Rocktopia: Work Of Art - 'In Progress' - CD Review

A Rocktopia album review by Brent Rusche: ‘In Progress’ is the long overdue and highly anticipated follow-up to ‘Artwork,’ Work of Art’s excellent debut from 2008. However, there is no question that it was well worth the wait because Robert Sall and company (Lars Safsund on vocals and Herman Furin on drums) unleash an utterly brilliant record for fans of both classic, west coast AOR as well as modern Melodic Rock. Exploding with a set of 12 magnificent songs, ‘In Progress’ is the perfect admixture of both styles featuring great melodies and huge choruses. read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/fLx5F

Rocktopia: Toby Hitchcock - 'Mercury Down' - CD Review

A Rocktopia album review by Brent Rusche: Along with ‘In Progress’ from Work of Art, another monster of an album also deserving of a perfect score is Toby Hitchcock’s solo debut entitled, ‘Mercury’s Down.’ For those of you who are familiar with his previous work with Pride of Lions (PoL), Toby is a vocalist known for always delivering a high caliber performance and this album is definitely no exception. Written and produced by Erik Martensson (Eclipse, W.E.T), ‘Mercury’s Down’ presents Toby at his heaviest and most powerful since his entrance on the scene with PoL. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/iq02T

Rocktopia: Tokyo Blade - 'No Remorse' / 'Burning Down Paradise' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: The answer, it transpired, was 'No Remorse'. 'Ain't Misbehavin'' was recorded for German label Scratch Records, and the band – well, Andy Boulton anyway – were under contract to deliver another album. That Tokyo Blade no longer existed was not a problem in the eyes of the label – they dumped Boulton in the studio with a bunch of German musicians and pretty much just pressed 'record'. Yes, it sounds like a recipe for disaster, and on its release 'No Remorse' copped some of the worst reviews ever written. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/r7Np1

Rocktopia: Little Caesar - 'Little Caesar / Influence' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: Little Caesar have had a bit of a resurgence of late, much to my glee. For those not in the know, the band were put together in the back end of the eighties by former bouncer Ron Young, who would serve as the group's vocalist. I won't dwell too much on the group's history because I covered it all in my in-depth interview with Ron about the band in Issue 41 (if you missed it, you only have yourself to blame! Fear not, it's archived on my website like all my articles) but the top and bottom of it was Little Caesar were a bunch of biker dudes who played classic rock with a dash of soul. They were signed to Geffen after attracting attention with an EP and made a start on their debut album. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/KcDay
d-reviews&Itemid=121

Rocktopia: Little Caesar - 'Little Caesar / Influence' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: Little Caesar have had a bit of a resurgence of late, much to my glee. For those not in the know, the band were put together in the back end of the eighties by former bouncer Ron Young, who would serve as the group's vocalist. I won't dwell too much on the group's history because I covered it all in my in-depth interview with Ron about the band in Issue 41 (if you missed it, you only have yourself to blame! Fear not, it's archived on my website like all my articles) but the top and bottom of it was Little Caesar were a bunch of biker dudes who played classic rock with a dash of soul. They were signed to Geffen after attracting attention with an EP and made a start on their debut album. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/guJoK

Rocktopia: Jerusalem - 'She' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Duncan Jamieson: One of the pioneers of Christian rock Jerusalem have been, as the band proclaim, In his Majesty's service since 1975. They were one of the first Swedish rock bands to make an impact abroad and now they're back after a gap of 16 years. Their last album, 1994's 'The Prophet', saw a change in direction for the band away from the hard rock and metal of their 80s heyday to a (then) more modern U2 stadium style sound. 'She' continues very much in that U2 vein. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/DCiBR

Rocktopia: Rory Gallagher - 'Notes From San Francisco' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Buz Gaden: This double CD set is yet another welcome release to celebrate the phenomenal talent of the late Rory Gallagher. CD 1 features the first ever full length release of the abandoned 1978 album. Recorded in San Francisco (as the title suggests), at His Master's Wheels Studio, the album retains the quality of Rory's albums of the seventies, and would clearly have been a great follow up to 'Calling Card'. Featuring the classic 'Brute Force And Ignorance', the rollicking 'Rue The Day', the funky 'B Girl', plus gentler moments such as the sublime 'Wheels Within Wheels' and 'Overnight Bag', there is clearly something here for every Rory fan. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/g1qgH

Rocktopia: Jerusalem - 'She' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Duncan Jamieson: One of the pioneers of Christian rock Jerusalem have been, as the band proclaim, In his Majesty's service since 1975. They were one of the first Swedish rock bands to make an impact abroad and now they're back after a gap of 16 years. Their last album, 1994's 'The Prophet', saw a change in direction for the band away from the hard rock and metal of their 80s heyday to a (then) more modern U2 stadium style sound. 'She' continues very much in that U2 vein. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/XCqeW

Rocktopia: Rory Gallagher - 'Notes From San Francisco' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Buz Gaden: This double CD set is yet another welcome release to celebrate the phenomenal talent of the late Rory Gallagher. CD 1 features the first ever full length release of the abandoned 1978 album. Recorded in San Francisco (as the title suggests), at His Master's Wheels Studio, the album retains the quality of Rory's albums of the seventies, and would clearly have been a great follow up to 'Calling Card'. Featuring the classic 'Brute Force And Ignorance', the rollicking 'Rue The Day', the funky 'B Girl', plus gentler moments such as the sublime 'Wheels Within Wheels' and 'Overnight Bag', there is clearly something here for every Rory fan. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/OigMu

Rocktopia: Hell - 'Human Remains' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Cockett: Somewhat prophetically scheduled for release on Friday 13th May (cue cold shivers up and down the spine), 'Human Remains' finally gets dragged spitting and snarling into the light of day after spending more than two decades cast down into the fiery depths! As a kid growing up through the whole NWOBHM experience, Hell were something of a legend, their dramatic stage show (exploding bibles and all) and caustic riffs a rite of passage that had to be first endured, and then embraced. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/Sbvmw

Rocktopia: Hell - 'Human Remains' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Cockett: Somewhat prophetically scheduled for release on Friday 13th May (cue cold shivers up and down the spine), 'Human Remains' finally gets dragged spitting and snarling into the light of day after spending more than two decades cast down into the fiery depths! As a kid growing up through the whole NWOBHM experience, Hell were something of a legend, their dramatic stage show (exploding bibles and all) and caustic riffs a rite of passage that had to be first endured, and then embraced. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/UOwev

Rocktopia: Eddie Trunk - 'Essential Hard Rock And Heavy Metal' - Book Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine book review by Neil Daniels: Eddie Trunk might not be as well known in the UK as he is in his native USA, but serious rock fans will have probably heard of him. He is one of America's most popular rock/metal broadcasters and journalists, and has covered rock for over two decades now. Since 2001 he has hosted VH-1's 'That Metal Show', which has made him very popular with metal's elite, hence Rob Halford's foreword to this book. This lavishly produced full colour book is very nicely presented and covers Trunk's favourite rock and metal bands, including Motley Crue, Queen, Rainbow, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Bon Jovi, Metallica and Guns 'N Roses. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/5ObYO

Rocktopia: Nikki Sixx - 'This Is Gonna Hurt' - Book Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine book review by Neil Daniels: Nikki Sixx is probably the most likable member of Motley Crue, and while Vince Neil comes across as an arrogant and money obsessed bore in his recent autobiography, Sixx is modest and interesting. This beautifully produced tome follows his excellent 'The Heroin Diaries' and is a part journal and part photography book. The photos are really good, albeit quite dark in theme, but what they show are the kinds of things that have influenced him and his music over the years. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/EQOWH

