Indie 2003
Review by Kimmo Toivonen,
9 May 2004

The name might make you think of a traditional metal band with an obsession with Dio, but this "Sacred Heart" does not sing about rainbows or dragons, and their music isn't metal either. Their style could be compared to the new generation of UK AOR bands like Lost Weekend and The Promise, and you can find some similarities to Danger Danger too. The first song "Lost" especially borrows heavily from D2's semi-classic "Don't Blame It On Love".

These recordings are rehearsal room demos, so the sound is pretty rough and stripped. You can easily hear that the main songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Paul Stead knows how to pen a decent tune, but this kind of presentation doesn't really do justice to the songs. The lads aren't lousy musicians and Paul is an adequate singer, but AOR rarely works underproduced.

All of the songs are quite good, but in many cases the choruses lack the final punch. Take the bonus track "Fall" for instance - good song otherwise but the chorus seems to die towards the end...

The band might consider hiring a keyboard player to add some extra textures to the songs, and I would also suggest paying attention to the backing vocals - they might bring that punch to the hooks. Not a bad start though.

SPV 2003
Review by 14 February 2003

"It takes time to get to Avalon, That's why we run this Marathon". The Canadian Prog/Pomp rockband Saga, do know what they're talking about here. They've been running this race for some 27 years by now. That's what I'd call a "Marathon" if anything!!!

Saga has been experience their ups and downs in the music business. But they've always managed to stay on their feet somehow. Not to mention surviving all kinds of weird trends during the dark ages. The albums haven't always been as good as in the early 80's though. With their last release "House Of Cards", they kind of turned this old ship around again. And with "Marathon" they continue to ride the wave of success... safely into port.

SPV 2004
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
10 April 2004

I can't imagine anyone buying the Saga DVD and not being a fan of the past? And that goes for any music DVD somehow as they're all intented to display your favorite act(s) in action. You're already preaching infront of the parish hall, so to speak, and it's not about saving any lost souls out either.

"All Areas - Live In Bonn" was recorded live during Saga's only live performance in Germany and Europe during 2002. It's their 25th anniversary show and they're bringing us packages of goodies to watch. This is a 2 disc set where disc #1 (approx 100 min) is 16 tracks live in Bonn, with bonus features as discography, making of, gear, etc. They're going through classics such as "Careful Where You Step", "Compromise", "The One", and the magical "Wind Him Up". It's mostly material from their first four sci-fi album and the late 90's stuff. Not a single track from the 1987-1995 era though. Mike Sadler (vocals) runs like a madman between the keys and front stage and does an excellent performance as always. However, I've never seen such a uninspired guitarist as Ian Crichton live. The man hardly moves and the complete lack of rock'n'roll personality really shines through on stage. I'm not even sure if he enjoys playing live? It surely doesn't look that way or perhaps they managed to catch him on a bad day? I guess he let's the guitar do the talkin' as you can't complain a single bit on his excellent guitar work.

Indie 2002
Review by 6 November 2002

I guess it's the disease of the Internet era that bands don't bother to add a bio or anything at all when they send out their demos, but nevertheless, it pisses me off. Saifa are one of those bands who are confident that a web address is enough - it's not, not everyone is hooked up to the 'net 24/7, and it would be nice to have some information about the band at hand when you're reviewing the demo. Okay, that's enough ranting...

The US-based (I think) Saifa are a band playing some sort of progressive metal with some grunge overtones. I guess "stoner-rock" is a term that is associated with this kind of heavy rock these days too.

The first thing that you'll notice that this is a very well produced demo. The second thing you'll notice are the songs, and for me they don't sound too appealing. The riffs are heavy, the drums are pounding, but the melodies are completely forgettable. It doesn't help that most of the songs are more or less mid-tempo, and that the vocalist Scott Friends favours the flegmatic vocal style of the grunge era with a little bit of added hollering.

Savage 1992
Review by Endre "Bandi" Hübner 17 January 2002

There isn't any special reason I dug this CD up, I just came across it again, liked it, so here we go. From an average AOR fan's point of view, the most important thing about this band may be that the album was co-written and produced by Aldo Nova, and there's a song that is credited to Jon Bon Jovi and Rachel Bolan of Skid Row. Musically the best comparison could be Skid Row although Saints & Sinners comes out a bit more melodic in the end, maybe because of Nova's touch.

