Reviews

Signs of rot seem to show now in TEN, and listening to this album explains why month before the release guitarist Vinny Burns left the band for Gary Hughes to stick to his own devices. Overall a solid melodic metal work, "Far Beyond The World" isn't equal to its predecessors lurching to cliches on the way from the glorious opener "Glimmer Of Evil" to closing title track. The former feels great, filled with guitars interspersed with thoughtful keyboards and moody singing remindful of songs Hughes writes for Bob Catley, and what an infectious chorus there! On to "Strange Land" (a riff rather primitive) and "Outlawed And Notorious", and that's basically '70s glam, so warm yet too familiar. Then "High Tide" exemplifies TEN's approach - soulful and clever - but it's here where the edge starts to wear.

If EAGLES ever were to be rivalled, that might be only this band, whose only drawback was a belated start. Their pedigree, though, proved to be more blue-blooded than just Linda Ronstadt's band, with Jock Bartley coming off Gram Parsons' FALLEN ANGEL, former BURRITO BROTHERS Rick Roberts and Michael Clarke, plus SPIRIT's Larry Burnett and JO JO GUNNE's Mark Andes. Those make for three guitars, four singers line-up equal to EAGLES on the songwriting base as well. Live, they were great too, to which this live recording from 1979 is the best document showcasing FIREFALL's magic rapport from David Muse's flute in "Cinderella" to fitting "Just What You Need" encore. Chugging like a train, slide guitar and harmonica build to scorching country blues, so arresting in bass-driven "Mexico". And there's a delicate side to them - who's to stand indifferrently "Just Remember I Love You" (great guitar/sax unison) or similarly titled "Goodbye I Love You" poignancy? The latter shares a riff with wonderful "It Doesn't Matter", a hit Rick Roberts, Chris Hillman and Stephen Stills scored a couple of years before. Not to burst in tears, you can do what slinky "Get You Back" prescripts.

The further the hotter, slapped bass of "No Way Out" signalling of funky time to get high with jazzy improvisation approaching "Soul Sacrifice" vibe. Then, EAGLES comparisons pop up again, as "Lips" jives not unlike "Life In The Fast Lane" - "Anymore" feels "brutally handsome" too - and "Colorado" sounds as a new "Desperado". Still, all these are pretty melodies catchy on arrival, always adventurous as "Strange Way", which boasts a frenetic flute solo, and easygoing as "Livin' Ain't Lovin'". Currently in circulation, FIREFALL might be an opportunity missed, but their music's really "Sweet And Sour", as particular tune goes.

*****

One of a kind thing, another sweet if dull attempt to marry metal with opera - "Ascending" overture is majestic! - with a certain sterility oozing out off the cover itself. Peel this feeling off and stick to Sabine Edelsbacher's solid gold voice instead of precise mechanic drumming, and you'll have classic '70s pop rock poised well between Andreas Eibler's guitar and keyboards of Lanvall. That's a Blackmore-ish move to take a medieval dance and build on it "The Palace", then "Fly On A Rainbow Dream" approaching RENAISSANCE and shift to acoustic frailty of "Moment Of Time", which is sublime. Maybe, even too much. At the same time, while there are NIGHTWISH, title like "Starlight Reverie" sounds like pun. And music too, after a couple of songs interest gets lost, no thrill of it all lying in rather familiar flow of "Color My Sky". It hardly makes sense to make a song long, though EDENBRIDGE are clearly obsessed with epic visions coming up with not only not touchy by any stretch "Velvet Eyes Of Dawn" ballad but also almost 10-minute long title track of a highest standards. Stepping away from balladry onto riffs, as bombastic "Into The Light" and "Suspiria" show, the band gets a grip of a listener to let it loose with the "Winter Winds" slow blow. Their arcana might be no mystery, yet one longing to be enchanted - be it!