Rocktopia: Garry Bushell - 'Bushell On The Rampage' - Book Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine book review by Neil Daniels: Before Garry Bushell made a name for himself as tabloid journalist and TV personality, he was a writer for Sounds from 1978 to 1982 where he penned numerous on the road tales and interviewed many of the biggest rock bands of the day. He was involved in the signing of Twisted Sister to Secret Records in the UK before Atlantic got hold of them in the States. Bushell also wrote the first official Iron Maiden bio 'Running Free', which now goes for a lot of money on Amazon. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/YUXgJ

Rocktopia: Adelita's Way - 'Home School Valedictorian' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mike Newdeck: 2009's Virgin major label debut was something of a minor classic, embracing everything that was good in the mainstream modern rock genre. Hard hitting hooks allied to well written songs proved a successful formula in propelling them into the limelight. Indeed in 2011, it is safe to say that the situation is similar to the one in the mid eighties where excellent genre defining rock bands in the States were largely ignored by the insular United Kingdom; For Survivor, Journey and Styx substitute Adelitas Way, Daughtry and Hinder. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/DCCGJ

Rocktopia: Sandra Dee - 'Visions Of Pain' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Faye Coulman: Bearing an edgy title and darkly atmospheric cover art to boot, 'Visions Of Pain' smacks immediately of sharp, ultra-modern metal. The accompanying press release paints a similarly promising picture, hailing this little-known outfit as an altogether more intense, intelligent update on classically hare-brained glam. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/Z8bI9

Rocktopia: Alex Carole And The Crush - 'Vol. 1' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: Having decided that he needed to move on from the confines of being one of the main songwriters in the indie pop outfit CDOASS, Alex Carole began to put together songs in an altogether harder, more power-pop-punk style. A chance meeting with The Hives drummer Chris Dangerous led to Alex giving him a demo tape he had been working on, which suitably impressed The Hives man enough to entice him to co produce this debut album with the band. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/9L8EQ

Rocktopia: In Legend - 'Ballads 'N' Bullets' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: I can't speak for everyone else at this web site but I suspect one or two or our more adventurous souls might get something out of this debut release from German trio In Legend. I'm always up for listening to something a little different, particularly the use of unconventional ways to present rock and metal music through instruments other than the guitar, so in the pioneering spirit of bands like Apocalyptica (cello) and Van Canto (a capella vocal) I give you Berlin's own piano metal stars. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/tXpNN

Rocktopia: Eddie Trunk - 'Essential Hard Rock And Heavy Metal' - Book Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine book review by Neil Daniels: Eddie Trunk might not be as well known in the UK as he is in his native USA, but serious rock fans will have probably heard of him. He is one of America's most popular rock/metal broadcasters and journalists, and has covered rock for over two decades now. Since 2001 he has hosted VH-1's 'That Metal Show', which has made him very popular with metal's elite, hence Rob Halford's foreword to this book. This lavishly produced full colour book is very nicely presented and covers Trunk's favourite rock and metal bands, including Motley Crue, Queen, Rainbow, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Bon Jovi, Metallica and Guns 'N Roses. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/jAeom

Rocktopia: Nikki Sixx - 'This Is Gonna Hurt' - Book Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine book review by Neil Daniels: Nikki Sixx is probably the most likable member of Motley Crue, and while Vince Neil comes across as an arrogant and money obsessed bore in his recent autobiography, Sixx is modest and interesting. This beautifully produced tome follows his excellent 'The Heroin Diaries' and is a part journal and part photography book. The photos are really good, albeit quite dark in theme, but what they show are the kinds of things that have influenced him and his music over the years. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ObuGR

Rocktopia: Garry Bushell - 'Bushell On The Rampage' - Book Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine book review by Neil Daniels: Before Garry Bushell made a name for himself as tabloid journalist and TV personality, he was a writer for Sounds from 1978 to 1982 where he penned numerous on the road tales and interviewed many of the biggest rock bands of the day. He was involved in the signing of Twisted Sister to Secret Records in the UK before Atlantic got hold of them in the States. Bushell also wrote the first official Iron Maiden bio 'Running Free', which now goes for a lot of money on Amazon. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/o1D2S

Rocktopia: Alex Carole And The Crush - 'Vol. 1' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: Having decided that he needed to move on from the confines of being one of the main songwriters in the indie pop outfit CDOASS, Alex Carole began to put together songs in an altogether harder, more power-pop-punk style. A chance meeting with The Hives drummer Chris Dangerous led to Alex giving him a demo tape he had been working on, which suitably impressed The Hives man enough to entice him to co produce this debut album with the band. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ZH8xC

Rocktopia: Sandra Dee - 'Visions Of Pain' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Faye Coulman: Bearing an edgy title and darkly atmospheric cover art to boot, 'Visions Of Pain' smacks immediately of sharp, ultra-modern metal. The accompanying press release paints a similarly promising picture, hailing this little-known outfit as an altogether more intense, intelligent update on classically hare-brained glam. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/fda8X

Rocktopia: Amaranthe - 'Amaranthe' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Cockett: Just for the record, I never really was much of a death metal fan – historically speaking there's been far too much directionless riffing (aggression is fine if it's focussed, just look at some of the thrash bands) and tuneless grunting ('singing' would probably breach the Trades Descriptions Act) for my tastes. Of late however the genre has been undergoing an, at times, rather startling metamorphosis. More and more bands from all corners of the rock and metal universe have injected a shot of death metal into their pantheon of influences (often to great effect), and with the likes of the technically brilliant Children Of Bodom proving without doubt that the songwriters craft is starting to take hold, even cynical old farts like me are having to take note and reassess ... and then along came Amaranthe. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/buBmX

Rocktopia: Dino Fiorenza - 'It's Important' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: If I was to tell you that Dino Fiorenza is a hugely respected bass player who combines 8 finger tapping with slap in the world or rock and fusion, and then mention that 'It's Important' is an instrumental album, then I think you can guess that we are now residing in Shredsville. Whoa now! I know that some of you are already frantically scanning for the next melodic-rock album review on the page, but actually in between the thunderous and hugely impressive bass contortions and guitar whoops and whirls, lay some incredibly well crafted songs. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

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

Rocktopia: Bloodshed Walhalla - 'Legends Of A Viking' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: Bloodshed Walhalla is a solo project from an Italian multi-instrumentalist simply called Drakhen, who has, after two reasonably successful demo releases, finally released his first full album 'Legends Of The Viking'. The blurb that arrived with this disc proclaims these songs to be Viking Metal, which for the uninitiated would appear to mean that 'Legends Of The Viking' sounds like it was forged somewhere between Manowar and Bathory and that the lyrics concern themselves with all things Nordic, whether that be legendary tales, the God of Thunder (Thor, not Gene Simmons!) or valiant deaths during epic battles. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/1mb5C

Rocktopia: Jan Holberg Project - 'Sense Of Time' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: In all honesty, Norwegian bass player Jan Holberg is unlikely to have hit my radar had it not being for his recruitment of one of my favourite singers, Joe Lynn Turner. For that reason alone I chose to investigate 'Sense Of Time' and I have to say I'm rather glad I did. 'Sense Of Time' is a bit different for something you'd normally find associated with Joe Lynn Turner. The title track isn't a million miles from his brand of melodic rock, but some of the other material on here, like the funky 'Mesmerized' and the moving 'Sorry', offer a new dimension. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/rQB0P

Rocktopia: Dorian Opera - 'Crusade 1212' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Dorian Opera is a German metal band that mixes power, symphonic and progressive elements. It was formed in 2007, the band's name apparently being chosen to underline a link between classical and rock music: Dorian being a scale mostly often used in rock compositions. (I didn't previously know this…) Oliver Weislogel (guitar), Joe Eisenburger (bass, vocals), Andrew Roussak (keyboards) and Harry Reischmann (drums) – all seasoned musicians who had also previously played together in various local bands - comprised the combo that recorded debut album 'No Secrets' released the following year. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/CiXC4

