TEN - ILLUMINATI (2018) UK

It had to be this way. Sometimes when we follow something or someone's life or evolution, even if we don't pay much attention, we came to a point were we know almost exactly what's going to happen. Ins't the powers of the mind amazing?
A few weeks ago, i was informed of the new record about to be released by the fabulous TEN. For the ones new to the hard 'n' heavy music world, TEN are an english supergroup wit a few million albums sold and if this doesn't open your appettite to discover more about the band, well, there's three out of two, either you're lazy, or you don't care or you're in the wrong page. Just to tell you that they have a fabulastic record named "Babylon" wich is a masterpiece and a reference in rock, a conceptual album about a not so futuristic love story in a digital world. Is it good enough now?
Moving on; my first thoughts about the new recordings were: what it will be like? heavier, with a lot of class? a strong theme? more direct and yet in your face atittude? Yes to all! You see, i've been following the bands career for decades now, inclusively my first record was "The Robe" in the distant year of 1997. The times when Gary Hughes was enjoying a status of the new british rock sensation artist, then accompannied by the british guitar hero Vinnie Burns, and well deserved for that young boy back in the last century, when he had a lot more hair, sorry Gary, couldn't resist the joke while i take the time to remember those videos again as i write, don't worry, i don't have that much too, sign of the times my friend...
Concerning the new times, i just bought this new record and it's a nuke ready to radio-active you to air-guitar or whatever...
"Illuminati" really is a powerful theme. For the ones acquainted with history or Dan Brown's books, you'll understand it. Heavier? well, when the acoustic prelude of the first theme ends and the main introduction riff starts, the heavy-speed german outfit Running Wild, came to mind, and from here you can imagine,... eheheheh, no, this is not speed power metal, but the power of the riff is really in your face, you lazy monks.
"Shield walls" is a battle tune with a triumvirate of screaming shred guitars, can't get enough of this, it's really powerfull to the core, well done Gary! not to forget the keyboards that set the pace to the holy taking of Jerusalem, courtesy of Darrel Treece-Birch.
"Esoteric ocean" is a first world class tune. Reminding me of past tunes from bands like Pretty Maids when metal was uprising and taking the world by storm. The dark environment given by the dark-noir set of keyboard playing sets the way for another fiercing guitar moment. A fantastic evolution of the band is the voice game in the songs, several chorus in falsetto, even i who can't sing a note feel like a first class singer, eheheh, really an amazing and fun album so far...
"Jericho" comes to me as a prologue, a direct rock tune but with a voice-off feeling, like in a history tv documentary, a bit too long, but then again...
This time they dare to enter the field of prog metal with a classic rock feeling, ideal for the main theme, a timeless tune, "illuminati"; just like history itself.
This is a concept record, not so direct like a story of sorts but history like, a journey through time.
just love it, and i'm pretty shure you will like it too. It's money well spent and one of 2018's best records so far; stil there's a lot to listen, i just couldn't find another 24 hours in the day to listen to them all, but i'll try.
McLeod has spoken!

