| CD REVIEW Perris Records Sampler January 2010 |
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The people at Perris Records confronted the worldwide economic crisis with a tactic of their own, putting several albums at a time on one mp3-sampler. Sure, they needed to produce enough copies to satisfy their promotional needs, and also had to make a specific “booklet” to go with it, but I’m sure that eventually this method brought the label a higher return saleswize, simply because they didn’t hand out regular edition albums to the press and other media. It also cut down considerably in mailing costs, I’m sure! We’re now in year two of that tactic of theirs, and I’m definitely feeling the downside of that system of theirs. For beginners, you cannot play the mp3-cd on your regular stereo system. You cán play it in your PC or specific mp3-disc player, but cannot download the mp3-files onto your iPod (or such like mp3-player)…and it so happens I do a lot of my pre-review listening that way. Yet another disadvantage, is the fact that the reveiwer gets to do no less than 6 to 8 Perris releases in a row, and that some of the stuff has already been out on the street for a while! In the package Concrete Web received mid-February, we found the nasty surprize of getting two mp3-samplers at once, each containing 8 albums! And as we at Concrete Web have taken on the habit of bringing the reviews of such stuff in a special, I am hereby kinda forced to keep the reviews to a bare minimum. I therefore resolved to breaking my usually extensive reviews down to what the label has sent us in the accompanying info sheet (mind you, no copy-paste jobs for me : I adapt everything to conform to CW standards! If you see any gramatical mistakes, don’t blame me, okay!). Occasionally, the info given is somewhat of a given, but hey…what do you expect from me!? When in need, I’ll add…of course! Now, as this IS a Perris Records special, there’s no need for me to repeat that fact for each release, is there? Oh, in the BeNeLux Perris Records is distributed by Bertus! Perris Records Promotion Sampler Jan. 2010 contains, in alphabetical order, albums by Broken Teeth, Cherry St. (double re-issue), Danger Angel, Helix, Phantom-X, Sahara Steel (re-issue self-titled album), Worlds Apart, and a digital-only compilation EP titled Bon Appetite, Volume 2. Regrettably that’s nót how the order in which the albums appear on the mp3-sampler, and I resolved to using that chronology! -------------------------------------------- From the info sheet : “The biggest Heavy Metal band in Canadian history! With a catalogue of music that spans a history of over 30 years. With 5 Gold and 2 Platinum albums under their belt and millions of records sold around the world, we see Helix release their 15th studio album this year called Vagabond Bones. Lead vocalist Brian Vollmer had this to say about the CD : “We were working under a self-imposed deadline of having the CD out for the fall of 2009. The writing releationship between Sean and I developed when Sean joined the band this past Spring. When Sean got the job as the new guitar player for Nelly Furtado we made a pact between the two of us to finish the nnew CD before he had to take off on tour. We went tight down to the wire last week, but in the end victory was ours and everything was finished by the time Sean got to the plane for Europe. We really lucked out with the talented people we were able to involve on the project. From the recording to the artwork, the team we assembled did a remarkable job. I’m very proud of this piece of work. I hope the fans will enjoy it as much as I did recording it”.” Personal comment : There’s a good reason why Helix are first to be featured on this sampler! Within the genre of Traditional Canadian Heavy Metal, Helix remain one of the greats! The musical climate may have changed worldwide, but the guys have persevered, and if only for that, you gotta admire them! Of course, there’s also the really nice music! Pity there’s only 9 songs on the album! For more info and/or audio sampling, check (www.) planethelix.com and (www.) myspace.com/helixonmyspace! 92/100 -------------------------------------------- From the info sheet : “Broken Teeth, the texas-based Rockers featuring Dangerous Toys/ Watchtower vocalist Jason McMaster, will release their new album, Viva La Rock, Fantastico! in January 2010 via Perris Records. The album features guest vocals by Canadian Rock-n-Killer Danko Jones, the album is a fireball of scorching new tracks, including “Exploder”, “Spitting Nails”, Blackheart” and the spiked-with-tequila title track. AS always, Broken Teeth will screech their Rock ‘n’ Roll sermon to the Metal Church faithful when Fantastico! ignites a case pf road-hard, white line fever across the USA and beyond. If you bow at the altar of Rose Tattoo, AV/DC, and Rhino Bucket, you’re gonna scream for Broken Teeth!” Personal comment : nothing to add here, except perhaps that you’ll find more info and/or audio at (www.) myspace.com/brokenteeth! 