Month: April 2018

Crapsons – Tudno FM Review – Unsigned Band

Formed in Birkenhead in January and live on the radio in April! – Crapsons are one of a clutch of incredible bands who have emerged around the Liverpool Calling scene. Mike from the band has kindly allowed me to review the guys recent live radio session on Tudno FM, which is a radio station based in Llandudno, and compared by the legend that is Mr Neil Crud.

Well, what can I say. ’Checking In To A&E’ is just a melee of anger and melodic noise which just can’t help but bring a smile to your face. And lyrically it’s all true!! People checking into A&E then putting it on Facebook looking for sympathy. Even though this is a live session the individual sounds are spot on and this creates a great platform for the songs. ‘Kings Of The Council Estate’ is just superb, maybe not musically, but lyrically an absolute classic. It’s just simple stuff but it’s done in such a way that just makes you laugh, smile, and basically get sucked in to Crapsons way of thinking.

‘Scallies’ is another observation of British youth, which leads us to ‘Rapunzel’. Such a great opening riff, and the lyrics just suck you in straight away. I love how each song tells a story, in an angry way, brilliant.

‘You Don’t Know When Your Going To Die’ is pure brilliance. The way it’s constructed lyricaly against the music is genius. I really think these guys are going to big on the North West circuit, and I can’t personally wait to play with these guys on 09/08/18 in North Bar Rhyl. A breath of fresh air. #excited.

Score 8/10

Reviewed by Sty

Track Listing

1 – Checking-In To A&E

2 – Kings Of The Council Estate

3 – Scallies

4 – Rapunzel

5 – YDKWYGTD

Line-Up

Mike Markey (Bass/Vocals) – Andy Gilbert (Drums)

Lordi – ‘Sexorcism’ Album review

Lordi is a Finnish hard rock and melodic heavy metal band, originally formed in 1992 by the band’s lead singer, songwriter, visual art designer and costume maker, Mr Lordi.

Entering a new era, Lordi is releasing their 9th studio album ”Sexorcism”, which is said to be their most controversial album to date, on May 25th 2018 – being an uncensored shot with a full on in-your-face attitude that is Lordi’s brand.“Sexorcism” was recorded and mixed at the legendary Finnvox studios by Mikko Karmila, who is no stranger to the band being the producer of the band’s 2014 release ”Scare Force One”.

The opening track, ‘Sexorcism’ starts well in usual Lordi style and is a great tune, but the lyrics fail to ignite me in anyway shape or form. ’Your Tongue’s Got The Cat has a surprisingly soft rock feel to it and builds up to a pretty good melodic chorus. Not too bad so far.Track 3 ‘Romeo Ate Juliet’ starts fantastically with a great Metallica-style intro as does ‘Naked In My Cellar’ but on the latter it’s the vocals in the verse that let down what is a potentially great song.
 
Next offering ‘The Beast Is Yet To Cum’ is filled with manic screams in the verses and a lovely short church organ section (which is always a favourite of mine) which works really well, and I’ll be honest I’m warming to this album.‘Polterchrist’ starts with an almighty riff underneath some haunting female vocals and is a great stop/start tune with some nice double bass drum throughout. So far the best track on the album.
 
As we progress, we’re treated to some great riffs and (for me) some surprisingly really good tracks which to tell the truth I wasn’t expecting. Each track still rears its Finnish doom chords at some point but this wouldn’t be Lordi if it didn’t, they work really well and the music wouldn’t be the same without them.‘Sodomesticated Animal’ has some chunky riffs again. What I’m liking about Lordi is there seems to be a pattern of heavy verses, followed by melodic chorus’. Overall a very enjoyable album from Finland’s finest. The vocals aren’t the greatest, but they do compliment the music in their own unique way. Lordi fans will not be disappointed.