Rocktopia: Amaranthe - 'Amaranthe' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Cockett: Just for the record, I never really was much of a death metal fan – historically speaking there's been far too much directionless riffing (aggression is fine if it's focussed, just look at some of the thrash bands) and tuneless grunting ('singing' would probably breach the Trades Descriptions Act) for my tastes. Of late however the genre has been undergoing an, at times, rather startling metamorphosis. More and more bands from all corners of the rock and metal universe have injected a shot of death metal into their pantheon of influences (often to great effect), and with the likes of the technically brilliant Children Of Bodom proving without doubt that the songwriters craft is starting to take hold, even cynical old farts like me are having to take note and reassess ... and then along came Amaranthe. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/hrRpw!
/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=910:cd-reviews&id=1459:amaranthe-amaranthe&Itemid=121

Rocktopia: Dino Fiorenza - 'It's Important' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: If I was to tell you that Dino Fiorenza is a hugely respected bass player who combines 8 finger tapping with slap in the world or rock and fusion, and then mention that 'It's Important' is an instrumental album, then I think you can guess that we are now residing in Shredsville. Whoa now! I know that some of you are already frantically scanning for the next melodic-rock album review on the page, but actually in between the thunderous and hugely impressive bass contortions and guitar whoops and whirls, lay some incredibly well crafted songs. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/0InD9

Rocktopia: Bloodshed Walhalla - 'Legends Of A Viking' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: Bloodshed Walhalla is a solo project from an Italian multi-instrumentalist simply called Drakhen, who has, after two reasonably successful demo releases, finally released his first full album 'Legends Of The Viking'. The blurb that arrived with this disc proclaims these songs to be Viking Metal, which for the uninitiated would appear to mean that 'Legends Of The Viking' sounds like it was forged somewhere between Manowar and Bathory and that the lyrics concern themselves with all things Nordic, whether that be legendary tales, the God of Thunder (Thor, not Gene Simmons!) or valiant deaths during epic battles. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/zNPKf

Rocktopia: Dorian Opera - 'Crusade 1212' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Dorian Opera is a German metal band that mixes power, symphonic and progressive elements. It was formed in 2007, the band's name apparently being chosen to underline a link between classical and rock music: Dorian being a scale mostly often used in rock compositions. (I didn't previously know this…) Oliver Weislogel (guitar), Joe Eisenburger (bass, vocals), Andrew Roussak (keyboards) and Harry Reischmann (drums) – all seasoned musicians who had also previously played together in various local bands - comprised the combo that recorded debut album 'No Secrets' released the following year. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/9e6Fu

Rocktopia: Skansis - 'Leaving You' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ant Heeks: I have to admit it, Skansis are a new name to me, I completely missed their first album, but it may be something that has to be sought out. For the record, the band formed in Bern in Switzerland in 2000 under the name Shine, before adopting their current moniker in 2005, and debut album 'Take Your Chance' appeared in 2007. What I like about this band is that their songs are concise riff-heavy hard rock – uncluttered and snappy, with a modern commercial edge. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/TeMkp

Rocktopia: Images Of Eden - 'Rebuilding The Ruins' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Information regarding this new album from Images Of Eden was forwarded to me by our esteemed Editor, and eventually band supremo Gordon Tittsworth sent me not only a copy of 'Rebuilding The Ruins', but also the two previous albums – but with a stern instruction to focus on the newie!
Well, of course I will, but if you find what I have to say about the new album sufficiently tempting for you to contemplate a purchase, then I do strongly urge you to consider the previous albums too: and especially the really tremendous second one ('Sunlight Of The Spirit') that appeared back in 2006 as it is a somewhat less intense listening experience! Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/fBF7u

Rocktopia: From.uz - 'Quartus Artifactus' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Over the past couple of years the likes of Israel's Orphaned Land and Myrath from Tunisia have released albums that have stretched the boundaries of progressive rock and metal into new territories (both physical and musical) and the eagle eyed of you will have noticed that a few months ago I reviewed the third studio album, 'Seventh Story', from Uzbekistani outfit FROM.UZ. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/zK5eW

Rocktopia: C-Sides - 'Devitrification' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Calling ones debut album after the whitish scum that can form on the surface of glass that has been left for too long at too high a temperature is certainly different, as indeed is the music performed by what might be called the enta now separated from the Mag. I'd better explain! The C-Sides were formed in 2007 by (now former) members of the respected progressive ensemble from south Wales, Magenta: second guitarist Martin Rosser, bassist Dan Fry and drummer Allan Mason-Jones. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

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

Rocktopia: Credo - 'Against Reason' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Three albums and a live DVD in seventeen years may sound like a work rate to rival that of Boston, but it's what happens when real life and other priorities get in the way. Unlike Boston, Credo has managed to up the ante with each successive release, and it has to be said right at the outset that 'Against Reason' is really quite a stunner, and exceeds even my (admittedly high) expectations. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/mYJWF

Rocktopia: Ceramoniah - 'Mind's Eye' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Ceramoniah comprises a couple of guys from Stroud who have attempted to capture a simple classic rock vibe with some catchy guitar-oriented tunes… and have largely succeeded in recording an album that achieves these aims – albeit with vocals that frequently sound as though they come from someone who has a strangulated hernia. If you can successfully navigate these and also the rather banal lyrics (that I suppose attempt to be very R&R) then you will find one or two (flawed) gems amongst the eleven tracks presented on 'Mind's Eye'. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/iIpBA

Rocktopia: Images Of Eden - 'Rebuilding The Ruins' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Information regarding this new album from Images Of Eden was forwarded to me by our esteemed Editor, and eventually band supremo Gordon Tittsworth sent me not only a copy of 'Rebuilding The Ruins', but also the two previous albums – but with a stern instruction to focus on the newie! Well, of course I will, but if you find what I have to say about the new album sufficiently tempting for you to contemplate a purchase, then I do strongly urge you to consider the previous albums too: and especially the really tremendous second one ('Sunlight Of The Spirit') that appeared back in 2006 as it is a somewhat less intense listening experience! Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ftG6A

Rocktopia: Skansis - 'Leaving You' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ant Heeks: I have to admit it, Skansis are a new name to me, I completely missed their first album, but it may be something that has to be sought out. For the record, the band formed in Bern in Switzerland in 2000 under the name Shine, before adopting their current moniker in 2005, and debut album 'Take Your Chance' appeared in 2007. What I like about this band is that their songs are concise riff-heavy hard rock – uncluttered and snappy, with a modern commercial edge. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/rwseY

Rocktopia: From.uz - 'Quartus Artifactus' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Over the past couple of years the likes of Israel's Orphaned Land and Myrath from Tunisia have released albums that have stretched the boundaries of progressive rock and metal into new territories (both physical and musical) and the eagle eyed of you will have noticed that a few months ago I reviewed the third studio album, 'Seventh Story', from Uzbekistani outfit FROM.UZ. http://ping.fm/nXgit

Rocktopia: Credo - 'Against Reason' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Three albums and a live DVD in seventeen years may sound like a work rate to rival that of Boston, but it's what happens when real life and other priorities get in the way. Unlike Boston, Credo has managed to up the ante with each successive release, and it has to be said right at the outset that 'Against Reason' is really quite a stunner, and exceeds even my (admittedly high) expectations. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/1EhnD

Rocktopia: Ceramoniah - 'Mind's Eye' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Ceramoniah comprises a couple of guys from Stroud who have attempted to capture a simple classic rock vibe with some catchy guitar-oriented tunes… and have largely succeeded in recording an album that achieves these aims – albeit with vocals that frequently sound as though they come from someone who has a strangulated hernia. If you can successfully navigate these and also the rather banal lyrics (that I suppose attempt to be very R&R) then you will find one or two (flawed) gems amongst the eleven tracks presented on 'Mind's Eye'. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/KhIkV