Had this album been released two years earlier some of the songs like the catchy "Walk That Walk" or the power balladesque "Takin' My Chances" would have surely broken through to a wider audience. This is another love or hate type of album, you either call all the songs potential hits, or call them fillers and call the band just another zillionth copycat bunch. I tend to go for the first option and the great song material, the professional performance, and the bombastic production strengthens my decision. Fans of Bangalore Choir, Slaughter, or any other "classic" hairband can't go wrong with the album, that by the way features Jesse Bradman on keys who also played with Night Ranger and UFO.

Jorge SALÁN: "The Utopian Sea of Clouds" 9

SMP 2003
Review by 6 December 2003

This is the new 4-track CD from the Dutch band Sanity. What we are dealing with here is progressive music, with one foot in each camp really (rock & metal). It's mostly, old, fashioned, prog-rock, with similarities to the likes of England's IQ. You will however also recognize their influences from heavier prog acts, such as: Queensryche, Dream Theater, and Savatage.

Formed in 1999 by several members of Blind Fury and singer Kees Van Keulen (ex-Bagheera), the band set out to conquer the world. They are "almost" there by now and I know that a certain label has been paying attention lately. I believe they need to work some more on their songwriting skills though, since the material tend to come out sounding both dull and boring sometimes. Prog-rock isn't just some lame excuse for taking a catnap every now and then.

Now & Then Records 2003
Review by 11 May 2003

Do you ever get that feeling that you should’ve been born ten to fifteen years earlier from your time and that you missed out on so many good rock acts that were playing live when you were still in your mothers womb ? Or that you have missed out on a lot of great bands from your parents youth that you haven’t even discovered yet ? Well, that happens to me a lot and I ain’t even young anymore ! This time the „new” music comes in the form of Saracen, which was formed back in the mid 70’s by the name of Lammergier and in 1981 changed their name to Saracen and also that year they released their first album „Heroes, Saints And Fools”, which got great feedback and the band even got regular airplay from Tommy Vance’s „Friday Night Rock Show”, culminating in a „live” session being broadcast in January 1982. Now the band is back with „Red Sky” and with new line-up, that differs from the old one now having Richard Bendelow on bass and Jamie Little on drums.

„Red Sky” kicks off with „We Have Arrived” with Steve Bettney sounding like the soft side of Rob Halford at times and I don’t know how to react here really, there’s futuristic synths which is the overall sound here, but the funny thing here is the chorus that has a comical feature in it. It just doesn’t work. The bands music is labelled as symphonic rock, but these guys have more to offer than just that. It’s also progressive and very pop at times. The title track „Red Sky” works much better than the beginning song, this one’s much rougher and has that feeling of good old rock’n’roll in it, something alike to the Tony Martin-era Black Sabbath. By now it is evident that these guys have been around here before. From here on the cd gets better and better. Other rocking tunes are „Horsemen Of The Apocalypse” with annoying disco synths at the beginning, old classics from the guys; „Heroes, Saints And Fools” and „Follow The Piper” and these sound great. I don’t know what the originals sound, but these do rock, they’re complex, symphonic songs that make you start drumming on the table. „Flame Of The Youth” continues with a great rocking beat where Bettney screams at times like Glenn Hughes though he can’t get as high, but it does the trick. „Jekyll And Hyde” is in the same vein, there’s a hypnotic, straight rhythm to this one that continues throughout the song, making it the least interesting song on the cd. The hypnotic part works, but the song is too straight. „Ride Shotgun With The Wind” has again that great jamming rhythm in old rock style, thought at times it seems like it gets stuck and that’s it. „Menage A Trois” is the only instrumental here and has saxophones. It’s an interesting, varying song with jamming and peaceful moments.

