Eynomia – Break Free (CD)

I will admit I’m not a big fan of power metal or symphonic metal bands like Nightwish and Within Temptation, especially when the vocals become too “operatic”. I do, however, have a soft spot for some stuff by bands such as Evanescence, but they are a bit too uneven to really grab me. Well, despite these slightly off-turning facts, for some reason, Eynomia really did grab me! They do have elements of power metal and they and Evanescence do have lots of common denominators, but there’s still something different with this band that I really like. Singer Phyllis Rutter is not a high pitch operatic singer but has a more smooth and classic rock touch to her voice, which fits like a glove with the music. I’d also say Eynomia has picked a thing or two from bands like Fates Warning and Symphony X (maybe because basist Mike LePond is in the band as well) to blend into the symphonic rock mix, making it more appealing to fans of prog-oriented metal. It’s melodic yet not poppy or overly commercial. Chris Bickley (Thunderhead) does a great job giving the lead guitars an extra edge as well. There’s some kick ass solos and really nice acoustic work going on here. The songs range from heavy, almost Queensryche oriented stuff like “Let It Go” and “Till We Meet Again” to soft and atmospheric ballads like “Through Your Eyes” with Bickley channeling his inner Roger Gilmour here and there. However, the song I feel could really hit home with fans of Evanescence is “Someday Maybe”. A killer track indeed! Could be a hit! Great production, great musicians and high-quality song material! Highly recommended!

Janne Stark

Label: Pure Legend

Year: 2018

Country: USA

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Link: www.eynomiaband.com

Vanity Insanity – Piece Of Her Cake (CD)

Swedish sleaze rockers Vanity Insanity have been going for ages, but never got their break, due to member changes and other unfortunes. Now, finally, the debut album “Piece Of Her Cake” has been released! Long overdue, but well worth waiting for! The album kicks off with “On Your Knees”, which sounds like something Mötley Crüe could have written for the “Girls Girls Girls” album. Singer Viggo Vain sounds a bit like a young Vince Neil, but better. He’s got a distinct, high pitch, strong voice that really pierces through the music. “Drop Dead” kicks off in the vein of Whitesnake’s “Still Of The Night”, but continues in its own lane. This is really good!! The title track ripps into riff mode with a cool quirky riff pattern that really caught my attention. It continues in the vein of colleagues Crazy Lixx, but I must admit I do like these guys a bit better. “Dented Halo” kicks off with some distorted bass, a cool shreddy solo and goes into heavy sleaze mode. If you’re into bands like Crazy Lixx, Crashdiët, Kickin’ Valentina etc., this is an album you shouldn’t miss out on! Kick ass stuff indeed!

Janne Stark

Label: self-released

Country: Sweden

Year: 2017

Jimmy Ryan – 21st Century Riffology (CD)

Remember the days of shredders and instrumental guitar albums? Shrapnel Records? Back when Yngwie Malmsteen still could record an album that actually sounded good (and long before he thought he could sing). I was a huge fan of that genre and I had them all. Well, as time went by, I kinda lost interest as a lot of the albums were more about the actually shredding ability (aka guitar wanking) that about the song. Then came the drum machine/programmed drums and any natural feel in the song was just lost. Well, in later years there has popped up an instrumental album or two, that has caught my attention. Grooveyard Records and Shredguy Records are two labels that have released some really interesting stuff in that category. In my hand I have the solo release by Jimmy Ryan of The Flying Ryan Brothers, who have put out some great instrumental stuff. After a first listen, I do have to admit that Jimmy’s solo album is even more up my alley. 21 songs in 50 minutes may sound like a classic hardcore or punk album, but of course it’s not. What is good about it is that there are no songs where there are dragged out solo sections that go on forever without leading anywhere. These are actual songs, with melodies and structures. Short melodic movies. Even though the riff is in center throughout the album, the style ranges from softer, melodic songs, such as “Ad Astra”, “Stardust” and finisher “Zenology”, through straight ahead rock ‘n blues such as “Slipstream” to drop-D riff rockers that really groove. The eight heavy hitters in a row: “Thor’s Hammer”, “Stompbox”, “Mazerunner”, “Hammerhead”, “Untamed”, “Superchunk”, “Piledriver” and “X Factor” are prime examples of songs that are in a similar vein, yet quite different. I really love Jimmy’s melodic feel, the bluesy touch and his strong, determined tone. He really plays it like he means it. An excellent album, indeed!

Janne Stark

Label: Grooveyard Records

Country: USA

Year: 2017

Link: www.grooveyardrecords.com