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Vinnie Moore:
Shredding to the Core
by Tommy Hash

Vinnie with DEAN VM2000 SIGNATURE Guitar
Photo taken from www.vinniemoore.com

He is one of the quintessential shred guitarists who released a string of heavy & intricate guitar albums from his debut Mind's Eye back in 1986, to keeping the spirit of technical axework alive with 90's albums such as The Meltdown & Out of Nowhere to his latest offering, To the Core among other records. Having made a handful of appearances on albums by Alice Cooper, Jordan Rudess, & Vicious Rumors, Vinnie Moore was primarily known for his six string attack. But that all changed when he was given a chance tom join UFO in the early new millennium, after Michael Schenker left for good. Out of this came The Visitor in 2004, and since then there have been two more studio albums and a double live album.

However, his involvement with UFO wasn't simply being a sideman/guitarist, this involvement immediately led to the his co-penning of most of the material the band has released since he joined, where Moore brings more to the table than just his guitar prowess. Now a new compilation has been unleashed by the band focusing on their latter material titled Best of a Decade (SPV Records), spanning the band's years as a hard rock powerhouse after the turn of the millennium, where even some added live recordings of classics such as "Lights Out," "Let it Roll," & "Doctor Doctor" are thrown in representing the recent lineup.

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Interviews: Interview with Bassist DAVE LARUE (Steve Morse, Dixie Dreggs, Joe Satriani)

Posted by tommy on Friday, August 20 @ 17:31:58 EDT (231 reads)
Topic Interviews

Dave LaRue:
Fusion Bass Legend
by Tommy Hash

photo by Alan Nielsen

One of the finest bassists in the progressive, rock, jazz, and, fusion worlds, Dave LaRue has not only had a multifaceted career providing the low end backbone for Joe Satriani, Dixie Dreggs, Steve Morse, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, and Planet X among others, he has also brought the bass up to the forefront with his intense and intricate techniques.

A reissue of his 1992 album Hub City Kid has hit the racks and it encompasses all styles of his playing and has stood the test of time as a strong album in the fusion genre. Having played on Steve Morse Band's most recent album, Out Standing in Their Field with another solo album from him on the way, LaRue speaks about his approach to bass playing, the upcoming album, & his gear among other things.

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Interviews: Interview with BLIND GUARDIAN Guitarist Marcus Siepen

Posted by tommy on Friday, August 20 @ 17:01:46 EDT (261 reads)
Topic Interviews

Marcus Siepen:
Riffage of the Dark
by Tommy Hash

One of the quintessential metal bands that have been flying the flag high for heavy metal in the new millennium building upon the Maiden/Priest stronghold and making a mark as their own force, Blind Guardian are a massive powerhouse that have toured the big halls abroad, enjoyed major label success, and kept it down-to-earth on their own terms, becoming known on a fist name basis in the metal world.

The ninth studio album, At The Edge of Time is upon us, and it is a representation of all of what Blind Guardian stands for, taking the best elements from their catalog and molding them into one offering, bringing out the intensity of thrash, the technical progressive elements, and the arena ready metal stance. Rhythm guitarist Marcus Siepen speaks about what has led the band up unto this point

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Interviews: Interview with FIRST SIGNAL/EX-HAREM SCAREM Vocalist Harry Hess

Posted by tommy on Friday, August 20 @ 15:32:58 EDT (184 reads)
Topic Interviews

Harry Hess:
Loud and Clear
by Tommy Hash

When someone talks about a melodic rock and AOR band, there are always comparisons to Harem Scarem - as they were the band helped lead the way for guitar driven pop/metal that brought that types of music up to a level way beyond the hair metal gloss and glam. After multiple releases spanning years, the band decided to call it a day in 2008, with their final album Hope being unleashed by Frontiers Records that same year. Fans abroad, took it to heart when the band that helped provide the blueprint for modern melodic rock bands would come to the end of the road. However, it would not signal the end of the music, nor the recognizable vice of frontman Harry Hess

Two years later, Hess returns with First Signal, one of the finest melodic offerings that could bear the title, "best Harem Scarem album not by Harem Scarem." The album is filled with heaviness, a diverse array of tunes, big harmonies and a high sensibility for the pop sweet tooth, making it one of the contenders for best melodic rock albums of 2010 - and looking at how everything has been this year for melodic rock, it's been a great year. Hess speaks about the new record, his time with Harem Scarem, and their somewhat strange career they rode upon (due to timing), and what else beholds upon him,

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Interviews: Interview with Voices of eXtreme vocalist DON CHAFFIN

Posted by tommy on Friday, August 20 @ 14:39:13 EDT (164 reads)
Topic Interviews

Don Chaffin:
Silence is Golden
by Tommy Hash

Hailing from the New York area with a hard edged melodic penchant, Voices of eXtreme have unleashed their second offering of in-your face riffage known as Break The Silence. With the Sabbath meets Priest wall of sound, meets the dark aggression of Alice In Chains with a slight bit of thrash tendencies built in, the album rumbles through the assault of "Apocalypse," "Numb," & "Blown Away" to easing things down a bit on "Made of Stone," "Break the Silence," and the ballad "Tell Me What it Takes."

