Europe: Walk The Earth (Hell & Back Recordings)
Album number 11 from the Swedes and it’s a fine piece of bluesy melodic hard rock. The band who will forever be associated with The Final Countdown have been ramping it up in recent years with Bag Of Bones and 2015’s War Of Kings both containing some belting tunes. Walk The Earth ramps it up another level with the stand out track GTO flying along at break neck speed. The interplay between John Norum and Mic Micaheli reminiscent of so many fine duels in the Deep Purple stable. Vocalist Joey Tempest delivers a fine performance throughout whilst the long-term unity of the band is underpinned by the imperious title track, the slightly sludgy Wolves and the Crusade themed Kingdom United. Leaning more towards Deep Purple than ever, Walk The Earth is a fine album that delivers well. Worth a listen. 8/10
Appice: Sinister (SPV)
The Appice brothers are pretty much the definition of hard rock drumming. Carmine with Cactus, Vanilla Fudge and a whole host of other legends whilst Vinnie first came to attention replacing Bill Ward in Black Sabbath before anchoring the Dio back line for many years. With a plethora of guest stars, Sinister is a polished, if somewhat routine hard rock album with the inevitable massive drum sound. Looking at the guests who contributed to this album, it’s unsurprising that many of the songs veer towards the 1980s feel of bands like Cinderella, Great White and Whitesnake. Whilst there is an undercurrent of the old school Dio much of the album sits very much in the American hard rock camp.
The list of luminaries on the album includes Joel Hoekstra, Craig Goldy and Bumblefoot on guitar, Tony Franklin and Jorgen Carlsson on bass and Erik Norlander on keys. Throw in the vocals of Jim Crean, Paul Shortino, Robin McCauley and Chas West and you get a clear idea of the sound. The album’s title track gets things off to a decent start, a chunky keyboard riff giving way to a heavy guitar sound which then opens at pace, drums unsurprisingly solid. Monsters And Heroes is next, a typical Motley Crue/Whitesnake hybrid. From there on its compact, slightly monotonous hard rock, with few stand-out tracks.
Drum Wars is uninspiring despite the two brothers battering and hammering away. Bros In Drums fairs slightly better for a few seconds but it isn’t ball grabbing and the lyrics are utter dog shit. Add in a bizarre Sabbath Mash which features excerpts of War Pigs and Paranoid (which neither drummer played on!) and ultimately, this is an album which is insipid and fades quick in the memory. 6/10
Trucker Diablo: Fighting For Everything (Self Released)
It is no secret that we have a big love of the Northern Irish big truckers. Album number 4, Fighting For Everything, will only enhance our appreciation of the band who saved our lives at Steelhouse Festival on that rain sodden Friday night with a set that allowed us to drink beer and forget about the 200% precipitation and mud up to our armpits. So, what about Fighting For Everything? Well, if you follow the Big Truck you’ll know that the band have fought through adversity and in many respects, it’s astonishing that they continue to deliver music at all. This album sees the band raise their game a couple of notches with some superb guitar playing and song composition. The guitar work of Tom Harte has improved on each release and listening to the middle section of Drown In The Fire is a clear demonstration of this. Whilst Trucker maintain their no-nonsense approach, and its heads down rock and roll all the way by god is it good stuff.
Listen to Voodoo II, a rampaging tune or the opening salvo of Born Trucker, and it’s impossible not to nod the head, tap the feet and crack open a cold one. The infectious Let’s Just Ride is essence of Trucker, strong chugging riffs, Tom Harte’s clean strong vocals supported by the harmonies of bassist Jim McGurk and Simon Haddock. The title track contains a riff which has Blackberry Smoke’s Up In Smoke all over it but hey, it’s a fucking tune so who cares. Unlike may albums the second half is as strong as the first, Over The Wall and Detroit Steel both quite magnificent tracks which maintain the momentum and keep interest high. The final track, When The Waters Rise, a calmer, highly emotional piece with a clear Irish lilt brings a superb album to a fitting conclusion. The Big Truck does indeed keep on rolling. That’s a big ten four good buddy. 9/10
Code Red: Incendiary (AOR Heaven)
I’m not sure how many more Swedish AOR bands the Ed can chuck at me but suffice to say that he’s testing my patience a little! Code Red, who are a six-piece outfit and who have starred at AOR Heaven are the focus of Ulrick Lonnqvist, who has been around for some time in a variety of bands. Incendiary isn’t the hottest album I’ve ever heard but if you like your music well to the left of the heavy spectrum then this may well be right up your street. Dominated by harmonies and the smooth keyboards of Kasper Dahlqvist, it is sweeter than a stick of rock in a bowl of sugar. The songs are polished, poppy and quite stomach churning in their lyrical content.
Yes, it’s the usual love based themes. Tracks such as I Won’t Be A Hero, My Hollywood Ending and Eternal Pretender ooze the charm of FM, Vega, H.E.A.T. alongside the giants such as REO Speedwagon, Styx and Journey. It’s either fantastic or horrific, depending on your leaning. If you don’t know, think of those 1980s soundtracks from Asia, John Farnham and Dare. I suppose for quality it’s got to be high up there. Makes my stomach churn mind you. 7/10
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