Heavy Metal Resource Reviews-

Index

Tarja has really created a legacy for herself with her solo career. Album after album showing continued growth and great songwriting. It may sound cliche, but it's true, this new album may be her best work yet. There is something different and quite special about 'In the Raw'. I made my way through it the first time and was quite intrigued with many areas of the album and the way things were approached. Her vocal work is top notch as always and the song flow is very good. I absolutely loved the vocals and music of 'Goodbye Stranger' and also really liked the atmospheric 'The Golden Chamber: Awaken / Loputon yö / Alchemy'. There really isn't any music here I felt was lacking. It is all top notch. There is an intensity to this record, but also discipline and finesse. It has been a joy to go back each time and listen as it gets better every time! Recommended!

Release Date: August 30, 2019

Block Buster are new to the Frontiers roster, specifically the new breed part of it. The band hail from Finland and play a pretty catchy form of hard rock music. I really like the vibe that this record has. The music tends to be very catchy which makes it memorable from the first listen. There is a retro element to the sound probably due to the band's influences. Upon my second listen through this album, it really caught fire for me. The songs really popped out and I found myself wanting to go back to this album time and time again. I don't get everything in physical format these days, but this is one that I needed on CD. Some of my personal favorites include 'Out In The City', 'Gone By The Morning', 'Sweet Mary Jane', and 'Bulletproof'. There is a great energy to this young band's music. Definitely a group you want to get on your radar!

Release Date: September 13, 2019

Crashdïet is a band that I am definitely familiar with and have listened to, but not to any great extent until now. I dug into this new album and really like what the band gave us on 'Rust'. The music has a good heavy feel through most of the songs, but does offer some more melodic tracks here and there. I feel this record has some of the same traits that made some of the 80's bands successful. It's all about the songs and the songs are really good. The band have an image thing going, but the music definitely carries itself. There are a few of the songs that are up on Youtube that you can check out. I think most fans are going to dig the band's style and this record in general. The band has had a pretty turbulent career to this point and in ways that also creates growth. That growth has led to a very good album worthy of any hard rock fan's attention!

Release Date: September 13, 2019

Sascha Paeth has really made a name for himself. I started following his career with Heaven's Gate and then so many other projects after that. Even though a lot of credits are in the production side of music, I always am glad to see him as a musician as well. This particular band leans to the heavier side of the Frontiers Roster. Fronting the band is Seven Spires vocalist Adrienne Cowan. She has a very strong vocal style including some growls here and there. It adds to the intensity of the album. 'The Path' is the lightest song on the new record with most everything else bringing some intensity. There are melodic elements to each song, but overall this record is a banger. That's exactly what I was expecting from Paeth. Songs are all really good and have a tightness one would expect with the skill set each member has. Easy recommend to fans of heavier stuff!

Release Date: September 13, 2019

As each single came out on Youtube, you could feel a buzz growing about this new record. For good reason too. This album is a gem. The lineup is close the the Paul Laine fronted Danger Danger. Handling guitar duties is Rob Marcello and he plays very flashy on the songs. Great solos everywhere. I'm glad to have The Defiants as I was a big fan of these guys on the first record and you knew there was a chemistry with each member that was capable of giving us amazing melodic hard rock. This album definitely puts itself in contention for one of the best records of 2019 in the genre. There have been quite a few good albums and still more to come. You can bet this record will make many best of lists at the end of the year. I am so grateful to Frontiers for offering bands like The Defiants an avenue to get their music out. Easily on of the years best!

Release Date: September 13, 2019