'Consequence Of Power'. For obvious reasons Circle II Circle releases have always been compared to Savatage's music, however with this latest effort it is fair to say that the Circle II Circle sound has moved on from Stevens' previous band to such an extent that the classy brand of power metal produced here stands firmly on its own, without too many nods to the past. http://ping.fm/D73WZ

Fireworks Magazine CD review on www.rocktopia.net : Frames - 'Mosaik'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: There's a story here: 'Mosaik' came out back in March but with so much hitting the shops around that time it seems to have slipped under the radar somewhat. When I recently played it to Paul Jerome Smith, excitable and enthusiastic as he is, he went overboard about it and suggested that despite the fact that it's been out a while now (in Europe at least; it didn't see the States till September) it was far too good an album not to be given its fair share of column inches in Fireworks and Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/67zbs

Fireworks Magazine CD review on www.rocktopia.net : Revolution Renaissance - 'Trinity'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: 'Trinity' is the third offering from Revolution Renaissance, the band put together by Timo Tolkki after the well-documented parting of the ways between him and the rest of Finnish genre leaders Stratovarius. Having recorded and released the album 'New Era' to positive reviews in 2008, the master guitarist and song-writer extraordinaire formed a band featuring vocalist Gus Monsanto, keyboard player Mike Khalilov, bassist Justin Biggs and drummer Bruno Agra which went on to release 'Age Of Aquarius' in March 2009. http://ping.fm/SNknD

Another Fireworks Magazine CD review on Rocktopia: The Doobie Brothers - 'World Gone Crazy'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ray Paul: For fans of the Doobie Brothers it's been a long 10 year wait since the bands last studio release 'Sibling Rivalry'. Pat Simmons, Tom Johnstone, John McFee and Mike Hossack reunite with long time producer Ted Templeman to release their latest offering 'World Gone Crazy'. The subdued gospel overtones of 'A Brighter Day' start things off and its clear Tom Johnstone has lost none of his distinctive vocal abilities. Listening to a Doobie Brothers album is like revisiting an old friend and it's much the same here, the band stick to the formula of 'if its not broke don't fix it' to fine results. http://ping.fm/iieVb

Rocktopia: Iron Fire - 'Metalmorphosized' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: I've got a soft spot for Iron Fire. Although the Danish power metallers never stray more than a few yards from the generic they do what they do with a real passion and commitment. After two releases earlier this century they'd just about copped everything fate could throw at them: a classic debut album followed by one which received a critical drubbing, an album launch party to which no-one came (and after which their van was impounded by the police), an increasingly disinterested record label pulling the plug on their deal and line-up changes aplenty. http://ping.fm/rDLYG

Rocktopia: Crimson Sky - 'Misunderstood' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: If there weren't enough shades of red already, what with Crimson Glory, Crimson Altar and Crimson Tears, please welcome Crimson Sky. A relatively new five-piece from my neck of the woods here in the South West, Crimson Sky are more prog rock than prog metal so not my usual cuppa, but I came by it via the exciting and enchanting vocals of vocalist Holly Thody. 'Misunderstood' is the band's debut album and although it's been doing the rounds for some time now it's very much worthy of some more exposure. http://ping.fm/YtFzU

Rocktopia: Mot�rhead - 'Aces Up My Sleeve' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: Like a pharaoh's tomb the Motörhead back catalogue has been systematically plundered over the years, and 'Aces Up My Sleeve' continues the tradition. Supposedly a celebration of the band's 35th anniversary – the newly-unemployed Lemmy first lined up alongside guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox in the summer of 1975 – the album features twenty tracks covering Motörhead's first ten years of releases. http://ping.fm/d05c1

Rocktopia: Therion - 'Sitra Ahra' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: It has been three years since the genre-defying band triumphantly unleashed their monumental studio album 'Gothic Kabbalah', following which there have been two live packages to keep the fans happy: 'Live Gothic' and 'The Miscolc Experience'. Apart from the founding 'father' of Therion (a band that, incidentally, he describes as a living organism), Christofer Johnsson (guitars, keyboards), the rest of the lineup is completely different from the one that appeared on the previous few studio albums. http://ping.fm/MD3yx