The softer side of the band is shown in „Faith” and me being a romantic I really love the lyrics and the idea behind them, as written in the lyrics sheet; „Ever fallen for someone, yet been unable to find the right words at the right time ?”. The song is beautiful too, it has a mellow start that leads to a catchy, rocking chorus. The simple „Castles In The Sand” tells a story of the decades of life, kind of a depressing song yet very melodic. „Angel Eyes” has the same story as „Faith”, though continues „If your eyes first met across a crowded room though, perhaps no words were necessary !”. There’s a female guest singer here, Dagi Kaletsch, and she brings a nice, gentle touch to the song. With Steve and Dagi singing together this song sounds really dramatic, it’s a true heart-tearing moment of love that we all have gone through with.

Polygram 1989
Review by

Well, back then I used to be a bit scared of female fronted bands. Doro Pesch was, errrm... well, more than funny, Lita Ford had cute haircut but her singing (and especially her guitar playing) ability didn't measure up to her looks. Heart was okay, we all loved them, and Ann Wilson was a wonderfully trained singer. Then comes this band from the void with a chick singing like hell!

You push the album in the player, hear a great intro and then the wonder. She starts singing. And sounds great, looks great, and by the end of the first verse you have already forgotten there has ever been a Doro Pesch born. This girl has wonderful voice, hard when it's needed, passionate at the same time and the songs are all great. The first two tracks are gone and you are still under the spell. The sound is perfect, the mix ditto, awesome guitar works, tasty synth base and great vocals. Not only Sandy singing but the background vocals are also absolutely "there". "Healing Touch" has a refrain you can sing with for the first listening.

"Get U Ready" opens with Sandy singing without any accompaniment. Her voice is strong, confident, and sounds as if she has drunk barrels of whisky in the last month. The track is a cool mid-tempo rocker, written to leave room for Sandy's voice. Cool Hammond sound supports the guitars all through the track, and the boys sing great vocals again in the refrain again. "Gypsy Child" is a cool ballad but I prefer it's more up-tempo parts, mainly because of its tasty guitar work. "One Night Away" follows. This track is like it had been taken from Treat's "Organized Crime". If you know that Treat album you should know that it can't be bad at all, so you can't go wrong with Saraya either!

Nice instrumental-piano intermezzo lets you rest a bit in the middle of the album, and to let "Runnin' Out Of Time" bang your head again. This one is a great up-tempo rocker, maybe the heaviest tune of the album with a cool refrain, followed by the most hit-like track "Back To The Bullet". The "Treat feeling" comes again, probably because of the awesome synth background, and the huge refrain choirs of the track. Sandy sings the most melodyful in this one. The guitar solos are a masterpiece too. "Fire To Burn" is opened with a great guitar riff too, though the refrain is quite avarage, the track is still enjoyable. "St. Christopher Medal" the only "real" ballad of the album is based on synth arpeggios. Despite the tons of melodies in the song it didn't make it to a bigger audience. Probably because it lacks a refrain that is really easy to remember.

"Drop The Bomb" finishes the album. An awesome finish. The track begins with drum-bass base, basic but pumps so strong that even your heart takes the rhythm. The arrangement should be taught in music schools again, the bass sound, the drum sound, the volume of the different instruments in the mix are all perfect. If you were afraid of female fronted bands so far (cuz of the low quality most of them delivers) Saraya is the band for you to wash away all the bad taste from your mouth. And if you liked Heart, Vixen, Chrissy Steele, or Fiona, Saraya is a must for you!

Versailles Records 2002
Review by Endre "Bandi" Hübner 13 February 2002

Finally!! A tribute album that is REALLY a tribute to the artists it is dedicated to not just a lame attempt to cash in on well-known names. I've been very disappointed by some of the "tribute" albums that came out lately and approached this one very carefully too. My fears were growing stronger when I saw that the album opens with Satriani's "Always With Me, Always With You", one of my all time favorite instrumental pieces. Then Bruce Kulick's (Kiss, Union, Blackjack, Meatloaf) version of the song washed all my fears away. He has recorded an electro-acoustic version of the song that almost brought the tears into my eyes. If the original weren't so perfect I would even say "better than that" but obviously that's pretty much impossible.