Score 7/10

Reviewed by Sty

Track Listing

1 – Sexorcism

2 – Your Tongue’s Got The Cat

3 – Romeo Ate Juliet

4 – Naked In My Cellar

5 – The Beast Is Yet To Cum

6 – Polterchrist

7 – SCG9: The Documented Phenomenon

8 – Slashion Model Girls

9 – Rimskin Assassin

10 – Hell Has Room

11 – Hot & Satanned

12 – Sodomesticated Animal

13 – Haunting Season


Line-Up

Mr. Lordi (vocals), Mr. Amen (guitars), Mr. Ox (bass), Mr. Mana (drums), Ms. Hella (keyboards)

Vega – ‘Only Human’ Album Review

Vega – ‘Only Human’
‘Only Human’ is the fifth studio album from UK rock stalwarts, Vega. For this album, the guys have knob twiddled it themselves and also brought in Harry Hess of Harem Scarem on mixing and mastering to add the final spit and polish to yet another fine piece of work.
‘We wear our love of 80’s rock music on our sleeve, but we have also injected our love of modern rock music to it. We aren’t trying to rehash anything; the sound we have achieved is 100% Vega. We didn’t want to try and guess what people and get it wrong.’ states Nick Workman.
I’ve been in it for the long haul with Vega, Both watching and listening to them grow with each and every album. Vega’s train has kept a rollin’ the last couple of years, which has seen them share stages with the likes of Magnum and Dan Reed Network; played numerous festivals such as Steelhouse, Planet Rock’s Winter’s End, HRH AOR V, and Rockingham to name just a few.
So what do we have for album number 5 – ‘Only Human’. Well, if you’re here because you’re already a Vega fan then settle in as it’s all very good. If you’re not a Vega fan, where the fuck have you been? You can read reviews of all of Vega’s previous albums (and no doubt HN) using superlatives like ‘anthemic’, ‘huge’, ‘harmonies to die for’ etc. You would think that these terms were dished out all willy-nilly like, especially when it’s the norm for today’s reviewers to give out top marks like a kiddie fiddler would hand out sweets in a playground!
‘Let’ Have Fun Tonight’ tells you all you need to know about Vega, crunching melodic opening riff, coupled with a swagger and style that 80s bands would trade in their wigs, foiled cucumbers, and leg warmers to catch a piece of quality like this. Nick Workman, has grown remarkably from the Vega beginnings – he is hitting notes that he couldn’t probably hit 20 years ago, and carries the Vega flag into battle.  If not Nick, then its Harry Hess!!!!
‘Worth Dying For’ is in a similar vein to ‘White Knuckle Ride’ with its phrasing. ‘Last Man Standing’ is pure 80s MTV, and is pure Americana melodic rock. ‘Mess You Made’ has ‘single’ written all over it (or at least a video!). ‘You would think that Mr Elliott had a hand in the title track as it’s a Leppard track right through to its core. ‘Standing Still’ has a nice lead in, before the inevitable Vega chorus grabs you. ‘Turning Pages’ is one of the biggest and best songs on ‘OH’, a ballad of sorts that I expect to be a staple of their live set for years to come. ‘Fade Away’ reminds me of a carefree and uplifting song, similar to J.Geils Band, or The Cars, and had it been 1986 it would be all over the radio. Its all over too soon which is always the sign of a damn good album
Vega have done it yet again. They remain at the pointy sharp end of rock music, and rightly so. They’ve served their time, and its now time to be the big band they deserve to be. Big props to all concerned, the Martin brothers have excelled themselves in their writing, Nick Workman sounds fantastic, and the rest of the guys are all playing at the top of their respective games.
What I’d really like to see, if Joe Elliott really is a supporter of Vega, then give them a slot on your UK tour later in the year.
Score 8.5/10
Review by Paul Chesworth
Tracklisting –
Let’s Have Fun Tonight
Worth Dying For
Last Man Standing
Come Back Again
All Over Now
Mess You Made
Only Human
Standing Still
Gravity
Turning pages
Fade Away
Go To War
PRODUCED BY:VEGA
MIXED BY:Harry Hess
MASTERED BY: Harry Hess

BAND MEMBERS:
Nick Workman: Lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar and wall hitter
Tom Martin: Bass guitar
Marcus Thurston: Lead Guitar
James Martin: Keyboards
Mikey Kew: Guitar, backing vocals
Martin “Hutch” Hutchinson: Drums

Andy Bob Beaumont – ‘Shed Songs’ Review

Andy Bob Beaumont is a blues-folk based singer/songwriter from North Wales. He has played in blues bands, jug bands and as a solo…artist for many years. He is lead singer in the blues-rock band Scapegoats and a member of The Beaumont Brothers.
 