Fireworks Magazine CD reviews on Rocktopia: Moonmadness - 'All In Between'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: This is another combo from Finland featuring a female vocalist. The lady in question is Heidi Bergbacka and she has a wonderful, passionate and crystal clear delivery that really carries the excellent songs on this album to another level. I've noted her voice being compared with those of Agnes Pilhava and Tone Norum, although for my money there is more than a passing resemblance to that of Marie Fredricksson (Roxette), particularly on the catchy 'Torn'. http://ping.fm/eQNQP

Rocktopia: AhORa ROCK PODCAST issue 5 out now

AhORa Rock Podcast #5 is now online at www.rocktopia.net. As well as featuring the latest melodic rock releases from the likes of Vega, Bad City, Michael Bormann, Legion and Casanova, we also have an interview with the star of Firefest 2010, Jimi Jamison. AhORa Rock - The free monthly melodic rock podcast with your host Pilar Sanchez. http://ping.fm/ODlx2

Rocktopia: The Enid - 'Journey's End' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Sometimes, an album is not what it may seem. Those of you reading the list of 'players' on this CD will note ELSA – growls and possibly jump to the conclusion that The Enid have gone all extreme metal on their fans and now have an Angela Gossow 'growlie clone' in their ranks. Let me commence this review by putting minds at rest, for Elsa is vocalist Max Read's elderly Doberman and her presence is far from obtrusive! http://ping.fm/Mnc6p

Rocktopia: China - 'The Very Best Of' , 'Light Up The Dark' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: This may just happen to be the melodic hard rock band from Switzerland that is not so far represented in your collections. (I am making the assumption that if you are reading this magazine then you have at least one CD by Gotthard, and likely also something by Krokus). Originally formed in 1985, 'The Very Best Of' is a sensational and utterly unmissable assemblage of thirteen 1980s style melodic hard rock culled from China's five studio albums across the decade 1985 – 1995, plus 3 new songs recorded in 2007. http://ping.fm/mwjcO

Rocktopia: Emerald - 'Master I Am' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Emerald is the brainchild of Irish drummer and songwriter Thomas Maher. In 2006 he sought four likeminded musicians to form a band to play classic rock music. The four musicians who joined at that time came from Italy, France, Britain and Brazil: Alessandro Lofoco (bass), Yoann Claude and Ashley Cooper (guitars) and Yvan Silva (vocals), and following extensive gigging around the globe recorded 'Master I Am'. However, I note that Lofoco and Claude have now gone and Ben Groves (bass) and Keith Hawkins (guitars) have joined the band. http://ping.fm/Ho8LI

Rocktopia: ?EARTH ? ??EARTH? - CD Review

A fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: I first became aware of this eclectic blend of sound and emotion over a year ago, but I have only recently made the (overdue) purchase that allows me to provide this review. ΦEARTH is the creation of two British guys (Dave Cureton and Adam Gough) who first wrote music together in the early 90s when they were barely 12-year olds, and this project is the culmination of their work together over the years. http://ping.fm/TQxKQ

Rocktopia: Winter In Eden - 'Awakening' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Winter In Eden is a terrific new symphonic metal quintet with a female vocalist emanating from Finland ... ah! no, sorry, that should read north-east England! (It just seems that all the good new bands of this ilk are coming out of Finland, so what a delight it is to be able to introduce a British band that seems to be ready-honed to compete with the best in their chosen genre). http://ping.fm/NziKH

Firefest 2010 - Nottingham, October 29th, 30th and 31st (a Rocktopia concert / festival review)

