Reviews

"Soul Collector" is also packed with adolescent rock n' roll recklessness, real rock swagger, erogenous flirtiness and that typical Vengeance goofing around. A more varied album than "Back In The Ring"

The Zauss duo's album is at least as good as any Fripp soundscape record, and for me even better. The music is more colorful and stylistically varied, without being any less focused for it.

Bad Habit haven't been young for ages, but they still come across as "innocent" and "curious" today! The new album proves they can still win over a true AOR fan!

"Monolith" is a very good album that passed a tough test with flying colors: following up a masterpiece like "Point of Know Return" (1977).

The sixth studio assault from Brazil's death metal trio.

"Step 2 My World" is an album that will thrill music gourmets the most, the kind who still want to discover something new even after countless spins.

Apparently, putting out compilations and "best of" albums is still a nice earner today. In the golden days of vinyl and CD, bands used them to keep the money coming in during studio downtime.

Swedish melodic death/black metal outfit Zonaria was formed in 2001 under the name Seal Precious, and in their early days they played typical Swedish power metal.

After years of quiet, alt pop-rock quartet Fit are finally back with the live album Live uz Rijeku, proving the Rijeka lads are nowhere near ready for the scrap heap!

"Heavy Weather" is the pivotal turning point in jazz history, the moment the legendary band took jazz fusion to the next stage of its evolution.

Coldplay's fourth album, "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends", came out in June. In November the British rockers followed it with a double-album deluxe edition that adds an EP on top.

»All Areas« is a superb live recording that manages to capture and showcase everything that makes this legendary Canadian band great on stage.

French TV is an American band playing mostly in the RIO/avant-garde style, but to be honest, it's hard to pin them down to just that category, because you can hear so many influences in their music.

"Pawn Hearts" is a legendary album in every sense, still the yardstick of perfection in highly experimental music and one of those records everyone should hear at least once in their life.

"Point of Know Return" is as much a prog rock masterpiece today as it is an arena rock one. In places you can already hear the sonic seeds of the later AOR direction that dominated their sound through the '80s.

It may not match the creative depth and wit of their best record, "Once Around The World" (1988), but "Eat Me In St. Louis" is another very solid outing that serves up all their trademark ingredients

Joe and Kira have made a wonderful album with Reluctant Hosts, one that's impossible to pin down to a single genre. The record shows the drive of musicians eagerly exploring what music can do.

With Journey of the Yak, Martin Morgan has finally realized his potential. He's finally managed to put it all together – good compositions, this time played by real instruments.

A Hard Road is John Mayall's third album, on which the godfather of British blues boldly builds on the legacy of its famous predecessor, Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton. Time for Peter Green to step up.

"Great Escape" is, first and foremost, a thrilling showcase from an exceptionally modest musician who doesn't need any big-time publicity to prove he's one of the best at his fast-fingered craft.

Thrashers Keller have only been active for a little over a year, and they're already blasting out of the speakers from the cellars of the Primorska coast!

Running time: 35:25 Production: Rush & Terry Brown Release date: 1980 Label: Atlantic Records "Permanent Waves", or the Rush album of transition, slowly walks away from the band's fantasy-world stage and prog-rock…

Rush's transitional album, with one side that charges headfirst into the eighties and points to where the band was heading next: shorter, tighter, more accessible songs.

With "Trespass", their first prog album, the band took a huge leap forward from the previous record and showed that, despite the members' youth, they were one of the most mature groups of the day.

To this day, plenty of Genesis fans can't come to terms with the fact that one of the most innovative prog bands of the 70s started out as a fairly simple but solid symphonic-psychedelic pop band.

»A Night At The Opera« is the record where Blind Guardian proved they're not afraid of change and experimentation, and it paid off big time.

MetalGod is back with an album that earns the "Painkiller 2000" nickname only insofar as it soothes the disappointment over Judas Priest's squandered "joker" and the album "Jugulator" (1997).

"Sleep Dirt", the album that was meant to be "Hot Rats III", is a treat for anyone into experimental rock and jazz rock fusion, delivered at the usual enviable instrumental and compositional level, despite all the needless and tactless…

An album of defiance and survival! The heaviest record of the band's career. Stripped bare, riff-chopped, with no keyboards and no guitar solos! A fine achievement, but it lacks the elegance of most earlier Rush albums

If I had to recommend a record to someone looking for a place to start with Camel, it would probably be "Mirage".

A while back, one of Slovenia's more perceptive music journalists, in a newspaper whose name I sadly no longer remember, wrote that it's simply not hard to write a bad review of Rebeka Dremelj. Something similar, but in reverse, could be…

The old wolf has proven once again that even in progressive rock, the genre's masters and pioneers can still teach their students a thing or two.

"Camel," a record still overlooked even by prog fans, is one of the best debuts in prog rock, a masterpiece by one of the most underrated rock bands of all time.

Stauss is one of the finest discoveries around and one of the most exciting musicians out there. His music is impossible to pin down, he's always original and inventive, and his stuff just keeps growing on you.

Prljavo kazalište, the Croatian heroes of the post-punk wave, recently celebrated 30 years in the game. To mark the occasion, they've put out a retrospective look at their legacy called Best of Live!