Rocktopia: C-Sides - 'Devitrification' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: Calling ones debut album after the whitish scum that can form on the surface of glass that has been left for too long at too high a temperature is certainly different, as indeed is the music performed by what might be called the enta now separated from the Mag. I'd better explain! The C-Sides were formed in 2007 by (now former) members of the respected progressive ensemble from south Wales, Magenta: second guitarist Martin Rosser, bassist Dan Fry and drummer Allan Mason-Jones. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/W9Iwl

Rocktopia: Black Stone Cherry - 'Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mike Newdeck: Third album by Kentucky rockers Black Stone Cherry sees the band freshen things up a little. Recording the album away from the comfort of their own native south, thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, provided the focus required to deliver an album with some genuine surprises whilst retaining the core Black Stone Cherry identity. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/ufDfR

Rocktopia: Poor Genetic Material - 'Island Noises' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: PGM is not a band that I had previously encountered, despite 'Island Noises' being their seventh release. The nucleus of this progressive/ambient outfit is German, but includes a British lead singer (Philip Griffiths), who – for those who like scraps of minutiae – is the son of Martin, who was the original lead singer for Beggars Opera, the early Scottish progressive band formed in 1969 (and whose second album 'Waters Of Change' has been a long-time favourite of mine). Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/vr2rN

Rocktopia: Awake By Design - 'Sentiment' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: My first experience of Awake By Design was at this year's excellent Fused Festival, and even though my learned friend and Fireworks colleague Paul Jerome Smith assured me that I would be most impressed by this UK gothic/progressive act, I have to admit to have being ever so slightly nonplussed. It wasn't that they were bad, although singer Adrian Powell's taste in purple velvet jackets certainly was, but somehow the music just failed to make the impact that I had hoped for. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/F7stg

Rocktopia: Methodica - 'Searching For Reflections' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: If you put together a band with the intention of producing gripping, intense progressive/neo metal, then one word I doubt you would use to describe it is methodical, so whoever though that it was a good idea for this Italian five piece to call themselves Methodica needs to stand in the corner and hang their head in shame. So with that out of the way, what of the music that this debut album, which was originally released in Italy back in 2009, before being given a wider distribution by Underground Symphony? Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/5k8Lq

Rocktopia: Factory Of Dreams - 'Melotronical' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Paul Jerome Smith: This is the third outing for the collaborative association between Portuguese multi-instrumentalist Hugo Flores and Swedish soprano Jessica Lehto. 'Melotronical' is a conceptual work focusing upon the evolution of an electronic molecule into a living, breathing entity, which experiences several stages of life and the full spectrum of human emotions. The track list is arranged to reflect the evolutionary process, with the final stage commencing with 'Dimension Crusher' and culminating at 'Reprogramming' when a new Universe is idealized. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/Z7xw9

Rocktopia: The Steve Miller Band - 'Let Your Hair Down' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: This is the companion volume to 'Bingo!', and continues the blues and rock'n'soul vibes found thereon. It is a further celebration of the musical keystones of Miller's musical life, this time including songs by such blues greats as Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and Jimmy McCracklin. The latter name may be less familiar - as Miller writes in the notes accompanying the track 'The Walk'- when Muddy and Wolf and Willie were getting started in Chicago…McCracklin was out on the West Coast...He took that blues groove to Oakland and had a completely different experience.. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/tLVwl

Rocktopia: Black Stone Cherry - 'Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mike Newdeck: Third album by Kentucky rockers Black Stone Cherry sees the band freshen things up a little. Recording the album away from the comfort of their own native south, thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, provided the focus required to deliver an album with some genuine surprises whilst retaining the core Black Stone Cherry identity. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/zr2fT

Rocktopia: Poor Genetic Material - 'Island Noises' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: PGM is not a band that I had previously encountered, despite 'Island Noises' being their seventh release. The nucleus of this progressive/ambient outfit is German, but includes a British lead singer (Philip Griffiths), who – for those who like scraps of minutiae – is the son of Martin, who was the original lead singer for Beggars Opera, the early Scottish progressive band formed in 1969 (and whose second album 'Waters Of Change' has been a long-time favourite of mine). Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/NXWsT

Rocktopia: Awake By Design - 'Sentiment' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: My first experience of Awake By Design was at this year's excellent Fused Festival, and even though my learned friend and Fireworks colleague Paul Jerome Smith assured me that I would be most impressed by this UK gothic/progressive act, I have to admit to have being ever so slightly nonplussed. It wasn't that they were bad, although singer Adrian Powell's taste in purple velvet jackets certainly was, but somehow the music just failed to make the impact that I had hoped for. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/UkZsL

Rocktopia: The Steve Miller Band - 'Let Your Hair Down' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Paul Jerome Smith: This is the companion volume to 'Bingo!', and continues the blues and rock'n'soul vibes found thereon. It is a further celebration of the musical keystones of Miller's musical life, this time including songs by such blues greats as Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and Jimmy McCracklin. The latter name may be less familiar - as Miller writes in the notes accompanying the track 'The Walk'- when Muddy and Wolf and Willie were getting started in Chicago…McCracklin was out on the West Coast...He took that blues groove to Oakland and had a completely different experience.. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/aBwnY

Rocktopia: M3 Rock Festival 2011 - Concert Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine festival review by Mark Warburton and Andrew Heywood: M3 Rock Festival 2011, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland (USA), 13th and 14th May 2011. Having attended the inaugural M3 festival in 2009 and having had a blast of a weekend at a very well run event, as soon as I heard the announcements for the line up for year 3 were released I felt a road trip coming on. The first trip in 2009 was around a 10 hour drive from Canada, through Pennsylvania into Maryland on the East Coast between Philadelphia and Washington. However once word filtered back to Mark in the UK of the awesome line-up it wasn't long before alternative plans were made. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/hI8Gg

Rocktopia: John Waite (2011) - Concert Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine concert review by Phil Ashcroft: It seems odd now to think that up to three years ago I'd never seen John Waite perform live, even though I own everything the man has ever recorded. This low-key hometown gig would be my third Waite show in as many years and the first at which he would be promoting a great new album, the excellent 'Rough And Tumble', his finest for many, many years. Looking through the upcoming shows in the foyer it seems the Victorian Grand Theatre is more suited to old music hall comedians and pantomimes than rock gigs, but tonight it's well populated by Waite fans and the man's entire family. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/d20gW

Rocktopia - Live on Stage: John Waite (2011) - Concert Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine concert review by Phil Ashcroft: It seems odd now to think that up to three years ago I'd never seen John Waite perform live, even though I own everything the man has ever recorded. This low-key hometown gig would be my third Waite show in as many years and the first at which he would be promoting a great new album, the excellent 'Rough And Tumble', his finest for many, many years. Looking through the upcoming shows in the foyer it seems the Victorian Grand Theatre is more suited to old music hall comedians and pantomimes than rock gigs, but tonight it's well populated by Waite fans and the man's entire family. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/7pFma

Rocktopia: Saxon - 'Call To Arms' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Kieran Dargan: Saxon's rehabilitation as one of the premier true heavy metal bands was completed in 2010 when they headlined the annual Wacken open air festival in Germany, and a main stage appearance at Download in the U.K... After spending many years in the doldrums, particularly on their home turf in the UK, and the subsequent train wreck that was the Saxon /Harvey Goldsmith TV programme Get Your Act Together in 2007, it's hard to believe just a mere 3 years later Saxon were back at the top of their game once again, being openly adored by the metal masses. So what's changed? Nothing! read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/HXecY