Firefest 2010 - The review. The world's favourite melodic rock festival returns to Nottingham's Rock City with another impressive lineup: Reckless Love, Crazy Lixx, H.E.A.T., Grand Illusion, Beggars and Thieves, Bangalore Choir, Shotgun Symphony, Bonfire, Dare, Lynch Mob, Grand Design, Newman, Stage Dolls, Strangeways, Jimi Jamison, Pretty Maids and Nelson. Read the full review exclusively on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/wlTS4

Rocktopia user CD review: Vega - 'Kiss Of Life'

A Rocktopia user album review by Woody: A new band to the world of melodic rock featuring Nick Workman (Kick / Eden) on vocals, AOR song writing geniuses James Martin on Keyboards and Tom Martin on Guitars and Dan Chantrey on Drums. No expense was spared on the album with the album been produced by John Greatwood and mastered by Frontiers favourite Dennis Ward. The band have also made a video for their lead track 'Kiss of Life', which I think is fantastic and it's obvious from watching it the band have put a lot of their money, time, passion and energy into making a professional and entertaining music video. http://ping.fm/WKZLj

Rocktopia: Nickelback - 'Darkhorse Special Edition' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: Bestselling albums are more often than not given the deluxe special edition treatment in a bid to shift more copies, and you can't blame the record companies for wanting their pound of flesh. Trouble is that it often doesn't make sense for the casual fan to repeat buy an album that essentially contains the bulk of the material that was on the original. http://ping.fm/SE1SS

Rocktopia: Inner Wish - 'No Turning Back' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Up to this point, there has been relatively few melodic rock or metal bands to have successfully penetrated the international scene from their Greek homeland. Firewind is, of course, a notable exception and now with this, their fourth (fifth, if a split CD with the band Reflection in 2000 is included) release, Athens-based Inner Wish appear to be set to follow their compatriots lead. http://ping.fm/laZWG

Rocktopia: Silent Fall - 'Otherwise' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: I am at a loss to know why WMP on my computer suggests this French melodic power metal band (originally called 'Winterland') is actually called 'Fall Silent'! Anyway, have you ever been seduced by the first 45 seconds of an album, only to be ultimately unfulfilled and left frustrated by a largely generic and rather distracting performance? If your answer is 'yes' then I think you can empathise with me. http://ping.fm/5sUAc

Rocktopia: Melee - 'The Masquerade' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: 'Devils And Angels' was without doubt one of the pure pop highlights of 2007, combining top notch piano based pop with clever arrangements and sing along choruses. This time around the flavour is more modernized, the melodies remain, but the overall feel is less traditional and more synthesizer orientated. Think latter day Keane mixed with the more recent output from The Hoosiers and you get the idea. http://ping.fm/nD8HM

Rocktopia: Ryan Star - '11:59' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: The much delayed major label debut from former Stage vocalist Ryan Star finally gets to see the light of day. Good news for those who've long since tired of the 'Last Train Home' E.P. the bad news is that all those songs appear on '11:59'. The good news is that there are six other equally good songs vying for your attention. Radio friendly pop rock is the order of the day here, with Star's quite majestic vocals taking centre stage. http://ping.fm/gGDzT

Rocktopia: American Bang - 'American Bang' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: Former Southern fried garage rock quartet from Nashville, American Bang continue their evolvement into a fully-fledged mainstream artist with this their debut album. Perhaps hoping to capitalize on the popularity of Southern rock bands such as 3 Doors Down, Shinedown and Saving Abel, Reprise teamed them up with producer Bob Rock to shape their transformation from perennial support band to a respected artist in their own right. http://ping.fm/ZeiqS

Rocktopia: Asia - 'Spirit Of The Night - Live in Cambridge 09' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: Taken from Asia's own master tapes this live CD DVD is a raw but interesting look at a band with a long history, who after reforming a couple of years back seem to have gone from strength to strength. This live album has all the Asia classics you would expect it to, 'Only Time Will Tell', 'Sole Survivor', 'Heat Of The Moment' are all here, but you also get some of my favourite songs from the 'Alpha' album in 'My Own Time' and 'Midnight Sun', plus a couple off the then new album 'Phoenix' in 'Open Your Eyes' and 'Extraordinary Life' plus many more. http://ping.fm/hef5e

