From the Halloween themed edition of the GTFM Rock Show, here is the promo interview from the costumed monsters of rock 
KISS! Promoting the new album “Sonic Boom”, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer talk about the release, celebrating 35 years in the business, touring the world and even their appearance at the UK’s “Download Festival”.
13 minutes in length or 6.5mb if you choose to download it…
Details: 2009, IVK Records, CD
It’s a pleasant change to come to an album with no knowledge or expectations whatsoever. Being a fan of a genre that has slipped under the commercial radar somewhat, my temptation is to go for the old established names, the safety of a band I’ve grown to know and love over a period of time. This means, of course, that some bands who deserve greater exposure slip under the radar. The question is, are Firenote, hailing from Finland, deserving of more attention?
Formed in 2004, but not releasing their debut album until 2009, the album cover sets out their influences from the start. Here’s a hard rock band aiming unashamedly for an 80s look and feel. The opening title track soon confirms this impression. Opening with a riff that suggests they’ve been listening rather closely to UFO’s ‘Black and Blue’ off The Monkey Puzzle, the synth heavy backing and huge chorus offer an unashamedly bombastic and rocking start to the album.
Second track ‘Danger’ is far more to my taste however. Dramatic, punchy and offering some neo-classical flourishes, here is a top notch song that’s already found its way onto my i-pod. Things then start to get all Europe with track 3, ‘Sara La Fountain’, carried by another huge chorus. It’s a great sing-a-long anthem that you find yourself humming when cooking dinner, watching Coronation Street, going to the loo – you get the picture.
As an opening 3 tracks for a debut album, these show a band confident in what they do and offer proof if ever any were needed that sometimes, giving a band time to hone their craft before committing to digital (is that the equivalent of vinyl in the modern age?) can pay dividends. Things naturally take a bit of a dip after that, although the echoes are obvious, with ‘Speed Freak’ being JLT era Rainbow by numbers, and I could do without the obligatory power ballad. Nothing wrong with it as such, just I’ve heard it all before (although perhaps, just perhaps, that’s the point). While I can live with singer Ricky’s vocals on the better tracks, on the AOR by numbers efforts I can’t help but hear his mannered vocals intrude a little. Fortunately, although the filler continues at times, there are enough quality tracks in the second half to keep me interested. ‘Love Me Or Let Me Live’ has a suitably catchy groove that carries the song, along with some variations and surprises that showcase the quality of the musicians. ‘Heartbreaker’ is another quality track; ushered in with a wall of guitars and keyboards this is in your face, loud and proud 80s rock.
As a debut album, this is full of promise. Hopefully the second album can bring in more cues from the stronger songs, and push some of the generic material into the background. Although there’s nothing wrong with aping Malmsteen and Europe, they perhaps need to imprint their own identity on proceedings a little more in order to lift their next album from being merely good, to being great. For there’s no doubt they have the talent.
Highlight: Danger
Score: 3.5/5
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BE
This week, we have a special interview with rock icons Kiss, talking about the new album ‘Sonic Boom’, we feature the new album from Wolfmother called ‘Cosmic Egg’, and we’ve got tickets to be won to see Magnum next Sunday at the Muni Arts Centre. New music in a Halloween style this week from Alice Cooper, Winger, and Paradise Lost plus as usual Rock News from the Web and a ‘Rare Track’ chosen by Rock Show listeners.
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email DJ Andy Fox via rockshow@gtfm.co.uk
Listen live in the Pontypridd, South Wales area on 107.9 FM
or on the Internet by pointing your media player at
Details: 2009, Roadrunner, 2CD+DVD
Its not like Kiss to miss a marketing opportunity and with the configuration of this “Sonic Boom” special edition set I can’t help thinking that they must have watched Journey’s re-ascendancy and thought “now there’s a trick we haven’t used before”. Yes, Kiss have gone down exactly the same route as the AOR legends here and released a new album that certainly goes far enough to reprising the better part of their output, with hints of both 70s and 80s eras of the band for good measure, but ensures that even the most casual of Kiss fans should probably pick it up by lumping in a disc full of re-recorded hits and a third, DVD disc capturing the current incarnation of the four-piece knocking out a handful of old tracks in front of a huge audience.