Jake E. Lee (Ozzy, Badlands, etc.) smokes with "Surfing With The Alien", great version, not just playing note-by-note but he manages to add his own personality and style into the final product. This is true for all the performers and this makes the album a real tribute and different from the recent endless flow of fake tribute albums. Another pleasant surprise is Jimmy Crespo and Dave Ragsdale (the rock violinist) doing a great guitar-violin version of "Echo". Gotta be heard to believe! Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) is as good on "Summer Song" as Lee was on "Surfing" which is not surprise after his great solo effort. Neither is Neil Zaza's superb "Friends"; Neil's own stuff is pretty much in the Satch vein anyway.

MTM Music 2003
Review by 8 November 2003

Sayit "Louder" is a very appropiate title as everything is way louder than Sayit "Again", which of course is the pervious release by this Swedish guitarist. These words are reminding me of the very misleading "who's on second base" sketch somehow, since everything is very... errr... confusing. Damn these wiseguys with too much spare time on their hands [:-)].

Geir Rönning (Toto, Radioactive, Prisoner) sings all lead vocals by himself this time, after sharing it with the likes of Jim Jidhed or Pierre Wensberg in the past. Tommy "Radioactive" Denander is still a big part of this project and handles both production, songwriting, and various guitar work. Mix and post production is however done by Anders "Theo" Theander at the famous Roasting House, based in the southern parts of Sweden. The legendery bass player Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake, etc) is also involved this time.

Massacre Records 2002
Review by 2 July 2002

If you’ve thought before, that Scanner is yet another one of those German bands that only Germans listen to and are so fanatic towards, then you should take a listen to this new album from Scanner. They’ve added a new female vocalist here, Lisa Croft,(no, not Lara Croft..) and she really does bring a refreshing breeze to this band. She’s got the kind of a wicked, infectious and intriquing voice, that it’s a pleasure listening to her.

Also Scanner has done good job with the songs. They sound fresh, more melodic and futuristic. Maybe the album cover is a reflection to the new sound, with a city filled with skyscrapers in the futuristic style, but they also pay homage here to Firtz Lang, the director of the movie Metropolis from 1926. Though Scanner has always been a bit different from the rest of the metal bands, here they are more softer. But in my opinion it has brought this band more variety than what most metal bands can ever reach. Listen to “Always Alien” and you know how interesting can a slower, soft song be. And talk about interesting song titles, Scanner has those. Or what would you say about “Hollowed Be My Name” ?! Or “Till The Ferryman Dies”, what a great opener for this album. Also “R.I.P.-Rest In Pain”. I have to give credit from imagination to this band.

Those who avoid the german language the “Engel Brecht’s” might not be the best tracks to start off with, as the lyrics are in german and the whole song is more in the rough german metal style. But you could always imagine Doro singing this one, as she makes the language sound so soft and fragile. “Engel” is Scanner’s musical idea of the poem “Über die verführung von Engeln” by Bertold Brecht.

“Sister Mary” is one of the straighter songs and it has a catchy chorus that you want to sing along to. Also the guitars are great. “The Gambler” is also pretty straight, but slow and Lisa surprises us with french language in the end. The last song is a live version of “Till The Ferryman Dies” recorded in Stockholm, Sweden. Scanner sounds good live as well.

Gem Three/Trigger Happy 2002
Review by 8 November 2002

Here's a familiar name that now finally goes his own way and releases his first solo album. Since I'm a huge KISS fan, I remember first hearing about Richie Scarlet (vocals/guitars) during his spell with Ace Frehley in the mid-80's. He was already gone by the release of the first Frehley's Comet album though (replaced by Ted Howarth) and didn't return until the "Trouble Walkin'" album in 1989.

Some of you may also remember his work with Sebastian Bach (ex. Skid Row), The Alice Cooper Band, & recentely the 70's band Mountain. Scarlet is actually as I write this on tour with Leslie West and the rest of the Mountain fellows. In between he's been recording "The Insanity Of Life" which assembles an impressive guestlist. Space Ace Frehley himself is of course involved here and plays guitar on a couple of tracks (one which he co-wrote with Scarlet). Other musicians are Ty Tabor - guitars (King's X), Anton Fig - drums (Frehley's Comet, Spider, Shanghai, Dave Letterman show), Bobby Rondinelli - drums (Rainbow, BOC, Rondinelli etc.), Leslie West - guitar (Mountain) etc.