Rocktopia: Atom Smash - 'Love Is In The Missile' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: Alternative mainstream rock has seen its fair share of movers and shakers over the years, and as with any genre any success is noted and copied by the record labels as they seek to jump on the bandwagon and promote their own carbon copy artists. Welcome then to Atom Smash, the Floridian alternative mainstream rock band seeking to emulate the success enjoyed by the likes of Saving Abel, Theory Of A Deadman and Shinedown et al. http://ping.fm/yKwgp

Rocktopia: Anberlin - 'Dark Is The Way : Light Is A Place' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: After Anberlin's disappointing major label debut 'New Surrender', it seemed that the sound of the classic 'Never Take Friendship Personal' was something the band felt that they had to move away from, destined for a future that lacked the aggression, punch and dynamics of that era. Indeed the move away from using Aaron Sprinkle as a producer seemed to have further exacerbated the decline. http://ping.fm/goC14

Rocktopia: Alter Bridge - 'III' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: For a while the future of Alter Bridge looked uncertain, the reformation of Creed - a nice little earner for Messer's Stapp, Marshall, Tremonti and Phillips - looked like ending up with Miles Kennedy joining the ranks of the unemployed. As it was, Kennedy got to play with Slash and Alter Bridge left Wind-Up to join Roadrunner, curious when Creed still reside on that label. http://ping.fm/WkFsI

Rocktopia: Ed Kowalczyk - 'Alive' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Kieran Dargan: Following Kowalczyk's recent acrimonious split with American megastars Live, 'Alive' sees their former singer step out as a solo performer with his first solo release. Firstly the title 'Alive' is obviously a thinly veiled slight at his former cohorts, who themselves have seen fit to regroup as The Gracious Few (Dahlheimer, Gacey and Taylor ex-Live plus Kevin Martin and Sean Hennessey of Candlebox). As with all things involving the extremely talented Mr. Kowalczyk, there is a heavy spiritual influence dominating proceedings. http://ping.fm/4tJsF

Rocktopia: Bronz - 'Carried By The Storm' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: In 1983 Bronz issued their first album, the still superb 'Taken By Storm', which went on to sell an impressive 200,000 copies and saw the band play to huge audiences here in the UK, but particularly in the States. Their debut single, the wonderful 'Send Down An Angel' was an MTV favourite back when they used to play music videos, and it featured actress Emma Thomson. http://ping.fm/n3mcs

Rocktopia: Wuthering Heights - 'Salt' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: Wuthering Heights are the kind of band you see lumped in with the usual references of sounding like Maiden, Helloween, Sonata Arctica and the rest, yet that is only the tip of the iceberg. For me the band's use of folk tinged melodies and the way that they arrange their songs, brings to mind acts as diverse as say Falconer, early Rhapsody, Dio, Rainbow and even on a couple of songs, Thin Lizzy. http://ping.fm/ohAhl

Rocktopia: Hasse Fr�berg and the Musical Companion - 'Future Past' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Gary Marshall: Anyone familiar with Swedish Classic Prog giants, The Flower Kings (TFK), will be aware that Hasse Fröberg plays rhythm guitar and provides one of the two lead vocals in that band. To look at him without knowing the band he was in you'd probably say he was in a Hard Rock / Blues outfit rather than a Prog ensemble, and in truth he tends to get to sing the more up tempo and edgy numbers with TFK. http://ping.fm/M3DSh

Rocktopia: The Intersphere - 'Interspheres - Atmospheres' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Gary Marshall: A new name to me but this, their sophomore release, has made quite an impact on me and sets The Intersphere as a name to watch. Formed in 2006 by four musicians in their mid-twenties (Christoph Hessler – vocals, Thomas Zipner – guitars, Sebastian Wagner – bass and drummer Moritz Müller) they seem to have established themselves pretty quickly on the German Rock scene which has led to two appearances at the high profile 'Rock am Ring' festival. http://ping.fm/c8YH4