DARREL TREECE-BIRCH - HEALING TOUCH (2017) UK

Wouldn't everybody like to be healed by touch? I most certainly would! But then again, i think i'd rather be the healer, because sometimes by healing others we heal ourselves. Just like Darrel Treece-Birch does with is new opus, fresh from the mixing tables;
He manages to give us a natural treatment of sounds that we can't stay indiferent to it. Darrel's new idea is to give us a healing touch through music; it's not new, but not many can acomplish that. He reached inside and with the help of that little particle of god that each and everyone of us has inside, in that place where we call our soul, he redacted a speech of musical notes transforming it in a conceptual manifesto for a better human being.
The 23rd of september 2017, will be the official premiere of the new work from blackpool's son, Darrel Treece Birch. For the less understood in the music business, Darrel is non other than the key player for the british top hardrock band TEN. As a musician,
he also drives a solo career were the prog ambients are is nature. Being a son of the senventies, Darrel explores his roots in that amazing era when the explosion of the prog, art, psychadelic and sympho movements aroused. ELP, King Crimson, YES, Mike Oldfield, Alan Parsons, Manfred Mann, Pink Floyd, JM Jarre, Vangelis and many others reached the top of the music scene, were they still stand high and will keep on being acknowledge for their capacity of touching inside of us until the end of times, because they didn't made music for the masses, they made music for the soul. Are you indiferent to Alan Parsons' "Sirius", or Vangelis' "Conquest of paradise", Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells", ELPs "Fanfarre"? No you're not! And Why? Because it's fuel for the soul. And today, giving the pleasure of pre-listening the new collection of themes that DTB produced; and as a matter of fact he also did everything else on this record, inclusively he painted the cover; once again i vow to the fact that this new record is in fact music for the soul.
Ambient, art, prog, a bit psychadelic a times, and a little vanguard, why not; also with some good guitars, i believe we can place this new record among prog rocks' best moments. I must tell you all in advance, that this is a collection of musical moments that will come to you as hard work. I sincerely think not, but unless you think that opening one to himself is that much of a trouble, or you're tired and bored and many other stupid excuses, well, i work too, but good things come first, so let's give it a good spin.
Healing Touch is a conceptual record. It's a humongous task to do it without words, but, guess what, Darrel did it!
"God's prescription" is a  nice way to start. a wanderer tune that implies HE is everywhere soothing our souls and telling us to be happy. But then, HE becomes serious and warns us to live within boundaries or a road to an oblivion in pain will be our prize. A 12 min. theme that send us on the path of introspection.
"From the mouth" comes straight from that era where psycadelic rock ruled. A power tune that connects the default of loud mouth to the non sense alter ego that so many times we succumb to. Too much words, not so much work. Can you hear it? Well, not yet, but you will.
"Cast it out" comes as a mass to take the evil from you. Like an exorcism. not so dark, but anyway, tubular bells also wasn't a dark tune. Love this one.
"Re-boot" is just it, start all over. New hopes, new ways to follow... if only you could feel it too.
"The fruits of the spirit" is like giving birth. Sorry guys, i'm man enough and i don't have any issues with my manhood, but to give birth isn't just making babies. When you create something of your own, your giving birth to something. Heavy or confusing terms? No. Just lack of use and fear of others ignorance.
"The stand". Can you take one? Don't fear, your time is now, your time is here! Protect yourself and stand for what you created. This is my favourite tune of this record. A "light up your mood" tune with voices from a guitar. Amazing.
"The release" is the follow up of your stand. Grow wings and fly, go where you've never been before and release your life among equals.
"The expanse" as the intro of the theme plays, it's a command for spreading your seed, and that being everything you intend it to be. Life, art, good will, whatever you want, it's up to you...
"No fear here" will be your follow up stage of life. when we create, give birth, we expand, we enter a new almost supernatural stage of life, we know it all, been all over, seen it all, heard it all, and it's time not to fear but to teach, to leave a legacy not of ours but of life itself through our own experiences.
"God's medicine" is the prize of the accomplishment. if you hear this record and execute the same exercice that i made writing this considerations about what i felt by doing it, i'm pretty sure you'll be amazed with the final result; and that's God's medicine.
In a declaration of interest, i must tell you that i haven't spoken with the artist or anyone else about what was that he intended with this conceptual trial to our brain capabilities. The presentation of this pre-listening said that this is a conceptual instrumental record, and from there i started my journey. I don't know if what i wrote about this new DTB opus is near, on the spot or far away from the artist's intended to present us, but one thing i can tell you with exact assurance, music talks! I Listened, i felt it, i incorporated it and then i spoke my peace. And That my friends, is the prime goal of the artist, to get to you! If we make this exercice with his creation, he will be an accomplished human being; as will we; a medicine man with is own method of God's medicine, just like HE wants us to, by diferent ways, the same result, and that is to enjoy the majesty of life!
Darrel is no longer a stranger, a very acomplished composer and musician, as i said before, he played all the instruments; and now he rightfully owns his spot among the best. maybe nxt time he will amaze us with a record for the soul that will reach the masses, like the classic and top musicians did.
This isn't a record to top the charts and fill stadiums, although he deserves it, and like JM Jarre or Mike Oldfield he will get there most likely, this is a record for the ones that "will be the seed". The others don't mind, don't care, just want to live fast and always receiving and never giving, they won't ever feel the "healing touch", poor things. And just because they don't want to learn it.
This is a ten out of ten because it does what it is meant to, get inside and talk to us. It doe to me, will it do the same with you? It most certainly will!
By McLeod!