***1/5

The title says it all, already the classics, RYCHE report on their achievements in a 2CD-set of concert renditions of four suites with three picking on two consequent studio albums. Given such a chronological treatment at this point of the band's career, there's not that much of a real evolution process on display, it's rather a whole piece of work even without early and late songs mingling. Michael Wilton's and Kelly Gray's guitars and Geoff Tate's voice cut the slice immediately with "NM 156" though no use denying their works of that period musically leaked from MAIDEN, which is more prominent now, when they grew up, Eddie Jackson's bass in "Walk In The Shadow" a proof while "Roads Of Madness" off debut "Warning", here linked to sophomore "Rage For Order", clearly shows these guys had to go their own road - and, unfortunately, lose the innocence of "London" and "The Lady Wore Black" on the way.

Glory came in 1988 with "Operation: Mindcrime", presented on "Evolution" almost in its shining entirely where, sharply proclaimed in "Revolution Calling", another development path lurks, and folk thread hides in "Spreading The Disease". Live, the cycle strikes maybe more than distilled in studio. Not the same with songs woven into "Empire/Promised Land" suite, a bit heavier but poorer from melodic side, like "Damaged" may show. Tate puts on different, lower register for that part in order to sound mature, which doesn't go well, except for betraying FLOYD's "Comfortably Numb" influence "Silent Lucidity" and wonderfully poppy "Another Rainy Night". Much better when it comes to "New Frontier/Q2K" with fusion of "Falling Down" that showcases Scott Rockenfield's thoughtful drum patterns. Yet at this point the music becomes less and less interesting up to yawning at "Sacred Ground", so "Hit The Black", a glance back, is good as wake-up call. Hardly an opportunity to be evolving further - now the band should heed the call, revolution calling.

****1/3

If anyone ever doubted what those two digits in the band's name mean, now there's no use interpreting them erotic way: inclusion of THE WHO's "Pinball Wizard" off 1969's "Tommy" magically shows the collective's roots, theirs hardly more than mod rock given a bit of heaviness to turn to melodic hard rock, just like in "Shadows Of Time" and "Trust The Wiseman". And why not trust real feelings: when "Promised Land" shoots from ballad flow to dramatic chorus the tears in David Readman's voice are on your shoulder. To draw this lot of compassion takes an equal measure of sincerity worn on the sleeves for vibrant "Shout!" holding a lot of panache in its anthemic swell and Dennis Ward's thumping bass. The dare is quite justified with totalitarian appeal of "He Took The World" or sheer stadium energy of "Don't Need Your Touch" underpinned by sneaking drums from Kosta Zafirou. It's all well balanced, so plaintive "In My Dream" follows headlong "Enslaved" to build a tension, which Alfred Koffers outlines impressively with his liquid guitar in "High As A Mountain". Not a weak tune in store, "Endangered" is what it says - a rare bird these days, and when the bonus track goes "One Time Is Not Enough" that's exactly what we're supposed to do - spin it on, if only for "Wizard'.

****4/5

It was 1975 and Steve Marriott was on his own again, still not keen on launching a solo career. So, after a short stint with Alexis Korner's combo Steve came up with ALL STARS, which, for the sessions, included his former HUMBLE PIE colleagues Clem Clempson, Greg Ridley and Tim Hinckley among others. Everything ended up eventually as "Marriott" album, and it was out of question what direction Steve would pursue: sure, R&B. Yet, before firing off anew, Marriott delved into classics with Sam Cooke's "Shake" turned funky and THE RONETTES' languid "Be My Baby", but if, rendered faithfully, those hold a little surprise, major kicks lie in Elvis's playful rockabilly "You're A Heartbreaker" and, most of all, "The Times They Are A-Changin'", as far removed from Dylan's original as can be - a pure soul with vocals passed around to various ensemble members. Even THE SMALL FACES' "Wham Bam Thank You Mam" got revived on the occasion, given PIE-like hard rock edge. In fact, the band's material had made its way to the sessions too: "Street Rat", enlivened by Ian Wallace's percussion, appeared on the PIE album of the same name.