Rocktopia: Fair Warning - 'Talking Ain't Enough' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Kieran Dargan: Following two solid, if unspectacular albums in 'Brother’s Keeper' and 'Aura', and a lacklustre Firefest performance in 2006, one could be forgiven for thinking that Fair Warning were simply going through the motions. Finding themselves back on more familiar home turf in the land of the rising sun in 2010, we are treated to a completely different version of Hanover’s finest. Japan has always been the stronghold of Fair Warning where their popularity has not only survived, but grown year on year. http://ping.fm/mtkVm

Rocktopia: Touchstone - 'Live In The USA' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Gary Marshall: Back in Fireworks Magazine 39 my interview with Touchstone revealed that they would be releasing a live album comprising the recordings made at the RosFest and CalProg festivals in 2009, they apparently being the first band to appear at both in the same year. The final outcome is an album that does justice to them in the live environment, which can’t always be said of live albums as some bands feel the pressure of the 'one off' recording process. I like the honesty of these recordings because they clearly haven't been 'fixed' in the studio giving them even greater credibility. http://ping.fm/syNbj

Rocktopia: Loreweaver - 'Imperviae Auditiones' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Gary Marshall: This CD arrived through my letterbox unannounced so I had no expectations whatsoever; however from the very first spin I was hooked by what is a fine album. Now, it has to be said that there's nothing new here, but such is the quality of the songs and the performances that they stand out in a very crowded market. I might have been tempted to use this song as the album's closer but the band chooses to do so with their longest number, 'Ultraworld'. http://ping.fm/PXj6F

Rocktopia: Karfagen - 'Solitary Sandpiper Journey' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Gary Marshall: This was an album I bought on impulse based on the blurb that suggested that Karfagen has a good deal in common with a number of bands I like, such as The Flower Kings (TFK), Camel, Focus and Jethro Tull. Essentially Karfagen is actually the musical outlet for Ukrainian artist Antony Kalugin who writes the songs, plays the keyboards and percussion, and provides some of the lead vocals, although essentially this is an instrumental album. http://ping.fm/4iKX9

Rocktopia: Survivor - 'Premonition' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: After the debut Survivor album had failed to dent either the US singles or album charts, a few changes were in order. Luckily the Atlantic imprint Scotti Brothers were still behind the band and backed their decision to not only change the rhythm section (bassist Stephan Ellis and drummer Marc Droubay replacing Dennis Johnson and Gary Smith respectively), but also to let them produce the next album themselves. http://ping.fm/YsuzX

Rocktopia: Survivor - 'Survivor' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Survivor, the band that brought together song writers Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan with vocalist Dave Bickler, probably need no introduction to the readers of this magazine. What does surprise me when I've had conversations with fellow fans is how few people seem to be familiar with this, their 1979 debut album. http://ping.fm/dMlAB

Rocktopia: Deep Purple - 'Deepest Purple' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by James Gaden: And on the 30th Anniversary, EMI said 'Let there be more Purple'... And lo, there was another Deep Purple reissue. This time, rather than a studio album, it is the 30th Anniversary of 'Deepest Purple'. Not really a greatest hits, because Purple would be hard pushed to call themselves a singles band regardless of slight chart success, it would probably be better described as a 'best of' but even then, I think you'd need two CD's to manage that properly without some howling omissions. http://ping.fm/8BW1O

Rocktopia: Deep Purple - 'Come Taste The Band' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by James Gaden: As time moves on, Deep Purple albums continue to be re-released, re-mastered, re-hashed and recycled. The latest from the Deep Purple studio albums catalogue is the 'Come Taste The Band' 35th Anniversary, at one point thought to have been their last studio record. The group were in a bit of a state - Ian Gillan and Roger Glover had long since departed, replaced by Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale, two vocalists instead of one, resulting in a change of sound. http://ping.fm/y7XPF

