Tyketto - Dig in Deep 2012

For die hard fans of early '90s AOR and hard rock scene, Tyketto name should be included in their memory very well. This band from New York once hit high with their hits "Forever Young". However, again their music was boxed in favour to the grunge movement. This month, after we got Trixter come back, Tyketto also join the hype and succesfully recorded a new album , Dig in Deep.

Just like Trixter, Tyketto faithfully played the music what made up them, the hard rock and AOR. But rather than leaning to blues territory, Tyketto is also got country rock feel. The album started with Faithless and its opening riff we waiting for. The other highlight is The Fight Left in Me, a shred in intro but smoothly run into the same hard rock song we already get in every track. The rest are nostalgic country ballad couple with catchy hard rock songs, the example are the last track, This is How We Say Goodbye. Singer Danny Vaughn put in the great vocal for this style and the guitarist licks and solo all magnify the songs.

This album will bring you back to the '90s AOR scene. The entire album are solid hard rock music, put in a thick wild west feel with slide guitar and country like vocal line. If you never listen to Tyketto this album are recommended for you.

Metal Harem class: ******** 8 stars out of 10

Tyketto - Dig in Deep 2012 (Frontier)
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1. Faithless … 4:56

2. Love To Love … 4:24

3. Here’s Hoping It Hurts … 3:51

4. Battle Lines … 3:30

5. The Fight Left In Me … 4:56

6. Evaporate … 3:42

7. Monday … 4:02

8. Dig In Deep … 4:09

9. Sound Off … 3:06

10. Let This One Slide … 4:29

11. This Is How We Say Goodbye … 4:41

Danny Vaughn – Vocals

Brooke St. James – Guitars

Jimi Kennedy – Bass

Michael Clayton – Drums

Producer: Tyketto

Cover album artwork

Moonspell Alpha Noir / Omega White (2012)

Moonspell just put in another spell to eclipse our day with extreme music this week. Not very familiar with their works except "Eternal Night", I dig into their latest album, Alpha Noir and Omega White. I have read elsewhere that this album yet another awesome release from them. On first spin I have to agree to some, but this album is so much to tell rather than just "awesome".

This album, especially the first disc, Alpha Noir, is under the microscope made up of several styles. They are build on Gothic Metal feeling, but then the music free to switch between, mostly a metalcore or even punk rock style of drumming. Yet their patent feature are the Black Metal growling vocal. The vocal is another story here since it's can all of sudden switch to the bariton Gothic metal, even at the moment you slightest expected.

Their opening track Axis Mundi is actually a very strong teaser, with blackened death metal voice that work the best on the spot. The second song come in at the same speed but more groovy, Lickanthrope is like Pantera in his slower tempo and Gothic keyboard layering. Versus is also very mind blowing here, the vocal entry directly in a punk beat, just a second of it. Then the title song hit the nail. Alpha Noir start as clock ticking guitar riff then snorkeling deep into dark gothic and metal composition. This is also the second song that feature a breaking in bariton clean vocal. After the few spin this feature will be smoothly come in, imagine when you are on roller coaster you will need that "slow motion" ala Matrix moment.

And that's basically high note son this album, the rest of Alpha Noir serve more as a continuation. The closing instrumental track Sine Missione is rather unnecessary. For the second disc, Omega White it contained mostly the slower song with clean voice singing and closer to Gothic atmosphere. On the first half the album still interesting but then it is just fair that this addition is to served as semi B side album here.

Metal Harem class: ******* 7 stars out of 10

Moonspell Alpha Noir / Omega White 2012
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Disc I [Alpha Noir]
01. Axis Mundi
02. Lickanthrope
03. Versus
04. Alpha Noir
05. Em Nome Do Medo
06. Opera Carne
07. Love Is Blasphemy
08. Grand Stand
09. Sine Missione

Disc II [Omega White]
01. White Omega
02. White Skies
03. Fireseason
04. New Tears Eve
05. Herodisiac
06. Incantatrix
07. Sacrificial
08. A Greater Darkness

Fernando Ribeiro - vocals
Pedro Paixão - keyboards, guitars
Ricardo Amorim - guitars
Mike Gaspar - drums
Aires Pereira - bass

Moonspell double album art Alpha Noir and Omega White artwork

Europe - Bag of Bones 2012

Europe album review "Bag of Bones" 2012

When Europe released their 2009 album Last Look At Eden, with their symphonic intro and first track that symphonic metal feel, there was a heavenly hope that Europe may turn their way back to their 80s melodic metal root. But we must close their "Final Countdown" era chapter closely, even as earlier as decade ago for this hope. Europe is too busy to return what they already dismissed. Today, Europe is still the big name when playing music, and a blues hard rock style is the lucky style they pick to explore.