Having caught the ear of Anthrax's Dan Spitz, as well as Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain and David Swales from Affinity Management (where the two co-manage the band), Voices of eXtreme were making a mark. Co-founded by vocalist Don Chaffin, who has many road & studio stories, having sung for Ram Jam, Ace Frehley, and The Vibes among others, the band has found solidarity with their sound as well as lineup changes.

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Interviews: Interview with Guitarist ALEX MASI

Posted by tommy on Sunday, August 15 @ 14:02:56 EDT (186 reads)
Topic Interviews

Alex Masi:
Theory in Shredding
by Tommy Hash

Alex Masi is a shred guitarist's shred guitarist, having released a multitude of albums since his days with Dark Lord & his own debut, Attack of the Neon Shark in 1989, his playing has shown all types skilled levels of virtuosity, with a knack for the neo-classical nimble fingered approach, as his trilogy, In the Name of... honored Bach, Mozart, & Beethoven.

Each subsequent released has seen him push boundaries of challenging musical nuances to push the envelope on both the playing and composing. His latest release, Theory of Everything (Lion Music) is an album that hearkens the glory days of Shrapnel oriented six-string attack where Masi takes a tune and goes berserk with it; whether it be the melodic intensity of "Breakfast at Owsley's," the groove metal frenzy of "Jam on Haunted Hill," the plectonic balladry of "The Past," and the semi-electronic textured "Have a Talk with God," Theory of Everything is a class act performance.

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Interviews: Guitarist GEORGE BELLAS Returns to Ytsejam.com

Posted by tommy on Saturday, August 14 @ 09:49:02 EDT (254 reads)
Topic Interviews

George Bellas:
Taking Away the Moments...
by Tommy Hash

With every album that nimble fingered axeman George Bellas releases, you never know what exactly to expect - his unique musical technique was in high gear for Planetary Alignment, and Step Into the Future saw him perform a whole album as one unique performance heightening the antae on prolific playing.

A Shrapnel Records Alumni, Bellas takes his chops into highly intricate directions combining the classical influence with the melodic metal stance. On his latest piece of work, The Dawn of Time, the technical nuances are in full force as are the melodies, beholding a record of shred metal grandeur. ...Time has something for everyone who lovs their axe attack on the intricately laced edge and the six string slinger speaks about this and many musical endeavors he has embarked on lately.

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Interviews: Interview with HAWKWIND'S Dave Brock

Posted by tommy on Sunday, August 08 @ 20:46:29 EDT (176 reads)
Topic Interviews

Dave Brock
Still Flying
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Having invented space rock, they have become one of the most influential figures in progressive rock, stoner rock, punk, electronica, & heavy metal; becoming one of the eminent forces in the music scene from the psychedelic underground in the 60's to the time of now. Having a career that spans a multitude of albums, multiple lineup changes, and even forming their own festival called Hawkfest, Hawkwind is still going strong, having just their 25th studio album Blood of The Earth (Eastworld/Candlelight) - like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, & The Doors, Hawkwind were a unique force in a time where bands were flexing their muscles to push the envelope of what a band could do musically and stay original.

With a legacy that spans decades, since the release of the self-titled album in 1970, guitarist Dave Brock has been the sole member to remain constantly in the band and he speaks about the band's current endeavors and the abundance of creativity that has been bestowed upon the masses from this band.

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Interviews: Interview with Starbreaker, Westworld, & Ex-TNT Vocalist TONY HARNELL

Posted by tommy on Sunday, August 08 @ 20:27:44 EDT (202 reads)
Topic Interviews

Tony Harnell
A Northern Soul
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

He is one of melodic rock and metal's most recognized voices, beholding one of the highest falsettos in hard rock. Having scored hits with TNT through the 80's, Tony Harnell would continue with the band into the noughties, keeping the flag flying high for melodic rock in the new millennium; doing the same thing as of late with both Westworld and Starbreaker for a handful of albums. Now with several records behind him that are cast in the hard rock scene, Harnell has formed Tony Harnell & The Mercury Train, a more stripped down, semi-acoustic project that sees him playing his classics in a whole new light. The new album Round Trip features TNT tunes such as "10,000 Lovers," "Lonely Nights," "Ready to Fly," & "Northern Lights," among others as well as "Shame" (featuring Sandi Saraya) and "Uninvited" from Westworld (the latter being a cover of a cover), and a new song "When I'm Away." The record delivers something different from what we know him best for, putting the crunch laden guitars aside to bring about a different kind of expressive demeanor.