Rocktopia: Chevy - 'The Taker' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: Looking back through rose tinted glasses is all well and good, but nine times out of ten you're left disappointed by what you thought was a good record, movie or book etc. So with trepidation I sat down to listen to what was at the time (1980 by the way) one of my favourite albums of the NWOBHM, namely 'The Taker', the first and only release by Leamington Spa’s very own Chevy. http://ping.fm/EV3Oc

Rocktopia: Helloween - '7 Sinners' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Sonia Waterfield: Let me first thank the 'Gods Of Metal' for this offering, as there is no trace of the comedic or cabaret anywhere on this album. Its pure solid angsty heavy blistering metal!! Helloween are back with a vengeance and I love it! They have returned back to their true style of speed metal with '7 Sinners', which as the title suggests, the album focuses on the 7 sins. With this offering, they are clearly going back to their roots. Hints of 'The Dark Ride' and 'Gambling With The Devil' are evident throughout, with blistering guitar riffs and thundering drum beats, accompanied by symphonic and epic melodies, all held firmly in place by Andi's powerfully strong vocals. http://ping.fm/PqIDZ

Rocktopia: Fury UK - 'A Way Of Life' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Faye Coulman: Shameless Iron Maiden worship plagues this revivalist outing from its upbeat intro to predictably showy conclusion. Despite a promisingly aggressive namesake and recent formation, Fury UK fail to rekindle the country's jaded metal scene with an outdated mix of crude riffs and repetitive vocal hooks. Although the trio follow a mindless flock of old school-style copycats, 'A Way Of Life' is drawn from unmistakably expert musicianship which would be better invested in more forward-thinking material. From impeccable shredding to thrash metal grooves, Fury UK's third album is packed with sufficient raw material for a potentially unique end result. http://ping.fm/GVfot

Rocktopia: Stone Sour - 'Audio Secrecy' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Faye Coulman: Corey Taylor and co. whip up another winning formula for big-selling, corporate success. Boasting a fresh array of rock and pop-infused influences, 'Audio Secrecy' has been widely marketed as a no-holds-barred exercise in expression. But given Stone Sour's Grammy-nominated status, it would be naïve to assume that this release was untouched by the commercial awareness that oozes from every inch of '…Secrecy'. http://ping.fm/SSTea

Rocktopia: Quiet Riot - 'QR' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Dave Cockett: Two years on from the disappointing (at least from a commercial success perspective) 'QR III' album and LA metal pioneers Quiet Riot found themselves in a complete state of flux. Motor mouth front man Kevin DuBrow had been given his marching orders for pissing off everyone he came into contact with one time too many, and even bassist Chuck Wright had been unceremoniously dumped as the band floundered on the rocks. http://ping.fm/xz91G

Rocktopia: Quiet Riot - 'QR III' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Dave Cockett: Just as the NWOBHM began to wane here in the UK, over in Los Angeles something else was beginning to stir. An ever increasing number of leather clad street urchins were beginning to crawl out of the sewers, and bolstered by an upsurge in groundswell youth support, the balance of power in metal terms began to shift irrevocably. http://ping.fm/lzFAr

Rocktopia: 1994 - 'Please Stand By' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Way back in 1979 the debut album by female-fronted US band 1994 was a record I played to death, and still play regularly today due to Rock Candy's excellent re-issue five years ago. On the back of the success of Heart and Pat Benatar there were many other good bands of the same ilk from the same era, with fellow Americans Storm (another great brace of great reissues from the same label), Spider and Canada's Toronto immediately springing to mind. http://ping.fm/5iJZl

Rocktopia: The Godz - 'The Godz' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Dave Cockett: Hailing from Columbus (Ohio), The Godz played a sweat soaked, no compromise brand of blues rock that claimed the streets as its own. Formed in 1976 around the guttural yet oddly charismatic vocals of bassist Eric Moore, the four piece quickly became one of the biggest draws on the local circuit, setting attendance records wherever they played. Thanks in part to profile raising stints supporting the likes of Kiss, Cheap Trick and Angel, word of their infamous stage shows began to spread further afield, Casablanca offshoot Millennium Records snapping them up a couple of years later. http://ping.fm/vMVIS