His solo music is influenced by the Delta and Country blues-men, Jug bands, and Americana. This album, together with ‘Helene’ (Scapegoats) and  ‘Live At The Crosville Club’ (The Beaumont Brothers) can be found on his Bandcamp page (andybobbeaumont.bandcamp.com). A Hard copy of this album has also been released as a digi-pack CD on the Turquoise Coal label (www.turquoisecoal.com)

I’ll be honest in saying that blues has never been my genre but to be fair I’m liking what I’m hearing here. The production is first class and the standard of these songs to me, would give any big named artist a run for their money. I love the opening chords of ‘Sail Into The Sunset’, such a great, relaxing tune that pulls you towards it from those opening chords. ‘Red To Blonde’ takes it one step further with some great sliding guitar work and is another superb relaxing tune. As this album goes on, I’m becoming more and more impressed by its sheer professionalism. The production, the tunes, it’s just great how each song flows into the next. They keep you hooked for more. Lyrically fantastic is an understatement, as many of these songs relate to real events in Andy’s life, and each song tells it’s own story. ’Fantasy World’ has some great chord changes throughout, especially in the chorus. As soon as ‘Daily Life’ starts you just know it’s going to be a great song and it also confirms what I’ve been thinking throughout this album…….there’s so many links to David Gray here, and I used to love David Gray!

The album finishes with a classic get down and blues track ‘Bearded Bard Blues’, sheer brilliance.

For me, ‘Sail Into the Sunset’ and ‘Daily Life’ made the album for me, and I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes their blues. It needs to be heard, and I would love to see this guy live.

Score 9/10

Reviewed by Sty

Track Listing

1 – Head Over Heels

2 – Travelling Shoes

3 – Sail Into The Sunset

4 – Red To Blonde

5 – Silver Lining

6 – Ball With No Bounce

7 – Last Cigarette

8 – Fantasy World

9 – Letters

10 – Daily Life

11 – Bearded Bard Blues

Forever In Debt – ‘Forget Me Knot’ E.P. Review

Widnes noise rock trio Forever in Debt released their sophomore E.P ‘Forget Me Knot’ on Sunday, April 22nd 2018 via Society of Losers Records. It’ released as a CD, hand packed and sealed at Society Of Losers HQ as well as digitally across Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp ans all major streaming services.

Widnes noise rocl trio, “Considering the fucking miserable nature of it all and the fact that I’m pretty sure we each shaved a few years away from our hearing making ‘Forget Me Knot’ we’re really happy with it.” – Craig Twigg, Vocals, Guitar


As soon as ‘Without A Sense Of Summer’ kicks in I’m transported straight back to the 1990’s classic album ‘Insecticide’ by Nirvana. This is brilliant stuff. The opening riff is an absolute killer but what I like about this song is that it’s grunge but in a lazy way. Craig’s lyrics are just sublime, not too angry, almost in a ‘not too bothered’ way and it works a treat. What a great opening track. 

‘Rabbit Hole’ is Pumpkins all over. Craig has matched Billy Corgan’s sound here to a tee. I love it. Theres’ so much going on in this song it keeps you mesmerized.

Just when you think things can’t get any better, ‘Billy’ kicks in. An anthem of noise, calm, anger all rolled into one. There’s some nice solo work in this track, hugely inspired by the Smashing Pumpkins and these guys match anything the Pumpkins can do easily.