Bag of Bones is nowhere Europe of 80s we know, but noway a bad album either. In fact, if you really love music and to be precise love traditional hard rock with strong bluesy licks, this album will licks you into wet dreaming. Bag of Bones is a fine hard rock album with veteran musician know exactly what they what in every single note. John Norum is shine every time the guitar picked the highlight. Singer Joey Tempest is what every Europe song sounds Europe. We be served a nostalgic "Seven Door Hotels" moment, when I heard track My Women My Friend. It's hard to refused to say Tempest is one of best character vocal to sing in this style, so natural bluesy.

Mic Michaeli keyboard support is now transform perfectly from shredding metal solo to Deep Purple-ish hammond and blue tuts. Rhythm section Ian the drummer and Leven bass put in the support that dictate the every song literally.

For you who believe in music, this album will tear you down. Europe put in many elements of music and serve it  with blues hard rock as main theme. There is a funk (Riches to Rags) and something like a modern alternative rock in almost 70% of the album. Cleverly composed by Europe, and let's not forget the architect behind the production, producer Kevin Shirley. Their transformation is similar to Bon Jovi, now only play a country rock music instead their 80s glam rock. One more note is the highly visual attractive cover album which to me just like ala Agatha Christie the find your clue game graphic.

Metal Harem class: ******* 7 stars out of 10

Europe Bag of Bones 2012
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01. Riches to Rags
02. Not Supposed to Sing the Blues
03. Firebox
04. Bag of Bones
05. Requiem
06. My Woman My Friend
07. Demon Head
08. Drink and a Smile
09. Doghouse
10. Mercy You Mercy Me
11. Bring It All Home (Japan Bonus)

Joey Tempest (vocals)
John Norum (guitar)
John Levén (bass)
Mic Michaeli (keyboards)
Ian Haugland (drums)
Joe Bonamassa (slide guitar on title track)
Produced by Kevin Shirley

can you find hidden object in this Europe Graphic Cover Art album?

List of Guitarist Crossed Path with Megadeth

In its thirty years of acts, Dave Mustaine has put in most notable guitarist on his Megadeth line up. There are about seven guitarist that officially manage to landed as Dave's right hand. Two of them only serve as appetizer to Megadeth's earlier years:

Greg Handevidt - He stayed in the same rented apartment with Mustaine and present as founding member of Megadeth. Greg then returned to Minnesota and his story ended there. Greg then formed a band Kublai Khan but retired in late '80, now work as an attorney.


Kerry King - Mustaine then proceed to invite, or rather pursued, Kerry King to help the band. Kerry King already part of Slayer. Kerry played a few live show and then the history then finished there as Kerry return to Slayer. Kerry was reported saw Dave playing with Metallica and greatly admired that. Dave Ellefson also stated that Kerry is a natural fit to Dave because he fundamentally know the riff. Although there were feud between Mustaine, but in 2000s where Megadeth and Slayer join in Big Four concert, both guitarist become business colleague again. 


Five guitarist shred in the history of Megadeth and recorded an album.

Chris Poland - served as Megadeth guitarist in Peace Sells and Killing is My Business....from 1984 to 1987. Chris defined the earlier sound of Megadeth. Dave Mustaine praised Chris as a rich player and his jazzy influence. Chris are the only Megadeth guitarist who return to help Mustaine after his departure from Megadeth. Chris Poland helped Megadeth again in 2004 and recorded all solo on the album The System Has Failed.


Jeff Young - Chris was out and Jeff Young fill in in 1987 to 1989. Dave Mustaine impressed with Jeff Young skill who transcribed all Chris Poland's part within half hour, and dismissed the guitarist he actually hired at that time in favor to Jeff Young. Jeff later recorded So Far So Good So What? In 2009 Jeff Young for first time posted online about Megadeth. He rebute what Dave Mustaine reportedly told on how Jeff's solo was created. 


Marty Friedman - The pinnacle success of Megadeth and stayed with Mustaine for ten years 1989 to 2000. Marty Friedman was in his solo career previously and as duet guitarist with Jason Becker in Cacophony. Marty was already a rising star with his Dragon Kiss solo album. He auditioned for Dave and accepted. The only drama was Dave didn't like Marty's hair style and decided to transform Marty into more thrash looking guy.


Following Megadeth success in 1990s , Megadeth later distracted from thrash metal and went into obscure album Risk. On this point, Marty Friedman already felt in love with his new age / Japanese influence style and retreat from Megadeth. After this point, Marty was never again in thrash scene and produce more experimental solo instrumental album.


