Monthly Archive: November 2020

IRON MASK

IRON MASK – Master of Masters (2020)

Founded almost 20 years ago IRON MASK, named after the mysterious prisoner from Alexandre Dumas’ novel “The Man in the Iron Mask”, have matured into a sovereign band and a big-shot in the international metal scene. The new album “Master Of Masters” introduces Mike Slembrouck on vocals, who is a perfect fit for the band, shining on all 12 tracks.
As the trend in recent years, power metal bands turned much more accessible, melodic (a good thing if you ask me) and IRON MASK isn’t the exception. Tracks like ‘Revolution Rise’ are straight melodic hard rock, without losing the band’s ADN inspired by the likes of DIO, MALMSTEEN, etc.

ALFONZETTI / ALICATE / ALIEN

ALIEN – Into The Future [Japan Edition +1] (2020)

One of the greatest Scandinavian bands from the late ’80s – ALIEN – are back with a new album: ”Into The Future”, to be released in advance today in Japan with a bonus track.
Alien’s return with their original line up was one of the stories of the early 2010’s. They followed up two stunning Firefest shows, where Jim Jidhed’s golden voice in particular was a revelation, with a comeback album ‘Eternity’, but then nothing for the last six years.
Their latest return sees some change in the camp with the quintet back down to three original members, and a self-confessed heavier, more guitar-based hard rocking sound.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH – st +2 [AOR Heaven Limited Reissue / 500 copies] (2020) *EXCLUSIVE*

Originally released in 1988, DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH and its self-titled album resulted a one-off project, but a what a great one. This album comprises all the best from second half of the ’80s Canadian AOR; that meaning class, gusto, smoothness and clinical production. Now AOR Heaven Records is reissuing this little gem (only 500 copies).
With TRIUMPH’s Rik Emmett dropping a guest solo on the awesome opener ‘Walk On The Wire’ you get an idea of what this is musically. But David Buckthorpe (DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH’s mastermind, singer & songwriter) also adds a radio-friendly, rock&pop energy to many tracks, resulting in a terrific collection of pure Eighties stuff akin GLASS TIGER, TOTO, etc.
Thanks to AOR Heaven we can enjoy this lovely ’80s ‘diamond in the rough’ indeed. The sound quality is much better than the previous Long Island Rec reissue, fuller.
Hurry up, it’s limited to 500.
Only at 0dayrox

BEGGARS and THIEVES

BEGGARS & THIEVES – Beggars & Thieves [Wounded Bird Records reissue] Out Of Print

As requested, here’s the pretty hard to find Wounded Bird Records reissue of BEGGARS & THIEVES‘ 1990 self-titled album. This is one hell of an album, awesome American Hard Rock with that melodic waves so typical 1990-91 not only in style, but production sound as well handled by the legendary duo Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero.
The music on the Beggars & Thieves debut was spectacular; the group had a more mature sound than many of their contemporaries; with so many bands obsessed with sleazy, degenerate looks, and subject matters to their music, Beggars & Thieves would have been a welcome addition to the rock and roll world.
They have drawn comparisons to group like BADLANDS, though Beggars & Thieves had a more melodic / AOR sound, something that helped them to stand out in the minds of those who have listened to them over the years.
The audio quality of this WOU version is excellent.
Only at 0dayrox

PYRAMAZE

PYRAMAZE – Epitaph (2020)

If you enjoy your prog metal full of melody, emotive vocals, plenty of hooks and big choruses, then, you need to discover this amazing Danish band: PYRAMAZE. These Scandinavians delivers on all levels, and their new album “Epitaph” should be their best so far.
What makes this album so enjoyable is the underlying emotion at the base of each song. There aren’t any risks being taken here, but that’s not what this kind of music is about. “Epitaph” lets you escape into a beautiful musical landscape as each track paints a picture and tells its own story.
The album’s strength lies in its ability to allow you to listen effortlessly as you journey through each song. Each note has its proper place; nothing is wasted or unnecessary.
And they rock, greatly, delivering terrific anthemic songs, and helped by a fantastic mix / production courtesy of Jacob Hansen.
HIGHLY Recommended

BRITNY FOX / TOMMY PARIS BAND

BRITNY FOX – Forbidden Fruits; The Bite Down Hard Demos [Extra Tracks]

Yesterday we featured in exclusive rare BRITNY FOX pre-production demos for their third album Bite Down Hard, taken from the own Britny Fox CD release (BFRecords) appeared several years ago in limited quantities and now a rarity.
These demos were recently released with the title ‘Forbidden Fruits‘ by FNA records, missing some tracks from our featured tracklist, but including other four not present. Here they are to complete your Britny Fox collection, plus four Tommy Paris unreleased songs.

BRITNY FOX / JILLSON / TOMMY PARIS BAND

JILLSON (Tommy Paris) – Deadly Girl [Retrospect Records remastered]

Before joining BRITNY FOX for the recording of the album Bite Down Hard, vocalist Tommy Paris had his own band named after his ‘stage name’ Don Jillson. With all songs penned by Jillson / Paris – he’s a prolific songwriter – JILLSON released by themselves their debut album titled “Deadly Girl” in 1990.
This is a killer late ’80s Melodic Hard Rock / Hair Metal collection of songs, mixing the melody of NIGHT RANGER, the punch of Y&T, and catchiness, at places, similar to REO Speedwagon, this remastered reissue adds 3 extra tracks from the same recording sessions.