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Interviews: Interview with CANVAS SOLARIS Drummer Hunter Ginn

Posted by tommy on Sunday, July 18 @ 13:15:45 EDT (338 reads)
Topic Interviews

Hunter Ginn
(Their Own) Statesboro Blues
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

One of the most inventive bands to ever appear on both the progressive rock and the experimental hard rock scene, Statesboro, Georgia's Canvas Solaris has released a series of records that are intricately infused with musical nuances that are nearly impossible to execute, but are not impossible to listen to. With music that invokes the edginess of King Crimson, At War With Self, Spiral Architect, Cynic, and Zero Hour, they are helping lead the revolution for music that knows no headroom and breaks all the rules while remaining accessible on the ears, I've said it before in a past review - "If Charlie Haden was a metal bassist, if Ornette Coleman traded the wailing sax for blistering guitar, if Herbie Hancock hung out with Keith Emerson, and if Buddy Rich ran on pure aggression instead of the dope, this is what you would come up with."

Never afraid to take their chances with what they can do musically, Irradiance (Sensory/Laser's Edge Group) is the latest of the Canvas Solaris catalog, being record number five. Even with the lineup changes, nothing has slowed this band down, and drummer Hunter Ginn has been in the fold insect the band's inception in 1999 (along with guitarist Nathan Sapp), as he speaks on what entails upon this musical monstrosity.

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Interviews: Interview with Guitar Shredder AXEL RUDI PELL

Posted by tommy on Sunday, July 18 @ 12:26:30 EDT (329 reads)
Topic Interviews

Axel Rudi Pell
Crest of the Knave
by Tommy Hash

Axeman Axel Rudi Pell is one shredder who brings the melodic metal mantra to the forefront. After a multitude of records that feature an execution of AOR, symphonic rock, neo-classical edginess, arena rock, and both speed & progressive metal elements to the table, the guitarist still at the top of his game. His latest, The Crest prevails with full-blown metal tracks such as the intense "Too Late," the melodic mastery of "Prisoner of Love," & the darkened vibes of "Dark Waves of the Sea," alongside ballads "Glory Night," "Devil Zone," and "Noblesse Oblige" - fluid playing colliding with the high technical edge is in abundance. With each album standing out on it's own, The Crest will certainly make a mark as one of the many high points in Pell's career.

The guitarist speaks about his current musical endeavors, including upcoming live performances and a DVD - and just like Malmsteen, Vai, and Satriani, there is no stopping the music.

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Interviews: Interview with GLYDER guitarist Bat Kinane

Posted by tommy on Sunday, July 18 @ 11:16:55 EDT (294 reads)
Topic Interviews

Bat Kinane
Here Comes Tomorrow
by Tommy Hash

Wearing their influences on their sleeve, Ireland's Glyder which entails a lineup of drums, twin lead guitars, & a bass playing vocalist, invokes not only the spirit of where Thin Lizzy might have left off, but the spirit of true to life hard rock as well. With a total of three releases met with critical acclaim abroad & heavy rotation on Bruce Dickinson's BBC-6 radio show, their latest album Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is their first to get proper distribution in the U.S., as they are long overdue to reach the American hard rock an metal masses.

Originally formed in 2004 under them name Hollywood, Glyder has a historical roadmap that includes touring with the likes of Thunder, The Answer, & Fish, even snagging an opening slot for Metallica with still more musical festivities being on the eve for this band. Half of the dueling axe attack, Bat Kinane speaks about this hard rock powerhouse.

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Interviews: Interview with DAY SIX Guitarist Robbie van Stiphout

Posted by tommy on Tuesday, June 29 @ 10:42:44 EDT (312 reads)
Topic Interviews

Day Six:
Dark Grandeur
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Offering up darkened, melodic progressive metal, Day Six comes about with an impressive record. Filled with darkened overtones, melodic soundscapes, and an abundance of heavy riffage - this band knows how to keep their melodic vision in focus. Hailing from the Netherlands, this quartet has unleashed The Grand Design, a concept album that tells a story while keeping the music accessible with each tune standing out on it's own, similar to the way Operation: Mindcrime molded everything together, where nothing gets harsh to distract from the music - as the concept's presence enhances the music and lyrical depth, bringing more than just an assortment of songs to the table.

With the sheer atmospheric vibe of "Lot Identity" & "A Soul's Documentary" and the blatant metallic edge of "Castel Gandolfo" &"7th Sign" the clean glistening crescendo axework collides the thick wall of sound crunch with the sheer intensity of the challenging rhythmic overtones hearkening the melodic prog-metal sounds of Sphere of Souls, Age of Nemesis, and Circus Maximus. Guitarist Robbie van Stiphout speaks about how all this came together.

