Abnormal Thought Patterns from California is the newest sensation in the world of instrumental heavy music. Although the band's name doesn't immediately ring a bell, twin brothers Jasun (guitar) and Troy Tipton (bass) along with Mike Guy (drums) were the back bone of Zero Hour. That band released five records in the 90's and was proclaimed to be one of the best progressive metal bands of that time.
42 Decibel is a rock n roll band from Argentina. They describe their music as "Aussie rock", and their influences go back to bands such as ACDC, Rose Tattoo, Stevie Wright and others in that genre. Founded by Nicko Cambiasso the band’s mastermind, he started 42 Decibel in January 2010 and indicates the band’s general direction.
Mike Tramp, whom you all probably know from White Lion and later on also Freak Of Nature has written and recorded a new solo album. The songs were written over a long period starting some twenty years ago, and some even being written just before he went into studio.
After a hiatus of almost two years, Tobias Sammet releases a new chapter in the Avantasia story. This is the sixth album so far, and is built along the same principles as the previous five. This is positive, in a way that you know that you’re going to get a decent piece of music, with top class musicians and vocalists, but on the other hand this also means that is adds nothing new to an existing sound.
Swedish band Zombiefication was formed in … oops, they are not from Sweden?!!!? Zombiefication hail from Mexico and consist of members from e.g. Inhearted, Majestic Downfall and Dies Irae (the Mexican one for sure).
Victorius was founded in 2004 by Dirk, Steven and Andreas, who are big fans of speed and power metal. Front man David and drummer Rainer joined the band. As a result in the following years the band played many live gigs, especially in the Middle German area. The slogan was 'Power Metal is alive'! And from one thing came another and it al lead to the release of their first recording 'Unleash The Titans' in 2010.
Hardly an unknown entity to yours truly, this Dutch Hardcore/ Punk act from Utrecht, as I've been honoured to review the band's two earlier releases (full-length The Verve Crusade and mini-album/ 10-inch Repent. Repeat, reviews for which were posted respectively on 18/04/2010 and 18/08/2012 – both are still available for your fact-finding needs in this website's “Archive” section). It would seem that the band has been about to give things up, being put at a crossroads where they were either gonna go for things all the way, or lay it all to rest.
Following their debut EP and debut LP, Oceans Rise, founding Thinning The Herd vocalist/guitarist Gavin Spielman recruited a new rhythm section in 2012, bringing bassist Wes Edmonds and drummer Rick Cimato (ex-Locked In A Vacancy) on board.
Holy shit-crap! It's about time that the music industry keeps referring to The Saints as being “The Australian Punk Legend”, because that time is long gone! I mean, sure, the band's first three albums (1977's (I'm) Stranded, and 1978's Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds) DID put the band in the history books as one of the most influential Punk Rock acts, and they deserved ti be described as being for Australia what Ramones was for America and the Sex Pistols for the UK...
In 2011 four friends picked up their musical instruments and started to jam, influenced on the one side by older artists such as Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen, and on the other side by contemporaries The Gaslight Anthem, Social Distortion, The Loved Ones and Alkaline Trio. Within a year, the guys played an impressive 50 shows and built up a fierce live reputation...and all of that without even a recording to their name!
