I’m but another set of ears, so if you lend your eyes to this review, know that you have ears as well, and should let them hear the music for themselves. But enough of personifying individual body parts... You came here to read about Firstborn didn’t you?
 

I’m sure it’s not a surprise to see new bands coming from Sweden anymore. This time we have Nubian Rose which are fronted by the charismatic vocalist Sofia Lilja. Having built a strong sound with influences from the 80s bands like: Vixen, Lita Ford, Romeo’s Daughter, Whitesnake, Scorpions, Joan Jett, Kiss, Doro, Saraya and so on, Nubian Rose are not trying to copy/paste the above-mentioned bands; they are rather presenting their own music proposal with various 80s references. They have also embellished their music with several AOR/melodic rock elements.
 

Although knowing the name, I’d never heard 7th Ascent, I was able to catch the very last of their set. The lead singer rocked a wicked corset and flaming hair, but the rest of the group was unmemorable. Despite compelling riffs and impressive lyrical ability, the group’s stage presence lacked luster, and (as one of my pet-peeves) their transitions were nothing more than blatant stops and crowd addresses. The group finished without a big bang, and exited the stage. Impressive musically, but not a show I’d seek (might as well listen to the record).

Hi Phil. Well, fourth release in 5 years. You’re really prolific when it comes to new material, huh?
 
P: Absolutely, we genuinely enjoy what we do in Seamount and it’s a great release to write new material and venture deeper into its new ideas.
 
 
So, what are the new things that “IV: Earthmother” brings to surface this time?
 

After releasing their self-titled debut album in 2005, and their sophomore album "Momentum" in 2010 (both on Tribunal Records and to much critical and fan acclaim), US Melodic Rockers LINE OF FIRE are set to make their LIVE DEBUT at the Rock Harvest II festival.

 

Rock Harvest II is being held at the House of Rock in White Marsh, MD. The festival, now expanded to two days, will take place November 8-9, 2013.

 

Not one, not two, not ten but twenty-five years had Alan Reed been Pallas’ voice and his break-up with the band came as a shock to a good many people. Nonetheless, it was only natural for a man of his magnitude to go solo and so he did. Many might reckon that “First in a Field of One” is just an attempt for Alan to stay inside the music industry… how mistaken they are! He may have spent a quarter of a century with the abovementioned legendary Scottish band but he still has an ace up his sleeve.
 

Hi Luke. “In Death’s Shadow” is an incredible album by any means! Congrats! We named it the Best Album of December on Grande Rock!
 
L: Hi! Thank you very much, I am honoured and thrilled for In Death’s Shadow to be chosen as your best album of December!
 
 
Well, tell us what has changed since your EP, “Unholy” in 2008?
 

I happened upon this band, coincidentally, as another band with the same name had released a new album around this time-period and I sorta confused them. Gladly enough, I then realized that this band, Knightmare, is a newcomer from Australia (the Australians are coming with full force this period) and “In Death’s Shadow” is the band’s long awaited & long in the making debut release. They did release an EP called “Unholy” in 2008 but since then the band’s line-up has changed a lot. So, nowadays the band consists of the two founding members, the vocalist MICKoWAR and the guitarist/keyboardist Luke Besley and the newer ones, the guitarist Jim Munro & the bassist Matt McConaghy.
 

Something weird is going on here… as part of their renewal, Scarlet & Bakerteam records have made a new opening to different rock music styles & signed with a few bands that are keen on the 90s grunge & alternative rock music. Rhyme are coming from Italy and they were formed in 2008. “The Seed and the Sewage” is the band’s sophomore release.