Unfortunately, ‘Chewing Bees’ is the last track which comes too soon for me as I’ve really enjoyed this EP. It starts with a melee of anger but soon calms down into a quite-ish verse. Soon followed by a manic chorus. It’s only fair that the production team get a mention here too, as the Engineer has managed to mix a great clear sound but also keep the dirty Nirvana-esque noise that we all love. I’ve got to catch these guys live.

Score 10/10

Reviewed by Sty

Track Listing

1 – Without A Sense Of Summer
2 – Rabbit Hole
3 – Billy
4 – Chewing Bees

Line up – Jack Moss (bass), Craig Twigg (vocals/guitar), Kenn Rushworth (drums) 
BANDCAMP:https://foreverindebt.bandcamp.com/
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7JmOAG4wLS4uNvM7kVsTUw
APPLE MUSIC: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/forever-in-debt/1156681502  

Scotch Funeral – ‘EATING MY FEET’ Review

Scotch Funeral are a one piece band who hail from Rhyl. Adam James has been making music for years but recently decided to start taking it seriously. Some previous releases include ‘Shit Christmas’ & ‘Oh Silenus’, all of which are available on his Bandcamp page. (scotchfuneral.bandcamp.com)

‘Blame It On The Moon’ has a great opening riff and I love the backing vocals in the chorus. No band here, just guitar and vocals and it works really well. Am I hearing a Ramones influence here?? Or is it Neil Young?

We go full band for ‘A Lovely Day’. As this song progresses I find myself sucked into this music already. ‘Bad Things Come In Threes’ is a great feel good song with great lyrics. For a one man band I’m really impressed and enjoying this.

‘Mallory’ is another instance of how every song on this album tells a story. I like this in music, it keeps me sucked into a song. ‘For Dante And The First Voice’ kicks off with a great riff and continues throughout. My mind is now trying to imagine these songs live. ‘Pollyanna Girl’ gives us some nice intro melodies and this song leads nicely into ‘Young At Heart And Falling Apart’. I adore the dirty mix on this, reminds me of Neil Young. ‘I Am the Oil Spill’ continues that nice dirty mix. There’s a nice but short bridge in this but it works. ‘Ruthless Town’ starts in a nice refreshing way, nice riff and again some nice backing vocals. Final track ‘Hills Around My Hometown’ starts like a very lazy ‘Rocking in the Free World’, and I mean this in a good way. Definitely Neil Young here. Great stuff. 

This album has great songs. These great songs could be even greater with a full live band. It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s mine. I’m off to put the kettle on.

Score 8/10

Reviewed by Sty

Track Listing

1 – Blame It On The Moon

2 – A Lovely Day

3 – Bad Things Come In Threes

4 – Mallory

5 – For Dante And The First Voice

6 – Pollyanna Girl

7 – Young Heart And Falling Apart

8 – I Am The Oil Spill

9 – Ruthless Town

10 – Hills Around My Hometown

Tri State Corner – ‘Hero’ Album Review

Tri State Corner – Hero
13 years ago, five guys from Greece, Poland and Germany set off to revolutionize the music scene by integrating a Greek lute, ‘a Bouzouki’, into their catchy rock songs, and by equipping their mainly English lyrics with passages sung in the Greek language.
In the meantime, TRI STATE CORNER with four studio productions and 450 live shows under their belts, have long since become an established force in the musical landscape and have built up a large and still growing fan base, not least because of their unique selling point, the Bouzouki, and their many captivating and entertaining live shows.
The first thing that hits you here is the lute. It sounds great even among the heavy guitar riffs of opening track ‘Fortune In Lies’. This is a great opening track with its stop-start guitar in the verse.‘Tomorrowland’ instantly lets you know what country these guys hail from. The twiddly lute bits in this song remind me of the start of ‘Fight Fire With Fire’ by Metallica, one of my all time favourites. ‘Tomorrowland’ is another great tune and so far I’m impressed.
 
