Tuesday Top 3

1. Aerosmith - Music From Another Dimension!
2. Stone Sour - Audio Secrecy
3. Shinedown - Amaryllis

Flashback Friday

Slash - Apocalyptic Love

You can't really go wrong with the combination of the ex-Gunner Slash and the Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy. Not even with The Conspirators: Eric Valentine, Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz. Their latest album Apocalyptic Love is worth your every dime. And I'm not telling this only because I'm a huge fan of Myles and I've liked every album of Slash as well. If you haven't heard their first single You're A Lie  on radio you must have been living in a soundproof bubble, that much it has been on air. Which I must admit is a bit saddening because the album is more than that. I also must admit that this album isn't quite as good as the previous albums from Alter Bridge: those albums have no tracks on them that I wouldn't get excited of. But Apocalyptic Love is solid. It has quality on every aspect and I believe I'll get warmed up for all of the tracks after a couple listening. So far I have three absolute favourites above all on the album: You're A Lie, No More Heroes and Bad Rain. But the rest of the tracks aren't bad either. They just require a bit more from the listener.

One thing though makes me extremely happy and that is the fact that Myles is getting the time on air he deserves. It doesn't matter that some of the attention for him comes because of Slash. Myles can definitely make it on his own as well. But like it's said, any publicity is good publicity and it certainly will help him to bring Alter Bridge to the knowledge of the general public. Apocalyptic Love is said to be more relaxed than Slash's previous studio album and it can be explained quite easily with the chemistry between him and Myles. Most of the tracks were written by those two on the road while touring with one exception: Eric Valentine co-writed No More Heroes.

Tracks:

1. Apocalyptic Love
2. One Last Thrill
3. Standing In The Sun
4. You're A Lie
5. No More Heroes
6. Halo
7. We Will Roam
8. Anastasia
9. Not For Me
10. Bad Rain
11. Hard & Fast
12. Far And Away
13. Shots Fired
14. Carolina
15. Crazy Life


http://slashonline.com/

Hardline - Danger Zone

As you can imagine it is pretty damn hard to write about something you don't have enough information of. That's the case with Hardline. It was really difficult to find even the basic information, who's in the band and what have they done throughout their musical career. The newest information is from 2009 and still it seems they've released a new album this year, Danger Zone. From Facebook/Wikipedia I managed to find out that the band would have five members of which only one is original one.

But however difficult it is to find valid information of this band their music is pretty easy-to-chew. Nothing mind-blowing, no wow-effects yet nothing that bad either on this album with 12 tracks. I must say though that I am more intrested of the lack of information than the album.

1. Fever Dreams
2. Ten Thousand Reasons
3. Danger Zone
4. What I'd Like
5. Stronger Than Me
6. Never Too Late For Love
7. Stay
8. I Don't Wanna Breakaway
9. Look At You NOw
10. Please Have A Faith In Me
11. Show Me Your Love
12. The Only One


http://www.myspace.com/hardlinerocks

Halestorm - The Strange Case of...

If you want to be jealous for someone getting pretty much the perfect genes, take a look at Hale siblings Elizabeth and Arejay. Halestorm's core members do not only look great, they sound amazing. The band was formed 1997 in Pennsylvania. They released their first, self-titled album in 2009, it being followed with releases Live from Philly and ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP. Their second full-length The Strange Case of... was released after two years of touring with such acts as Three Days Grace, Stone Sour, Disturbed and Megadeth.

Not only I think Lzzy Hale has one of the best female voices I've ever heard but I also love the way she (and the band) is believable on both harder rock/metal songs and beautiful, soft ballads. The only thing I really feel they could've done differently on this album is the order of the tracks. The album starts with some rough tracks but the feeling vanishes a bit after the absolutely awesome track Beautiful With You when all of the slow, ballad-type songs are put there in the middle. But got to say the band made an excellent decision with the visitor vocalist on the deluxe version of the album: one of the three bonus tracks is sung with James Michael of Sixx A.M. Couldn't  have made me any happier. :)

Tracks:

1. Love Bites [So Do I]
2. Mz. Hyde
3. I Miss The Misery
4. Freak Like Me
5. Beautiful With You
6. In Your Room
7. Break In
8. Rock Show
9. Daughters Of Darkness
10. You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing
11. American Boys
12. Here's To Us
13. Don't know How To Stop (bonus track only on deluxe edition)
14. Private Parts (featuring James Michael of Sixx A.M., bonus track only on deluxe edition)
15. Hate It When You See Me Cry (bonus track only on deluxe edition)


http://www.halestormrocks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/halestorm

Train - California 37

Train has done a new album, California 37, and once again they manage to be a breath of fresh air. This pop rock band from sunny San Francisco always seems to make me smile and surprise me in a way. They have such positive vibe in their songs and although some of their material is a bit too pop for my taste, so far they've managed to put out songs on every album that simply make me wanna dance and mosh around my appartment. The new album is no exception. And there's something appealing in Patrick Monahan's voice.

I think this album isn't their best one. But then again, my all-time favourite Train-album happends to be Drops of Jupiter which was the album that brought them to larger audience. That is one hard album to beat. For Me, It's You came quite close.. But the new album has it's special moments and the first two track are included to my special ones. This'll Be My Year is just so loaded with positiveness and then ofcourse Drive By is the first single released from the album. And somehow, I can imagine Mermaid to be the summer hit of the year. It has all the elements, pop rock sounds, beach, sun and beautiful girl to whom Monahan is singing to. Not so much a favourite of mine though..

Tracks:

1. This'll Be My Year
2. Drive By (first single release)
3. Feels Good At First
4. Bruises (featuring Ashley Monroe)
5. 50 Ways To Say Goodbye
6. You Can Finally Meet My Mom
7. Sing Together
8. Mermaid
9. California 37
10. We Were Made For This
11. When The Fog Rolls In
12. To Be Loved


http://trainline.com/

Dynazty - Sultans of Sin

I introduced Dynazty to you readers already last year. This Swedish band has released an album named Sultans of Sin. Although the name certainly reminds some of my readers of a Dire Straits song Sultans of Swing, the album sounds anything but Dire Straits.

The opening track Come Alive hits straight to the goal. I got a feeling that Megadeth and Dave Mustaine could be the influence behind the song. Second track Raise Your Hands doesn't get up to the same level as the first one but even though I wasn't totally in awe I like the song better than the first single release, track number three, Land of Broken Dreams. I would've left the track out of the album but then again very few bands have albums that don't have any bad tracks. Luckily the rest of Sultans of Sin is good stuff. And this band is going on strong. They will be perfoming this year at least in Sweden Rock Festival and joining tour with Sabaton and Raubtier this fall/winter.

Tracks:

1. Come Alive
2. Raise Your Hands
3. Land of Broken Dreams (first single release from the album)
4. Falling
5. More Than a Man
6. Love Junkie
7. The One to Blame
8. Back Again
9. Bastards of Rock & Roll
10. Sultans of Sin


http://www.dynazty.com/

My Darkest Days - Sick And Twisted Affair

My Darkest Days is a Canadian rock/post-grunge band. Their music is influenced by such bands as Nickelback, Nirvana and A Perfect Circle so I guess it was some sort of happy accident, that Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger signed this band to his record label in 2009. The influences from Nickelback can be heard in in their music as well. Their debut album was released in 2010 and the second album Sick And Twisted Affair was released about a week ago.

The band was put together in 2005 and after a few changes in musicians the current members are: Matt Walst (lead vocalist, rhytm guitar), Sal Costa (lead guitar, vocals), Brendan McMillan (bass), Doug Oliver (drums, percussion) and Reid Henry (keyboard, vocals). The band has already gotten name to them after opening for many well-known bands such as Three Days Grace, Theory Of A Deadman, Papa Roach and Hinder.

I'm not that impressed about this second album but after listening their debut album I kinda understand why Kroeger desided to sign them.

http://mydarkestdays.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mydarkestdays

Steel Panther - Balls Out

Steel Panther claims to be the hottest band out of Hollywood since Mötley Crüe, Guns 'N Roses and Poison ruled the Sunset Strip. Some pressure for their newest album Balls Out, eh?!? Well expectations from me weren't very high since I am a huge consumer of Mötler's music. And luckily my expectations weren't that high. Music is good, even great, no doubt about that. The lyrics.. not so much. In their own genre they're pretty much THE thing. If their genre is considered to be something I'd like to call humorous rock. The lyrics sound like their written with a tongue in the cheek, nothing too serious, nothing to touch my feelings really.