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Interviews: Interview with RPWL Frontman Yogi Lang

Posted by tommy on Sunday, May 30 @ 19:51:22 EDT (411 reads)
Topic Interviews

Yogi Lang
World Through His Eyes
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

RPWL, with Lang, right front

It's been ten years since Germany's RPWL appeared on the scene to grab progressive rock by the horns and give the music a breath of fresh air and what a decade it's been. Having first shown up at the dawn of the millennium, when progressive rock was surfacing with a larger, enigmatic presence in the new digital age, the band that started out as a Pink Floyd cover band has come a long way since the release of their debut album in 2000. Celebrating their ten year anniversary, the band has unleashed two releases upon the masses that represents how far the band has come. The first, being The RPWL Live Experience DVD last year, and the second, the more recent two-CD The Gentle Art of Music anthology that includes a Best of... retrospective as well as stripped down, semi-acoustic re-workings of their past material.

Their interpretation of melodies and execution of intricate arrangements stand on their own, as elements of psychedelic rock, nu-prog, post-rock, and electronica with huge melodic tendencies have found their way into the band's aura whether it be the aggressive tunage of "Start the Fire," the art riddled pop mastery of "Roses" or the atmospheric soundscapes of "I Don't Know (What it's Like)," where this band is helping healed in the new era of progressive rock beyond the 70's cliche's, the blatant neo clonage, for RPWL writes songs and not concertos. Frontman, vocalist, & multi-instrumentalist Yogi Lang speaks about the band's accomplishments and all that beholds for the future of the band.

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Interviews: Interview with PRETTY MAIDS' Guitarist Ken Hammer

Posted by tommy on Sunday, May 23 @ 12:49:13 EDT (423 reads)
Topic Interviews

Ken Hammer
Beautiful Metal Madness
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

One band that has always been on minds of the metalheads is Denmark's Pretty Maids, mostly known by the masses for their song, "Future World" from the Eddie Kramer produced album of the same name - through that track and a big string of records, the band has unleashed music that set the tone for melodic metal while keeping it alive. With miles of touring abroad, having major label support from Epic-CBS/Sony, and persevering through metal's dark days, the band is still at the top of their game. With the release of their debut for Frontiers Records, Wake up to the Real World in 2006, the band has put any hardships behind them and with Pandemonium unleashed upon us, it's proof that the rock will never stop.

Guitarist and co-founder Ken Hammer discusses all what entails upon a band that remains a powerhouse after thirteen albums, multiple EPs, and singles - still moving forward as their execution for all things heavy and all things metal in full-force.

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Interviews: Interview with PRIMAL FEAR frontman Ralf Scheepers

Posted by tommy on Sunday, May 23 @ 11:26:55 EDT (373 reads)
Topic Interviews

Ralf Scheepers
Metal is Forever
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Being one of the grandest bands of melodic power metal, brining forth offerings that behold screaming guitars, aggressive melodies, attitude and the anthemic vibe to make their music hook laden along with the heaviness that is bestowed from band - Primal Fear are one of the big names of all things metal carrying the torch for the new generation of Priest & Maiden influenced music alongside Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, & Gamma Ray (the latter is whom vocalist Ralf Scheepers once fronted).

After a string of albums released on metal giant Nuclear Blast and more recent wax released via inkage with melodic rock heavyweight Frontiers, the band has unleashed their second live DVD & first live CD (available separately or as a special edition together) - 16.6: Live Around the World (DVD) and Live in the USA (CD). The time gap between their last DVD, The History if Fear (released in 2003) has yielded an additional four studio albums plus a 'best of' anthology - four new studio albums equals a lot of material in the bands possession. So with the new live tunage and eye candy in tow, the snapshot in Primal Fear's career has been caught, showcasing the current lineup and the fact that this band certainly still prevails since their inception in 1997 - frontman Ralf Scheepers gives us all the details.

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Interviews: Interview with TREAT's Nalle Påhlsson (also w/THERION & LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM)

Posted by tommy on Sunday, May 23 @ 10:26:24 EDT (381 reads)
Topic Interviews

Nalle Påhlsson
Reunion of Treat
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Having scored a number of albums in Europe and keeping the flag waving high for melodic rock, Sweden's Treat have had a lasting impact on the Scandi hard rock scene. Through multiple albums and singles since their inception in the mid-eighties, this band built their foundation on heavy guitars, big melodies and huge choruses, inking a deal with Vertigo/Mercury records along the way. They somewhat disbanded after the release of their final self-titled studio album in the mid nineties but reunited after over a decade of hiatus to unleash Weapons of Choice in 2006 and recently, Coupe de Grace, another fine example of melodic hard rock mastery brought up to epic proportions with arena minded anthems for hard edged tunage from straight ahead rockers "No Way Without You," "The War is Over," & "Tangled Up," keeping the vibe dark on "Skies of Mongolia," while heightening up the pop antae on "All for Love" & "We Own the Night" for this is a record that will bring them to further stature, as these guys have unfortunately never really broken the mold in the states - but now is the time.

Having joined the band in 2006 for the Weapons... album, bassist Nalle Påhlsson witnessed things at hand with the band as a longtime friend as well having jammed with the band for some time. This new album from his viewpoint is a continuation of the Treat mantra, of course showing growth.