The rest were freshly cooked songs, like transitional in style "Midnight Rollin'" or "High 'N' Happy" that rightfully appeared on THE SMALL FACES' 1977's "Playmates", standing close to the Mods' early cuts. The same honky tonk swagger distinguishes "It's All Over", which may be considered a sequel to "All Or Nothing". But free, Steve would gracefully slide from straight "Ruthy" blues to joky "Bluegrass Interval", with those "marginal" songs much tastier than funk of "Don't Take But A Few Minutes" or "Cocaine" - pityfully, not J.J. Cale's one, like "Signed Sealed" had nothing to do with Stevie Wonder's hit. At the same time, "The Things You Do" slow burn, adorned with Mel Collins' sax, might pretend to be produced by Motown team, while "Lord Help Me To Hold Out" wears a Stax influence on its sleeve, and it's easy to fancy Otis singing universal "I Need A Star In My Life". Marriott's were ALL STARS, and that's a crime they didn't hit the sky.

*****

There's a good sign in a band giving their name to some album down the line rather than the first one - THE BEATLES and METALLICA illustrious examples - and definitive article only adds emphasis to it. It's all down to old school, where power riffs like that of the title track, are born. The twenty-year experience shows in heavy music played very easily to capture one in a hurricane drive of opening "Son Of Evil". Another privilege of renown artists is they can hide not their influences, what DIGGER do in SABBATH-shaped "Scythe Of Time" with its swell bass and slow-burn riffs turning into wistful strum, and then "Funeral Procession" calls out in the night to join it. Bells toll, "The House" a ballad? Yes, deep feelings spilled out stretching from acoustic softness to orchestral ouevre. Chris Boltendahl's vocals might sound a tad forced yet newly recruited Manni Schmidt's guitar rocks with solos melodic to a bit making "Haunted Palace" a decline towards bombastic trap. How beautiful is solemn organ preceding sharp attack of "Raven" that pulls in quotes from Edgar Poe - thick darkness of the night conveyed perfectly! And who's that vocalising in gentle "Silence" - Ozz taking avenge on his "Changes"? Ah, it's OK if sometimes all sets aside to straightahead metal, like in "Spirits Of The Dead" or "King Pest", to win again with infectious choruses the pinnacle of which comes in furious "Sacred Fire". A hot stuff in a cold cemetary.

****3/4

Virtually a double-shot, this album efficiently proves that sometimes a top vocal line can be left off for music to retain its appeal. There are only five songs on offer with each one reflected in an instrumental version - minus Anna DeRose's voice, the only living "creature" in cold Gothic settings that perfectly deliver a mood of "The Sleeper" based on Edgar Poe's poem. An illustration to "The Valley Of Unrest" that "Survive" takes you in, and orchestral feel, close to RENAISSANCE's thanks to Jeff King's alluring piano sweep, are given a dramatic edge by classical-scaled guitars courtesy of Mike DiDonato. In "She Wants To Be", though, guitars come woven firmly into mix to complement piano, so the "metal" tag suits the music only to a certain extent - the measure's the same as in BLONDIE's "Call Me". Call it an alt progressive metal, if you like. Clever but without a sentiment, you may expect from a female-fronted band.

Another thing is that in absence of a memorable tune - "Carousel" the best example - music tends to be shallow, and here's the reason why it comes so easy to get rid of voice and not to lose. When piano and guitar do the talking on their own, the drift remains the same - even in "Real", where vocals reign before dissolving in organ fading too early. Mystery of the band is still to be unveiled. Ethereal and ephemeral.

***3/4

It's just a shame Jack Bruce has been overlooked, if revered, as a solo artist after leaving the trio he became a star with. That wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the band Bruce had wrapped himself in in the early '80s, stripped of egos in favour of music, exceeded CREAM. The group, captured here live in November, 1980, were four greats: Jack's jazz leanings got solidified with none other than Billy Cobham on drums, David Sancious, former Springsteen associate, on keyboards and guitar, and guitarist Clem Clempson, eager to jump back to fusion vibe after his stint with HUMBLE PIE. And the vibe's on from the off when the leader of the pack soars up a cappella for some lines of "Tightrope" he will yet return to during this show to eventually grind it to a standing ovation with 15-minute encore of "Bird Alone", his most accomplished paean to Charlie Parker, embellished by Sancious piano frantics.