https://youtu.be/RpLhN_gv2bw

ANTHEM - ENGRAVED (2017) JAPAN

These sons of the setting sun never cease to amaze me. A few days ago i came across with ANTHEM's new release, the "Engraved" new album and i must say, if you're in the neoclassical genre with lots of classic rock influencies, well you'll love this one. Graham Bonnett and Don Airey were at one time part of this japanese band, so if you're suspicious about their quality, well you've got another thing coming. Akio Shimizu is a hell of a shredder, one of the best around the world, so expect the unexpected, melody, speed and insanity until you drop. This new album brings not much of novelties, some bad boy songs, again a trend among the big acts; such a waste; and a follow up on their sound, still heavy has hell. Again the only problem is,... they sing in japanese with some english words here and there. I've said it many times and i'll say it again, why not 2 versions of the record, one in their mother language and another in english? The vocalist sings the english phrases with a very good pronounce, so there's no excuse there. Damn, i'll sing them if they want it, this is to good just to be confined to japan, but it's their choice, maybe the expansion experience with Graham Bonnett wasn't very well succeeded around 2000, like other japanese acts such as EZO (Produced by Gene Simmons), LOUDNESS (with Mike Vescera), VOW WOW (with Neil Murray), ...
Okay, this is heavy metal at it's best and worthy of at least a listining and "Far Away" deserves at least more than ten listenings. Very well crafted songs, excelent musicianship, and still their trade mark of writing songs with verse, bridge, verse bridge, chorus, solo; is still captivating. Again an instrumental song like in many of their past albums shows Akio at his best. "Sacred Trace" delivers a very eighties sound, like Impellitteri or MSG, a must for the hard and heavy fanatics. No ballads this time, just full frontal attack.
Lov'em or leav'em, but don't hate them, their too good for that.
By Mcleod!

STYX - THE MISSION (2017) USA

Straight out of the 70's! Pure and simple. I could swear they still used those old mixing tables to do this new record. There could be a lot to say about this new record by the acclaimed american band STYX, with 45 years on their legs, a classic rock institution, not only rock but also with prog elements but more of a theatrical brand of rock. They were pioneers of the genre mixing literally theater music with rock. The late 70's and early 80's were their best times as a top chart band. Iconic songs like "Mr. Roboto", "Blue Collar Man", "Don't Let It End", Too Much time On My Hands", "Boat On a River", Great White Hope" or "Come Sail Away" will forever be a part of the rock history and not only, but also a part of many ones who love music.
This New record, for the fans of the band is amazing, more rock and roll but with all the things that made them big. although we won't find those iconic hymns but if you want to know about this band or if you're a die hard fan, songs like "For The Greater Good" or "Red Storm" will certainly make you push the repeat button several times. "The Mission" is just it, a mission to make you wonder with their music, although it almost is a conceptual record about space travelling, the music is really the best part, after all these years they still have it. There are lots of bands that resurfaced by these nostalgic days that have nothing to ad, and for that they should follow Styx's example, if you want to still carry your legacy, please do what you like most and forget about the money, because if it's good, the money will come afterwards. And if you don't believe in yourselves for that, well, enjoy your retirement.
Remarkable record, a mandatory purchase for this rock school institution!
By McLeod!