81/100 -------------------------------------------- From the info sheet : “Phantom-X was started in Dallas, TX in 2004 by ex-Omen inger Kevin Goocher and bassist Glenn Malicki. Goocher and Malicki along with then guitarist and drummer began writing and recording. The music was heard by Mausoleum Records out of Belgium and Phantom-X was soon signed for their debut release. Rise Of The Phantom was released in 2005 and was voted #7 Best Metal Albums by Heavy Magazine – Germany. Phantom-X toured with legendary band Anvil in 2005 to support their release. On this tour, the bands were video taped by Sascha Gervasi for a documentary called The Anvil Story. Following this tour, Phantom-X quickly began writing for their follow-up CD. Storm Riders was released in 2006. The band went on their second European tour following this release. Kevin Goocher joined the cast of a VH1 reality show in 2008 called I Know My Kid’s A Star, which featured Danny Bonaduce. Goocher was recently signed on to do a new reality tv show called Rock Race with Rikki Rocket and Stevie Benton of Drowning Pool. The new show begins taping in Summer of 2010. Phantom-X went back into the studio for their third CD that will be released on Perris Records on January 26, 2010. This CD is to be titled This Is War. The band will do a supporting tour in Fall of 2010.” Personal comments : A review by then collegue Trik of debut album Rise Of The Phantom was posted 18/11/2005; for some reason we never received the sophomore album for review, in spite of it also having been a Mausoleum release. In all honesty, back in those days a lot of packages got lost in the mail! Internet failing to get goin’ at this very moment, I ain’t sure which period Goocher was with Omen, but his vocals are indeed remeniscent of what one would expect from the ‘80s Power Metal monster! For more info and/or audio/video, check either (www.) myspace.com/phantomxmetal, or (www.) phantom-x.net. They’re also on Facebook and Twitter. ?/100 -------------------------------------------- From the info sheet : Perris records is proud to announce the return of Worlds Apart with a new studio release. Worlds Apart appeared on the Hollywood Hairspray DVD along with Stephen Pearcy, Babylon A.D., Cherry St. and Dangerous Toys to name but a few. Perris records recruited Anthony FocX (Ace Frehley, Buckcherry, Foreigner, and Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica mixes for Xbox games) to master the CD. Worlds Apart, who have performed and recorded together since the early ‘90s is a powerful Melodic Rock band from the San Francisco Bay Area. Worlds Apart has released 3 CDs on Perris Records as one of their top selling artists Since the beginning Worlds Apart has played to sold-ou crowds, headlining as well as directly supporting many national acts such as Dokken, Y & T, Night Ranger, Cinderella, Firehouse, Zakk Wylde, MSG, Montrose, Bang Tango, Enuff Znuff and many others. Worlds Apart’s 4th and new CD Clean Slate brings the return of original guitarist Rich Cedillo. The band now consists of the entire original line-up of Jay Davids (vocals) Rich Cedillo (guitars), Gary ilva (drums) and Jas (on bass). The new CD Clean Slate produced and enngineered by Jas is a collection of songs which capture the band’s live sound like never before.Worlds Apart is extremely proud of their new CD Clean Slate and looking forward to an exclusive release with Perris Records.” Personal comments : none, except that the album is very enjoyable, and the description sure fits. For more info/audio visit myspace.com/therockbandworldsapart! 82/100 -------------------------------------------- From the info sheet : “Danger Angel officially announce their collaboration with Houston based Perris Records which will be the label to release their self titled debut album in January 2010. Most importantly, Danger Angel are proud to announce the contribution of legendary singer Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman Yngwie Malmsteen, Axel Rudi Pell, etc…) in this album. Danger Angel tour dates, band information and news and music samples will be posted on (www.) myspace.com/dangerangelrock. Bio : Danger Angel the band, were formed in Athens, Greece during the summer of 206. The lineup of the band is as follows : Jimmy Cage (vocals), Ethan Chionos (guitar), Spiros Foussekis (guitar), Antois Venieris (drums), Rudy Rallis (bass), George “Ahas” Lignos (keyboards). The self-titled album contains 13 songs of a typical Hard Rock and AOR style, boasting the distinctive vocals of Jimmy Cage, the tight rhythm section of Rudy Rallis and Anthony Vieneris, the roaring yet melodic guitars of Ethan Chioros and Spiros Foussekis and the inspiring and colorfoul keyboards of George “Ahas” Lignos. Danger Angel will be entering a busy gig schedule to promote their new album and get in touch with their excisting and new fans.” Personal comments : None, except : visit (www.) myspace.com/dangerangelrock to fulfill your possible need for audio or more info! 80/100 -------------------------------------------- From the info sheet : “Perris Records is proud to announce the re-release of this hidden gem from mid Michigan. Perris Records recruitedAnthony