Steamhammer/SPV 2002
Review by Endre "Bandi" Hübner 4 April 2002

There are some weird things going on around Michael Schenker these days. Rumors say he walked out of another UFO tour after 5 shows only, his website that the artwork of his new CD suggests (michaelschenker.com) has obviously nothing to do with him or with music at all (just a lame collection of financing end other links), and in the meantime he released this album with basically no promotion, not even the label's website mentions anything about it but lists it in its catalogue…

To carry on with weird things the artwork of the album is a graphic including his signature Flying-V guitar, not that there are any traces of it or its sound on the album. Basically the album is (just as a VERY small script on the artwork suggests) an "Instrumental Acoustic Album". Very good at that I might add but only if you aren't annoyed by the fact that you can't hear anything but two tracks of acoustic guitars through more than 45 minutes; one of them playing some simple lead melodies, the other one providing some chording background.

Mascot Records 2003
Review by 21 June 2003

The man with the Gibson flying V started his career with the Scorpions(Lonesome Crow, 1972). Then it was UFO-time and with that band Michael made one of the best live-albums ever(Strangers In The Night, 1978). The Michael Schenker Group was founded in 1980 and their debutalbum is still a real rockclassic; in 1991 Michael was in a band called Contraband and in 1995 he was “back” with UFO and the album “Walk On Water”. From 1996 he focused on his solo-career and now he releases “Arachnophobiac”, with a band full of celebrities. Singer Chris Logan, drummer Jeremy Colson(Friedman, Vai), and last but not least bassplayer Stu Hamm(Satriani, Vai) join Michael in the “return” of the Michael Schenker Group.

Michael turns out to become a real workaholic, as this is his fourth album already this year. But is it just quantity or is there also enough quality on this album. Well, there are no surprises on this cd but you can still enjoy 11 melodic rocksongs with ofcourse outstanding guitarplaying by Michael. Just as you think, e.g. in “Into The Sands Of Time” that this song becomes very boring Michael is there to save the track with a splendid guitarsolo.

Indie 2003
Review by Martien Koolen 15 February 2003

Remember the late eighties when we were swamped with all these fantastic instrumental guitaralbums, from e.g. Marty Friedman, Greg Howe, Jason Becker, Vinnie Moore, Joey Tafolla and David T.Chastain. I really loved those cds full of excellent guitar orgasms.

Now, twenty years later, Mark Schuster has released a guitar album just like the ones mentioned before. By the way, he also borrowed (stole?) a title from the first Vinnie Moore solo-album dated 1986... Mark's influences are very obvious and range from Joe "Satch" Satriani, Steve Lynch(Dokken),Steve Vai to Eddie Van Halen. Especially in songs like "The Changeling","I Am A Machine" and "Bitch Bang Baby"(great title!!)his "idols" are very distinctively present. "Variations On A Diminished Theme" is a track where Satch meets Friedman in the most beautiful way. This is without any doubt the highlight of this album. However, not all the 15 tracks are instrumental, in "Real-Life Animation" you can enjoy Mark's voice.

2001
Review by Michael "Batsy" Klima 20 June 2001

German hardrock dinosaurs just released their new CD. Unfortunately it's not new material, but a bunch of acoustic versions of old hits. To be precise they included one completely new song but it's not enough. Klaus and co. also enclosed few cover versions but I was expecting more their own initiative.

Album starts with "The Zoo" - an old, amazing, "still fresh" song and its acoustic version is fantastic. I've always thought that this song needs roaring guitars and crushing drums, but The Scorps showed me that I was wrong. And then... "Always Somewhere". It's probably finest ballad in band's history - and for sure, the most underrated. Klaus Meine at his best, Rudi Schenker too.