Rocktopia: Sun Caged - 'The Lotus Effect' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: It has been a little bit sparse in the world of prog metal/rock of late, with only a handful of truly excellent albums having made their mark on the cognoscenti in 2011. Well, if like me you have been waiting for another band to step up and make their mark, then your wait is over because the brand new release by Sun Caged will soon be in the shops and it should be number one on your shopping lists. 'The Lotus Effect' is the band's third album to date, and on each subsequent release since the self titled debut in 2005, Sun Caged have grown as both songwriters and musicians, and this growth can be heard on every note that makes up the fabulous 'The Lotus Effect'. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/kEdZz

Rocktopia: Pathfinder - 'Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: Usually when a CD comes to me from a Polish rock band I expect it to be full of dark prog metal or rock with a very complex outlook, which takes many plays before it makes an impact on me. When this CD arrived from Pathfinder, with a name like that I was expecting it to conform to my expectations. It didn't. Pathfinder, you see, worship at the alter of early Rhapsody (Of Fire) because this album reminded me all the way through of the first few albums by those Italian metal masters. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/WqLDl

Rocktopia: Saxon - 'Call To Arms' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Kieran Dargan: Saxon's rehabilitation as one of the premier true heavy metal bands was completed in 2010 when they headlined the annual Wacken open air festival in Germany, and a main stage appearance at Download in the U.K... After spending many years in the doldrums, particularly on their home turf in the UK, and the subsequent train wreck that was the Saxon /Harvey Goldsmith TV programme Get Your Act Together in 2007, it's hard to believe just a mere 3 years later Saxon were back at the top of their game once again, being openly adored by the metal masses. So what's changed? Nothing! read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/z49Y5

Rocktopia: Sun Caged - 'The Lotus Effect' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: It has been a little bit sparse in the world of prog metal/rock of late, with only a handful of truly excellent albums having made their mark on the cognoscenti in 2011. Well, if like me you have been waiting for another band to step up and make their mark, then your wait is over because the brand new release by Sun Caged will soon be in the shops and it should be number one on your shopping lists. 'The Lotus Effect' is the band's third album to date, and on each subsequent release since the self titled debut in 2005, Sun Caged have grown as both songwriters and musicians, and this growth can be heard on every note that makes up the fabulous 'The Lotus Effect'. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/oyaOu

Rocktopia: Pathfinder - 'Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: Usually when a CD comes to me from a Polish rock band I expect it to be full of dark prog metal or rock with a very complex outlook, which takes many plays before it makes an impact on me. When this CD arrived from Pathfinder, with a name like that I was expecting it to conform to my expectations. It didn't. Pathfinder, you see, worship at the alter of early Rhapsody (Of Fire) because this album reminded me all the way through of the first few albums by those Italian metal masters. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/QcLQA

Rocktopia: Lars Eric Mattsson - 'Aurora Borealis' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: Lion Music head honcho Lars Eric Mattsson is back with a brand new album, though this one is slightly different from his usual work. Lars this time around has made a fully instrumental album (not that unusual for him, you will agree) that he describes as a combination of a film soundtrack mixed with electric guitar and an orchestra, rather than a straight ahead rock release. This combination, after quite a few listens, is a very enjoyable, yet at times perplexing experience, with the lead guitar work of Mattsson being both the focal point of the album and it's standout moments as well. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/fovPS

Rocktopia: Lars Eric Mattsson - 'Aurora Borealis' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: Lion Music head honcho Lars Eric Mattsson is back with a brand new album, though this one is slightly different from his usual work. Lars this time around has made a fully instrumental album (not that unusual for him, you will agree) that he describes as a combination of a film soundtrack mixed with electric guitar and an orchestra, rather than a straight ahead rock release. This combination, after quite a few listens, is a very enjoyable, yet at times perplexing experience, with the lead guitar work of Mattsson being both the focal point of the album and it's standout moments as well. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/sZiby

Rocktopia: Anima Morte - 'The Nightmare Becomes Reality' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: Swedish instrumental horror progressive metal is how the band Anima Morte is described in their record company info pack. That's a genre that I haven't heard of before, and with that kind of musical tag hanging around their necks what do Anima Morte really sound like? Well, I was expecting firstly, with the horror thing in the bands musical description, a lot of heavy, heavy guitars, grinding bass lines and pounding drums, plus some weird sounds and screaming. Instead what I found whilst playing 'TNBR' was a band that play really interesting prog rock that reminded me in places of Spock's Beard, Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/ewkPb

Rocktopia: Robert Illesh - 'Golden' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Robert Illesh is best known as the protagonist of classy prog rockers Aquaplanage, however, 'Golden', which is the second solo offering from Illesh, is a beautiful and refreshing acoustic guitar album, which I have to say came as quite a pleasant surprise. Having continually played the self titled Aquaplanage debut album when it came out some three years ago, I have to admit that I had anticipated this solo offering from Illesh containing similarly progressive themes, presented in a grandiose manner. Instead you are taken on a very different, although equally satisfying journey that soothes and relaxes as much as it invigorates and impresses. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/CF5II

Rocktopia: King's X / Klone - Concert Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine concert review by Phil Ashcroft: PKing's X / Klone, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton (UK), 10th April 2011. Faced with the choice of seeing a mega-rare King's X gig at Manchester's Academy 3 or stick to the original plan of a weekend away at a five star retreat in Herefordshire, we found a happy compromise and stopped off at the Wulfrun Hall on the way home to hopefully re-live the fantastic King's X show there from a couple of years ago. First though, French band Klone must have an ironic name because I can't say I've ever seen a band quite like them. They fall into the more avant garde area of Prog occupied by bands like Riverside, Opeth and Porcupine Tree, but also have indie, grunge, metal, pop and post-rock tendencies at times, with singer Yann Ligner sounding like everybody from Devin Townsend to Eddie Vedder. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/BB9mC

Rocktopia: Paul Rodgers / Down 'N' Outz - Concert Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine concert review by Phil Ashcroft: Paul Rodgers / Down 'N' Outz, Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield (UK), 16th April 2011. It's always a pleasure to visit the excellent City Hall with its huge stage, perfect acoustics and a layout that gives a great view from every corner of the theatre. I hadn't seen Paul Rodgers in quite a while so I was looking forward to his set, but first there's the small matter of the support band, and in this case it's Joe Elliott and his Down'N'Outz. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/Q4K7f

Rocktopia: Billy Joel - 'Live At Shea Stadium' - DVD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine DVD review by Neil Daniels: There are two sides to Billy Joel's recording career (which for the record ended in 1993 with 'River Of Dreams'): pre and post marriage to former supermodel Christie Brinkley. 'Uptown Girl' may have exposed his music to the masses but it doesn't accurately represent his back catalogue. There is so much more to his music than the chart hits and that one song. This excellent double CD and DVD package is not only a greatest hits of sorts, but Mr Joel has also been shrewd and handpicked some long forgotten gems. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/oSAnq

Rocktopia: League Of Lights - 'League Of Lights' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Scott: League of Lights are a new melodic rock group from the UK, having at the core the husband/wife duo Richard and Farrah West. Richard is best known as the keyboard player/song writer for the progressive metal band Threshold, and he has also worked with the likes of PowerQuest and DragonForce. The band was formed around his wife and singer Farrah West, after which they proceeded to add some established musicians to the project. On the six string lead is Ruud Jolie from Dutch metal act Within Temptation, the rhythm section consists of bassist Jerry Meehan (Robbie Williams/Bryan Ferry) and Mark Zonder on drums from US band Fates Warning. League Of Lights self-titled debut was released on 11th April 2011 through EightSpace Records. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/LVgww

Rocktopia: Borealis - 'Fall From Grace' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: 'Fall From Grace' is the second album by Canadian band Borealis, and with this new album they've taken a giant leap forward in the melodic power metal genre. Straight away what struck me about this release was the more complex song writing, plus the controlled anger and rage that the band have poured into each and every riff, melody and hook that populates this album. This musical anger immediately made me think of bands like Evergrey and Tad Morose mixed with Pagan's Mind and Symphony X, yet underlying all this angst, Borealis also brought to mind a very heavy Harem Scarem, especially in the melody department. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/REkCp