‘Daydreamer’ has a very catchy chorus, easily the most radio friendly so far. I’m loving these instruments that are being played within all these songs so far. Theres’ a Darbuka, Bouzouki and a lute and they work really, really well. I’ve not heard a band use so many instruments like this since You Slosh in the 90’s!!
The opening to ‘Save My World’ is absolute sublime. Greek music crossed with heavy rock at its very best with an Indian feel to it. I can hear a hint of ‘Wherever I May Roam’, again by Metallica. I’ll be honest the deeper I’m getting into this album the more I’m enjoying. ‘Follow Me Blindly’ has a chorus which is almost identical to Nickelback’s ‘S.E.X’, but a great tune regardless. ‘Downfall’ comes and goes and hits hard and leads us perfectly into album title track ‘Hero’. This for me is the best track on the album. Full acoustic, no drums, great chorus. This track needs to be listened to through headphones as the mixing is amazing the way the instruments are split between ears. Guitars in one ear, lute etc in another. Fantastic tune.
Can ‘Hero’ be topped? ‘Voices’ certainly tries its best as its trots along. The album ends with tracks ‘Breaking News’, ‘Wanted’ and ‘In The Blink Of An Eye’. All good rock anthems to close what is a very good effort by Tri State Corner.
Score 8/10
Reviewed by Sty
Track Listing
1 – Fortune In Lies
2 – Tomorrowland
3 – Daydreamer
4 – Save My World
5 – Follow Me Blindly
6 – Downfall
7 – Hero
8 – Voices
9 – Breaking News
10 – Wanted
11 – In The Blink Of An Eye
Line-Up
Vassilios “Lucky” Maniatopoulos (Vocals, Darbuka), Ioannis “Janni” Maniatopoulos (Bouzouki, Vocals), Markuz Berger(Bass), Christos Efthimiadis (Drums), Christoph “Brat” Tkocz (Guitars, Backing Vocals)

James Christian – ‘Craving’ Album Review

James Christian – Craving

Review by Lawrie Willcox

Craving is the 4th release by James Christian. I had limited knowledge of Christian as the lead singer of House of Lords and only heard a couple of his solo tracks so Craving was new to me.
The press release blurb states that “Craving is a strong personal statement from James Christian, a mature artist, songwriter, producer and performer”. What I took from this given song titles such as ‘Heaven is a Place in Hell’, ‘Jesus Wept’, ‘If there’s a God’, ‘Love is the Answer’ and ‘Amen’ was that there was going to be a Christian influence (no pun intended) and I wasn’t wrong.
‘Craving’ is a real mixed bag. There are some classy AOR tracks but also some very mellow tracks that don’t, in my humble opinion, sit comfortably with the rest.
JC, hmmmm I think maybe someone else with those initials influenced some of ‘Craving’, has a distinctive voice and does write some catchy tracks, The opener ‘Heaven is a Place in Hell’ is a cracking start, a bounce along song, upbeat with an infectious chorus.’Wild Boys’ follows in a similar vein but the wild boys mentioned seem a bit tame. The track is all American sounding and again full of energy but no menace to it.
The title track ‘Craving’ follows and is for me the track of the whole album. A real slow burner of classic AOR with a wonderfully layered chorus and full of emotion. It really showcases JC’s voice with a superb acoustic sound that becomes stronger when the chorus kicks in. Impressive stuff.’Jesus Wept’ suffers due to the quality of the preceding track, it has a sound of Heart and actually is a grower. World of Possibility for me never got going, it’s a soulful ballad but for me a bit too clichéd and lacked the depth I feel the song needed.
‘Sidewinder’ lifts the tempo and has a touch of Aerosmith in its sound but after a decent start it kind of drifts from the early promise. ‘I Won’t Cry’ is another ballad and has some great vocals and a top guitar solo, another grower. Sadly ‘If There’s a God’ brought me back to earth with a bump. It is so mellow it borders on total blandness. If there’s a God he wouldn’t want this on his play list.
‘Love is the Answer’ kind of pulls the album back on track and has a mournful feel to it that is lifted by the positive feel of the chorus. ‘Black Wasn’t Black’ gets back to proper rock, a few more of these were needed JC, it’s got the feel of a proper AOR with a great guitar solo thrown in. It has a nod in the direction of Highway Star and I personally wish the album finished there but Amen finishes it.
‘Amen’ is obviously a song personal to JC but while I imagine it’s supposed to close the album in a melancholy way it was a bit too Songs of Praise for me.
‘Craving’ as I said is a mixed bag, some really decent stuff but I found the none too subtle Christian references a bit much in a couple of tracks (this statement by me, who had a full emersion baptism when 18 but have since lapsed). For some people singing about sinners, un-repenting, crucify and other such stuff might appeal but the lesser tracks left me a bit cold. That said if Mr Christian’s beliefs are correct I’ll be going to a place that’s a lot hotter when I die.
However on the positive side James Christian has a very good voice, he obviously is a decent song writer and he has employed a bunch of very good musicians. The album like a few of the tracks is a grower and after a couple of listens I’m almost converted…….almost. I’ll play this again quite happily and think live James Christian would be well worth the effort of seeing.
Score 6.5/10 

