Rocktopia: Triumph - 'The Diamond Collection' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Even though Triumph are one of my all-time favourite bands I've kind of lost track of just how many times their back catalogue has been re-issued. The classic Toronto power trio of Rik Emmett (guitar/vocals), Gil Moore (drums/vocals) and Mike Levine (bass/keyboards) recorded nine studio albums and a live album together between 1976 and 1987, most of which have been put out on CD by MCA at least twice, then twice again by Levine and Moore when they regained ownership of the recordings, and again in remastered LP replica form in Japan a couple of years ago; both separately and in two very expensive box sets. http://ping.fm/Oz3rM

Rocktopia CD Reviews: Heaven's Edge - 'Heaven's Edge'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Some albums have just been screaming out for a remaster and the debut album from Philadelphia's Heaven's Edge is one of them. Formed in the late 80s by members of the state's top club bands like Whitefoxx, Public Enemy and Network (of 'Crashin' Hollywood' fame), the quintet were an immediate hit in the clubs and had offers from both Columbia and Epic, perhaps wrongly choosing the former because of the success they'd had with local heroes Britny Fox.

From: http://ping.fm/gy4YS

Rocktopia CD Review: Triumph - 'The Diamond Collection'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Even though Triumph are one of my all-time favourite bands I've kind of lost track of just how many times their back catalogue has been re-issued. The classic Toronto power trio of Rik Emmett (guitar/vocals), Gil Moore (drums/vocals) and Mike Levine (bass/keyboards) recorded nine studio albums and a live album together between 1976 and 1987, most of which have been put out on CD by MCA at least twice, then twice again by Levine and Moore when they regained ownership of the recordings, and again in remastered LP replica form in Japan a couple of years ago; both separately and in two very expensive box sets.

From: http://ping.fm/B7Ffw

Rocktopia CD Review: Bad City - 'Welcome To The Wasteland'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Bruce Mee: Well, colour me surprised! It's not often I get hit straight between the eyes by a band I have never heard of – especially one that seems to have the backing of a major label – in this case, Atlantic Records. Listening to Bad City's debut is like the last 25 years never happened, being a wonderful smorgasbord of everything that delighted about melodic metal from LA in the 80s. Part sleaze, part glam, part metal, all class, wrapped up in a wonderful production courtesy of Johnny K (Sevendust, Staind) that deliberately eschews modern digital techniques to capture that genuine 80's vibe, whilst strangely remaining current and vibrant.

From: http://ping.fm/XYj14

Rocktopia CD Review: The Gracious Few - 'The Gracious Few'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by James Gaden: This one is another band that can tiptoe around the tentative 'supergroup' tag - The Gracious Few is the name of the new band put together by three former LIVE members, guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey. This trio teamed up with vocalist Kevin Martin and guitarist Sean Hennesy of Candlebox and The Gracious Few is the result.

From: http://ping.fm/lMKpL

Rocktopia CD Review: Saint Jude - 'Diary Of A Soul Friend'

A Fireworks Magazine / rocktopia album review by James Gaden: A lot of the time I get stuff to review because I ask for it. Sometimes things will be passed to me by a colleague or a PR guy because they think it's my thing. And sometimes one comes at you out of the blue and makes a great impression. Saint Jude did just that. Are they a new name to you? They were to me. Fortunately, that's because this is their debut album which I'm happy about, because it means I haven't missed them prior to this! Saint Jude are a female fronted quintet playing classic rock in a seventies style.

From: http://ping.fm/4veG4

Dio - 'Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by James Gaden: I'm still having a hard time accepting that the mighty Ronnie James Dio is no longer with us and he'll not be giving us any more music. Consolation can come from the fact that he did leave an amazing legacy behind, featuring classic albums with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and his own band. As part of his enduring appeal, Dio's two appearances at the famed Monsters Of Rock shows held at Donington have become available - and a worthy addition to any Dio fans collection they are too.

From: http://ping.fm/zn5H4

Rocktopia CD Review: Hinder - 'All American Nightmare'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: Hinder could have stood still and continued in the same vein as 2008's 'Take It To the Limit' to release an album full of saccharine sweet pop melodies and eighties clichés, but they haven't. In a brave attempt to add a little more hard rock kudos to their name, the band have in the main steered away from everything that made 'Take It To The Limit' what it was. Fifth member Brian Howes has surprisingly been dispensed with, not only on the production side but also in the songwriting aspect.