In fairness “Sonic Boom” must rate as probably the best Kiss album since the early 80s but its not really up against too much is it? Even though, without the two substantial bonus offerings it would have been pretty well received. Aside from the sub-standard, sub-Bon Jovi, stadium anthem “All For The Glory”, this album’s “I Pledge Allegiance To The State Of Rock ‘n Roll” if you like, and a couple of unspectacular “album tracks” (“Danger Us” particularly seems a song somewhat concocted around the poor play on words that provides it’s chorus), its a very good collection of songs. Whereas Kiss through the late 80s and early 90s were intent on following trends they’ve now realised that there real selling point is in fact the sound that served them well in establishing the act in the first place and seem to have this time around based ideas on recalling their own successes rather than jumping on somebodies else’s bandwagon. Opening track “Modern Day Delilah” has a thumping rhythm akin to “All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose”, Gene Simmons gets the close to recalling his 70s heyday with the typically lascivious “Yes I Know (Nobody’s Perfect)” and the excellent “Russian Roulette” whilst in an apparent attempt to convince people that they are still a band rather than a brand they even let the current line-ups Cat and Space Child take a lead vocal each. Drummer Eric Singer drawing the short straw in delivering the aforementioned “All For The Glory” whilst this era’s Ace, former House Of Lords man Tommy Thayer gets to exercise his lungs, and fares better with “When Lightning Strikes”. Neither challenge the excellent if slightly lyrically flawed power pop of “Stand” though or the memorable late album bluster of Simmons’ “I’m An Animal”. Actually, I’d go as far to say that it’s Simmons contriubtions that make this album so good and that hasn’t been the case for many a year.
Artwork aside, although it does seem both garish and cartoon-like in true Kiss fashion, all in all its a markedly better set than anyone would perhaps have expected. Whilst I’m finding a surprising amount to like about the new offering though, for all it’s qualities the songs can’t really hold a candle to many of Kiss’ finest; the songs that in re-recorded guise make up much of the content of bonus disc “Kiss Klassics”. Leaning heavily on the great moments of the 70s, with a sprinkling of later efforts like “Heaven’s On Fire” and “Lick It Up”, the current line-up reinforce what it was that made Kiss great in the first place as “Duece”, “Do You Love Me”, “Love Gun” and many of the other usual suspects with one or two surprising inclusions are dusted down on a disc that initially saw light of day as a Japanese only stand-alone release. The only exception perhaps is the ballad “Forever”. A number one in the States if my memory serves me well, it stiffed as a single over here and really isn’t the slowie you want on a Kiss compilation is it? Having vowed rarely if ever to revisit the late 80s Kiss collection “Smashes, Thrashes & Hits” again thanks to those awful “new” songs “Let’s Put The X In Sex” and “(You Make Me) Rock Hard” that marred it badly this makes for a ready and superior replacement however. Okay, it may not be the classic line-up that brought forth the stuff in the first place but it sure sounds good.
The final bonus offering though, the DVD “Live In Buenos Aires” is a little sweet and sour. Again the current line-up, quite rightly of course, the sweet comes by way of six songs delivered in typically over the top Kiss style but drawn exclusively from the early days. “Duece” and “Rock And Roll All Nite” book-ending the set as they do on the bonus audio disc but joined this time by “Hotter Than Hell”, “Come On And Love Me”, “Watchin’ You” and “100,000 Years”. These are a pleasure to watch and hear. Good enough to justify the extra cost of the special edition and to also justify the fact that Kiss are still a huge live spectacle. Who would have thought that watching near 60 year old men tottering about on platform boots could be so damn enjoyable to watch! The sour though comes by way of those six songs being the only six offered in what is just a 30 minute-ish show, too much time instead given over to having to listen to the crowd singing back between songs to the band on the stage with many of those wasted minutes given over visually to Paul Stanley preening in response. What a shame this wasn’t a full set. Maybe though this is just another ploy and when the full set emerges we’ll have seen enough to encourage more money is donated to the Simmons and Stanley retirement fund?