 

Tracklisting – 
Heaven Is a Place in Hell
Wild Boys
Craving
Jesus Wept
World Of Possibility
Sidewinder
I won’t Cry
If There’s a God
Love Is the Answer
Black Wasn’t Black
Amen
PRODUCED BY: James Christian, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Pete Alpenborg, Clif Magness, Daniel Volpe
LINE-UP:
JamesChristian: Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals 
Billy Seidman : Additional Acoustic Guitars 
Tommy Denander : Guitars, Bass, Keys (Wild Boys, Love Is The Answer, Sidewinder, I Won’t Cry) 
Jimi Bell : Guitars (Black Wasn’t Black)
Pete Alpenborg : Guitars and Bass (Jesus Wept) 
Alessandro Del Vecchio : Keyboards (Jesus Wept) 
Clif Magness : All Instruments (Craving) 
Josh Freese : Drums (Craving)
Links: 
www.jameschristianmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/james.christian.9406

Ross The Boss – ‘By Blood Sworn’ Album Review

Ross The Boss – By Blood Sworn
Review by Sty
Guitarist Ross the Boss’ stature in the history of hard rock and heavy metal has been well-solidified for decades, with a resume including some of the most influential and hardest-hitting bands of all-time, particularly both the Dictators and Manowar. And he continues to rock – as a member of the group DeathDealer, and also, as the leader of his own solo outfit, which has issued such stellar releases as ‘Hailstorm,’ ‘New Metal Leader,’ and this latest offering, ‘By Blood Sworn.’
Joined by Marc Lopes on vocals and keys, Mike LePond on bass, and Lance Barnewold on drums for the sessions (Steve Bolognese will beat the skins on the album’s tour), ‘By Blood Sworn’ was produced by Dean Rispler, and will be released April 20th via AFM Records.
The only way to appreciate this album’s superb production is to crank it up!! I’ll be 100% honest in saying that I had never heard of these guys but I am so glad I got to review this album. The opening Iron Maiden Transylvania-esq riff of album titled ‘By Blood Sworn’ sets the mood just perfectly. A great opening track which scuttles along just nicely. ‘Among Them Bones’ opening riff will warp you straight back to the late 1980’s / 1990’s rock era. It’s speed changes will keep your foot tapping and head nodding. Sublime stuff.
‘This is Vengeance’ reminds me in parts of Holy Terror’s ‘Judas reward’ from their ‘Mind Wars’ album of 1988. ‘We Are the Night’ is another angry double-bass led thumping track with a great opening riff. Things slow down for ‘Faith Of The Fallen’, an epic ballad of synth, melodies and great acoustic trickery with a great chorus. The guitar solo will just suck you in.
‘Devil’s Day’ picks things up again superbly by cranking out rock and roll at it’s very best. Being a bass player myself, the opening riff of ‘Lilith’ was met with great appreciation and I just love the way the rest of the band follow. A great doomy, moody verse to this tune that builds slowly and superbly into the chorus, with a fantastic speed change and a great Black Sabbath type riff thrown in for good measure.
What I’m loving about this album is that the music does the talking as well as the lyrics. Iron Maiden were the first band that I felt that with. ‘Play Among the Gods’ hits hard and fast, as does ‘Circle Of Damnation’, although these latter two sound slightly more mainstream than the rest of the album. Nothing wrong with that of course, and ‘Circle’ is sure an arena anthem to rock to and a potential great Radio airplay tune. Lots of Iron Maiden sounding riffs in this. It’s brilliant stuff.
‘Fistful Of Hate’ rounds things off with it’s Native American intro. Very ‘Indians’ by Anthrax, as is the opening riff which follows. This speeds along just nicely to an unexpected abrupt ending which for me, works well. See you, good night, Bang!! I feel thoroughly entertained.
So, would I recommend you buy this album? 100% YES!! Would I go and see these guys if they hit these shores?? ABSOLUTELY!!!
Score – 9/10
Tracklisting:
1 – By Blood Sworn
2 – Among The Bones
3 – This Is Vengeance
4 – We Are The Night
5 – Faith Of The Fallen
6 – Devils Day
7 – Lilith
8 – Play Among The Godz
9 – Circle Of Damnation
10 – Fistful Of Hate
Line-up:
Marc Lopez (Vocals), Ross Friedman (Guitars), Mike LePond (Bass), Lance Barnewold (Drums)

