CD Review: Neocracy - Who To Blame? (Rock, 2024)

This band had a huge surprise in it's bag at the time they came around with the first full album. It took a long time until the new record "Who to blame?" could be finalized but it was worth the wait.

Neocracy teased this album with the highly addictive single and video for the track "Torment". Once heard it was nearly impossible to let the refrain go out of my mind. It kept in rotation for a long time. 

The cover of Neocracy's second album "Who to blame?"  

Now that the second longplayer had it's time I can say that the band once again had a lot to say. The fragileness of the first album release is still there. While the band often lays down a rocking performance it's the vocals of Fraziska Stolze that add a layer of deep emotions to each track. But there's far more in there. The guitar riffs come from various sources, from rocking to metal-classic. Sometimes they come to the front of the sound but often they also stick to the background.

So what's new in the new album? It's the vocal contribution of bassist Tim Pannek. He added on nearly half of the tracks his growling organ which put's a good contrast to the female voice. It's feeling like light and darkness when you hear the new songs. 

Maybe it's a bit unusual at first listen but with every round you'll become more familar and will enjoy the album on a deeper level. I've done so on three to four completed run downs of "Who to blame?" and have never regret to spent a moment at all.

The drums have become heavier, too. They sound like pushed to the maximum but never become boring. There's a good balance in them so they don't ruin the sound.

"Who to blame?" comes with fine production. It's not feeling overloaded. Instead it centers on leaving room for atmosphere and so the album breathes and lives - something I'm very happy about.

I'll give a strong recommendation out on this one. If you don't listen and buy this gem you'll miss out one of the finest releases in recent months. Ask the band via Facebook or Instagram messages for the physical edition - I'm sure you'll want to be able to hold the CD in your own hands also the download is fairly priced at 8 Euro on Bandcamp. 

Album Review: Held Hostage (feat. Ripper Owens) - Epic (Classic Metal, 2019)

You can't keep a good man down! This goes especially for Tim "Ripper" Owens who thankfully refuses to give up. Instead he contributed guest vocals to a album for all the straight rockers out there that goes into the ears at the first listen already.

Held Hostage have shown themselves with a varity of guest musicians in the past. They also shared parts of the income they were able to earn this way with veterans in need. Both things combined sounded like a album well worth checking out to me.

The hammer comes down on us with Held Hostage's new record "Epic".

I wasn't disappointed giving my time to check "Epic" out. This record that is yet to be released (December 15th 2019. digitally, CD January 17, 2020 via Metal Mania Records / MVD (Music Video Distributors) gives the good feeling of listening to classic metal from the first seconds of duration all the way to it's end.

To be precise it opens with "Lightning" going straight, short and to the point. "Tonights The Night" calls for sing-along and makes sure that every day is the right one to do what you ever wanted. I love the repeat of the refrain at the end. I'm still having it in rotation on my mind.

The album turns it's tides on the upcoming two tunes. Both a bit rougher, louder. The guitars make me nervous and shaking while the vocals show the darker, more subtile parts Ripper Owens voice is able to perform. This makes such a voice stand out in my ears.

"Turn The Light" brings the listener down back again with a little more relaxed atmosphere. This doesn't last long as already "It's all over you" turns out to be a riff-ladden song that shares a strong 80s AC/DC vibe but with more agressive vocals inside.

Number seven "Hot Night" is a solid one. Nothing too special here but you'll go along with a solid rock track. All the other tracks go a much riff-based way with excellent vocals on top. They all feature hooklines that invite you to sing along.

This album is a perfect fit for all those looking for straight Rock 'n' Roll that goes quickly into your minds and hearts. Ripper Owens performance gives the songs the extra something. I think the people out there will love this silver disc once they heard it. Please don't miss this one out.

As a preview here's the track "Lightning". Please check Held Hostage's Facebook page for more details on where exactly to order "Epic" on CD or how to get it digitally starting December 15th 2019. The CD will be released January 17, 2020 via Metal Mania Records / MVD (Music Video Distributors).

Imonolith give a catchy first impression of their music

Some bands come out of nowhere just to slam you down to the ground with their sound. Imonolith did just that with the first single "Hollow".

The cover of Imonolith - Hollow (single release 2019)

The music combines two sides that normally are a contrast to each other. It's a mixture of heavyness in the hooks on the one side and melody and compact riffs in the verses on the other. "Hollow" can be called groovy, infectious. It offers the art of putting together music that is hard in it's core but sounds melodic and is highly enjoyable 'caus of it's overall softer sound package.

Many well known musicians can be heard on this one. Vocalist Jon Howard (Threat Signal, Arkaea), drummer Ryan ‘RVP’ Van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project), guitarist Brian Waddell (Devin Townsend Project), bassist Byron Stroud (Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory), and second guitarist Kai Huppunen (Methods of Mayhem, Noise Therapy).

They have some shows coming up in Canada.

February 23 - Vancouver, BC @ The Red Room
March 1 - Calgary, AB @ Dickens
March 2 - Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room (Temple)

More music is in the works. Drummer Ryan ‘RVP’ Van Poederooyen already gives a little glimpse about what to expect of further material: “As for 'Hollow', musically it represents the catchier side of IMONOLITH’s music. We have varying influences spread throughout the band and we don’t like to play just one style of music.

We have a more metal crushing side, a catchier radio side and then music that fits in-between our heavy and catchier vibes. We always aim to make IMONOLITH’s overall sound diverse and interesting. Most of all, we’re always focused on trying to write a great song, no matter if it’s heavy or catchy."

You can purchase and or stream the song "Hollow" over here.
The band's Facebook page will keep you up to date about the further progress.