As far as “Sonic Boom” goes though this is the format to get. A really enjoyable album that just finds Kiss hitting the right formula coupled with some tried and tested greats. A possible downside may be that where the similarly compiled recent Journey album seems to mark a new beginning for the band, unfortunately I can’t at the moment see this being anything other than a successful studio swansong for Kiss. Maybe they will surprise me with another new album at some point but my guess this will generate live work only for years to come leading to the final farewell tour. If that is the case then “Sonic Boom” makes for a much better finale than “Psycho Circus” ever seemed to make.
Highlight: I’m An Animal
Score: 4/5
(Sonic Boom – 3.5/5, Kiss Klassics 4.5/5, Live In Beunos Aires 3/5)
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BL
This week’s featured interview on the GTFM Rock Show finds presenter Andy Fox catching up with 
Steve Overland and Pete Jupp from the enduring British AOR band F.M.
Speaking ahead of their appearance this weekend at “Firefest”, they talk about the recruitment of guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick, the recent “Wild Side” EP and plans for a new album and tour in 2010.
Details: 2009, Crong Records, CD
Whilst there’s no denying that the image of the five young ladies of Hysterica dressed up in leathers that adorns the back cover is appealing, it’s unfortunate that despite displaying some considerable talent on this album overall, it’s let down by lyrical content that too often seems to have been sourced from some Heavy Metal Book of Clichés. Excellent examples of solid metal riffing with influences surely from the likes of Accept and Judas Priest (albeit it 80’s Priest rather than 70’s Priest), fronted for once by a female singer who by and large has a powerful enough voice to deliver this type of music subsequently aren’t enough to give this disc much last-ability.
It’s not all bad, “Devil In Me” is strong enough to justify its position as one of the albums high points, so is the Manowar nodding words of title track “Metal War”, whilst the opening pairing of “We Are The Undertakers” and “Halloween” are enough to ensure that you’ll probably sit this all the way through at least once. Unfortunately for decent material like that you have to endure nonsense like “Heavy Metal Man”, “Girls Made Of Heavy Metal”, both unsurprisingly as cheesy as the titles would suggest, and the terrible “Louder”. Now it may be that they are not singing in their native language (Hysterica hail from Scandinavia) and are therefor playing it safe but really, a chorus that consists of repeating the words “stand up and shout… louder” is something that should be consigned to metal history by now.
Presumably, with a band name like “Hysterica” you’re not supposed to take this too seriously and with that mindset it’s possible to get some enjoyment from the album. Musically there is no doubt that they really do know how to belt out a classic metal tune or two, but for them to succeed long term they must develop these lyrics next time around. At present it’s a bit like hearing a corny joke. It may be good enough to raise a smile first time around but not sufficient to sustain enthusiasm and appreciation the more you hear it.
Highlight: Devil In Me
Score: 2/5
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BL
This week, we speak on the phone to Steve Overland and Pete Jupp from the band FM ahead of their Firefest show this weekend. We also feature the new album from Pearl Jam called ‘Backspacer’ and we’ve got Emerson Lake and Palmer remastered albums to give away!
New music comes from Foo Fighters, Winger and Five Finger Death Punch plus as usual Rock News from the Web and a ‘Rare Track’ chosen by Rock Show listeners.