"Life Is Too Short" is a classic-sounding ballad which has nothing special to offer. But next song "Holiday" has very special place in my book. I call the original version a song with a capital "S". But... geeez what they have done to it??? Changing tempo and chix in choirs??? Shame. Next track is the worst one on this CD, from "Pure Instinct", a shitty ballad "You And I". No use to review it. But then we've got the only new Scorpions song called "When Love Kills Love" - a little bit disappointing, maybe 'cause I was expecting something that'll fall me down on my knees. And it didn't happen. But to be honest it's a quite nice song, I've just got the feeling that I've heard it somewhere before.

Then the time has come to hear a real gem. Scorps took old an Kansas hit and "refreshed" it. "Dust In The Wind" is one of the best moments on "Acoustica". Everyone should give it a listen. Amazing how great "Send Me An Angel" sounds. The original was boring and now they "gave the angel new wings". Completely new arrangement and female backing vocals are great together. Next two songs aren't hits and they're both at medium level. I'm talking 'bout a little country number "Catch Your Train" and "I Wanted To Cry (But Tears Wouldn't Come)" (HAVE TO listen to it with your beloved partner).

Next track terrified me. Oh God, "Wind Of Change" once again? I really hate this song. Who had the idea to put this piece of junk on "Acoustica"??? I've always said that it's a song which "brought Scorps to villages" - waste of time. We've had opportunity to hear Kansas song, now time has come for Queen and The Cars. Scorpions chose "Love Of My Life" and "Drive". Both are amazingly good and listening to them is a real pleasure. Maybe Klaus isn't as good as Mercury was, but believe me that Scorps versions are great. CD is coming to an end so guys left two their major hits. First of them is "Still Loving You" - immortal ballad, I was raised on it so I love EVERY version of it. I don't know a single person who doesn't like this masterpiece. The last song on "Acoustica" is "Rock You Like A Hurricane" - IMO the best thing they've ever done. This version is the "2001" version and sounds incredibly good. I love the parts when the crowd is singing "Here I Am Rock Ya Like A Hurricane", Rudi and Matthias are playing solos and Klaus is trying to make the crowd sing the whole song. Fantastic.

BMG 2004
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
2 May 2004

Achtung baby!!! Scorpions are finally back with a stinger again!!! Or in the words of riff master Rudolf Schenker "after side projects like Moment Of Glory and Acoustica, we owed our fans a kick-ass, bad-to-the-bone CD". No question about it, this rocks harder and better than anything they've done, for the last 15 years or so. However, don't believe drummer James Kottak (Kingdom Come, Wild Horses), when he tells you that "Unbreakable" is their best record ever. Then again, he wasn't around in the heydays, when Scorpions wrote hit singles and classic albums one after the other.

It's not another "Love At First Sting" or "Lovedrive", but it's definitly their best effort since the 80's. Nevertheless, opening track "New Generation" had me worried as it isn't exactly the perfect opener. I would have pushed it down the pecking order of the running tracklist. I must admit that it's a grower and you need to spin it several times. No major worries though as catchy rock anthems like "Love'Em Or Leave'Em", "Deep And Dark", "This Time", and "Someday Is Now", will convince you that Scorpions are now back with its lethal sting. It seems like Schenker/Jabs are enjoying to come up with those massive riffs again. But again, don't expect to find anything as "massive" like "Rock You Like An Hurricane" here. "Through My Eyes" opens up with similar chords and structure to "Still Loving You", until the chorus hits you between the eyes a'la "No One Like You". The big ballad of the album is however "She Said", with its winning concept, traditional Scorpion-style. Keep in mind that Klaus Meine's lively accent isn't every man's poison.

Rockparade Records 2004
Review by Martien Koolen,
23 February 2004

If you read the biography of Secret Heroes you'd think that the next super rock band has risen from the ashes. Quote: “Secret Heroes gives a fascinating new edge to heavy metal rock. This debut album contains energetic rock and metal tracks with switch-blade sharp guitar riffs, heavily pounding rhythm work and highly recognizable melodies”.

Sad to say that none of the above is true, although it sounds very good... However this CD contains 12 boring, old-fashioned, overproduced, predictable rock tracks, with most of the time “poppy” choruses and rather clichéd lyrics and song titles. Take for example the bittersweet ballad “Broken Promises” or the dull “Same Player Shoots Again”. Or one of the best Spinal Tap rock titles for a song I have heard in a long time: “Get Laid (If You’re Feelin’ Like It); need I say more???