The new album holds 14 tracks and is more or less worth listening, at least once. It might work well as a background music for a party or something but I wouldn't listen to this band otherwise. Guitar riffs are great and I do like the vocals. But the lyrics. To tell you the truth, there was only one song on this album that caught my attention, track number 13, Let Me Come In. I don't want to lower these guys in any way, because it is obvious that they are pretty talented. Maybe it's just me but then again, I never was into comedy or parody. If you're into such thing, I wont judge you for that, but I'm more about action and my sence of humour is more dry and hidden style.

http://www.steelpantherrocks.com/

Flashback Friday

Noel Gallager's High Flying Birds

As so often it happens, I found this album by an accident. It's not something I usually listen but then again I do like Oasis, so maybe after all it's not such a surprise that I really, really like Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. This solo debut album was released on October 17th. Three singles have been released from this album so far, The Death Of You And Me, If I had a gun.. and AKA.. What A Life! of which the last one is released only in UK. Second album is supposedly coming out as soon as 2012.

Noel is said to be the mastermind behind the greatest Oasis songs so it's not a huge surprise he went for a solo project after Oasis split up. And aren't I glad that he did. Although some of the tracks have names that might sound somewhat depressing and sort of dark, the album sounds all in all quite positive. I wouldn't for sure listen to this album when feeling all down and blue. Although maybe I should because it might bring one feeling happy again. For example the single release If I Had A Gun.. is everything but down. I have quite manny personal favorites on this album, including two of the singles but also tracks Everybody's On The Run (the opening track of the album), Dream On and the fourth track on the album (I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine. Can't really say much more about this album than listen to it. It's definitely worth your time.

http://www.noelgallagher.com/

http://www.myspace.com/noelgallagher

Wednesday 13 - Calling All Corpses

If Wednesday 13 sounds unfamiliar you obviously haven't listened to Murderdolls. Wednesday 13 a.k.a Joseph Poole is the singer of Murderdolls and ofcourse, singer of Wednesday 13. :D The album Calling All Corpses was released recently, October 11th to be exact. Poole likes horror movies and is a fan of Alice Cooper and listening to the album was quite a surprise: it sounds very Alice Cooper-like and definitely in a good way.

Not only the sound world on the album is great, lyrics and names of the tracks are brilliant. The influence from Mr. Cooper can be heard especially on tracks I Wanna Be Cremated and Miss Morgue, although my favorites include the name track of the album, Calling All Corpses, and One Knife Stand as well. If anyone thought that Poole is only riding with the fame of Murderdolls and Joey Jordison, this album absolutely shows the talent of Poole himself. Gotta respect that.

http://www.myspace.com/officialwednesday13

Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare

We know him as the Golf Monster. We know him as a son of a minister. We know him as a man who invented shock rock. Alice Cooper is known all around the world, and so is his music. Generation after generation we've been attracted (or repulsed) by his concerts involvong blood, live snakes, swords, electric chairs and all kinds of effects from horror movies to vaudeville. So it's no wonder his latest album has similar variety to it as his character and shows in general. Usually the change is for good but I'm not quite sure about Welcome 2 My Nightmare. It does have it's highlights but unfortunately they are only few. He might get this one forgiven (at least by me) in knowing he has a wicked humour and the fact that he's kept his career going on for four decades, meeting all kinds of strange people during those years, from Groucho Marx to Elvis Presley, Liberace and Salvador Dali. The man has certainly had a spectacular life but I'm still not really sure whether I should laugh out loud or cry when listening to this album.

The best track on the album is most definitely the opening track, I Was Made Of You. Although it is a bit declamatory, it has those Alice-like-ballad effects to it: beautiful lyrics combined with talented use of guitar solos and simple drum beat. As he said in his book, the best musicians know when NOT to play, what to leave out. Too bad the simple, pure rock (and quality) can't be heard on the whole album. Even though the third track tells us The Nightmare Returns the only actual way the nightmare really returns is to put on the original Welcome To My Nightmare -album. So, sorry Mr. Cooper, but this one won't end up to my collection. Love you though and luckily I still have some of the old ones missing from the collection, and while trying to get my hands on them (and the money to buy them with) I can listen to the oldies goldies like Poison, Hey Stoopid, School's Out and He's Back (The Man Behind The Mask).