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Interviews: Interview PAIN OF SALVATION Keyboardist Fredrik Hermansson

Posted by tommy on Friday, May 21 @ 10:33:32 EDT (678 reads)
Topic Interviews

Fredrik Hermansson
The Road Never Ends
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Pain of Salvation, with Hermansson (Seated)

With each release that Sweden's Pain of Salvation unleashes, the question is posed, where will this band go next. As their early records laid the foundation for their musical mantra, later albums such as the acoustic 12:5, the intricate concept album Be, as well as Scarsick saw these guys heralding in not only a new era of progressive rock & metal, but also waving the flag for new alternative hard rock alongside bands such as Coheed and Cambria and The Butterfly Effect, where PoS is an entity unto their own.

The band's latest album, Road Salt One, also known as Ivory is the first of a two-part album release; they step up to the plate rooting their sound with the intellectual vibe of 70's bands such as Camel, Deep Purple, Sabbath and the post-psychedelic & experimental material from Manfred Mann; they remain intense and intricate, where their aggressive demeanor and poignant motifs are still intact with songs such as "Linoleum" & "Innocence" with a wide range of diversity heard on the rest of the album including the blues rock of "She Likes to Ride" and the eased back approach on "Of Dust." Keyboardist Fredrik Hermansson has seen it all from the early days, having joined in 1996, witnessing the lineup changes, business dealings, and participating in the abundance of creativity that is bestowed from this band.

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Interviews: Interview with AURAS Vocalist Gui Oliver

Posted by tommy on Sunday, April 18 @ 22:18:38 EDT (464 reads)
Topic Interviews

Gui Oliver
Leading AOR's Next Generation
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Arena rock never died, even if many bands are limited to playing festivals and clubs, the spirit remains tried and true to the big anthem choruses, huge hooks, and high spirited catchiness that cuts to the chase and grabs the heart and soul of all musical elements, basically meaning the songs are delivered with power, as the strengths of the songs themselves hold to pop sensibility with a hard rock edge. With troubadours such as Journey and Toto as well as reinventors Harem Scarem & Fair Warning being visible, new artists have amassed on the scene signaling a new area of anthemic tunes - Last Autumn's Dream, Work of Art, W.E.T., Blanc Faces, and Auras among others are standing tall purveying AOR.

Hailing from Curitiba, Brazil, both vocalist/guitarist Gui Oliver and guitarist Ferpa Lacerda felt the urgency to write original material after honing their chops in cover bands. Upon forming Auras, the band's experience playing the big tunes from the big rock bands had shaoped the band to really create tunes laced with the mass of melody amid the soulful edge and upon hearing their latest album, New Generation, (Frontiers Records) this band sounds like seasoned veterans as this collection of rock and pop collision is brought forth with powerful delivery from the rock and roll of "Beauty of Dreams" to the balladry of "Into My Arms" - the question is posed, "why isn't this music mainstream;" but an answer is given into the fact that although most might see this band as rooted in the 80's rock fashion, it's plain to see that this type of music is timeless, and not dated at all. Gui Oliver discusses about how all of this came together and what beholds upon one of Frontiers' new artists.

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Interviews: Interview with DREYELANDS Guitarist Andras Adam Horvath

Posted by tommy on Sunday, April 11 @ 18:04:37 EDT (557 reads)
Topic Interviews

Andras Adam Horvath:
New Revelation
by Tommy Hash

Introducing yourself with a concept album might seem like a strange idea - but in progressive metal, it's just business as usual where it obviously heightens an intrigue that a new band brings to the table. Straight out of Budapest, Hungary, Dreyelands offers up a plethora of metal, from the catchiness of the arena minded heaviness to taking it to the extreme where no anomalies are present as their debut full-length, Rooms of Revelation proceeds as an offering of melodic metal conveying the thought oriented scheme of things.

With the eight-part, "The Room," the album is filled with blistering guitars, keyboard flourishes, & staccato rhythms, bringing the vibe of old school Queensryche & Dream Theater front and center with the technical gusto of contemporaries Sphere of Souls and Mind's Eye - from the hook laden heaviness of "Room 1" and "Room 4" to the balladry of "Room 6" Dreyelands know when to say when, when it comes to placing the right elemental approach forward whether it be the aggression or the pop sweet tooth providing the catchiness, they keep their fist full of metal front and center. Guitarist Andras Adam Horvath speaks on behalf of this metal powerhouse.

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Interviews: Interview with CAESAR'S ROME guitarist Jonathan Hopkins

Posted by tommy on Sunday, April 11 @ 15:05:31 EDT (470 reads)
Topic Interviews

Jonathan Hopkins:
In Good Company
by Tommy Hash

In the world where modern rock and alternative rock has treaded into heavier and more technical pastures, no more is the mild mannered and sensitive modern day folk hero, para-soft rock artist standing at the forefront. As many artists have given their music room to breathe musically, being experimental, boldly taking a step in more sophisticated directions, the face of alternative rock is changing. As bands such as Avenge Sevenfold, The Mars Volta, St. Vincent, and Coheed and Cambria have enjoyed success, going beyond cult status, maintaining a mainstream and underground audience at the same time, many independent minded musicians and bands are going out there and unleashing the true spirit of rock and roll again without trying to fit in with the flavor of the day - punkish attitude, grinding guitars, and big melodic songs that often follow a formula of their own to make a unique musical statement.