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email DJ Andy Fox via rockshow@gtfm.co.uk
Listen live in the Pontypridd, South Wales area on 107.9 FM
or on the Internet by pointing your media player at
Details: 2009, Demolition Records, CD
Put simply, this is the first WASP album to really, really grab me since the magnificent career highpoint of Blackie Lawless that was 1992’s “The Crimson Idol”. Sure there has been tracks on subsequent albums that get close to that standard but in terms of an overall package this one is the closest he’s got to that high quality mark and it has been demanding play after play since it turned up from Amazon, on the day of release no less, last Monday. From track one to track nine, with only a couple of niggles, it’s a perfect example of what Lawless does best when on form. Memorable tunes, lyrics that rarely if ever fall into the generic phrasebook that so many metal lyricists seem to draw from and notable, less than predictable cover versions where the decision is taken to fit another artists work into the theme.
Opening track “Crazy” is perhaps the perfect modern day example of what drew me to the music of WASP many years ago. Bursting out of the speakers with an opening riff that is somehow reminiscent of “Wild Child” it possesses the kind of chorus necessary to get into your head and make full use of the radio play it’s been getting, before it’s immediate successor “Live To Die Another Day” takes me right back to “The Crimson Idol” with a tune that leaves you expecting, but not getting, the line “I’m The Boy Only The Mirror Sees”. With barely a second’s pause between each song there’s a sense of urgency about the album. Before you realise it your into the galloping, Maiden-esq “Babylon’s Burning”, another outstanding song, before the first of two covers. Now as a staunch Coverdale-ite it says something that “Burn”, yes the old-Purple number, isn’t a disappointment. Indeed I find myself only pleased that they’ve avoided the temptation to over-sing as Glenn Hughes often did on the live versions that have surfaced over the years and that makes this another good rendition of someone else’s work, and it’s not for the first time that I’ve thought that about something on a WASP album.
For those of us that like the slower, intensity building WASP tracks of old there’s the impressive “Into The Fire” and the stunning epic “Godless Run” to rekindle memories of lighter in the air moments like “Sleeping In The Fire” and “Forever Free” and whilst a heavy, high paced, finishing cover of Chuck Berry’s “Promised Land” sounds a little out of context in terms of style and sound with the rest of the albums content, it instead adds a sense of finality to the album, akin to a band returning for a final, unexpected encore and choosing to dig an old rehearsal chestnut out of the kit-bag for a concert ending rip-up.
With only “Seas Of Fire” ranking as an original song I don’t think I’d miss should it not make the forthcoming tours set-list, although even then it’s a song I consider album track rather than filler, there’s little to complain about on this album. Okay, it rankles a little that Lawless sees fit to sing “Babylon’s A-burning” rather than simply “Babylon’s burning” on the main song (but that’s nit picking, it’s a great song that just could have been slightly greater!) and once again I’ll need to find a resource on the net that explains to me precisely how these nine tracks work in telling the concept story of The Four Horsemen depicted on the cover, but I don’t care because it’s WASP doing things just how I want WASP to do them. Playing to their strengths and delivering an excellent album of intelligent, accessible metal.
Highlight: Babylon’s Burning
Score: 4/5
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BL
A rare treat from this week’s GTFM Rock Show… an interview with Johnny Van Zant, Ricky Medlocke and Gary Rossington from Lynyrd Skynyrd, released to promote their new “God & Guns” album.
Broadcast on the Rock Show on 14th October 2009,
This week, we have an interview with Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant and Ricky Medlocke from Lynyrd Skynyrd talking about their new album Gods and Guns with some Skynyrd albums to give away!
Featured album is from American shock rockers WASP called ‘Babylon’ and as always lots of new music from Lita Ford, Davy Knowles and a new track from Newport band Skindred plus as usual Rock News from the Web and a ‘Rare Track’ chosen by Rock Show listeners.
——
email DJ Andy Fox via rockshow@gtfm.co.uk
Listen live in the Pontypridd, South Wales area on 107.9 FM
or on the Internet by pointing your media player at
Review Ratings.....
5 - Essential
4 - Excellent
3 - Good
2 - Patchy
1 - Avoid
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