TEN - GOTHICA (2017) UK

Seven musicians! Seems like a plattoon. 3 guitar players, but not new, Maiden is on the prowl with this formula for several
years now, so is Primal Fear. And since 2014 so does TEN. But am i complaining? Not at all, i'm rejoycing; the more the merrier.
Whenever i hear\read the word "gothica" on the hard\metal scene i always think The Sisters of Mercy or The Mission. I can explain it but don't want to. You see, gothica is a romantic view of the dark ages and so Gary Hughes decided to go that way this time. This is not new, Gary's epic musical composing often refers to the middle ages, dragons, wizards, the supernatural, and that is as good as everything else to present one's emotions, so everything's great so far.
Thirteenth album in 21 years of existance, deserves a celebration. TEN is one of my fovorite bands. Since the record "The Robe", 20 years ago, the first one i came across, that i never letted go of this british band. By those days, times of to much teenage stupidity, i couldn't understand why "the robe" for the title of an hard rock album, was it a bathroom rock album? Well, it was the name that called me to hear and apreciate the band, because curiosity killed the cat, and after i heard the title song i discovered that the Robe referred to the mantle that wrapped Christ following his cruxifition. Today i'm not such an ignorant idiot, well i try no to, eheheh; and if you're not acquainted wit TEN, well, there you have a good reason to start. Inspite this, my TEN's favorite album is of course "babylon". But, this new one is becoming pretty fast a favorite. And speaking of pretty, the song "in my dreams", that i am listening at this moment, has some resemblances to the danish metal band Pretty Maids, in the musical construction i mean. Because the PMs always go for a melodic pop song in the middle of the record. Given this, let's talk a bit about this new record.
One thing that is unmistakable is the melodic lines, it's TEN alright, it fool's no one. Now, by this time i've heard enough to comment about what i like less and that is the production. it's more than good, don't get me wrong, gary did an amazing job, and so did Dennis Ward, the producer of the moment, that co-produced and mixed the album; but there's to many instruments in the way and sometimes it sounds a bit crowded, it should have been treated like an orchestra. Someone must have decided this way because in other way it could have muffled the power of the sound, but there's always a solution. Never-the-less it sounds great because the main man comes to us in crystal clear sound. The other thing, is not a complaint nor a default but rather a theme of discussion; The bad boy idea is now a trend, and has become a cliché to a very crowded scene at the moment. It's too much for my 70's mind, but, i still love it, damn! (The bad boy movement is the the way that i refer to the classic hard rock of the seventies, portraited by bands like Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, with loud les paul gibsons and a bad boy atittude, by the likes of misfists such as John Sykes, that everyone is trying to recover, but in this case, we can't deny our roots, right?)
Well, this new record starts with "the Grail", that comes as a monastery mass an quickly crosses from an atmospheric ambiance to a melodic hard rock punch, epic as TEN is, very in your face and worthy of many repeatitions. Don't forget the screaming guitars. This song is a work of art, the structural keyboard lines travel lots of ambients; classical, acoustic, modern; each time i hear this song there's something new to discover.
"Jeckyl & Hyde" hits like a ton of bricks with a very hollywood-gothic ambient on the background. it recalls me something familiar,... and a bit of prog maybe,... and again piercing guitars, this guitar ensemble is unleashing hell, just phenomenal. Another work of art.
"Travellers" comes out of the dark wave of the 80's, and then hits the pace to the classic melodic rock epic lowtempo. not a ballad but then again,...
A folk ring enters through this musical forest in the form of "man for all seasons", a reference to king Henry VIII. After this prog melodic rock intro lashes a powerfull riff that unfolds the way to an epic road and when the solos come, well there's a mix of a prog and a neoclassical showdown worthy of gary's favourites' Yngwie Malmsteen, guitars versus guitars versus guitars, very ingenious, a favourite.
"In my dreams" is a melodic pop song worthy of your car radio after a days work, as i said before, reminds me a bit of Pretty Maids, and a seventies felling like the Sweet on the initial riff.
the "wild king of winter" is a powerfull cut with a heavy alternative\industrial riff, like Marilyn Manson; very catchy and addictive, but the best part is the key solo, a very pleasant homage to the late members of the ELP, courtesy of the majestic keyplayer Darrel Treece-Birch. One of my favorite cuts so far. (the chorus of this song made me get back the "Babylon" record and listen to it all over again, sorry guys, can't help it)
"Paragon" is an epic ballad that rocks the moment.
"Welcome to the freak show" another favourite cut, an 80's number with lot's of references like Kiss and a very pleasant seventies flavour courtesy of Darrell's key melodies.
"La Luna Dra-cu-la" is the only song that i can't relate to. The blood thirsty moon might be a folklore tale of the british islands but call it dracula puts it out of place because we always relate to that bloody romanian count that folklore legends says turned into a vampire. but that's not the point, i can't relate the music to the theme, a very british melody against a eastern and cold to the bone europe folklore. Never-the-less a huge tune that reminds you of classical songs by Thin Lizzy, Dare or Gary Moore.
"Into darkness" is the final cut of this album, and so a ballad. Has a vocal melody to sing hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder and yet riff lines to put you standing waiting for something else, a very good music gameplay, bravo!
Well, now come the final notes and i really must say this new record comes as a rendez-vous to the past, a modern approach to 17 years ago, i definitely love it. Very accomplished musicians and a phenomenal guitar ensemble directed by the keymaster, and just for this, this record is all worth it. This is from a band that is no longer just "a" band, what i see\hear in here is a consumation of a status, a musical institution tha can open the books of music to many new musicians, a scholar monument. This is university of music my fellow brothers of rock, in here we can find many things, epic, rock, classic, modern, prog, pop, and although we can identify many similar plays, one thing is for sure, Gary Hughes has is own identity and a standing place among the best. He wrote this magnum opus and setted it motion, and that, is an extraordinaire accomplishment given the musical quality. Hail Gary!
A ten out for TEN! The best of the year so far. just buy it! (although you only will have the opportunity to hear in next 7th of july, the date of it's official release. isn't that nice to be ahead of you? Sorry, what a pretensious ass web leak finder i am.
By McLeod (ROCKS NATION) 

