The leader of Danish metal band Defacto and a member of Frontiers band Aries Descendant along with Pyramaze member Jonah Weingarten, Sonne is a multi-instrumentalist staring out as drummer before moving to being a guitarist and vocalist for most of the projects he involves in.
Here he shows off his virtuosity on all instruments and as a singer too paying homage to the bands he grew up with, as he takes cues from 80's hard rock and heavy metal but with a modern rock punch, Route 65 for instance is a takes things down to the Sunset Strip via a 21st Century sheen, Limitless another speedy metal offering while the title track gathers a bit of sleaze.
However on Electric Dreams, Nicklas mainly approaches things from a very modern side. For instance Shadows In Between and A Woman's World comes from the likes of a band such as Shinedown and Nickelback, while Epic Song is exactly what it says it is a radio baiting single which goes a bit Imagine Dragons, as Helldivers Anthem is a blistering theme to the Sci-Fi videogame Helldivers. The varying genres on this record make for an eclectic listen but may jar with some. 7/10
Defenders Of The Faith - Odes To The Gods (Adulruna)
Swedish band Therion has been the main band for mastermind Christopher Johnsson for years now but he is no stranger to a side project, the last one was gothic/pop/occult rock thing Luciferian Light Orchestra but his new one is Defenders Of The Faith, named for the Judas Priest album, it's a massive homage to classic heavy metal, the 80's glory days of bands like Priest, Maiden, Accept, Ozzy or Scorpions, twin axe attacks, powerful vocals, galloping rhythms and melodic choruses.
Johnsson has said that this will be studio only project so it means that he can throw anything he wants at it, be it some AOR synths, some strings or other 'Easter Eggs' from the 80's music scene that litter this record. Joining Christofer in the band are members of Therion and Luciferian Light Orchestra, Christian Vidal on guitars, Nalle Påhlsson on bass, Sami Karppinen on drums and Thomas Vikström on vocals, so we basically have Therion goes 80's in play, which is no bad thing as all the musicians have a high level of skill to play music that's tribute to heavy metal's most fertile period.
While there's no chance of these songs being played live, this record will keep you coming back. 7/10
Wanted - Cutting Edge (Eonian Records)
Another load of Detroit muscle as Wanted return with some vintage heavy rocking from the mid-80's think of Dokken, Skid Row, Turbo-era Priest and some Scorpions creeping in as well. It's sleazy street metal with screaming vocals and anthemic choruses from Sterling Primeau, shredtastic lead guitars from Alan Mares and a rhythm section of Christian Shonts (guitar), Paul Slezak (bass), and Chris Rajt (drums) that swagger on Override, slither on Power and bring those sounds of the mid-80's.
The name of the game here is dynamism, Cutting Edge is the sound of Wanted evolving their sound, shifting into balladry in Chained To Your Love while they spread their wings from their speed metal beginnings into some sleaze, glam and hair metal influences the album combining multiple parts of the American metal scene, with the youthful exuberance of a band only in their 20's.
It feels as if they're defining what they want to be, when there's plenty of bands who are hooked on the NWOBHM style, this Detroit group make sure this engine is purring and the pistons are pumping on Cutting Edge, grab the hairspray and your air guitar in preparation. 7/10
Mario Vayne - The Moment (Self Released)
Australian Mario Vayne is clearly a huge fan of bands such as Def Leppard and Bon Jovi, melodic hard rock with some strutting guitars, keyboard stabs and big vocal hooks, he says that he's inspired by the likes of Cheap Trick, The Sweet et al but then Joe Elliot is famously a massive The Sweet fan so there's crossover there.
Another load of Detroit muscle as Wanted return with some vintage heavy rocking from the mid-80's think of Dokken, Skid Row, Turbo-era Priest and some Scorpions creeping in as well. It's sleazy street metal with screaming vocals and anthemic choruses from Sterling Primeau, shredtastic lead guitars from Alan Mares and a rhythm section of Christian Shonts (guitar), Paul Slezak (bass), and Chris Rajt (drums) that swagger on Override, slither on Power and bring those sounds of the mid-80's.
The name of the game here is dynamism, Cutting Edge is the sound of Wanted evolving their sound, shifting into balladry in Chained To Your Love while they spread their wings from their speed metal beginnings into some sleaze, glam and hair metal influences the album combining multiple parts of the American metal scene, with the youthful exuberance of a band only in their 20's.
It feels as if they're defining what they want to be, when there's plenty of bands who are hooked on the NWOBHM style, this Detroit group make sure this engine is purring and the pistons are pumping on Cutting Edge, grab the hairspray and your air guitar in preparation. 7/10
Mario Vayne - The Moment (Self Released)
Australian Mario Vayne is clearly a huge fan of bands such as Def Leppard and Bon Jovi, melodic hard rock with some strutting guitars, keyboard stabs and big vocal hooks, he says that he's inspired by the likes of Cheap Trick, The Sweet et al but then Joe Elliot is famously a massive The Sweet fan so there's crossover there.
The album is well performed and has some anthemic rock tracks such as Sorry Ain't Enough but they pick up pace with cuts like Diamond and Diary Of A Heart while Trust is a perfect Def Leppard-like ballad that slow burns. Mario Vayne is a Queensland based singer/guitarist who has been performing since he was a child and now is showcasing his talents to the world with The Moment.
If you're a melodic rock fan or indeed a lover of the bands I talked about earlier then you'll like this, Vayne a great musician however for me there is one too many slower paced tracks on what should be a rock album. 6/10
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