Al Pitrelli - Come in as replacement was Allan Pitrelli. Al who already technically high skill player of Savatage and Trans Atlantic Orchestra come in as rescue. Al Pitrelli help Mustaine recorded The World Needs A Hero. Al Pitrelli interpret of previous Megadeth catalog are recorded well in Rude Awakening live album and DVD. The report said Al Pitrelli was hired to play live and only got 15 minutes notice. Al perhaps the only guitarist not got "fired" because Megadeth later disbanded on his era.


Glen Drover - Glen Drover was then replace Al Pitrelli in 2004 until 2008. He was join with drummer Shawn Drover. Glen previously a King Diamond guitarist. In 2008 Glen retreated from the band to focus on family. Glen later recorded a solo album in 2011, Metalusion. He recorded United Abominations with Megadeth.


Chris Broderick - Highly skill guitarist, Chris Broderick later join Megadeth. He serve Megadeth from 2008 till today. Dave Mustaine was very happy with his "founding" and compare to Ozzy met Randy Rhoads. Chris portfolio was with Jag Panzer and Nevermore. His contribution defined Megadeth most shredding tune in Endgame and Th1rt3en album.


Then there are guitar players that crossed path with Megadeth. Imagine what will happen if history are replace by this event:


Lee Altus - from Heathen band. He was considered as replacement of Jeff Young but declined due to Megadeth high drug situation on that time. Lee is still active today, his portfolio included served as member of Exodus.


Eric Meyer - He, along Lee Altus, was once reported to auditioned for Jeff Young departure. Eric Meyer didn't join Megadeth but stay with his band Dark Angel. In the interview Eric Meyer once admitted he was not in comfortable feeling to join Megadeth. In this interview Jim Durkan and Eric Meyer also state they were once asked by Mustaine to help Megadeth in pre Chris Poland year.


Dimebag_Darrell - In this time Mustaine also talked to Dimebag Darrel. Dimebag was ready to join with only one cause, if he could bring along brother Vinnie Darrel as drummer. The history didn't went that way because Megadeth already hired Nick Menza. If Dimebag ever join Megadeth we probably never see Pantera and Rust in Peace will be different story to now. Even Mustaine exclaimed the imagination of "Dave, Junior (Ellefson), Dimebag and Vinnie doing together is Richer scale high"


Jeff Loomis - Another child prodigy came in Megadeth jamming room in Jeff Young audition era. Jeff was jamming together Mustaine "Wake Up Dead", "The Conjuring" and "In My Darkest Hour". After the jam Mustaine kindly told Jeff he was way too young to join Megadeth and praise Jeff's playing "you will be a good player in the future". Jeff Loomis later part of progressive metal act Nevermore. He was 16 in this story.


Jeff Waters - Of Annihilator fame. Jeff told a story that Mustaine once approched him to join in as Jeff Young replacement. But Jeff already leader in Annihilator and decline the offer. If ever happen Jeff Waters in  Megadeth we will not see Annihilator album Set the World in Fire and so on. Mustaine witnessed that he like Never, Neverland album. A Youtube video on Jeff Waters recalled the situation is available.

Slash - Would you imagine Slash join Megadeth in 1989 and we never got Use Your Illusion? There was actually a percentage of that happening because he was offered the job back then. Dave and Slash somehow developing a nice relationship. When Dave release "Endgame" Slash openly praise the album and Dave return the words by saying it was a honor Slash to like it.

So, that's all I can compiled here. I am sure there are plenty awesome guitarist to crossed path with Megadeth but can't have the valid online resource, if you happen to know interesting story on this topic just put in the comments.

Sunstorm Emotional Fire (2012)

Apparantly there is one more project by Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69) bassist other than Place Vendome and Unisonic. This time his hero is Joe Lynn Turner, of course the Joe from the Rainbow and Deep Purple. Sunstorm, is not a new project band, they has release two excellent album in the past. Emotional Fire is their third release, again in AOR spirit. Most of material on this album however based on Joe's back catalogue as a singer or backing singer. Which is very good all of them.

The vocal is out of discuss for its excellent vibe Joe Lynn Turner we got. Opening track title Never Give Up really lift up the mood of AOR, with its minor catchy riff intro. Joe also included arrangement of Michael Bolton Gina, which Joe sung as backing. This Gina song is my favorite track along with other girl Emily. The title track song Emotional Fire is from Cher hit.

What differed this from Unisonic is this is a more light mood AOR than Unisonic. More keyboard layering, more classic. This album will rise you a good mood for a day. It will bring us back to Journey years. Nice additional to our AOR catalog this year with Unisonic, Trixter and Jeff Scott Soto.