SAMMY BERELL - PASSION DREAMS (2017)

Is Yngwie Malmsteen dead? I don't suppose so. as a matter of fact i truly hope not, he is my favorite guitar player, and i wish that when i'm gone i could take his music with me, ....
So who is Sammy Berell? A katcopy of Yngwie? Many would say so. But if were Sammy to be Yngwie's son, i believe he would be legitimated. Well, the things one must try to understand. But let's talk about this newcomer to the world stage of metal.
Sammy Berell is the new sensation swedish guitar hero, and for hid musical guidance he decided that to pick up were Yngwie stopped in the late 90's was a good idea. If i presented you this record without you seeing the cover or credits, you would surely say that Yngwie was back to his old form with his old bandmates, such is the perfection of this eximious guitar shredder. I don't know if Yngwie allowed Sammy to use some of is melodies and riffs on this set of songs, but YJM records "fire & ice" and "seventh sign" are the reference in here. (midnight flyer = teaser; and with the same vocalist too)!!!
But Sammy went a bit further, less classical and more melodically comercial, expansive and catchy, he delievers a powerful and yet refined work.
Remember Mike Vescera and Goran Edman? That's right, they are the voices in this record, and my friends, they still have it, and i'm not fovouring neither one of them, powerful voices after more than 20 years. They deliever a nuclear assault on your ears! A voice explosion.
This record, "passion dreams", is complied of 13 songs, with one instrumental. "War", the last theme is an instrumental cut in the vein of "perpetual or eclipse". The record starts like Yngwie's "seventh sign or magnum opus"; taking on the world by storm with Vescera delivering a tsunami. Them comes Goran Edman with his trademark performance on his time with Malmsteen. Ten songs with Vescera and only two with Edman, means that Vescera's time with YJM is the orientation of this record.
From the beggining to the end, everything is Malmsteen copied, but in the kid's defense, he nailed it! If YJM gave up, Sammy Berell, pick up the flag an kept on going. Congratulations, hoping to hear your next job like, yesterday!
Daniel Flores, was the producer, drummer and keyboardist on this record with Sammy as his wingman behind the control table.
It´s Heavy, powerful, melodic and neo-classical enough to take you back to the future. That's right, taking on the past to re-write the future. This year's revelation as guitar players is concerned, an amazing shredder!
P.S.: Sammy copies YJM for a fact, can't deny it, but not in everything, everyone has his own trademark and YJM is more than unique. He is sharp and insidious, insolent, classy and almost snobiest, and that can't be copied. On his side, Sammy is more commercially driven an plays by the book, and i believe it's more than enough to do the job, because others tried to do it just to crash and burn.
for the Neo-classical maniacs a true acomplishment, for the rest, well, give it a go, you'll like it the end.
McLeod Has Spoken!