Rocktopia: Inmoria - 'A Farewell To Nothing - Part 1' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: Inmoria first formed in 2008 when one time Tad Morose drummer Dan Eriksson ended his self imposed ten year absence from the metal scene and started work on a new dark power metal project; Inmoria, which initially began as a one man endeavour. However, realising that he needed a band to really do his songs justice, Eriksson enlisted the help of three members of his previous band, the too long dormant Tad Morose, with Christer Krunt Andersson (guitars), Peter Moren (drums) and Tommi Karppanen (bass) soon joining up. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/4Dg60

Rocktopia: Guardians Of Time - 'A Beautiful Atrocity' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: 'A Beautiful Atrocity' is the third album from Norwegian power metal quintet Guardians Of Time, and if, like me, you're wondering why you've never heard of them before, well a good reason may be that this third effort is actually the band's first release for seven years. The two main members of the band, vocalist Bernt Fjellstad and guitarist Paul Olsen, tried working in various outfits during GoT's downtime, however they both eventually came to the realisation that they could best express themselves in the band closest to their hearts, Guardians Of Time. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/C9Svm

Rocktopia: Stream Of Passion - 'Darker Days' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: Maybe I'm getting old, but it seems incredible to think that Stream Of Passion first burst onto the scene with 'Embrace The Storm' (and with no little help from all-round genius Arjen Lucassen) back in 2005. An almost complete clear-out in the ranks, leaving just vocalist Marcelo Bovio and bass player Johan van Stratum from the original line-up delayed work on the follow-up album and so 'The Flame Within' didn't appear for another four years. Now here we are in 2011 with album number three, and the only change this time around is a new drummer Martijn Peters joining guitarists Stephan Schultz and Eric Hazebroek, keyboard player Jeffrey Revet and the aforementioned singer and bassist. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/464Ab

Rocktopia: Draconian - 'A Rose For The Apocalypse' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: It seems to have been forever since the release of Draconian's last album. 'Turning Season Within' finally appeared in the early months of 2008 and after promoting it for a while the band appeared to drop off the radar. Until now that is. February 2010 saw a posting on the band's website that they were starting work on some new songs, and news slowly trickled through of progress in the studio. In the meantime, of course, the excellent Shadowgarden album – Shadowgarden being the brainchild of guitarist Johan Ericson – 'Ashen' appeared, which also featured Draconian's Lisa Johansson. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/1cf4o

Rocktopia: Bowling For Soup - 'Fishin' For Woos' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Andy B.: Another strange title from the fun loving Texans, who once again strive to raise a smile on our weary faces. This album features 12 tracks ranging from the semi-serious, 'Let's Pretend We're Not In Love,' through the autobiographical 'Here's Your Freakin' Song,' 'I've Never Done Anything Like This' and 'Graduation Trip', to the just happy 'S-S-S-Saturday', the first single'Girls In America,' (which probably won't get played on the radio), and 'Friends Chicks Guitars.' Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/dEMB1

Rocktopia: Cynthesis - 'DeEvolution' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: I must admit to feeling a sense of foreboding when this album by new progressive metal band Cynthesis came through my letterbox. Upon opening the booklet I recognised the names of twin brothers Jasun and Troy Tipton (guitar and bass respectively) from the band Zero Hour, whose last trio of albums certainly haven't been an easy listen and only give up their charms when you have more time to spend on them than I currently have. When I read the bio properly I found that Cynthesis singer Erik Rosvold was actually the vocalist on the three earlier Zero Hour albums that I haven't heard, and also that the drummer was none other than Enchant's Sean Flanagan. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/k907B

Rocktopia: Attica Rage - 'Road Dog' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Over the last few years I've seen Scottish metal band Attica Rage many times at Hard Rock Hell and Hammerfest, gaining in popularity each time and moving up through the stages and later playing times to the point where a new record deal was the inevitable next step. Musically they've changed too, the songs from this album that were aired on the main stage of last years Hard Rock Hell being far more mature and well-crafted than their previous metal/thrash fare, although it should be pointed out to long-term fans that they certainly haven't left those influences completely behind, no sir! Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/hUKfg

Rocktopia: Lyriel - 'Paranoid Circus' (re-issue) - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: First released on the excellent Femme Metal Records in January of 2010, 'Paranoid Circus' has been reissued by AFM Records in a build up to the band's brand new album, which should be out before the end of the year. What this re-issued version brings to the table is the original album with two bonus tracks plus much, much better cover artwork. If you haven't heard of the band or its music before, then what the band offer is gothic female fronted metal, with some very good sophisticated songs thrown in for good measure. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/RgJFV

Rocktopia: Queensryche - 'Dedicated To Chaos' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ant Heeks: Nobody could have ever blamed Queensryche for standing still and releasing 'Operation Mindcrime Parts 2, 3, 4 and 5' after the original concept album became such a critical and commercial success. However, they refused to rest on their laurels and followed it up with the more commercial sounding 'Empire' album, which would split fans and critics alike, but would take the band to the peak of their popularity, selling over three million copies and producing a string of hit singles and MTV friendly videos, with 'Silent Lucidity' making it into the Top Ten. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/fwuHY

Rocktopia: TNA - 'TNA' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: Eonian Records, who specialise in dusting off and releasing high quality eighties releases that maybe didn't get a proper chance when they first were recorded, have not really crossed my radar before, but they were kind enough to send me the promo for Memphis based act TNA. I'm very glad they did! The group consists of members who are all still working in the music industry in some capacity, either back stage or in the case of guitarist Wayne Swinney, very much in the public eye as guitarist for modern rockers Saliva. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/05CvM

Rocktopia: Alpha Tiger - 'Man Or Machine' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: Growing up in the seventies and eighties gave me a love for many of the bands who made up the NWOBHM, yet as soon as I discovered AOR, melodic rock and prog, I sadly left those heavy metal bands behind (probably missing out on tons of good music). And over the past thirty odd years to my chagrin I haven't really listened to many straight ahead Heavy Metal albums. So it was somewhat refreshing to hear this album by Saxony based metal band Alpha Tiger, who according to their bio want to bring back some of the more traditional elements of heavy metal whilst using the up to date production techniques that are now available to record them. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/NcO2U

Rocktopia: Mr. Big - 'Bitter Streets' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: Not to be confused with the popular US band of the same name, the original Mr. Big are a British band who weren't exactly unsuccessful themselves in their first incarnation between 1972 and 1978. They reformed for another run between 1990 and 1998 and now founding members Dicken and Eddie Carter are back with 'Bitter Streets', their first new release since 1996. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/5kRRQ

Rocktopia: Tommy James - 'A Night In Big City ... Plus' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: 'A Night In Big City' is the fourth release in Angel Air's ongoing Tommy James reissues programme and having been recorded in 1994 is the most recent of the set. The idea behind the album had lived with James for quite some time and saw him bring together rerecorded classics from his past with brand new songs to create the story of a night on the town with Tommy as he plays a show and then hits the Big City with the boys. As ever a romance is involved, but the evening ends with Tommy alone in his apartment dreaming of a girl. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/yns5a

Rocktopia - Lyriel - 'Paranoid Circus' (re-issue) - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ian Johnson: First released on the excellent Femme Metal Records in January of 2010, 'Paranoid Circus' has been reissued by AFM Records in a build up to the band's brand new album, which should be out before the end of the year. What this re-issued version brings to the table is the original album with two bonus tracks plus much, much better cover artwork. If you haven't heard of the band or its music before, then what the band offer is gothic female fronted metal, with some very good sophisticated songs thrown in for good measure. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/E3opq