How wonderful from initial wave of jiving bass and slide guitar shapes up the "White Room" magnificient intro! The only drawback is rough mix, which puts Jack's singing and playing, magical as ever, too frontal up to fully overshadowing others in places, like Sancious' guitar solo in "Born Under A Bad Sign" freely morphing into cosmic jam. Bruce, for his part, feels just glad to let his friends shine: David adds funk to bouncing "Hit And Run", spice to "Post War" cranky reggae and blistering solo to "Theme For An Imaginary Western" Clem used to do in COLOSSEUM but now he comes up with wailing "Clem's Blues". There are blues enough, harking back to CREAM days - "Traintime", "Politician" and "Sunshine Of Your Love" - all sublime!

Still, it's never a hits package, classic material neatly sat in alongside fresh songs off the current "I've Always Wanted To Do This" album, such as "Living Without Ja" groovy rock, "Facelift 318" psycho nostalgia or "Dancing On Air" smooth drama, each piece driven by four fantastic strings, which thread through "Escape To The Royal Wood" instrumental fairy tale to wake up to "Morning Story" ringing. Not icy but hot and heartfelt.

*****

Are we witnessing the birth of a new guitar hero? If "No More Obscurity" was quite an eclectic debut from Rolf Munkes, this time the challenge of its title comes resolved in a project with some big names on board. For one, bass duties are fulfilled by seasoned legioner Neil Murray, and then there are Mark Boals warbling and Anders Johansson drumming on a couple of tracks each, while the main work is in the hands of Munkes' old friend Gerald Kloos and BALANCE OF POWER's Lance King's throat. And Rolf himself, now more focused and sharp, kicking off "Fool In Love" in neoclassic style yet dangerously leaning towards old-time metal riffage instead of melodic playing. Still, it rocks on, especially as Boals lets his voice shine, he's versatile in register and, getting high and low, is wonderfully easy: these two songs boast most accomplished top vocal lines and inspired playing - what a solo Munkes shoots off in "Into The Light" and "I Will Always Be There"! Alongside them, King's take on simple glam drift of "You're All That I'm Looking For" and "Bad Bad Boy" feels too shallow. That's not so good for a master to be dependable on the others, but for gentle "Spread My Wings" it works, acoustic guitar weaving around piano and gaining momentum when Hammond fills the ether - there's Don Airey running the keys, firm as ever. What only proves that Rolf's talent as composer reaches its best in slower songs, like "Here I Am", because seen here is the depth that has to be developed further to hypnotise as in classically-steeped instrumental "A Different Sign". Now it mostly doesn't, however hooky "Shelter" may be, that's why "Back To Me" loses. Seems, Rolf The Emperor knows it if says, genuinely rock'n'rolling, "Another Place, Another Time". He wins, who knows.

****

There's no surprise in that three former FAIR WARNING members - guitarist Helge Engelke, keyboardist Torsten Luderwaldt and drummer CC Behrens - plus former THUNDERHEAD bassist Ole Hempelmann and JACK'S HAMMER singer Olaf Senkbeil had cut a brilliant record, but what wasn't predictable is that it would come out so pathetic. WARNING had something for their successor to inherit - a soft spot for QUEEN panache, which shows off in anthemic "Dreamers" - up to May-ish guitar lines. But what was natural for great late Freddie is another band's poison. All the anticipations from artwork remindful of Storm Thorgeson aside, here comes a disillution rather than flood of pure feelings - even ballad "Heaven Knows" turns too solemn, and if tribal "Sundance" and opening "What You Believe In" hold a good swagger, it gets lost along the way in too heroic attitude and bombastic production - with due respect to superb musicianship.

Going astray to originality, like in Oriental-sprinkled "Crashed" or surprisingly fresh heady rock'n'roll of "Your Life", they hit the target and make wonder how it could sound live. Simple licks and humour of the latter are something to savour. Then, had "Promised Land" been more cutting, there would be a kick-ass terrace chant, but heartfelt soul of "I Take The Weight Off Your Shoulders" is the strangest thing on offer falling out of concept, though getting close to the FOREIGNER drift with "Cross The Line". Warm instrumental "Phoenix Tears" doesn't bring the flood either. Maybe next time.

****1/3