Canadian's Cauldron return with their 5th album and there is no dramatic differences between this and their previous four albums, they still have an overwhelmingly NWOBHM influenced sound, as Jason Decay's bass riffs lead the charge through pumping Prisoner Of The Past, add a melodic groove to more Save The Truth - Syracuse and carries the heaviness of Never Be Found working in unison with Myles Deck's percussion for the gallops that are present here. As I said at the beginning of the review nothing much has changed here it's the same old sound that Cauldron have always done however Together As None does make it a little more AOR influenced with what sounds a little like a love song.
The problem I have is not that it's repetitive, the entire NWOBHM revival is based upon riffs that have already happened it's just that this particular entry is boring nothing stands out or gets your pulse racing, your fist pumping or your head banging, where as they're first couple of records sounded vital and alive Cauldron's most recent offerings have sounded stayed and a bit beige. As the new wave of traditional metal has progressed, much like the first time around, certain bands have been left behind and unfortunately Cauldron seem to be one of those bands. 6/10
The Radio Sun: Beautiful Strange (Pride & Joy Music)
I think you can safely call Aussie AOR act The Radio Sun a much machine. Long time readers of this blog will know the name as this is the bands fifth album in five years, it's a ridiculous work rate by any stretch of the imagination only really matched by Messrs Bonamassa, Wilson and Sinner (and even they've slowed down). The key reason why The Radio Sun have been able to produce this many albums is probably due to their genre of choice AOR practically writes itself, full of breezy summer shimmer (Believe In Me), driving rockers (Should Have Listened To My Heart) and ballads wrought with more emotion than a Big Brother contestant (Miss Wonderful).
It's not rocket science but this kind of highly stylised melodic rock appeals to the pleasure receptors in your brain bringing a goofy smile to your face. Yes AOR is easy to produce but difficult to master an this is where The Radio Sun really reveal their ace, at a time where consistency is underrated I don't think they have ever produced anything below par and Beautiful Strange doesn't break the cycle. Slick, confident music with sauntering synths, strutting guitars and perfect vocals, these Aussies have done it again. 8/10
Internal Conflict: Nothing Is Lost (Self Released)
Nothing Is Lost is brutal slice of modern metal from the Leicester band who have previously released a debut album in 2015 and won Metal 2 The Masses in 2013 After their debut there was a period of unrest the band switching members and facing family illnesses however they are now in a period of stability with former Beholder drummer Chris Bentley who murders the throughout this five track EP which draws influence from all realms of metal but mainly it's groovy metalcore, with emotion-filled vocals, huge hooks and massive breakdowns.
The Radio Sun: Beautiful Strange (Pride & Joy Music)
I think you can safely call Aussie AOR act The Radio Sun a much machine. Long time readers of this blog will know the name as this is the bands fifth album in five years, it's a ridiculous work rate by any stretch of the imagination only really matched by Messrs Bonamassa, Wilson and Sinner (and even they've slowed down). The key reason why The Radio Sun have been able to produce this many albums is probably due to their genre of choice AOR practically writes itself, full of breezy summer shimmer (Believe In Me), driving rockers (Should Have Listened To My Heart) and ballads wrought with more emotion than a Big Brother contestant (Miss Wonderful).
It's not rocket science but this kind of highly stylised melodic rock appeals to the pleasure receptors in your brain bringing a goofy smile to your face. Yes AOR is easy to produce but difficult to master an this is where The Radio Sun really reveal their ace, at a time where consistency is underrated I don't think they have ever produced anything below par and Beautiful Strange doesn't break the cycle. Slick, confident music with sauntering synths, strutting guitars and perfect vocals, these Aussies have done it again. 8/10
Internal Conflict: Nothing Is Lost (Self Released)
Nothing Is Lost is brutal slice of modern metal from the Leicester band who have previously released a debut album in 2015 and won Metal 2 The Masses in 2013 After their debut there was a period of unrest the band switching members and facing family illnesses however they are now in a period of stability with former Beholder drummer Chris Bentley who murders the throughout this five track EP which draws influence from all realms of metal but mainly it's groovy metalcore, with emotion-filled vocals, huge hooks and massive breakdowns.
It's the sound of a band with renewed vigour and they sound as if they're ready to take on the world again with a limitless aggression, excellent production bolsters their music further with a track like Your Bones Will Fail you understand what exactly makes Internal Conflict such a interesting prospect, bookended by fuzzing electronic intro and outro Nothing Is Lost sets the scene for the triumphant return of Internal Conflict. 7/10
Villainous: Villainous (Self Released)
Brighton's Villainous seem to have recruited Phil Anselmo for their three track EP, the vocals are uncanny although the music isn't quite the same, yes there's technical ability and big grooves but this EP switches so fluidly between styles it's tough to nail them down to one, there's NOLA groove on Obsolete, but Ephemeral has the organic experimentation of Tool or Deftones. There's much to enjoy here, the songwriting is mature but overall it's a bit rough around the edges and stylistically person I'd do without the harsh vocals as the cleans work better that can all be refined at later date, promising. 7/10
Villainous: Villainous (Self Released)
Brighton's Villainous seem to have recruited Phil Anselmo for their three track EP, the vocals are uncanny although the music isn't quite the same, yes there's technical ability and big grooves but this EP switches so fluidly between styles it's tough to nail them down to one, there's NOLA groove on Obsolete, but Ephemeral has the organic experimentation of Tool or Deftones. There's much to enjoy here, the songwriting is mature but overall it's a bit rough around the edges and stylistically person I'd do without the harsh vocals as the cleans work better that can all be refined at later date, promising. 7/10
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