Track List:

    Judgement day ---------- (Vescera)
    Midnight flyer ------------- (Edman)
    Memories never die ---- (Vescera)
    Little sinner -------------- (Vescera)
    Red light Eyes ---------- (Vescera)
    Passion dreams -------- (Vescera)
    Star ------------------------ (Vescera)
    Crown of thorns --------- (Edman)
    King of Kings ------------ (Vescera)
    Drakkar ------------------- (Vescera)
    Sacrifice ------------------ (Vescera)
    Starlight ------------------- (Vescera)
    War (Instrumental)

Musicians:

    Sammy Berell - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Co- Producer
    Mike Vescera - Vocals
    Goran Edman - Vocals
    Daniel Flores - Drums, Keyboards, Producer

SINNER - TEQUILA SUICIDE (2017) GERMANY

So sorry, Matt! If i have favorite bands, well, Sinner is absolutely one of them. Back in the 80's and 90's, few songs had a huge impact on me as "concrete jungle" or "respect", among a few others. But today it's another story. I am sorry to say that i take this new colection of songs as absolutely unnecessary. Thin Lizzy and Phill Lynott are reincarnated in this record. The 70's are back and with a bang, i give you that, and dont take me wrong, i'm loving it, but there's to much of it to have such a naive record like this on the stands. As a friendly jam among old acquaintances it's a hell of a party, and if this came out as a live recording on a saturday night show, i believe this could be huge among us, rock desperados, but the formula has become scratched, there's a lot of this going around. Matt, you're the one that deserves a tribute, please stay out of that path. Bad production? Bad musicianship? On the contrary, everything is great, it's just that Sinner is a different kind of stuff, powerful songs, even if they are a bit poppy, but these ones don't capture almost anything, at least with me, no mojo!
Let´s wait for a Primal Fear or a Voodoo Circle new recordings.
McLeod has spoken!


Due on March 31 via AFM, "Tequila Suicide" was produced by Mat Sinner, and co-produced, mixed and engineered by Dennis Ward.
The album features:
Matt Sinner - Bass, Vocals
Tom Naumann (PRIMAL FEAR) on guitars
Alexander Scholpp (TARJA) on guitars
Francesco Jovino (PRIMAL FEAR) on drums
plus special guests Sascha Krebs, Kolinda Brozovic, Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE), Ricky Warwick (BLACK STAR RIDERS), Pete Lincoln (THE SWEET), Neil Witchard and Magnus Karlsson (PRIMAL FEAR).

"Tequila Suicide" track listing:

01. Go Down Fighting
02. Tequila Suicide
03. Road To Hell
04. Dragons
05. Battle Hill
06. Sinner Blues
07. Why
08. Gypsy Rebels
09. Loud & Clear
10. Dying On A Broken Heart

Digipack bonus tracks:

11. House Of Rock
12. Monday Morning
13. I Am