ZAN CLAN
“KICKZ THE LIVIN’ SHIT… OUTTA STOCKHOLM CITY!!!”
(Periis Records)

Zan Clan’s new live album was recorded and produced by Chris Laney live at GlamFest (a tribute to the late Dave Lepard of Crashdiet) at Klubben Stockholm City on Feb 11th, 2006 . That special Festival was filmed as well so better we should wait for the DVD that will be released in a short time period, I hope. Zan Clan are very good on stage and this album probably is a real live one (with some few overdubs on the studio I think…). The band is in a good shape and really kicking ass. Although live albums are not my forte, I kind like this one ‘cause it’s powerful and gives us a taste of the Festival (it should have been great there). This album also contains also features 2 brand new studio bonus tracks recorded in 2006 featuring Ryan Roxie & Marcus Jidell and a third bonus track that was recorded during the “We Are Zan Clan” sessions. If you like Zan Clan, then you should get it… if you also like hard rock music (with 80s elements – do not forget that Zinny was Shotgun Messiah’s vocalist) then it will please you as well… Personally I’m looking forward for the DVD of the Festival.

T.A. 6,5/10

ZEBRA
"IV"

Zebra is a band that has its own history in the rock music community. Surely they are not a casually band, but some strange circumstances didn't leave them to get what they deserve. Just to remember that their debut album "Zebra" back in 1983 was, at that time, one of Atlantic Records' fastest-selling debuts ever (!), and of course the breakthrough for the band came at 1896 with "3.V" which was also their last album till now of course. Life is not always fair, especially with the hard working persons but that's another story. So, the Long Island, via New Orleans, trio, Zebra hopefully managed to release their fourth (as we can see it on the album's title also) album after almost 17 years! Thus after so many years it seems that the band hasn't changed a lot. They continue playing rock/AOR music, of course with their sense of melody, and without as well missing the neoclassical and Led Zeppelin elements. I'm sure that the fans of the band (if they haven't forgotten them after so many years - or they haven't stopped listening to rock music) will be pleased from the new album of Zebra. Songs like the terrific opener "Arabian Nights", the rocker "Light Of My Love", the AOR "Who I Am", the hard rocker "KK Is Hiding" and the prime "Why", shows that the trio haven't missed their trick in order to compose interesting and melodic rock/AOR songs. The production expectedly is good and helps the whole result. To sum it up, Zebra released after so many years a very listenable and good rock album and for sure they show that they respect their own history and, of course, their fans. It is a pleasure, seeing "old" good bands returning back to music with truly good albums.

T.A. 7/10

ZEBULON
“TROUBLED GROUND”
(People Like You)

Here we go again! I seriously don’t know how longer I will put up with such dirty hard rock releases. What I’ve written about U.S. Roughnecks stands for this release as well. Well, Zebulon seem to be less “rebellious”, and have a more “stoner” approach to present, but nothing really fancy. The songs follow the usual path - nevertheless I have to confess that the melodies are good at times and the whole outcome closer to the Hellacopters’ sound. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if Zebulon came from the Nordic countries. The band seems to have worked a lot on its riffs, which make clear reference to Black Sabbath (listen to “Drain You” for example, which could have been a different version of “Children Of The Grave”). Not bad at all, but not really distinct from the rest of the genre.

A.S. 6/10

ZEKE
“TIL THE LIVIN’ END”
(Relapse)

Now what do you expect me to write about this?? The band keeps releasing albums that seem to contain many covers on Motohead’s songs, but which in essence are original ones. The “power trio” produces dirty hard rock and roll in the old Motorhead way... very fast, very loud and ready to demolish all neighbouring buildings. But the singer only growls, the songs are all the same and in general I cannot understand who would be interested in such a thing once he has all Motorhead albums. It might be fun, but money doesn’t grow on trees. After all, the album only lasts 31 minutes (something that might be good, otherwise it would have boring).