Rocktopia: Rush - 'Classic Albums' - DVD / Blu-Ray Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia DVD and Blu-Ray review by Phil Ashcroft: The flood of Rush DVDs continues with an expanded version of their programme in the Classic Albums series that features both '2112' and 'Moving Pictures'. For anyone who's recently seen the 'Beyond The Lighted Stage' documentary, this DVD just basically gives more detail to those two albums with archive clips and new interviews with the band, manager Ray Danniels and producer Terry Brown. It follows roughly the same format as the documentary but explains more about the writing process and their feelings going into these important points of the band's career. http://ping.fm/FECjT

Rocktopia: The Poodles - 'In The Flesh' - DVD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia DVD review by Mark Warburton: Having witnessed these Swedish Glam Rockers perform a storming set at Firefest 6, I was looking forward to sampling Jakob Samuel & Co's first live DVD offering for the newly signed to Frontiers Label. 'In the Flesh' is much more than just a live DVD though, it's also a 'Rockumentary' and is superbly directed by Aussie Steve Ravic. The DVD gives some great Insight into the background and birth of The Poodles, with band member bios and tributes from the fans for their love of 'Metal' and the band. http://ping.fm/4d3Uf

Rocktopia: Rory Gallagher - 'Ghost Blues' - DVD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia DVD review by Buz Gaden: 'Ghost Blues' is a fabulous double disc DVD package, which is sure to please fans of the late Irish genius. Disc One features a fascinating, and informative documentary of Rory's life. It offers in depth coverage of his early life, through his time with Taste, and then a fairly detailed look through his splendid solo career. http://ping.fm/YjPMT

Rocktopia: Tarja - 'What Lies Beneath' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Faye Coulman: Once troubled by a messy departure from Nightwish, Tarja Turunen has since proved a formidable solo talent. Having exorcised her inner demons with the melancholic 'My Winter Storm', the Finnish soprano's sophomore album is replete with maturity and innovation. Written and produced by Tarja, 'What Lies Beneath' witnesses the fulfilment of a deeply personal vision that skilfully unites opera with cutting-edge modern metal. http://ping.fm/xKkkj

Rocktopia: Nelson - 'Lightning Strikes Twice' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Monica Castedo-Lopez: It's already been 20 years since the Californian long blonde-haired twin brothers appeared in the scene to escalate the billboard charts and conquer our ears with their triple-platinum debut album 'After The Rain', and also the eyes of the female fans with their good looks. In 1995 their second album, 'Because They Can' on Geffen Records, as was their first, clashed with the ruling (and considerably loathed by many of us) grunge movement, and Matthew and Gunnar Nelson pretty much disappeared off the UK radar. http://ping.fm/MMzvp

Rocktopia: Allen-Lande - 'The Showdown' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Dave Cockett: It all began way back in the fall of 2005 with 'The Battle', a precision engineered slab of molten hard rock which skillfully blended together epic storytelling, consummate theatrical melodrama and overblown musical bombast into one jaw droppingly tantalizing package. Less than two years later the equally enthralling second installment 'The Revenge' once again lit up the night sky as it blazed an indelible fiery trail across the collective subconscious mind of an expectant public. http://ping.fm/fBLVA

Rocktopia: Sonic Syndicate - 'We Rule The Night' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Faye Coulman: Ferocious, fast-paced and devilishly catchy, the hotly-anticipated 'We Rule The Night' is nothing short of explosive. Harvesting the finest features of death metal, industrial and hard rock, these youthful maestros craft a dynamic hybrid. With Sweden's prestigious heavy metal heritage coursing through their veins, Sonic Syndicate have created a thrilling collection of monstrous party anthems that fuse aggression with digestible rock. http://ping.fm/VivQX