Finding themselves treading the tin line between post-rock and edgy alternative is Welsh quartet Caesar's Rome, a group that takes their influences form the more mainstream pop and even post-grunge and molds their musical stance into their own. On their album The Company We Keep, hard driving guitars, powerful drum fills, big melodic hooklines, arena rock choruses, the jangle of power-pop delivered in a more sinister fashion, brooding aggression, and hard sentiment from vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Hopkins is all front an center. When one listens to the tunage, sure the immediate aura of a mainstream sounding band might be in effect - maybe that's due unto the fact that these guys ride on the strengths of strong songwriting, not to mention they bring more to the table, whether it be in tunes such as the hard rockin "Home of the Nines," "Goodbye Country Road," & "Vegas & It's Nightlife" or songs such as "Oceans" & "Kicking Down Castles" that possess a higher degree of sentiment, these guys are the true purveyors of darkened and heavy indie rock. Now signed to Superball Music, a label that strongly progresses on the ideology of true artistry, Hopkins discusses what is beholden of the band.

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Interviews: DesDemon Interview with Mistress Tina and Lord Metadox

Posted by tommy on Sunday, April 11 @ 12:12:41 EDT (513 reads)
Topic Interviews

DesDemon:
Awaken the Guardian
by Tommy Hash

Taking their name from the Shakespearian character Desdemona, New York's DesDemon is making headway in progressive metal circles. In 2009 The band released their independent The Awakening, a album that encompasses all ends of the thought provoking metal spectrum - from symphonic passages of Symphony X ala The Odyssey & Blind Guardian's A Night at The Opera, to dark vibes of Opeth, Epica, & Sinergy. The Awakening runs through straight ahead heavy offerings "Lago" & "A Burning Martyr," to darkened moodiness of "A Soul in Exile," to the multifaceted epical approach of the extended "In Absence of Light," where lush arrangements, shred guitar, and the balance of rock and operatic vocals are brought into the mix.

The band has gotten their feet wet warming up for Paul Dianno, Alcatrazz, Seven Witches, & The Gathering among others and at this stage in their career they hope to snag a record deal to amplify the chances of reaching an even broader audience; regardless of where the band sits now, DesDemon are still moving forward - more gigs are planned abroad including some European dates as well as a new album to be recorded, where they are currently in the writing stages for it at this point, which will see the band continuing on their conceptual path within the metal realm. Vocalist Mistress Tina and guitarist Lord Metadox speak about what entails upon the band.

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Interviews: Interview with RON KEEL

Posted by tommy on Sunday, March 28 @ 19:57:18 EDT (516 reads)
Topic Interviews

Ron Keel
Takin' it to the Streets
by Tommy Hash

If there is a success story for any hair metal band or artist that was able to sustain a successful career after hair metal's heyday, Ron Keel's is one of the most victorious. Having formed Steeler in Nashville in the early eighties (the band that would briefly include Yngwie Malmsteen), the band would only be short-lived as Keel himself would go on to form the band that would bear his last name and go on to make waves with the anthem "The Right to Rock" from the album of the same name, which was one of two records of theirs produced by Gene Simmons. After releasing a few more albums, the eighties were over, the popularity of metal gave way to a darker, more raw form of hard rock, and the band members went their separate ways - most guys in hair metal bands went on hiatus, but that was not the case with Ron Keel.

He reinvented himself playing country music, writing for country artists, forming bands such as the outlaw country-hard rock band Ironhorse, all the while still performing metal in parallel. A Keel reunion was inevitable, through the years a rarities compilation such as Back in Action surfaced, the band remained visible as a VH1 Classic network staple, especially during the Metal Mania hours, as well as being an XM/Sirius favorite on the Hair Nation channel. As the 25th anniversary of the band came about in 2008, the band reunited for a show, after that, one thing led to another and things started happening - a Rocklahoma performance in 2009, reissues of long out-of-print titles, and the new album Streets of Rock and Roll just to name a few. Certainly, there is no sign of Keel himself slowing down with whatever musical endeavor he is involved with and how many he is involved with.