Rocktopia: Steele - 'Tricks Up My Sleeve' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mark Warburton: LA based melodic rockers Steele release their re-issued debut album 'Tricks up My Sleeve' with four bonus tracks through Z Records in early May. The band initially released their self titled debut via the now defunct Alfa Brunette label in Japan during 1996, of which approximately only two hundred made it out of Japan, and copies of which have been seen to now sell for three figure sums on ebay, they are that rare. So after much digging and searching Z Records finally located band leader Jeff 'Steele' Zugale and a deal was inked during late January of this year. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/jw3oX

Rocktopia: Time Horizon - 'Living Water' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Steven Reid: Sometimes album names are just that, a striking moniker that hopefully conjures up an image that will inspire interest in any prospective purchaser of the band's music. However in the case of Time Horizon, their debut album's title 'Living Water' means much more than that. The first 1000 copies of this album to be sold will have their entire proceeds donated to Living Water International, which is a charity organisation that drills for water in deprived areas of India and Third World countries in Central America and Africa. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/zwFvn

Rocktopia: Arabia - 'Welcome To The Freakshow' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mark Warburton: Arabia return on June 6th with their all new album 'Welcome To The Freakshow' released through Z Records. After so many rumours emanating from sources claiming to be in the know, we can finally say that Arabia are back and following the debut release '1001 Nights', which made such an impact. Founding member and band leader John Blaze is still here and alive and well in New York City. The line-up had changed several times as nothing really clicked into place for John, and as he stated recently, the recording became a freakshow of events, but ultimately he found a groove with great guys who shared his musical tastes. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/xcl4C

Rocktopia: Stampede - 'A Sudden Impulse' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: Arising originally from the ashes of NWOBHM hopefuls Lautrec, Stampede came together when the Archers Reuben (vocals) and Laurence (guitar) split from one of the later incarnations of Wild Horses, the band originally put together by ex-Rainbow and Thin Lizzy members Jimmy Bain and Brian Robertson in 1978. Taking with them journeyman drummer Frank Noon (he of the original Def Leppard EP), hooking back up with ex-Lautrec keyboard player Alan Nelson and recruiting the then unknown bassist Colin Bond, step-father and step-son had Stampede up-and-running by the end of 1981. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/lNhbZ

Rocktopia: Lake Of Tears - 'Illwill' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: Four years after the exciting but bizarrely titled 'Moons And Mushrooms', Sweden's Lake Of Tears are back with 'Illwill', their eighth album since setting the ball rolling with 'Greater Art' in 1994. Although early albums were released relatively thick and fast, in recent years they've come with all the frequency of UK buses. Such lengthy gaps between albums have been frustrating for fans, certainly, but it does means that when a newie finally puts in an appearance there tends to be a shift in style and sound between it and its predecessor. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/6Zq2u

Rocktopia: Praying Mantis - 'Metalmorphosis - 30th Anniversary EP' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: For a short time at least it looked as though Praying Mantis would be following fellow Bandwagon Heavy Metal Soundhouse favourites Iron Maiden to NWOBHM fame and fortune. Their 'Soundhouse Tapes Vol.2' single was well received, and after a brief false start with one self-titled single on Gem Records, they signed to Arista for two more really good 7 outings and 1981's rather wonderful 'Time Tells No Lies' LP. More melodic than many of their contemporaries, the band produced memorable and catchy songs choc full of soaring vocal harmonies, and as such their material was quite easily recognisable amongst the numerous NWOBHM releases of the time. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/NtFbK

Rocktopia: Airrace - 'Back To The Start' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Cockett: As the NWOBHM began to falter and lose momentum in the early 80's, the once Brit dominated hard rockin' airwaves became increasingly congested with ever more glamorous foreign imports – particularly from North America. As history shows us, the likes of Def Leppard and Iron Maiden were the last home-grown acts to make it big before the shutters slammed shut and left those that followed becalmed in little more than a parochial backwater. Yet, whilst it's true to say that it was the start of more than a decade of US domination, you could still find the odd local nugget if only you knew where to look ... London based melodic rockers Airrace being one band with particular promise. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/KfQ0H

Rocktopia: Elevener - 'Symmetry In Motion' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ant Heeks: Elevener first formed in 2005 as a duo of fellow Swedes Johan Berqquist (vocals, keyboards, bass) and Andreas Broden (guitar, drums.) Debut album 'When Kaleidoscopes Collide' appeared in 2008, but Broden would later leave the band due to other commitments. Deciding to expand Elevener into a full band, Bergquist employed guitarist Magnus Lindqvist, drummer Anton Roos, and ex Heartbreak Radio members Pierre Wensberg on vocals and Robert Garnold on bass. The band went into the studio with producer Martin Kronlund and 'Symmetry In Motion' is the result. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/hAJnZ

Rocktopia: Warren Haynes - 'Man In Motion' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: With his band Gov't Mule taking a well-earned vacation and a seemingly-inbuilt inability to sit still, Warren Haynes has spent the down time working on his second studio solo album. For 'Man In Motion' he has taken his two primary influences, blues and soul, mixed them together and come up with a beautiful and harmonious collection of toe-tappin', heart-rendin' songs which have one foot in the now and the other firmly in the music past as he pays homage to his roots. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

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Rocktopia: Year Of The Goat - 'Lucem Ferre' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: A strange curio that harks back to the early Seventies when most 'satanic' music didn't sound in the least bit heavy or scary – maybe that was the scary part? – and the likes of Coven peddled an underground/psychedelic mishmash that teetered between folk and prog rock… 'Lucem Ferre' – the Latin from which the name Lucifer is derived – is the debut four-track (or four gospel, if you please) mini-album from Year Of The Goat, and is quite a pleasant, rather quirky offering which like its Seventies cousins sits neatly in the category marked 'difficult to categorise'. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

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Rocktopia: Castle - 'In Witch Order' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by John Tucker: Have YOU ever thought of how heavy a Castle is? ponders the opening line of Castle's biog. Well, no, is the easy answer. Like where whales buy dental floss, what mice like on their toast and why Meat Loaf is still allowed to make records, it's something I've never really considered. Although the final point does actually bother me. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/OdKKP

Rocktopia: Day Six - 'The Grand Design' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Gary Marshall: I'd not heard of Day Six when I encountered them at the Fused Festival and was so blown away by their performance that a couple of songs into their set I'd raided the merchandise desk for copies of both of their CDs. I wondered how I'd managed to miss the review in 2010 until I realised, much to my surprise, that we'd not reviewed it; and that's a travesty so I'm going to put that right. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/2b5Mk

Rocktopia: Various Artists - 'Rock For Japan' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ant Heeks: I really shouldn't need to say too much to sell this album to you. Everybody should be aware of the devastation caused to the country of Japan due to one of the biggest natural disasters in living memory – the earthquake and tsunami which resulted in the nuclear crisis. Willing to help in the best way they know how, the AOR Heaven label decided to release a charity album with all proceeds to be donated to the Red Cross. They put out a call to a handful of bands and artists to see if any of them would be interested in donating a track to the album, and were literally inundated with replies, ensuing in a two disc compilation. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/unojW

Rocktopia: Theatre Of Tragedy - 'Last Curtain Call' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by John Tucker: The news that Theatre Of Tragedy were to call it a day was a great shock to many. Often cited as the instigator of the metal female voices genre and certainly one of its most innovative acts, the band from Stavanger, Norway shone more brightly in fifteen years than some acts can achieve in twice that lifespan, and 'Last Curtain Call' is a fitting testament to such a truly great band. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/7lASS

Rocktopia: Rush - 'Moving Pictures' (Deluxe Edition) - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Andy B.: Now here's something worth getting hold of. Rush's 'Moving Pictures' album is classed, by many of their fans, as one of the band's finest. Featuring classic tracks such as 'Red Barchetta,' 'Limelight,' 'The Camera Eye,' 'YYZ' and 'Witch Hunt,' many of these tracks still feature heavily in the band's live set, and have always stood out as powerful statements of a band probably at their peak at the time. Now, imagine those strong and powerful themes thundering out at you in 5:1 Surround Sound, which is featured on the DVD A disc. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/1OAjk