http://alicecooper.com/

http://www.myspace.com/officialalicecooper

Oh Sleeper - Children Of Fire

So, summer is over and Music MAddict is back. Was supposed to write flashback last Friday but unfortunately (or luckily) I got invited to a certain radio station's birthday party. So my schedules went up in the air. But now I'm back and giving you this week's new album. I was surfing through new albums in Spotify and got lucky: found a band named Oh Sleeper. I've never heard of them before but the album cover lured me to listen and I was blown away! Children Of Fire is a great album with pretty much perfectly proportioned screaming parts and serene moments. The opening track Endseekers really puts on the gear and makes the body move. Head starts nodding with the beat and slowly the movement spreads to your entire body. At least that's what happened to me. Second track though didn't impress me that much but after that the album is as close to perfection as possible in this genre.

Oh Sleeper comes from Fort Worth, Texas and is signed to Solid State Records. Children Of Fire , released on 6th September 2011, is their third album. The band was put together in 2006 and was signed a year later. First album was published in 2007 and the second one came out in 2009. Children Of Fire is a curious album since it was released first digitally, the album will be available physically in stores on September 27th. Opening track Endseekers served also as first single. Second release, Hush Yael, came through their facebook page. It also happends to be the longest track on the album with a total of 4 minutes 29 seconds. What makes this band exceptional is the fact that their previous album debuted on The Billboard 200, the Rock Albums chart, Hard Rock Albums chart but as well on the Christian Albums chart. Notice as well the broken pentagram on the album cover and the name of the band taken from the Epistle to the Ephesians.. Christian metal.. hmm, who would've believed. Thumbs are up for this album from Music MAddict. Back to listening the favorite track of mine: Means To Believe.

http://www.myspace.com/ohsleeper

Seether - Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray

Who ever would've thought that good music could come from South-Africa.. but Seether has managed to get to the lists all over the world for years already. And they're doing it again with their new album Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray. First single Country Song gets radio-time nowadays constantly and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't. The album starts strongly with a song named Fur Cue, it's an angry sounding song filled with attitude just like we've used to with this band. But even though we've learned to expect this sort of music from Seether this album has so much more to it. And their handing it out already on the third track, Here And Now. What a beautiful song, I absolutely loved the lyrics from the first time I heard the song.

Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Smashing Pumpkins and Tool are claimed to be the influences for Seether. But luckily Seether is much more versatile than it's models. It's certainly the thing that keeps them coming again and again with every album they make in the future.

http://www.seether.com/

http://www.myspace.com/seether

Flashback Friday

Sixth studio album from Suburban Tribe is my choice for this weeks flashback. Second Suburban Tribe album for lead singer Ville Tuomi is Manimal, and as the name suggests it is full of raw power coming from the instincts of a hunting beast known as mankind. But just like carnivore in nature have their rest and peaceful moments also this album has it's havens. The album starts strong with You Can't Stop Us Now and Untameable wich was released also as a single. Weight calms the beat a bit and brings in a little feeling of blue with it's chorus just so that Torn Apart and Firedance can bring the speed up again. My personal favorites are songs like Cancer, Swallow, Silent Rain and Drowning. Especially Cancer is one of those that makes me want to sing along, scream those highs with everything I have in me.. I think though that my neighbours wouldn't appreciate it very much..

This album has gotten both good and bad reviews. Most of them compare this album with Korn and Faith No More and lead vocals to Mike Patton. I don't see that kind of comparison being a bad thing since I happen to like them all. I can hear the resemblance with Korn, but with Faith No More or Mike Patton, not so much. Anyhow, I'm loving this band and their music and it's sort of a sad thig they are doing their farewell gigs this weekend. Suburban Tribe has been doing music 20 years and they thought it's a good time to stop in a point where they still are doing good music and being successful.

http://www.suburbantribe.com/
http://www.myspace.com/suburbantribemusic

Flashback Friday

No pretty faces in flashback today. But since the burning summer weather on the northern hemisphere the Def Leppard album Pyromania works just fine. It's an album that maybe isn't quite as popular as the famous Hysteria but this one surely has its highlights and it has sold some serious millions of copies along with the rest of the Leppard albums. The album was released in 1983 and it was produced and mixed by legendary Robert John 'MUTT' Lange, who has also worked with artists such as AC/DC, Nickelback, Foreigner, Bryan Adams, Maroon 5 and lately with Shania Twain.

