FERGIE FREDERIKSEN - Happiness Is The Road

Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen is well know for his vocals on TOTO but also for the participation in various albums and projects. The release of this album, his second solo, is finishing a very difficult period of time for the artist, who also found the strength to overcome his personal health problems. The music here is a guitar driven Melodic AOR, with songs that are full of emotions and excellent musicianship. The songs are well written, with the vocals dominating everything else, but with all the instruments doing a perfect job. Melodies are plenty and well used, either from the keyboards or the guitars, and are creating the perfect sonic carpet for the vocals to evolve. Frederiksen sounds at top shape, consider what he has been through, and gives a great performance through the whole album, coloring the songs with his distinctive voice. There's a very positive atmosphere, and this works very well for the listener too. The production is clear enough and was done by Dennis Ward who also has done the bass lines on this release. Great AOR melodies, excellent atmosphere, parts to sing along, nice catchy tunes, and a well known singer, are the key parts of this album. If you are into such stuff don't forget to check this album.

9/10

Lizzy Borden - Lady Gaga - Edge of Glory (Acoustic)

Lizzy and Dario having fun with performing Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" on acoustic guitar. See Lizzy Borden's heavy version at the end of the video.

Fergie Frederiksen - Follow Your Heart

Written by Jim Peterik. Taken from the album "Happiness Is The Road" Fergie’s son Koty plays the son in the video, and Jim Peterik is there. Bill Wilkins, drummer of Trillion is seen in the coffee shop. Here is the great video...

LORD VOLTURE - Never Cry Wolf

Lord Volture is a band that comes from The Netherlands and this is their second album so far. The band is playing Heavy Metal enriched with various elements, enough Power, some Thrash, here and there, to make things even more interesting and fun. This sometimes works, but there are few moments where things seem to lack some energy or that magic thing that binds everything together. This thankfully doesn't destroy much the whole result, just adds a couple of less good moments, so this is an area that some improvement could happen. The band is talented enough, and this is obvious from the composing, but mostly from the performing area. There are enough nice ideas, and the band has explored them in the best possible way, while they also have incorporated enough classic Metal stuff in their music. The band has also, just like in their previous release, invited a guest musician to sing on a track, with the guest being no less than Sean Peck of Cage. The production is very good, and adds the final touch to the album. There are some great songs, very good performance, skilled musicians, melodies, parts to sing along and parts to move along with the rhythm. Check them out, and decide for yourselves.

7/10  

ANCIENT BARDS - Soulless Children

The new album of the Italian Melodic metal band, finds them continuing to perform music in the style of their debut album. The band exists since 2007 and this is their second album so far, and judging from their debut, one can see that their improvement is vast. Their music is more worked, their melodies are more catchy, and their songs are moving on higher quality levels. Performing Symphonic Power Metal, one needs to avoid cliche, or try to make them work in favor of their music, something that the band achieves with ease. Plenty of well worked melodies, excellent female vocals, complex keyboard lines, and a fast and solid rhythm section, all combined into a very welcome result. Being skilled musicians, they are able to realize their musical vision, with no weak points, or things that could have been done in a better way. The Epic atmosphere is strong, enriched by the choirs and keyboard melodies, and adds a lot to the whole result. But along with that the band doesn't afraid to flirt with some more complex and progressive forms in their songs, leading to the last track which is a 15 minute song. The production is crystal clear, the one should be expected from a release such as this, and puts the final details to the album. Maybe not the most original music ever, but the band has taken advantage of those similarities to shape a sound that is well performed, full of nice melodies, guitar shredding, catchy vocals, and interesting ideas. If you are one of those that liked their previous work, or you like Melodic Power, then hesitate no more, and check them out.

9/10

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