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Interviews: Interview with MASTERMIND's Bill Berends

Posted by tommy on Sunday, March 21 @ 20:49:30 EDT (657 reads)
Topic Interviews

Bill Berends:
Wide Awake
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

They started life as an instrumental progressive rock band and have reinvented themselves release after release. Brothers Bill and Rich Berends (guitar and drums, respectively) have been going at this since 1986, originally forming with bassist Phil Antolino, and in a time dominated by the glossy styles of 80's music, the band took a musical approach to do play an ELP style of progressive rock, and in the era of the guitar shredder, it was direction that fit in the mold with virtuoso musicianship as the band caught the attention of Shrapnel's Mike Varney, who did a write up on them in Guitar Player Magazine. After receiving acclaim in press and word of mouth, Mastermind was the first band to ink a deal with the then new Magna Carta label.

After years of lineup changes within the band, as the Barends Brothers remain at the core, not to mention several record label deals and stylistic changes that go on with any transformation over time, Mastermind has released their latest album Insomnia with lead vocalist Tracy McShane. The record is their first full-length in several years (save for the 2005 Broken EP) and sees the band going into a more straightforward prog-rock/metal hybrid direction, where like bands such as Shadow Gallery & Transatlantic, there is something here for both the prog and metal crowd. As the album purveys with epic hard driving tracks "Break Me Down," "Piggy World," & "Nietzsche" and more eased down tunes "Last Cigarette" & "No Answer," it's clear that the hard rock mantra is put at the forefront, for a more in-your-face approach rather than keeping the eye on the prize for a experimental & symphonic domination, although of course, those elements are in there, keeping the album technical and complex at times. Guitarist Bill Berends speaks about the band's new album and all the things that have brought them up to this point.

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Interviews: Interview with Guitarist CHARLY SAHONA (Venturia)

Posted by tommy on Sunday, March 21 @ 20:39:21 EDT (530 reads)
Topic Interviews

Charly Sahona:
The Naked Truth
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

After a couple albums playing out the prog-metal sound in Venturia, guitarist Charly Sahona has released a solo offering of aggressive modern melodic metal. Not carbon copying his band, Naked Thoughts From A Silent Chaos' approach is one that is infused with in-your-face production and vocals sung out with brash attitude - yes there are some nuances of Ventura, but it's all a personal expression of metallic glory.

"Raise the Shadow," "Forgotten Past," and "River of Lies" are the heavy high point, but his delivery takes a different step in emotive territories on both "Living in a Dream is Not Right" & "It Will Fly Away," purveying darker textures. Complete with dense overtones of loud rhythmic axe attack, aggressive rhythmic punch, and shredding, Sahona's offering is one that will please those who want to hear more complexity in their edgy & belligerent metal, kind of like Devin Townsend crossed with Vendetta.

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Interviews: Interview with Guitarist CYRIL ACHARD

Posted by tommy on Sunday, March 21 @ 16:12:16 EDT (487 reads)
Topic Interviews

Quick Ones With
Cyril Achard
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

The fluidity within this axeman's playing has not been lost upon all nimble fingered fretwork. Considered a "simple, straight rock instrumental CD," the melodies are all what are needed to create a record of tunes that get to the point for which this takes a different turn for a guitarist has a lot of jazz releases in his back catalog.

With the emphasis on the groove and melodic hierarchy, with technical playing en-tact, Cyril Achard's latest release Violencia stands in line with records such as Flying in a Blue Dream and Passion and Warfare as well as records by labelmates Simone Fiorletta, Edward Box, & Michael Harris, yet it's about approaching each tune as simply a song, verse, chorus, verse, you know the formula - the guitar plays the lines the singer would sing, play out the solos, and then some, a full-blown guitarists album. The album is heavy throughout, with tunes such as "Brutalize," "Strong Hearted," the appropriately titled "Saint Hetfield" and title track carrying the metalized weight of the record as well as "It's a gloomy Day" adding some dark edge and "I don't Believe" easing things back a bit. Along with bassist Franck Hermany and drummer Eric Lebailly, (both from Adagio), it's power trio aggression as the French guitarist puts the profound tight jam sessions into tighter nit tracks. He gives us a little insight to what entailed this release, his first rock album in several years.

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Interviews: Interview with TOMMY DENANDER (Spin Gallery, Radioactive, etc..)

Posted by tommy on Wednesday, March 03 @ 10:58:08 EST (569 reads)
Topic Interviews

Tommy Denander
Embraced by Melody
by Tommy Hash

His name is synonymous with so many AOR, melodic rock and metal projects - with thousands of album credits as a guitarist, writer, and producer working with artists such as Talisman, Lions Share, Steve Vai, Glenn Hughes, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Toto, etc...etc..., while even finding time to form projects of his own such as Frederiksen / Denander, Radioactive, Prisoner, & Spin Gallery.

Tommy Denander's latest album with Spin Gallery called Embrace , follows the first one up with a collection of perfected tunes that are in the grip of Tommy Denander and Co.'s pop sweet tooth, prevailing with new songs that expand upon the basis of what a good melody is and eventually becomes, proving that there is no sophomore slump. Keeping the torch burning bright for arena rock in the new millennium, being in the midst of a guitar clinic tour in Germany, the multifaceted musician speaks about the new record, ideas to get the long hard to find material out in the racks again, and what might entail on many other endeavors he will involve himself in.