With "Brain Salad Surgery," the three wise men of prog rock created a timeless genre classic and their last studio masterpiece.

""Brain Salad Surgery" is the crown jewel of the great trio at the peak of their artistic powers, and it belongs in the collection of every honest rock fan."

Monkey - Journey to the West is the latest musical project from Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) and his buddy Jamie Hewitt (Gorillaz).

"King Crimson have every right to be proud of this album, which in many ways even outdid its far more commercially successful predecessor. Musically, stylistically and in its message. "In the Wake of Poseidon" is also another masterpiece…

I'd say this album is for everyone who's going to miss Jinx live now that they've gone off to record a new record, and also for anyone who wants a sort of best-of.

King Crimson have every right to be proud of this album, which in many ways even surpassed its far more famous predecessor: musically, stylistically and in the message it carries.

"Counterparts" is Rush's "Book of Sex", and its point is that the Canadian trio strung together their most expressively powerful post-1989 album.The riff-rock edge takes over from the art-rock presence for the first time.

All Your Love I Miss Loving is a sensational musical document from one of the greatest sons of blues, Otis Rush! It's the first complete testament to the live firepower of this legendary musician, caught red-handed at the scene of the…

""In The Court Of The Crimson King" is a legendary, now-cult record for every prog rock fan, and the very one that laid the foundations of the genre."

"In the Court of the Crimson King," King Crimson's debut album, is today recognized as the record that defined everything we now file under progressive rock.

The release of a lost record by a legendary Rijeka band, written in the purest avant-garde spirit of the eighties and the then-fashionable new wave art synth punk pop sound. A one-of-a-kind gem that has finally gotten its due!

"Manifest ljubezni" is the second studio album from rockers Bohem, made under the baton of Andrea F.

With "Clear," Michael proves he can be a very convincing musician on his own too, with an album that boasts a collection of excellent songs sure to delight all his longtime fans.

The best proof of how good this album is? It's a real treat for anyone who loves "Hot Rats" and the other jazz rock fusion masterpieces cut from the same cloth.

New York band TV on the Radio released their fourth studio album "Dear Science" in September.

"Bang!" delivers that typical Thunder sound, yet it stays vivid all the way through and gets under your skin from the very first moment, which means Thunder's music still makes perfect sense in 2008.

On »Hall Of The Mountain King«, Savatage finally started living up to their potential, gradually shaping their signature symphonic, operatic-flavored sound, the one that would deliver their best work in the '90s.

All three goodies on this single are like three cherries on top of the sundae that is the unforgettable album "House Of Cards."

Motorhead are synonymous with perfectly tuned Neanderthal revelry, and Bomber is one of their greatest triumphs. Watch your heads as the drone of Lemmy's squadron roars high above you.

The debut album from England's Late Of The Pier, serving up a fresh mix of electro, trash, glam and a whole lot more.

Agnostic Front's guitarist delivers a street punk album that says nothing new, but has a sly dose of heart that gives it real character and authenticity!

Oh yeah... Has anyone ever heard of Dropkick Murphys? You know the drill. Take rock n' roll, convert it with a punk twist, toss in some Irish folk shenanigans, and the muffin's baked.

A superbly convincing debut that nails every basic ingredient of good sleaze. Good morning, Crue nostalgics!

"Detours" is a very good live recording that manages to capture the concert spirit and energy of the classic, most beloved Saga lineup in an authentic way.

Every Picture Tells A Story is Stewart's famous album, which exploded onto the wider music scene with a tantalizing mix of rock, blues and soul.

The double live album "The Chapters Live" is one of the most majestic and most important releases in the story of the legendary Canadian art rock band.

Time ticks on mercilessly, but Rose Tattoo keep ladling out the most authentic "in your face" rock n' roll arsenal with a big fat spoon! As the album title says, these are true-blue rock n' roll blood brothers!

With this single, The Whip have proven that we can expect them to grow into one of the best and most popular electro pop acts in Britain.

Bringing good music closer to Slovenian listeners and opening the door for musical talent.. The compilation »Imamo dobro glasbo - Val 08« is a snapshot of where the Slovenian music scene stands right now.

Despite the flak it usually catches, "Secret Messages" isn't a bad album, but it's missing quite a bit before a listener could enjoy it from start to finish the way they can with most of the band's records.

This is an album that should thrill, above all, those prog rock fans who see progressive music mainly as mixing their favorite genre with other musical styles.

America's ambassadors of forging modern rock patterns, The Raconteurs, return even stronger after their well-received debut Broken Boy Soldiers, this time with the excellent album Consolers of the Lonely!

Though it can't even begin to compare with their best work from the '70s, this is Lynne's last project before the brief comeback with "Zoom" (2001) that's still worth your attention, even if you're not a die-hard ELO devotee.

With their new album Sputnik, Vatra have clearly matured and triumphantly leapt to a new, higher level of development and energy in their musical expression. With Sputnik, Vatra are effectively plugging into the wider world.

A star-studded crew is back from the dead, building on the bright gem "Project:Driver" from 1986, and this time it's made for modern times!

