As we creep into autumn and September, it is time for a new roundup of music.
First up is a bunch of Germans who obviously love Accept and AC/DC. They are called Cannon and have released a decent slab of metal in the form of Burning Love. If you followed the late-80s German metal scene, you might have heard of this bunch that revived themselves in the early '00s.
Dominoe are a collection of Germans who obviously love Survivor and Toto. This release is called Naked But Dressed and they have rung up a few mates to help out, including one Jimi Jamison (ex-Survivor) and Rhino Edwards from Status Quo. It is as if the '90s never happened, musically. It includes a couple of bonus tracks of updated hits from their '80s heyday.
Eclipse are another bunch of über-talented Swedes who seem to be able to write catchy hard rock at the drop of a hat. Bleed and Scream is their latest foray and it just seeps class from every note. It is no wonder the main man behind the group is a sought after producer. If you like Scandi rock with a touch of power metal, then look no further.
Harry Hess' latest solo release is called Living in Yesterday and it is exactly what you would expect from the former Harem Scarem frontman. Soaring melodic stadium hard rock that you know is just lapped up in Japan. You will be hard pressed to find a better release in this genre this year.
Liv Kristine is back with a new solo album away from her day job in the goth Viking metal of Leave's Eyes. The album is called Libertine and it is very much goth hard rock with a heavy tint of pop rock. Think Evanescence before Amy Lee went all Alanis Morrissette on us. This is by far the best of Kristine's solo releases.
Sky of Rage have unleashed a rather good debut in the form of Sky of Rage. It teeters quite nicely between the realms of heavy and power metal. All in all you won't care, because this is quality material from a band that is certainly worth your time.
And finally, it is called WhoCares and it is Ian Gillan of Deep Purple and Tony Iommi's charity CD, set to raise money to build a music school in Armenia. It has a bunch of B-sides, rarities and silliness from both guys and were it not for the good cause it would be for completists only.
That is your varied bag for this week. Stay safe and rocking out there.
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