PIAS

Does the name Erik Martensson ring a bell ?  Besides performing in W.E.T. , writing and producing for other musicians like Toby Hitchcock and Adrenaline Rush he’s also the frontman in this Swedish band, alongside Magnus Henriksson.

Formed in the mid eighties in Krefeld, Germany, Blind Guardian continue releasing some very fine albums.  They started under another name however, calling themselves Lucifer’s Heritage at first, changing their name to Blind Guardian shortly after signing their first record deal with No Remorse Records.

Striker is not exactly a new name in the Metal scene, seeing as bands with that name go back to the early '80s in the US, first an early Power Metal act which only left us a 1982 single before splitting up, then a Heavy Metal band from Florida which gave us a single in 1985. In the late '80s a Heavy Metal act came from Amberg (Bavaria) in Germany (they had a first run from 1988 to 2005, and then regrouped in 2010). 2009 saw the formation of an Austrian Thrash Metal act, but their status is currently uncertain...and then there was also a Hard Rock act from Seattle!

Hailing from London, UK, Steak was founded in 2010 by a foursome of musicians who took musical influences from the greater bands in the Stoner Rock, Desert Rock, and Fuzz Rock genres.

 “Cold was the ground” – the third album by these Roadburn veterans” offers dark delta blues, Southern swagger and pure heaviness : this one’s got soul!! It’s mainly the rough vocals from founder Steve Moss that enriches the sound of the band. Moss’ way of singing is raw and sometimes close to growls while the guitar riffs are based on what bands like Kyuss started years ago. Newly signed to “Napalm Records”, “Cold was the ground” is a sound of a band energized, committed, driven, with a passion to rock.

Godsized from England is returning with their second record, "Heavy Lies The Crown". Famed for their energetic live performances, the band spent a year writing and recording the album together with Chris Coulter.

"Heavy Lies The Crown"  is a 11 tracks power pack inspired by a wide range of influences such as classic rock giants Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, along with more contemporary acts such as Down, Alter Bridge and Cluth. The highlights are:

Line up :

Ricky Warwick - Vocals

Scott Gorham - Guitars

Damon Johnson - Guitars

Robbie Crane - Bass

Jimmy DeGrasso – Drums

What is the result when you join Russel Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mobb) and Mat Sinner (Sinner, Primal Fear,…) ?  A highly explosive, volatile cocktail that brings us a fantastic metal album.  To complete the lineup, there’s Randy Black on drums, and Alex Beyrodt on guitar but also Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Voodoo Circle) on guitars, and finally Roland Grapow (ex Hellowe

What do you get when you combine the vocals of Michael Sweet of Christian hard rockers Stryper, and the guitar of George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) ?  A fantastic sounding combination.  Add James Lomenzo (ex Megadeth, White Lion, Black Label Society) and finally Brian Tichy (ex Whitesnake) on drums.

Pat Travers is a Canadian born guitar virtuoso, who was rather famous some thirty odd years ago, having had success with his 1977 ‘Makin’ Magic’ album and also with his 1980 ‘Crash and Burn’ album.  So it’s no shame if you’ve never heard of him if you were born in the nineties or later, since he went out of the spotlights.

But the guy made a comeback in 2012, with a new band lineup, except for drummer Sandy Gennaro who returned behind the skins.