Mystery Blue – “Conquer the World” (2013)

Label : Road Show Productions

Review by Tony Cannella

France’s Mystery Blue has a long history that goes back to the late 70s. They released their self-titled debut in 1984 and then another one in 1986. Aside from a few demos, the band fell silent until they resurfaced in 1998 with their “Spirit of Your Song” album. Thankfully, since then they have continued to release new music and have just released their latest album “Conquer the World”, which is a genuine, no-holds barred slice of traditional heavy metal and also an album that is pure Mystery Blue.

The pounding drums intro the opening track “Conquer the World” as the heavy guitars join in as well as Nathalie Geyer’s powerful vocals. “Innocent Crime” is next and is dominated by a heavy and fast tempo guitar riff. The material contained on “Conquer the World” is pure metal and it very rarely falters. Continue reading »

Pamela Moore – “Resurrect Me” (2013)

Label : RatPak Records

Review by Tony Cannella

Even before Pamela Moore gained notoriety playing the part of Sister Mary on the Queensryche albums “Operation: Mindcrime”, she had a career in music which began in 1981. Aside from appearing on the aforementioned Queensryche albums, she has released a handful of solo albums and an infectious hard rock record with her band Radar. Now she has returned with her heaviest and best solo album to date entitled, “Resurrect Me”.

For “Resurrect Me” Pamela Moore has surrounded herself with some great musicians. Nine out of the ten songs were co-written with talented multi-instrumentalist Michael Posch who also co-produced the album along with Pamela, Chuck Macak and Mark Alano. In addition, Michael Posch provided Guitars, Drums, Keys and orchestration so his contributions should not be underestimated. Continue reading »

A Persuasive Reason – “A Persuasive Reason” EP (2013)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

The Florida based progressive/symphonic metal band A Persuasive Reason were founded in 2011 by bassist TJ Jones. After carefully assembling the current line-up, the band began work on their self-titled debut and here it is.

Throughout the course of its 30-minute playing time, A Persuasive Reason presents us with 6-songs that are of a high caliber. The futuristic intro “Unrest” leads us into the melodic “Destination”. Lead vocalist Jessica Hicks is phenomenal. She has an operatic style, but her singing is quite diverse as well. She is backed by some outstanding musicians as well including Dana Burnell who used to play drums in the progressive metal band Crimson Glory. Continue reading »

HUNTRESS & GOLD @ 013, Tilburg, THE NETHERLANDS 08/06/2013

Live Report & Photos by Erwin van Dijk

Huntress and Gold are two bands which qualify the describtion “Female Fronted Metal” but are worlds apart musicwise. The two bands did share the stage at the 013 venue in Netherlands on a hot saturday night. The 013 is one of the larger venues in the Netherlands. Bands like Therion, Kamelot and Dragonforce visited the venue in the past. In fact, Huntress was the opener for Dragonforce some time ago. The Stage1 is of course not as big as the main hall of the 013 (the Stage1 would fit on the stage of the main hall) but as Milton said it’s “Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven” and a headliner gig is more fun than a couple of songs in front of an audience who are waiting for the headliner. It’s also the second gig for Gold at the 013. The band did a gig at the very prestigious Roadburn Festival.

Gold (from the city of Rotterdam) decribes themselves as a “comtemporary rock band that’s heavy because of the songs, not the sound”. The band has only time for 6 songs (see setlist) from the “Interbellum” album. Continue reading »

Noora Louhimo – Battle Beast

Interview by Roberta Ilaria Rossi

What a great year for Battle Beast! After a great tour that has seen them supporting Nightwish and a huge change in the lineup, where the singer Nitte Valo decided in parting ways, this band from Helsinki comes back with a super news. Having announced the new vocalist Noora Louhimo, these guys embarked on a new European tour, supporting Sonata Arctica, and they focused themselves on the second (and of the same name of the band) record, already acclaimed by the press as a new masterpiece, so we’ve got the chance to exchange some words with the beautiful Noora, for a very simple chat.

Hello dear readers, I’m Noora Louhimo. I’m a singer from Finland and been singing since I was 4 years old. My passion has always been music and different ways of expressing myself as an artist. I do many things in music including heavy metal, soul, rock and blues and everything between heaven and hell. Different influences keeps me in balance and inspires as a singer. Continue reading »