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