ALBUM REVIEW: CHICKENFOOT - III

This, their second album, is jokingly titled ‘III’, but don’t think Chickenfoot are taking their music lightly. Contained within the grooves of this sophomore release are some stonking hard rock tunes crafted with all the expertise you would expect from such high profile musos. Songs such as ‘Big Foot’ which stomps hard and heavy, lead track ‘Last Temptation’ or ‘Up Next’ encompass the basis of the ‘Foot sound, one foot planted in the garden of rock, the other in the house of blues. While Michael Anthony/Chad Smith nail the rhythm section, Joe Satriani’s exquisite guitar is free to express itself in exemplary fashion. Meantime, Sammy Hagar delivers in tremendous style, especially on the ballad 'Come Closer'. There is an infectious joie de vivre surrounding 'III' as it showcases a band doing what they love, and loving every minute of it!

Joe Mackett

ROCK iKON Magazine

DVD REVIEW: BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION - LIVE OVER EUROPE

Black Country Communion have carved a reputable niche for themselves as real rock royalty. Filmed in HD over three nights to packed-out venues in the German cities of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin in the Summer of 2011, 'Live Over Europe' is a credible in-concert DVD package. The dramatic industrial title sequence sets the scene for the 18 Kevin Shirley sonically sharpened songs on offer. From the charismatic Glenn Hughes led assault of ‘Black Country’, the epically driven 'Save Me', to the mind-melting 'Cold' and a blood bursting cover of Deep Purple's 'Burn', this is a debut live showcase of simmering proportions. Add to this 'explosive' performances of Joe Bonamassa standards 'Song Of Yesterday', ‘The Ballad Of John Henry’ (plus a neat 'making of' documentary) and you have an enduring time capsule to the power of 'pure' classic rock!

Mark Crampton

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: MONTE PITTMAN - PAIN LOVE AND DESTINY

Monte Pittman’s second solo album is a beautiful anthology of the contrasts and complexities of human nature; a depiction of our darkest and lightest moments, thoughts and fears eloquently and skilfully expressed in musical form. A departure from his initial solo endeavour ‘The Deepest Dark’, Monte introduces heavier touches and tones which provide shade and balance. ‘About You’ is just one of those songs that will happily stay with you and linger in your subconscious long after it has gone. The same can be said for ‘Somewhere In The Middle'. Vocals on ‘The Price Of Fear’ are clear as a bell as is the haunting 'Stay With Me’ with its strong melodic well produced clean sharp guitar sound, whilst album closer ‘Predetermined Destiny’ is 'Beatlesque' and quite hypnotic. All in all a real treat from a highly talented and gifted guitar genius!

Amanda Gentle

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: BETH HART + JOE BONAMASSA - DON'T EXPLAIN

L.A. singer Beth Hart is a true vocal gem. ‘Teaming-Up’ with Blues/Rock 'Guitar God' Joe Bonamassa on 'Don't Explain' (an intimate collection of 'heartfelt' hand-picked classic soul covers) showcases her rising to the occasion, with 'expressive' raspy soulful vocals in full frontal view. Produced by Black Country Communion guru Kevin Shirley and backed up by J.B.'s 'Ballad Of John Henry' Number 1 line-up its' a 'simmering' marriage. Highlights include corking renditions of Ray Charles' 'Sinner's Prayer', Bill Withers' 'For My Friend' and Etta James' 'I'd Rather Go Blind' and 'Something's Got A Hold On Me' where the Hart/Bonamassa partnership blossoms. From the 'Heart' though it's the commercial appeal of Gil Scott-Heron's 'I'll Take Care Of You' and Delaney & Bonnie's 'Well Well that will take this unique 'Dream Team' to the mainstream of Rock!

Mark Crampton

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: MICHAEL SCHENKER - TEMPLE OF ROCK

Michael Schenker has boldly gone where man has not gone before. Not only has he enlisted a spoken intro from Star Trek's William Shatner but the guitar maestro is well oiled and ready to roll. Metal Mickey has enlisted the help of many friends from past and present. Originally started under the banner of 'Strangers In The Night' with former UFO band mate Pete Way, Michael Voss and former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell, as the work progressed many more names got involved including his brother Rudolf, Leslie West, Don Airey, Paul Raymond Etc. Retreating to a sound that can be found on the first two MSG albums it's full of deadly riffs from blistering opener 'How Long' to the classic hard rock of 'Before The Devil Knows You're Dead' with Doogie White on vocals. A fluid front-frontal attack from the mad axeman!

Mark Taylor

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: DREAM THEATER - A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS

Dream Theater's 11th ‘altar offering’ proves to be less ‘sacrificial’ than first thought after the departure of Mike Portnoy. ‘A Dramatic Turn Of Events’ demonstrates the unmistakable Rush/Yes inspired melodic technical proficiency that gives DT their ‘distinctive’ progressive edge. What’s different about this album is a sense of renewed vigour, lustre and warmth; maybe resulting from a different approach to musical direction previously untried and unseen? With Portnoy’s loss of what he had described as being ‘His Baby’, DT see a new contribution from Mike Mangini which is solid, sustained and highly proficient, but yet fluid enough to give them the potential to move towards a more melodic and thematic style. A new DT era has emerged which may see them break new unchartered territory in terms of audience, sound and musicianship!

Amanda Gentle

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: ALICE COOPER - WELCOME 2 MY NIGHTMARE

Horror has long been one of the main elements flowing through the bloodstream of rock music. The main instigator of this infection is Alice Cooper, the godfather of OTT ghoulish shock-rock. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of his first solo album Cooper has now released what is touted as its follow-up, both in terms of the narrative carried by the songs and the musical personnel involved, notably producer Bob Ezrin. Like its earlier near namesake 'Welcome 2 My Nightmare' is a rich and diverse platter with an underlying story. Musical styles range from the Stonesy rock of 'I’ll Bite Your Face Off' to the Tom Waits inspired 'Last Man On Earth. Stand out tracks like opener 'I Am Made Of You' with its searing solo and the ballsy duet with Ke$ha 'What Baby Wants' make the point that AC is a timeless rock institution - the zombie make-up helps!

Colin Liddell

ROCK iKON Magazine