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Interviews: Interview with vocalist JEFF SCOTT SOTO

Posted by tommy on Sunday, February 21 @ 20:03:52 EST (816 reads)
Topic Interviews

Jeff Scott Soto:
21st Century Melodic Rock
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

His voice is synonymous within the hard rock and metal world, and lately his voice has been heard loudly. With involvement on The Tran-Siberian Orchestra's Night Castle, W.E.T.'s debut album, and the release of his latest set of live release, One Night In Madrid - Jeff Scott Soto is one busy vocalist. The release with W.E.T., featuring Robert Sall from Work of Art, Erik Martensson from Eclipse, and Talisman being Soto's involvement has made waves in the melodic rock worlds as being mastery of hard rock with the sensibility for the pop sweet tooth - met with much deserved critical acclaim, starting the next decade on an excellent note when it comes to melodic rock.

In 2008, he released a solo album called Beautiful Mess, a big departure from the melodic hard rock that was on the predecessor Lost in Translation, making it a statement that was truly both a musical and personal one. Having released a total of ten solo records (including EP's, compilations, and Live albums), the latest is a celebration of his career as a solo artist, drawing from his own material, rather the vast arsenal of tunes he has sung with other artists - it was a special occasion for which the latest CD & DVD releases were captured.

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Interviews: Interview with Terje Eide (ON THE RISE)

Posted by tommy on Sunday, February 21 @ 20:01:54 EST (676 reads)
Topic Interviews

Terje Eide:
Zone of His Own
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Unleashing the second album under melodic rock moniker On the Rise, Norwegian multi-faceted musician, songwriter, and producer Terje Eide delivers another release of classy tunes. Dream Zone (Frontiers Records) captures the essence of what AOR is all about - with pop gusto intact alongside the hard rock edge to give the album it's flare. Built upon the basis of big hooks, catchy melodies, and the might within the musicianship factor, the sophomore album shows no weaknesses when it comes to the creation of captivating compositions.

Like Journey & Toto that reigned in on arena rock as well as artists such as Jeff Paris & Adam Bomb who brought the hard rock approach to the singer-songwriter mantra, Terje Eide is no exception within the mold of AOR. A seasoned musician & songwriter (playing almost everything on the record), he has a laundry list of musical endeavors in the past that has shaped him into what he is today - but as you hear on Dream Zone as with the first, he has a lot of heart and soul within this scheme of things.

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Interviews: MILAN POLAK On the Murder of Music

Posted by tommy on Tuesday, February 16 @ 10:50:09 EST (516 reads)
Topic News

Some time ago I talked to a fan and she said, "I really love your music, I downloaded all your CD's". I was stunned by the way she said it like as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I told her, "Thank you for stealing my money" and she replied, "I'm not STEALING any money from you, I'm just not GIVING you any!" - and there we have the problem:

People obviously have a wrong comprehension. They don't seem to take into consideration that making a CD costs money. Apart from the fact that I - as most of us - have to pay my rent, electricity, etc., recording a CD also costs money. As much as I love my work but someone has to pay for the studio (which can be up to 1.000 dollars/DAY!), the musicians, the producer, the engineer, the mixing, the mastering, the photographer, the artwork, etc. All these people obviously do not work for free.

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Vinnie Moore: Shredding to the Core by Tommy Hash

Dave LaRue: Fusion Bass Legend by Tommy Hash

Marcus Siepen: Riffage of the Dark by Tommy Hash

Harry Hess: Loud and Clear by Tommy Hash

Don Chaffin: Silence is Golden by Tommy Hash

Alex Masi: Theory in Shredding by Tommy Hash

George Bellas: Taking Away the Moments... by Tommy Hash

Dave Brock Still Flying by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Tony Harnell A Northern Soul by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Hunter Ginn (Their Own) Statesboro Blues by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Axel Rudi Pell Crest of the Knave by Tommy Hash

Bat Kinane Here Comes Tomorrow by Tommy Hash

Day Six: Dark Grandeur by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Yogi Lang World Through His Eyes by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Ken Hammer Beautiful Metal Madness by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Ralf Scheepers Metal is Forever by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Nalle Påhlsson Reunion of Treat by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Fredrik Hermansson The Road Never Ends by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Gui Oliver Leading AOR's Next Generation by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Andras Adam Horvath: New Revelation by Tommy Hash

Jonathan Hopkins: In Good Company by Tommy Hash

DesDemon: Awaken the Guardian by Tommy Hash

Ron Keel Takin' it to the Streets by Tommy Hash

Bill Berends: Wide Awake by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Charly Sahona: The Naked Truth by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Quick Ones With Cyril Achard by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Tommy Denander Embraced by Melody by Tommy Hash

Jeff Scott Soto: 21st Century Melodic Rock by Tommy “Hashman” Hash

Terje Eide: Zone of His Own by Tommy “Hashman” Hash