Issa – ‘Run With The Pack’ Album Review

Issa – Run With The Pack
Review by Dean Buckley
 
Norwegian/ Brit ISSA returns with what is her fifth and probably best album to date ‘Run With The Pack’, I’ve always preferred ISSA live than her recorded albums. Im finding past efforts struggled with a ‘style over substance’ issue but on ‘RWTP’ all is forgiven . The new line up includes Mr Frontiers himself Alessandro Del Vecchio tinkling the ivories, the monster guitar work of Simone Mularoni from progressive metal band DGM . The album is rounded out by Andrea ToWer Torricini from Vision Divine on bass dutis, and Marco Di Salvia from hot new band Kee of Hearts on the drum stool.  This is by far, Issa’s best line up yet.  It’s brought a new cohesiveness and drive to what might be ISSA’s most consistent release .
ISSA is no stranger to the odd duet this time around with the sublime ‘Sacrifice Me’ featuring the mighty Deen Castronovo (he of Revolution Saints fame) , the gorgeous balladry of ‘How Long’ showcasing ISSA’s vocal prowess to it’s fullest or the much harder hitting ‘Closer To You’ with a huge guitar solo . ‘Run With The Pack’ is ‘all killer no filler’. Production is handled by Mr Del Vecchio so the sound is crisp and punchy . If you’re a fan of quality melodic rock or just female fronted rock in general you will love this release I certainly did.
Rating 8/10
TRACKLISTING:
1. Am I Losin’ You 
2. Run With The Pack
3. Sacrifice Me (feat. Deen Castronovo)
4. How Long
5. The Sound Of Yesterday
6. Come Back Again Now
7. Talk To Your Heart
8. Bittersweet
9. Closer To You
10. Irreplaceable
11. Everything To Me
PRODUCED BY: Alessandro Del Vecchio, Executive producer Serafino Perugino
STUDIO: Ivorytears Music Works Studios, Somma Lombardo, IT, Domination Studio, San Marino, ToWer’s Dungeon, Florence, IT, Hardcore Studio, York, UK
RECORDED BY: Alessandro Del Vecchio, Andrea Seveso
MIXED BY: Alessandro Del Vecchio
MASTERED BY: Alessandro Del Vecchio
BAND MEMBERS:
Issa Oversveen – vocals
Simone Mularoni – guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio – keyboards
Andrea ToWer Torricini – bass,
Marco Di Salvia – drums