Rocktopia: Slash - 'Slash' (Deluxe Edition) - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Andy B.: The original version of this album, which came out last year, was heralded as a resounding success by all those who knew anything about good rock music. When you have a successful release like that, the follow up has to have something special. Does this have it? Well ... I knew a lot about Slash's debut solo release, I spoke to him at length about it, and during that conversation he told me that there were songs he had recorded, with other artists, that didn't make it onto the album. Artists such as Alice Cooper and Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls, honestly), performing together, Beth Hart and Koshi Inaba. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/Z1UU0

Rocktopia: Deep Purple - 'Phoenix Rising' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine DVD review by James Gaden: And the Purple releases keep on coming... as it happens though, this one offers something radically different from a lot of the others. 'Phoenix Rising' is a DVD set dedicated purely to Deep Purple Mk IV - the ill fated Coverdale/Hughes/Lord/Paice and Tommy Bolin era. Recently Deep Purple's 'Come Taste The Band' album has had a bit of a resurgence. I've liked it for years and years, but I wasn't born when it came out, so I wasn't affected by the 'hey, this guy isn't Blackmore!' syndrome that happened to a lot of fans. Read the full review on Rocktopia

From: http://ping.fm/8tJD5

Rocktopia: Pat Travers Band - 'Boom, Boom - Live At The Diamond Toronto 1990' - DVD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia DVD review by Sue Ashcroft: Being a huge fan of Pat Travers, I was amazed that I had missed this release on video when it came out the first time around in 1991, but to be fair, it wasn't my favourite line-up, which probably explains it. The band, consisting of Travers, guitarist Jerry Riggs, Mars Cowling on bass and drummer Scott Zymowski are very tight on the songs which were relatively new at the time ('Daddy Long Legs', 'Help Me', etc.) but the real test is on the classics like 'Born Under A Bad Sign', 'Stevie' and, something of an anthem for fans - 'Snortin' Whiskey'. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/94wtK

Rocktopia: HammerFall - 'Infected' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Cockett: Way back in the mid 90's when the remorseless tide of grunge had all but extinguished traditional rock and metal values (although to be fair, in retrospect some of the dross that came out in the late 80's/early 90's only hastened its own inevitable demise), HammerFall stood tall and proud as the last line of defence. Fighting against near universal apathy from the mainstream press, this obscure band from Sweden almost singlehandedly revived interest in the genre amongst a younger audience, and have quite rightly spearheaded it's meteoric reformation ever since. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/r2NsT

Rocktopia: U.D.O. - 'Rev-Raptor' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ian Johnson: I have to hold my hands up and admit that in the past I have not been the biggest fan of Mr Udo Dirkschneider's voice. I have a couple of Accept albums but I always found his rough guttural vocals a little off putting, and for this reason I shamefully haven't bothered to listen to any of his music for quite some time. So when this new CD landed on the doormat I wasn't expecting to like what I was going to hear and 'Rev-Raptor' sat there in my reviews pile, patiently waiting to be heard for too long a time. When I did finally deign to give it a listen, I found to my shame just how wrong I'd been about Udo and his music, for which I must apologise. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/dXphb

Rocktopia - Reece / Kronlund - 'Solid' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Re-united again three years after Bangalore Choir/Accept singer David Reece took up vocal duties on the second album by Martin Kronlund's Gypsy Rose, the pair have made an album that continues the fine run the singer has had with his first solo album and Bangalore Choir's comeback record 'Cadence'. Kronlund handles most of the instruments and all of the production, mix and mastering, with BC drummer Hans in't Zandt pounding the skins and Reece and Kronlund writing the songs, sometimes in collaboration with lyricist Jon Wilde. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/wdkCc

Rocktopia: Nazareth - 'Big Dogz' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: The Scottish legends are back! After issuing the phenomenal comeback album 'The Newz' in 2008, there was speculation how long fans would have to wait for more new material - would it be ten years, like it was between 'Boogaloo' and 'The Newz'? Fortunately not! Here we are in 2011 and the Naz have eleven brand new songs for us. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/BYgBw

Rocktopia: Paul Sabu - 'Call Of The Wild' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mark Warburton: Paul Sabu's 'Call Of The Wild', the essential Sabu collection, featuring 16 remastered classics with an in depth history of one of AOR's true Gods, will be released on July 4th through Z Records. The emmy winning singer, song-writer and guitarist has, over the the last quarter-century, sharpened his talents as a producer, session guitarist and songwriter, releasing albums under Kidd Glove, Paul Sabu, Sabu & Only Child. His name is a familiar one to music industry veterans, most of whom know little or nothing about his early disco productions. His work with artists such as David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Little Caesar, Lee Aaron, Madonna, Malice, Robbie Neville, Motels, The Nelsons, Prince, John Waite, Tattoo Rodeo, Fatal Smile, and Shania Twain have earned him fourteen Platinum and eleven Gold records. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/foAJt

Rocktopia: Rob Moratti - 'Victory' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: This is the first true solo album by Canadian singer Rob Moratti, continuing an active recording career that started in the mid-nineties with two band releases under the Moratti moniker (1995's 'Desolation' and 1997's 'Legends Of Tomorrow'). He then hooked up with Von Groove guitarist Mladen Zarron, the pair releasing four classy AOR albums between 2001 and 2005 as Final Frontier, before being chosen from many applicants to replace Michael Sadler as the frontman for Canadian prog masters Saga. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/WwSwe

Rocktopia: Strangeways - 'Where Do We Go From Here? (Live At Firefest)' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Cockett: Unlike Shotgun Symphony, Strangeways are a delicacy I never got to sample in a live setting before, and before events conspired against me, were one of the main highlights of the Firefest 2010 weekend I was looking forward to. Back together with American born singer Terry Brock for the first time in more than 20 years, my first reaction to 'Where Do We Go From Here?' was one of surprise at just how powerful the band actually sounded on stage. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/d58Sw

Rocktopia: Shotgun Symphony - 'Highway To Tomorrow (Live At Firefest 2010)' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Cockett: Since it took over from The Gods in 2005, Firefest has firmly established itself as 'the' premier festival that caters exclusively for melodic rock fans ... not only in the UK, but in Europe and beyond. Looking back over the years there have been some truly stellar performances from bands that most of us never dreamed we'd ever get to see (Legs Diamond being one highlight that readily springs to mind), and it's easy to see why it attracts a fiercely loyal (and steadily growing) following year in year out. Surprisingly though, although there have been a few live offerings from bands in the past, it's taken until now for the organisers to get their own label off the ground. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/ROO8A

Rocktopia: Bangalore Choir - 'All Or Nothin' (Live At Firefest)' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Ant Heeks: One of the great things about the Firefest crew is their ability to get bands to re-unite to perform at the show, and one of the surprise packages last year (and very well received on the day) was Bangalore Choir. It's also becoming something of a tradition now for those bands to not rest on past glories and release an album of new material in time for their appearance, in this case the great 'Cadence' album. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/JpadB

Rocktopia: George & G. - 'So Much To Say' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ant Heeks: This is the second Westcoast styled release from Avenue Of Allies Archives series. The 'George' in question is multi-instrumentalist and singer George (Jerzy) Grunwald. George was born in Poland, raised in Sweden, and also spent some of his teen years living in New York. He was taught to play piano at an early age by his father, a classical pianist, and then picked up a guitar and wrote his first song at the age of 16. Now based in Sweden full-time, he worked as a song-writer and session musician for other artists, and the songs for this album were written during that period of time. It was originally released in some Asian territories in 2006, but this is the first time it has been available worldwide. Read the full review on Rocktopia.

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