From: http://ping.fm/aR6VG

Rocktopia CD Review: Simon McBride - 'Since Then'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: At the tender age of fifteen Northern-Irish blues-rock guitarist Simon McBride won the 'Young guitarist of the year' award in Guitarist magazine and was picked up by resurgent NWOBHM band Sweet Savage to take the place of Vivian Campbell when they reformed in 1994. He released his debut album 'Rich Man Falling' two years ago and follows it up here with 'Since Then', which is backed up as I type by a support slot on Joe Satriani's current UK tour.

From: http://ping.fm/jzp6j

Rocktopia: Heaven's Edge - 'Heaven's Edge' - CD Review http://ping.fm/Y0Qqm

Rocktopia: Bad City - 'Welcome To The Wasteland' - CD Review http://ping.fm/uW4GV

Rocktopia: Triumph - 'The Diamond Collection' - CD Review http://ping.fm/xTP5c

Rocktopia: Hinder - 'All American Nightmare' - CD Review http://ping.fm/Nkot0

Rocktopia: Prime Suspect - 'Prime Suspect' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Another new name on the Frontiers label, Prime Suspect are an Italian melodic rock band built around members of the recording project Khymera, with EmptyTremor/Genius keyboard player Danielle Liverani joined by guitarist Tommy Ermolli, drummer Dario Ciccioni, bassist Mauro Catellani and German singer Olaf Senkbeil (Dreamtide). http://ping.fm/t4nRu

Rocktopia CD Review: The Shadow Theory - 'Behind The Black Veil'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Another new name on the progressive metal scene, The Shadow Theory are actually a band made up mostly of names that should be familiar to anyone with a keen interest in the genre. They are the brainchild of Deadsoul Tribe/Psychotic Waltz leader Devon Graves, a particularly eclectic individual who came up with the idea of forming a band around musicians that had impressed him when they'd toured together.

From: http://ping.fm/0EzaL

Rocktopia CD Review: Prime Suspect - 'Prime Suspect'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Another new name on the Frontiers label, Prime Suspect are an Italian melodic rock band built around members of the recording project Khymera, with EmptyTremor/Genius keyboard player Danielle Liverani joined by guitarist Tommy Ermolli, drummer Dario Ciccioni, bassist Mauro Catellani and German singer Olaf Senkbeil (Dreamtide).

From: http://ping.fm/wTckV

Seven The Hardway - 'Seven The Hardway'

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Although an unfamiliar name, Seven The Hardway is a US supergroup that brings together three consummate musicians who should be well known to anyone who really knows their rock and metal. Featuring ex-Yngwie Malmsteen and Royal Hunt vocalist Mark Boals, solo and Project Driver guitarist/keyboardist Tony Macalpine and Soul Sirkus/Southern Sons drummer Virgil Donati, all three have a history together, with MacAlpine and Donati both being members of Planet X and Steve Vai's band, and all of them being three-quarters of Ring Of Fire.

From: http://ping.fm/mH8nO

Rocktopia: Prime Suspect - 'Prime Suspect' - CD Review http://ping.fm/Pdl0n

Rocktopia: The Shadow Theory - 'Behind The Black Veil' - CD Review http://ping.fm/hRtoh

Rocktopia: Seven The Hardway - 'Seven The Hardway' - CD Review http://ping.fm/BuFA4

Rocktopia.TV ? exclusive access to legendary AOR live footage

How many of you were there at Firefest 3 when Gotthard blew the roof off, cementing their reputation as one of THE best live rock bands going? That was the same year as Wig Wam's eye-popping UK debut, and who could EVER forget those guys? Or even further back, to the Gods show in Wigan in 2000 when Kevin Chalfant brought a few friends with him – Jim Peterik and Kelly Keagy for example – and delivered a truly memorable set crammed full of classics from Two Fires, Survivor, Night Ranger and The Storm?

Well now you can relive the high points of those sets on Rocktopia TV as we give you access to exclusive DVD footage … with the promise of more to come.

From: http://ping.fm/xWbRq

Shush - 'Soundtrack Of My Life'

Lashings of grunge and pop punk do little to enliven Shush’s overwhelmingly monotone debut. Fitting neatly within indie rock’s listenable pigeonhole, these London maestros peddle a mainstream mix of bouncy guitars and mellow harmonies topped off with the novelty value of a female vocalist. But despite this admirable stab at instantly appealing rock, the formula fails to gel, leaving a lacklustre wreckage of samey guitars in its generic wake.

From: http://ping.fm/WBDPJ

Shush - 'Soundtrack Of My Life' http://ping.fm/vakZo