From this album comes some of the most known Def Leppard hits, Photograph for example. The album starts strong (as they used to in the 80's) with Rock Rock (Till You Drop). And the hard rock beat continues throughout the album, maybe turning into slow ballad style song (Too Late For Love) just to get back up and rockin'. My personal favorite from this album (as if there's any less worthy tracks on the album..) is track number six, Foolin'. The beginning of its lyrics has given me an idea of a tattoo that I'll have one day: "Lady luck never smiles so lend your love to me a while.." What the tattoo will be, I won't tell, but instead I can assure you that this album is definitely worth listening.

http://www.defleppard.com/
http://www.myspace.com/defleppard

Theory Of A Deadman - The Truth Is...

Lately I've found myself spotting new bands that play same type of rock music and have other things incommon, like the bands they've been on tour with. Theory Of A Deadman is one of those bands. The band has been on tour with Alter Bridge, as have done Adelita's Way, Black Stone Cherry. Daughtry has been mentioned as well on in T.O.A.D's bio as well as Mötley Crüe. But it's no wonder when you listen to their music and especially their latest album The Truth Is...

This Canadian band opens their album with a track named Lowlife. Lead vocalist and lead guitarist Tyler Connolly tells on band's homepage that the song was made for a fun anthem. Their fans aren't wearing suits and don't have diamond necklaces and the song kind of tells that it's ok to be a regular person who likes to party and sing rock'n'roll music. With such thoughts behind a song, it's hardly any surprise that the song speaks to people. And the thing I like about this band is that they're not too serious about their music (while being all serious about it). Listen for example their song The Truth Is... [I Lied About Everything]. I laughed out loud. And then listen to Out Of My Head. That's what I love about this band, they pretty much cover all the feelings and thoughts a person could have. You might predict my verdict for this album: it's a keeper, a must-have.

http://www.theoryofadeadman.com/

http://www.myspace.com/theoryofadeadman

Flashback Friday

This weeks flashback comes from Paramore. The album is named Riot! and it sure sounds like it. The band was formed in 2004 in Tennessee and the album was released in 2007. It is a good combination of female vocals, honest lyrics, awesome drum beats and subtle guitar and bass. The guitar is actually so subtle that you barely notice it while listening to the album and it backfills the lead vocals of Hayley Williams perfectly. The album starts with two great songs: For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic and That's What You Get. These two songs define the rest of the album pretty well and even more so if we'll add the third track, Hallelujah, to the list. In Hallelujah the guitar and bass are sort of mixing-up with the vocals, from time to time you nitce the guitar and a second later your focus is back on the vocals.

The album has sold two million copies world wide. I guess it's no wonder with such catchy songs like Misery Business and Crushcrushcrush. Listen to those and they'll stuck to your head playing over and over again. Butthe album has some peaceful moments as well, which is good, even anarchists and punk rockers need a little rest from time to time. We Are broken is that kind of peaceful and moving song. But don't you believe just my words, visit their homepage and listen the album yourself. I'm heading out to the sun to check out this band live. :)

http://www.paramore.net/
http://www.myspace.com/paramore

Rival Sons - Pressure & Time

What a sound! What a boogie!! Rival Sons isn't exactly my type of music but their album Pressure & Time is certainly growing on me. I was anxious to find out more about this wonderful band but I was a bit disappointed how little there is actual (reliable?!) info about the band in the internet to find. No bio on their homepage, only interviews here and there give some little details about this band from California. But these guys are on their way to fame with that bluesy rock they play. Opening up for such rock acts as AC/DC, Alice Cooper and Kid Rock proves that. And if that isn't enough of a proof I think that at least the fact that they're signed to Earache Records, that has mostly trash and metal bands under their roof talks to their benefit.

Another little interesting detail I found is that their album cover art is made by Storm Thorgerson, an artist known for iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Genesis and many more. So they have a complete package to offer if you are ready to take it. And why wouldn't you from such a great band.. Just listen to the title track and watch the video and you'll probably find yourself caught to their web. Opening track All Over The Road ain't a bad choise either. And I also fell in love with the song named Burn Down Los Angeles.

http://www.rivalsons.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rivalsons