This is one of the very few prog rock albums released in 2008 that I'd dare say will eventually earn cult status, if not outright masterpiece billing.

Old-school hardcore with a stylistic nod to the legacy of bands like Burn, Judge, Leeway or Warzone, but it doesn't have much new to say.

My Morning Jacket mostly play melodic alternative rock that often borders on country and pop.

Go Betty Go's studio debut "Nothing Is More" (2005) is alternative rock holding pop punk's hand. These girls aren't some "overnight" musicians playing with the dangerous toys of the studio out of boredom.

Popularity isn't a measure of quality, but Chemical Brothers have both: success and good music. So if you want to hear all their hits, this CD is a perfect fit.

"Zoot Allures" isn't without its flaws (it could easily have done without those bedroom recordings), but it's still a remarkably well-balanced piece of work that delivers plenty of fun moments of unique Zappa comedy rock.

An album of easygoing pop rock grooves with beautifully balanced production, where every instrument is crystal clear, rich soundscapes resting on a sturdy rhythmic foundation, and delicate, sensitive vocals.

With "Mirror Of Souls," Theocracy have grown from a project into a proper band. The new album tops the debut in every way: it's a superb progressive power metal record and a big step forward!

Cryonic Temple walk the tri-point where American old school speed metal and archaic thrash meet with remarkable skill, pouring in a hefty dose of European heavy metal melody.

Every devoted fan of both musicians will no doubt have "Bongo Fury" in their collection, and the record is also a highly recommended appetizer for anyone not yet well acquainted with their legacy.

Classic European power metal that started to flourish a good 10 years ago, with an energy that'll get under the skin of fans of a tradition stretching from HammerFall through Dream Evil all the way to Firewind!

"One Size Fits All" easily belongs in the elite circle of Frank's best work. You'd be hard-pressed to find a Zappa devotee who wouldn't put it among their ten favorite albums of Frank's career.

Border-town heavy metal packed in the jargon of biblical thrash relics from Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer, armed with early Iron Maiden melodies. Bold, aggressive, and plenty dirty for Italians!

A limited run of a thousand discs: "Vanilla Sky Tour Edition"!

"A new Rijeka wave for a new millennium!" An album drawing on the post-punk rock bands of the eighties, à la Joy Division or New Order, and edging toward the sound of Editors, The Killers and Interpol in a modern rock idiom.

Blazing alternative rock with punky dimensions, a detuned, smeared guitar riff and a fat, voluminous rhythm line. Strapped onto all of it is an accusing, angry, amateurish vocal with a convincing note.

Unless you're a band on the level of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or maybe Saxon, it's pretty hard these days to put out a pure-blooded heavy metal record, since the genre has sadly been stagnating for a while now. That makes it all the more…

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is the third AC/DC album and, up to that point, surely the most versatile creation from the Australian hard rock blacksmiths, which also makes it, relatively speaking, the riskiest move Angus's horde dared to…

Over the last two or three years, a powerful metal scene has been waking up in Slovenia. The old bands are staying active, and a good number of young bands are joining them. What they all have in common, at least for the most part, is that…

Soon after its release, "UK" earned, entirely deservedly, the title of prog rock masterpiece, and it still enjoys that status today.

Interceptor, by now a pretty legendary Slovenian band, was born way back in 1991. That was the year Slovenia entered its first year of independence, and in Žalec the band's only two remaining original members

ohGr is a project from Canadian composer Nivek Ogre and American producer Mark Walk. Both are multi-instrumentalists and already carry serious clout in the music industry. Ogre also made a name for himself as one of the leading figures of…

Tina Turner is returning to concert stages this year, and for her big comeback inside the walls of our living rooms, the lady has put together a collection of hits with the plain title Tina!, though she clearly doesn't want to stick her…

Jack Foster III is a gifted American guitarist and singer, one of the many modern musicians who have successfully ridden the recording and publishing revolution and who have totally mastered the art of promoting their image and work online

"Roll The Bones" keeps the production foundations of "Presto" (1989). To that end, Rush stuck with Rupert Hine in the studio. The approach to songwriting shifted a touch again, which is nothing new when it comes to Rush. No two albums sound…

Mogul Thrash, the brainchild of James Litherland, former Colosseum guitarist and vocalist, were one of many British progressive rock bands that never got the chance to become big. Similar bands usually put out one or at most

Uli Jon Roth is a self-proclaimed professor of acupuncturing classical music composition with ear-splitting rock racket, best known to most as the former guitarist of German hard rock scarecrows Scorpions. 5

Destination's Calling, formed in 1999, are a quartet cultivating a modern, concept-minded style, one mostly driven by the up-and-coming young bands coming out of Scandinavia these days. So the wave rolling in from the north has now hit

Factory Of Dreams is a duo project made up of Portuguese multi-instrumentalist Hugo Flores and singer Jessica Lehto. The album "Poles" is supposedly progressive metal, but every time you spin it, it stays a

"A Kind Of Magic was a huge relief for longtime fans and a welcome step in the right direction, as the hard rock passages and the epic, mystical themes returned to their music.