Nuclear Blast 2003
Review by 4 May 2003

Spaghetti rock again??? "Scent Of Human Desire" is the third album by Italian rockers Secret Sphere. This band has often been decribed as one of the most respected acts to ever come out from the "New Wave Of Italian Heavy Metal". Hmmm... you can't help to ask yourself here: was there ever a old/first wave of Italian Heavy Metal??? Italian Disco perhaps???

Seriously though, this is their first release at a major label (Nuclear Blast) and it displays a mixture of Melodic Power, Symphonic, & Progressive Metal. Recorded in Italy and mixed at the 'House Of Music' studio by Achim Köhler (Primal Scream, Sinner, Brainstorm). It may not exactely be the metal album of the year. Then again... I've heard a lot of worse albums.

LionMusic 2003
Review by 19 July 2003

Section A is the brand new project by Danish guitarist Torben Enevoldsen. He's been making quite a rep after a couple of instrumental album releases at LionMusic. This is however his first attempt with vocals and everything and the basic idea, was to put together a band of musicians Torben admired in the first place.

First up was Swedish drummer Andreas Lill (Vanden Plas) and shortly after followed another Swede, namely vocalist Andy Engberg (ex- Lion's Share, Sorcerer). Guest apperances by the two keyboard wizard's Derek Sherinian (Planet X, etc) and Gunter Werno (Vanden Plas), adds something extra to the nicely performed material.

Frontiers 2003
Review by 21 July 2003

Who?? Some of you may ask as Michael's name may not be as know in rock circles as it should be. But even those who do not care for soul or pop music know Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan or Donna Summer. Well, Michael worked with all of them, on top of that he scored huge success with soundtracks of movies like Flashdance, Rocky, Gremlins, Independence Day, etc. But enough of history, let's see this album.

Oops, not enough of history as this is a retrospective album, "with an obvious emphasis on his rock roots" … well, at least that's what the promo material says. It may be true compared to his work with Stevie Wonder or with the divas but don't expect roaring guitars or uptempo rock anthems. You get some great arrangement instead, top-notch songwriting, a big bunch of soulful ballads, some soft pop-rock songs with soul flavor, some latin influences, and even African(?) tribal rhythms here and there. All in all it is a very vivid and absolutely enjoyable mix but only if you are open enough to variety.

Promo 2004
Review by Satu Reunanen, 31 March 2004

Hop on the eighties bandwagon...Sentiment surely fits in on todays metal scene, they’ve got the melodies and the right attitude. Formed in 1999, who would believe that young guys such as these finns can already sound so convincing ! But the beginning wasn’t as easy as you might think, changing a singer from a female (we saw her at the finnish Idols-competition) to todays Michael Henneken (Silent Voices), going through many member changes and changing their style from a more proggish metal approach that didn’t reach so many fans as todays style.

Henneken’s voice reminds me of the good old Yngwie Malmsteen times, when Mike Vescera was still in the band, though I always liked all Malmsteen vocalists. The songs reach the same measures as the Malmsteen songs in both mood and as song structures. But Malmsteen isn’t the only band which comes to mind while listening to Sentiment. The opening song ”Breaking The Chains” starts like Thunderstone’s ”Until We Touch The Burning Sun” and the overall mood on the whole cd is very much alike to Thunderstone’s music. But most of all Sentiment’s music is a mixture of the classic eighties metal and power metal and they’ve written songs they should be damn proud of, eventhough it’s nothing new on the planet. But hey, what is new then today ?

Indie 2004
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallström,
21 February 2004

Here's a really nice blast from the past!!! Sequel came out of Portland, Oregan and had several radio hits in the region during the early to mid 80's. Most famed musician here is bassist Todd Jensen (Harlow, Hardline, David Lee Roth, Ozzy, Steve Perry, Alice Cooper) as this was his first shot at the fame and glory. Guitarist Greg Georgeson currently plays with Tommy Tutone's traveling band and the other members of the band were David Wall (guitar/vocals) and drummer Grant Roholt.