FocX (Ace Frehley, Buckcherry, Foreigner, and Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica mixes for Xbox games) to re-master the CD. This band in the mid ‘90s opened for many Hard Rock classic bands such as Molly Hatchet, Foghat, Foreigner, Extreme and Night Ranger to name a few. Guitarist Pat Sheppard’s style has been compared to George Lynch and vocalist Jack Klunder hits notes only monster vocalist for thr Buttetboys and Steelheart can hit. Pat Shappard also grew up next door to President and CEO of Rocknation’s Tom Mahers. Tom Mathers has this to say about this CD : “This band should have made it along with the many bands of their era, only to be crushed when Grunge hit with bands wearing flannel shirts, singing depressing lyrics, playing crappy guitar riffs and not able to play guitar solos, then you would get signed by the majors to drown out talented bands such as Sahara Steel. Crank this CD in your player and I guarantee it will rock your world”.“ Personal comments : Very, véry nice album, with the keyboard-sustained songs displaying a great combination of AOR with Heavy Rock. Klunder indeed has an exceptional voice. Footnote: There’s something weird about this album. According to some sources I consulted, it would have been released in 2001, and then again in 2005. Well…no matter, it really is a véry nice album indeed! 86/100 -------------------------------------------- From the info sheet : “CD booklet features un-released rare photos of the band’s legendary Holllywood history on the Sunset Strip and liner notes. Monroe CD features on vocals Marq Torien (Bulletboys), Kevin Steel (Roxx Gang) and Shannon Nobel (toured on last official Cherry St. tour with Tuff in 1993). CD was mixed by Union Underground vocalist Brian Scott. This CD was originally released in 1996 and re-released with 3 bonus tracks. Bonus tracks feature the legendary 3-song tape that sold theousands on the Sunset Strip. Vocalist Billy Coane stepped in for a short appearance on the recording and touring before Chris Van Dahl came back into the band in 1992. X Rated CD band members : WesKimball(vocals), Tom Mathers (guitar), Taz (guitar), Jaime Scott (bass), kelly Thomas (drums). Features Jaime scott off Tyketto fame and original Cherry St. bassist was brought back into the studio to knock out all bass duuties. CD was mixed by Taz who also has produced Bang Tango, Cherry St. and Spinning Chain. Band history : Cherry St. was formed in 1989 and within a year released a 3-song demo distributed by Important/ Relativity that sold obver 8000 units worldwide, that same year Cherry St. appeared on MTV’s Pay To Play segment with members of Guns ‘n’ Roses, Bang Tango & Warrant. In 1993 Cherry St. released “Squeeze it Dry” on JRS/ BMG Records produced by Pat Regan (Kiss, Deep Purple), Erik Turner (Warrant) and Tommy Thayer (Kiss, Black ‘n’ Blue). Following their MTV exposure the band toured 29 states sharing the bill with such bands as Dangerous Toys, Foreigner, Warrant, April Wine, Vince Neil, Slaughter, Pretty Boy Floyd & Sweet F.A.. 1993 Chris Van Dahl went on to front L.A. Guns during the American Hardcore release, and recently fronted the band Pack Of Wolves featuring guitarist Kenny Olsen of Kid Rock fame. Jaimie Scott in 1991 went on to join Tyketto to release many albums and tour Europe. Razzle went on to fame in the TV industry with Project 4 production company with credits of many commercials, movies including Woody Harrelson’s Zombielandand editing the Rocknation TV show. Tom Mathers carried the Perris label name becoming one of the major forces in the music industry. After Mathers started Rocknation TV show and newspaper worldwide in 2006, the label’s artist had exposure to fans worldwide. Personal comments : Occasional AC/DC remeniscences due to typical guitar work and high pitched vocals. Weird that a band’s debut album is released a couple of years after its demise. Even weirder to find a second album released 6 years later (X Rated is listed as a 2001 album)! Whatever! Historic documents into the past of a now influencial and important man in the Glam Rock & Metal (and beyond) music bizz. Visit (www.) myspace.com/cherrystband for more info and/or audio material! 84/100 -------------------------------------------- Part two in a download-only compilation in tribute to AC/DC. As mentioned above, it’s only an EP-size thing this time around, with Helix bringing a truly succeeded version of “It’s A Long Way To The Top” (I mean, réally great version, man!), Ford T taking care of covering “Sin City” (nice version, even if the singer doesn’t try to sound like Bon Scott), and an un-named occasion band featuring Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent, as the singer), Taz (Cherry St. as the guitarist), Jaimie Scott (Cherry St. & Tyketto, on the bass), and Kris Beavers (Every Mother’s Nightmare as the drummer. Personal comments : Nice project, and no rating (wouldn’t be fair, since all songs here were originally from the Bon Scott era, and I still prefer him to ! For more info on how to download this, visit (www.) perrisrecords.com! Tony. |