BRITNY FOX / REMASTER

BRITNY FOX – Britny Fox {Remastered – IronBird / Cherry Red Records}

This is a request from some time ago, the hard to find BRITNY FOX remastered double-pack of the first self-titled album “Britny Fox” and Boys In Heat, released by prestigious UK label Cherry Red though their IronBird division. One of the brighter debuts to emerge in the late ’80s, Britny Fox’s self-titled album established themselves early on as hard-hitting contenders...

BRITNY FOX / REMASTER

BRITNY FOX – Boys In Heat {Remastered – IronBird / Cherry Red Records}

This is a request from some time ago, the hard to find BRITNY FOX remastered double-pack of the first self-titled album and “Boys In Heat“, released by prestigious UK label Cherry Red though their IronBird division. Produced by the expertise hands of master Neil Kernon, “Boys In Heat” is the second album by Philadelphia-based Britny Fox, released in 1989. After...

BRITNY FOX / UNRELEASED

BRITNY FOX – The Bite Down Hard Demos I & II *EXCLUSIVE*

Requested by one of you, here’s the quite rare BRITNY FOX pre-production demos for their third album Bite Down Hard: “The Bite Down Hard Demos“. After two albums, original Britny Fox lead singer Dizzy Dean Davidson left to pursue other opportunities and the band brought in Las Vegas native Tommy Paris for the 3rd LP ‘Bite Down Hard (1991)’
This album resonated with the fans and they now can hear the other tracks written for Bite Down Hard album in their raw format, plus other rarities taped during these session like covers of AC/DC, QUEEN, etc.
These demos were recently released with the title ‘Forbidden Fruits’, but note it’s under the banner ‘Tommy Paris of Britny Fox’ and includes tracks that has nothing in common with the the Bite Down Hard Demos sessions.
What we have here the complete recordings, all Britny Fox, taken from the limited edition CD released by the band (BFRecords) several years ago and now a rarity.
Only at 0dayrox

BRITNY FOX

BRITNY FOX – Bite Down Hard [Wounded Bird Records reissue] Out Of Print

Originally released in 1991, BRITNY FOX third album “Bite Down Hard” went out of print after many years, until Wounded Bird Records reissued the CD for the first time. “Bite Down Hard” never was remastered, but this WOU digital transfer is much more vibrant and punchy than the original disc press. This Wounded Bird CD is out of print again, with remaining un-open copies being sold for U$D 900.
“Bite Down Hard” is quite different than the 2 previous glammy / hair metal LP’s: with the addition of lead singer / songwriter Tommy Paris the band gained in power, straight kick-ass vocals, and the style to follow in 1991 was hard rock with a bluesy melodic foundation and a clean production.
Killerrr stuff

AC-DC

AC/DC – Power Up [HDtracks Hi-Res] (2020)

This year AC/DC celebrated the 40th anniversary of Back In Black. Little did we know that the hard rock legends were poised to unleash another classic record in the bleak year of 2020. Charged up for the next decade, the band’s 17th studio album, ”Power Up”, arrives like an antidote to the malaise and a triumphant statement that rock ‘n roll knows no time and no age. AC/DC have a new set of anthems for a vastly different world.
As Angus tells it, ”Power Up” is a tribute to his brother Malcolm, just like ”Back In Black” was a tribute to Bon Scott.
”Power Up” is among the best AC/DC done since ‘The Razors Edge’. It comes down to some memorable songs…

KEPLER KEN

KEPLER TEN – A New Kind Of Sideways (2020)

Boasting a broad and diverse range of influences from the likes of RUSH, TOTO and ASIA to QUEENSRYCHE, VAN HALEN and QUEEN, British trio KEPLER KEN are releasing their new CD “A New Kind Of Sideways“. Fusing together celestial synths with progressive rock tinged riffs, KEPLER KEN maintain the spirit of the ’80s sound and bring their take into the 21st century.
KEPLER KEN is not Melodic Prog Rock, this is Melodic Rock / Hard Rock with a lot of progressive nuances. To put it short: they ‘rock’ more than proggy your world. All served with an awesome, pristine production. Even the excellent cover artwork is reminiscent to Hipgnosis art design group.
You need to listen to these guys.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

GARY SCHUTT (J S Soto)

GARY SCHUTT – Drastic Measures (2020)

Seems this pandemic and almost zero chance to perform live has stimulated the creative spark of many musicians. “Drastic Measures” is the second album former Jeff Scott Soto guitarist GARY SCHUTT wrote and finished during 2020.
He already delighted us with ‘Nightmares, Bad Dreams And Other Alternate Realities’ early this year, and now comes with a bunch of brand new songs, all sung, performed and produced by Schutt himself.
Even more varied than the previous CD, we find a groovy rocker on ‘Zombie Drive’, heavy funky riffs on ‘Anyone But Me’ (think Richie Kotzen solo), and a great hard rocker on ‘Dreamcatcher’ (love the guitar work). But Gary is becoming a better and better vocalist with each new record, and it shows.
‘A.M.I.I.F.C.’ rocks with an ’80s pulse over a rumbling bass line…

SCHAFFER / BARLOW

SCHAFFER / BARLOW PROJECT – Winter Nights (2020)

ICED EARTH founder, songwriter, guitarist and producer Jon SCHAFFER and former ICED EARTH vocalist Matt BARLOW have recruited former current QUEENSRŸCHE drummer Casey Grillo to lay down the drums on their new “Winter Nights” album, ready for Xmas.
“Winter Nights” was born out of a long-standing desire between Schaffer and Barlow to work together again since 2008. The idea to work on holiday songs was interesting to both guys.
The recording features their unique spin on five Christmas classics, including “Silent Night” and “Little Drummer Boy”, as well as new interpretations of two ICED EARTH songs, “Watching Over Me (Winter 2020)” and “I Died For You (Winter 2020)”.