CD reviews: The Darkness, Diamond Dogs back-catalogue, Creozoth & Nox Arcana

Darkness: One Way Ticket To Hell... and Back

Permission to Land was a bit hit for this band; 3.5 million sales and counting. It was a catchy tongue-in-cheek AOR rock release that I found tiresome rather quickly. It was patently obvious to most observers that the band had to deliver with their sophmore effort, a feat that many hit rock bands have failed to do in the past.

The Darkness have managed it, just. This is a good mainstream rock album of that there is no doubt; it's just a tad derivative and not as good as some of the other AOR albums out there. For instance, this album does not come close to the quality release of the last Journey album, Generations.

It almost unfair to compare this CD to bast array of recent good hard rock releases that come through my door. For an album that many people can find in their local supermarket, this is no doubt one of the best rock releases of the year. The Darkness have combined their love for all things Queen (hell they even Queen's producer twiddling the knobs) with touches of Thin Lizzy in places, ELO ('Girlfriend') and Meatloaf on the title track.

There are some great tunes on here including the title track, "English Country Garden and 'Blind Man. Both are pure Queen; lovingly so but a bit too close to the mark. I am sure the album is a bit of grower rather than an instant love. Justin Hawkins keeps his castratri singing to a minimum, which is a relief. This is close to the release we hoping for, althought I think it would have been better with Mutt Lange at the helm instead of Roy Thomas Baker. The little ole' band from Lovestoft has done pretty good for the second effort. Next time let's hope they show just a pinch more originality.

Nox Arcana: Winter's Knight

If you are one who finds Christmas music irritating by about the second weekend in December this might be the perfect antidote. It certainly works for me with its creepy symphonic ghostly tale set in the middle of winter. I have previously reviewed this band's material in the form of Necronomicon and I will be reviewing the rest of the back catalogue in the coming weeks.

Nox Arcana produce music that sounds like it should be off a soundtrack of some sort or other. This is not surprising as Joseph Vargo has done a whole myriad of sountracks of both TV and movies. It is not all instrumental, as they toss in 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' for good measure. This is perfect soundtrack when you are all tired out by the Christmas hype and the annoyances of the season. Gothic symphonic goodness...what is there not to like?