A.S. 5,5/10

ZELLO
“FIRST CHAPTER SECOND VERSE”
(Lion Music)

Here we have not a new album but a re-recorded album from 1996 (the debut of Zello). It feels like a new one though because at this time, Zello make use of the guitar and record two new tracks. With the instant and smart use of the violin Zello create an album that can be added in the good ones in the progressive area. The group from Sweden make the surprise with its strong compositions and I must tell that the classical and traditional/folk influences make the album worth-listened and, why not, worth-loved by the funs of this style (and especially of Poverty’s No Crime). A good work from Sweden and with a great booklet artwork.

V.M. 6/10

ZERO POINT
“TIME STANDS STILL”
(Casket)

Zero Point is a special band because the guys that are playing in this band are trying to mix different kinds of music such as punk, rock and grunge! The band was formed in 2003 in Boston and has also released an E.P. last year. The band’s masterminds are Jason Wood on drums and Mark Howitt on bass, who has now left the band… The new bassist player is Jon Moran, since the band decided to head on with their first release and not split up. The songs are pretty good but are a little strange and when you first listen to this album you will feel odd… There are some catchy refrains and heavy guitars (Ross Worth, who also does some vocals), but something seems to be missing here. I think that is the melodic guitars, since the only melodies come from the vocalist (John Parkinson)… Anyway, I think that those who like punk and grunge music will find this album pretty interesting. The rest should first listen to it, because I don’t think that an average metal fan can appreciate this album… Finally, the production is pretty good and heavy and the band has a good sound for a debut album. I hope that their next release will be more melodic…

G.K. 5/10  

ZILLION
“ZILLION”
(Frontiers)

Zillion is another newcomer band that was formed by well-known artists. This time the persons behind the band are the guitarist/vocalist Sandro Giampietro who used to play in Kiske’s band Supared, the bassist Jens Becker who is currently playing in Grave Digger and he has also worked in the past with Running Wild and Kingdom Come and the drummer Mike Terrana who is playing in Rage and has also worked in the past with Artension, Axel Rudi Pell, Yngwie Malmsteen and many more. Quite interesting line up huh? Let’s say some things now about the music style of the band. Zillion seems to balances between hard rock and heavy metal music, but they also have many melodies in their songs. We are not talking about something very original here, but for good hard n’ heavy music with melodies. The production is very good and heavy and songs like “You And Me”, “This Day Is Gone”, “Never Down”, “Kryptonite”, “Day Or Night”… will leave you good impressions. To tell the truth some times they bring on my mind Talisman, but maybe this is just my point of view. Anyway this is a good CD but not something that gonna drive us crazy.

T.A. 6,5/10

ZIRAS THEODORE 
“VIRTUAL VIRTUOSITY”
(Secret Port)

Theodore Ziras is a virtuoso guitarist, which comes from Greece and has studied in Guitar Institute of London. He has been a member of the Greek band Ice Devine, and the guitarist of the progressive metal band Guardian Angel and has experienced many live appearances with the above bands. In 2001 he released his first instrumental solo CD, titled “Trained To Play” and now, under a new label, he releases his second CD “Virtual Virtuosity”. This new album is full of extreme technical guitar work and with the first few notes, you can understand that Theodore plays neo-classical metal. You can find many influences in his playing by Y. J. Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Steve Vai and many other monsters of the guitar. Also, in his compositions you can find many influences from great classics composers such as J. S. Bach and Paganini. All the tracks are very melodic and extremely difficult to play and can be heard pleasurably from the lovers of the neo-classic metal. Theodore plays all electric and acoustic guitars and he has also programmed the drum machine (although that I would prefer the sound and the feeling of a real drummer…). As you listen to his CD you will realize that he has worked very much his compositions, but the final result would have been much better with a louder production and the use of a drummer. Anyway, this album is a really good one and the fans of the technical guitar works should listen to it carefully. For more information about Theodore, you can also check his personal website (www.TheodoreZiras.com).

G.K. 7/10