http://www.roughedge.com Rough Edge reviews three new CDs each day in the hard rock, heavy metal and punk rock genres. en-us http://roughedge.com/images/remainlogohhp.gif http://www.roughedge.com For more CD Reviews, visit roughedge.com. http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/stratovarius.htm This is a live album that would stand on its own but, as part of a two CD set including the original "Polaris" album, it's hard to beat. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:22:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/stratovarius.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/sped.htm This unit's brash and bold presentation boasts an authentic albeit brief punk rock bite. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:22:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/sped.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/sensesfail.htm Musically these guys are tight and when they power it up you can tell they have talent. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:22:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/sensesfail.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/heartlessbastards.htm Although their first disc was full of guitar hooks, this one isn't as full on. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:22:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/heartlessbastards.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/hayseeddixie.htm Anytime I hear a watered down, toothless, plucking version of any rock songs I want to commit acts worse than the average person -- such as burning popcorn to mask the stench left behind by the "music." Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:22:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/hayseeddixie.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/heavyglow.htm Heavy Glow sounds like a blues/rock band with a nice stoner guitar edge. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/heavyglow.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/l/livinghell.htm Living Hell's "The Lost and the Damned" is an awesomely aggressive combination of metal and hardcore (but don't call it metalcore). Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:22:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/l/livinghell.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/braindrill.htm This exercise in excess is not geared for the casual fan by any means. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/braindrill.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/blazebayley.htm This disc yields a solid listen for those with metal's classic era in mind. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/blazebayley.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/bachmanandturner.htm#strsb Legendary rockers Randy Bachman and Frank Turner return with this self-titled CD that is exactly what you hoped it would be. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/bachmanandturner.htm#strsb http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/bachmanandturner.htm#stsm It's great music done with style and the BTO mojo makes this recording a must. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/bachmanandturner.htm#stsm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/bangcamaro.htm Bang Camaro lays down the groovy guitar and doesn't hold back when it comes to soloing. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/bangcamaro.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/betterthanezra.htm Since its alternative, the guitar is relatively tame but its sounds all right when Kevin lets loose on a song. Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:32:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/betterthanezra.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/bigball.htm Add their name to the long list of bands that do their best to emulate Angus and company and fail miserably. Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:32:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/b/bigball.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/oddzero.htm Odd Zero's self-titled CD is one of those albums you're not sure how to describe. Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:32:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/oddzero.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/calabrese.htm Calabrese have certainly kicked it up a notch with "III: They Call Us Death." Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:50:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/calabrese.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/clarks.htm Nothing that blasts your hair back but good, solid playing. Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:50:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/clarks.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/seasonsafter.htm Kansas-based quintet who apes the nu-metal template ad nauseam. Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:50:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/seasonsafter.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/mouthofthearchitect.htm Sticking to their guns by continuing to incorporate a gazing metallic stance bursting with shimmering guitars, harsh vocals, and cavernous rhythms. Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:38:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/mouthofthearchitect.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/j/jonolivaspain.htm An intense endeavor steeped in a traditional heavy metal mindset Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:38:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/j/jonolivaspain.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/j/jet.htm Their straight forward approach to rock'n'roll is refreshing Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:38:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/j/jet.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/anchored.htm Summoning down and dirty riffs, rhythmic power and lyrical inspiration from directly below their belts, this disc gets as insufferably derivative as you could imagine. Thu, 8 Jul 2010 10:29:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/anchored.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/j/jackyl.htm Turn off your brain and turn up Jackyl's tried and tested (yet contrived) blend of no frills Southern fried hard rock. Thu, 8 Jul 2010 10:29:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/j/jackyl.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/arcticmonkeys.htm Arctic Monkeys have an Indie rock sound along with some alternative mentions but mostly it's club music. Thu, 8 Jul 2010 10:29:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/arcticmonkeys.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/n/neurosonic.htm There is some gritty guitar and that always pleases me. Wed, 7 Jul 2010 11:52:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/n/neurosonic.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/n/nonpoint.htm This album amplifies the band's familiar dynamic nuances with all sharpened edges exposed. Wed, 7 Jul 2010 11:52:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/n/nonpoint.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/themcrookedvultures.htm Really one of the best recordings I have heard in quite a while. Wed, 7 Jul 2010 11:52:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/t/themcrookedvultures.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/ozzyosbourne.htm Some of Ozzy's heaviest music ever and perhaps the best anthem Ozzy has recorded since his first solo album, but ... Tue, 6 Jul 2010 11:18:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/ozzyosbourne.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/offspring.htm This disc is stellar from start to finish. Tue, 6 Jul 2010 11:18:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/offspring.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/octoberfile.htm A harsh hybrid of metal, punk, and industrial. Tue, 6 Jul 2010 11:18:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/octoberfile.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/megaphone.htm Loaded with hook-laden riffs, solid vocals and terrific songwriting, "Exit Silent Mode" is an entertaining listen from beginning to end. Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:01:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/megaphone.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/mychemicalromance.htm Their live songs have a raw power to them that a studio can't capture primarily due to the setting. Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:01:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/mychemicalromance.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/e/exodus.htm Exodus unleashes a vicious collection of thrash metal driven by anger. Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:01:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/e/exodus.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/n/nechochwen.htm "Azimuths to the Underworld" is an interesting blend of classical folk guitar and heavy metal. Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:45:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/n/nechochwen.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/rusteddawn.htm Rusted Dawn do an admirable interpretation of the golden era of thrash metal. Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:45:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/r/rusteddawn.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/solution45.htm This experienced and capable squad delivers a cohesive strand of textbook progressive aggressiveness. Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:45:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/solution45.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/howl.htm Striking a middle ground between High On Fire's warmongering tones and Mastodon's southern-fried sonic crush. Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/howl.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/holdsteady.htm When you hear a great riff, expect it to stay there for a while. Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/holdsteady.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/stevecone.htm Quality rock'n'roll from start to finish -- a fine example of excellent rock music. Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/c/stevecone.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/p/pain.htm A cyber friendly hybrid of sinewy synthesized metal that wouldn't sound out of place in a futuristic action movie scene. Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/p/pain.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/p/axelrudipell.htm "The Crest" is the 14th studio album by Axel Rudi Pell and, after all those albums and years, there are no signs of slowing down. Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/p/axelrudipell.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/v/vanhalen.htm#1984 Van Halen's iconic release "1984" is arguably one of the best rock releases of the 80s. Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/v/vanhalen.htm#1984 http://www.roughedge.com/radio/playlists/2010/061510.htm Rough Edge Radio playlist for the live Tuesday, June 15, 2010 show Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:00:00 PST http://www.roughedge.com/radio/playlists/2010/061510.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/scarsonbroadway.htm The self-titled debut from Scars on Broadway is independent enough to be separate from SOAD, but similar enough to be joined at the hip in just the right way. Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/scarsonbroadway.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/k/lennykravitz.htm All fuzzy with his funky guitar sound. Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/k/lennykravitz.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/hinder.htm This disc is more glam metal than their first disc and that's all right because they do it right. Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/hinder.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/ocean.htm What "Heliocentric" lacks in syrupy density it makes up for by producing a sleek atmosphere that is fearless enough to veer off the grid to capture raw emotion from the other end of the scope. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/o/ocean.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/g/grenouer.htm The tracks on this collection are balls-to-the-wall metal from start to finish. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/g/grenouer.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/floggingmolly.htm If you like Celtic music with driving drums and some great guitar in the background I highly recommend Floggy Molly. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:00:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/floggingmolly.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/husky.htm "The Sea King" is kinda like going on a mescal or peyote trip. Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:10:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/h/husky.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/fatalist.htm Fatalist charge forward with crunchy guitar tones, thick production, and solid songwriting. Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:10:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/fatalist.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/fozzy.htm "Chasing The Grail" is not only the best Fozzy recording to date, it may be one of the best rock recordings of the year. Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:10:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/fozzy.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/l/liquidoptimism.htm "The Last Stand" rocks with an infectious intensity that gets the blood boiling. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:21:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/l/liquidoptimism.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/l/livingend.htm This is one of those finds that hits you by surprise. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:21:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/l/livingend.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/d/dankojones.htm Danko Jones unleashes a cowbell happy and down and dirty rock album that plays up sturdy subtleties from the likes of AC/DC or Motorhead with a heightened punk rock energy. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:21:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/d/dankojones.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/molotow.htm A good record and it's certainly listenable enough but it would have helped if the band had added a fresh sound of all their own rather than depend so much on the old school. Mon, 31 May 2010 11:21:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/m/molotow.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/futants.htm A plodding, dull CD that shows occasional sparks but never enough Mon, 31 May 2010 11:21:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/futants.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/armoredsaint.htm A barrage of melodic and crunchy tunes with a genuine reverence for the band's middle of the road old school sound. Mon, 31 May 2010 11:21:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/a/armoredsaint.htm http://www.roughedge.com/features/davesharman0610.htm Jeff Rogers interviews the amazing guitarist of Chemical Phantom and many solo projects. Sun, 30 May 2010 10:21:00 PST http://www.roughedge.com/features/davesharman0610.htm http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/fastball.htm This is a disc that you can play straight through -- it's good for driving. Sun, 30 May 2010 10:21:00 PST http://www.roughedge.com/cdreviews/f/fastball.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/scorpions.htm "Pure Instinct" is nothing but power ballads and, frankly, it's quite a bit over-produced and more than a little boring. Sun, 30 May 2010 10:21:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/s/scorpions.htm http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/d/divineeve.htm Some of the doom sections are a bit plodding in a heavy-handed, clumsy way -- but not in an unlistenable manner. Sun, 30 May 2010 10:21:00 PST http://roughedge.com/cdreviews/d/divineeve.htm