Marc Vanderberg - Highway Demon (CD in tin can)

German guitarist Marc Vanderberg made his debut as late as 2015, but you clearly hear his influences were neatly picked from 80s bands and artists like Malmsteen, Europe and I do hear quite a bit of Obsession in there, especially in the excellent melodic hard rocker ”Blue Eyes”, where singer Raphael Gazal sounds quite close to Michael Vescera (but thankfully not as nasal). As you may have gathered by now, this is not an instrumental guitar album, but a full on band album. Melodic hard rock with a neo-classical touch, that definitely should appeal to fans of Yngwie, MVP, Royal Hunt, Obsession, Narnia etc. Marc is a great guitarist, highly influenced by the 80s shredders, with Strat sound, swift sweeps and everything. The songs, I must say, are way better than what his Swedish predecessor manages to come up with today (plus Marc has a way better singer). Another Swedish Yngwiesque shredder, Stefan Lindholm (Vindictiv), lends some licks and sweeps in the track "You’re Like A Poison". "Indespensable" has a more traditional hard rock feel to it, and could have been a Shakra or Gotthard semi-ballad (I just really hate those flap-flap bass drums that sounds like a guy playing two bass drums for the first time. Sorry). The production is ok, but the bass guitar is almost missing, I’m no fan of programmed drums (even though this sounds very good) and it wound need proper mastering. Still, it’s a pretty solid neo-classical metal album with kick-ass guitar playing and great vocals.
Janne Stark
Year: 2017
Country: Germany
Label: self-released

Master Massive – The Pendulum (CD)

Wow! Is this an album I’ve waited for! Ever since I first heard the track “Time Out Of Mind” on Swedish radio back in 1988 I’ve been waiting for its release. I’ve actually featured the track on the bonus CD for two of my encyclopaedias (in two different versions) just because I just can’t get enough of this song. Back in 1988 it was first recorded under the band name Zanity, featuring singer Tony Niva (Lion’s Share, Niva, Oxygen) and he’s the one handling the lead vocals on this recording as well. He’s however not the only singer. First, I think I need to explain the concept of the album. For that is what it is: a concept album. The different singers play different parts in this dark prophecy and their vocal performances intertwine. For instance Tony Niva plays “The dark force” Nhoknezt, Peo Pettersson (Axia, Leviticus) plays “The  one chosen by the gods” Aadham, Tony Johansson (Masquerade) plays “Indian Chief” Yellowhawk and Divin Tronstad plays “Dai Maanion’s companion” The Black Angel. I’ve collected all of Master Massive’s demos through the years and on this album mastermind, guitarist, singer Jan Strandh has taken some of the best songs and updated the lyrics to fit into this dark saga. Despite being a concept album, which sometimes makes an album pass over the general metal fan’s head as being a bit pretentious, I think most of the songs on this one will find its way into the ears of fans of bands like Mercyful Fate, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force or even Manowar. Songs like “Time Out Of Mind”, “Four Dreams”, “Showdown” or the crushingly heavy “Eye Of Silence”, “Wishing Well” and “Sovereign Power” are outstanding songs. The musical performances, Jan’s outstanding guitar playing (why this man has not been more recognised is a damn shame!!) and the killer vocal performances, make for a bloody great album. Listen to it from beginning to end – you will love it! One of my top albums of this year, no doubt!!

Janne Stark

Label: ViciSolum

Year: 2015

Country: Sweden

FULLFORCE - One (CD)

Swedish power metal all-star constellation Fullforce have been in the starting blocks for some time, but finally the debut has now been released. If the start by revealing the line-up you may get a picture of what this is all about. Vocals are handled by Cloudscape/Planet Alliance singer Mike Andersson, which secures that that department is well taken care of. The guitar department is run by former Hammerfall/Fullstrike stringsman Stefan Elmgren and Narnia/System Breakdown/Grimmark shredder CJ Grimmark. So, guitars: check. The bass work was initially handled by former Hammerfaller Magnus Rosén, but before the album he handed that task over to his Hammerfall replacement Tommy Larsson, and I’m not complaining here either. The drums are handled by none other than Hammerfall, former Silver Mountain, Malmsteen, Planet Alliance, Johansson drummer Anders Johansson, which seals the deal when it comes to musical talent in the band. Well, talent alone doesn’t make a great band. There have to be songs. So, how does the band do in this department? Album opener Mythomaniac actually didn’t fully convince me. It’s by no means a bad song, it just felt a bit – ok, good song, but I do expect some more from this bunch. Well, fear not, second track None Of Your Concern shatters all the previous doubts with it’s driving and heavy riffing, great chorus and powerful delivery. I think fans of Cloudscape, Planet Alliance and even to a certain extent Hammerfall, will feel pretty much at home. We’re talking melodic power metal here. It’s no reinvention of the wheel, but it’s a nice change of tyres I’d say. Songs like Oblivion throws in some nice oriental vibes, which makes a nice change. There’s also some more straight ahead classic hard rock riffing thrown into the mix, which is nice. The album is full of strong choruses, but fortunately not the type of major scale stuff where you’d end up in the Eurovision Song Contest if you remove the distorted guitars. Good solid stuff! I also like the mix by Grimmark. Powerful and with great separation. The song-writing has been shared between Andersson, Elmgren and Grimmark, which I also think contributes to the nice diversity in the songs. This is a good solid debut from a collection of great names, which proves this is not just a product that looks good on paper, it does sound great as well.

Janne Stark
Country: Sweden
Label: Steamhammer/SPV
Year: 2011
Link: http://www.fullforce.se/

GOLDEN RESURRECTION - Glory To My King (CD)

And I thought neoclassical metal was something Yngwie was the only one to still hold on to. Maybe there’s a new wave coming? As Golden Resurrection features former Narnia singer Christian Liljegren and ReinXeed guitarist Tommy Johansson, the choice of style may not be that surprising. Both have been strong keepers and followers of the aforementioned genre for quite some years. Fans of early Narnia will definitely love this album. The style is double bass drum based up-tempo neoclassical melodic heavy metal, in the same style as Narnia once were, actually with a strong touch of Johansson’s more power metal oriented band ReinXeed. Great melodies, well arranged songs and a strong melodic feel that carries the songs in a highly favourable way. I also have to say Christian probably does one of his best vocal works to date. If Calle Grimmark was the six string torch bearer or Narnia, young prodigy Johansson keeps on carrying that torch with pride and great technical skills. He does some really impressive solo work and his technique is flawless. Of course drummer Rickard Gustavsson, bass player Stefan Käck and keyboard player Olov Andersson (Grand Stand) give a strong and highly important foundation that the songs rest upon. I shall also add that this is by no means any streamlined shredder-plodding album. The variation is definitely there, and one of my favourite moments is the heavy, riff oriented and melodic “Never Look Back”, with a chorus that is closer to AOR than metal. On the other hand “Golden Flames” or the intro of “The Final Day” could have been penned by Mr Malmsteen himself. A highly enjoyable album that is a must for fans of melodic power metal and neo classical metal.
Janne Stark

Year: 2010

Label: Liljegren Records

Country: Sweden

www.myspace.com/goldenresurrection