Metal Harem class: ******** 8 stars out of 10

Sunstorm - Emotional Fire (2012)
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1. Never Give Up
2. Emotional Fire
3. Lay Down Your Arms
4. You Wouldn’t Know Love
5. Wish You Were Here
6. Torn in Half
7. Gina
8. The Higher You Rise
9. Emily
10. Follow Your Heart
11. All I Am

Joe Lynn Turner (lead vocals)
Uwe Reitenauer (guitar)
Dennis Ward (bass, guitar, backing vocals)
Chris Schmidt (drums)
Justin Dakey (keyboard)

Photo cover art by Sunstorm

Unisonic - Unisonic 2012

This is a continuing collaboration supergroup between Michael Kiske and the Pink Cream 69 crews, to be precise Dennis Ward on bass and Kosta Zafiriou on drum. They were in a side project band called Place Vendome before. What make it different now is additional of guitarist Mandy Meyer (ex Krokus) and .... Kai Hansen. The genre of the band is again AOR type quite similar to Place Vendome. Additional of Kai Hansen do little in bringing back a power metal tune, instead Kai blend nicely into this melodic rock style. This is their first full length album because previously an EP had been released.

First song, Unisonic rise me little fear because Michael Kiske is, in my image, more a melancholy singer than a wild and "happy" rocker. So the chorus "Unison-ic!" is a little weird to me with Kiske. The second song is back on track with Kiske's Souls Alive. Recommended tracks are  Never Changed Me , King For A Day and I've Tried. There is no Helloween trace except a memory on Chameleon here, so fans of Hansen and Kiske expecting this feature should be retreat here. A solid melodious AOR album here.

Metal Harem class: ******* 7 stars out of 10

Unisonic - Unisonic 2012
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01. Unisonic
02. Souls Alive
03. Never Too Late
04. I've Tried
05. Star Rider
06. Never Change Me
07. Renegade
08. My Sanctuary
09. King For A Day
10. We Rise
11. No One Ever Sees Me
12. Over The Rainbow [bonus] [limited edition]



Line-up
Michael Kiske - vocals, guitar
Kai Hansen - guitars
Mandy Meyer - guitars
Kosta Zafiriou - drums
Dennis Ward - bass








Unisonic graphical art design

Trixter - New Audio Machine 2012

Wow... is this our missing love, Trixter? Is this the music we sacrificed to made a room for grunge? What did we eat back then? This is my first impression hearing back to this Trixter newest 2012 album. Back in the nineties, there were many acts of glam metal, from the super millionairess GN'R or Bon Jovi to the second layered Winger, Warrant, Firehouse and.... Trixter. Yes, how could we forget this band hailed from New Jersey. The road of glam metal wasn't very clear to them twenty years ago and after producing some really nice vibe with album Hear! (1990), Trixter called it quit in the mid of nineties, one of our best regard victims of alternative rock and grunge. And my last memory with Trixter was their contribution on OST album If Looks Could Kill.

So, when the news from Frontier Records and their social network confirm a 2012 album, I was mouthwatering to get what will they offer. On this reunion and emotional release, New Audio Machine we got nothing except the "WOW". Wow, because they simply continue what they left behind back then. The first track "Drag Me Down" is a simply blown away Southern Bluesy Hard Rock tune. There are simply followed by track like Get On It, Love Machine and Dirty Love, all songs that typically what we used to heard twenty years ago. This album are best in showing how good the crunchy guitar still sounds. Not to mentioned the superb on the game singer, Peter Loran. He sound simply classic here, just listen to track Physical Attraction.

There hard to pick which song stand out because they all on good quality. Best spot on AOR, Melodic rock or glam metal whatever to call it, my recommendations is Machine because of its classic intro, and the last track (European Bonus) Find A Memory which heavy and the last sign of them showing respond to 21st century AOR scene. Out of this, almost zero percent evidence that they need to compromise the music to this time. Outstanding melodic album, best glam metal we got yet again from veteran band this year.

Metal Harem class: ******** 8 stars out of 10

Trixter - New Audio Machine (2012)
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01. Drag Me Down
02. Get On It
03. Dirty Love
04. Machine
05. Live For The Day
06. Ride
07. Physical Attraction
08. Tattoos & Misery
09. The Coolest Thing
10. Save Your Soul
11. Walk With A Stranger
12. Find A Memory (European Bonus)

Peter Loran– lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Steve Brown– lead guitar, harmonica, backing vocals

P. J. Farley– bass guitar, backing vocals

Mark "Gus" Scott– drums, percussion, backing vocals 

Album graphic design