Les Sables Magiques
Tee Pee
Stupid name, cool band. Slightly different style from the usual TeePee stoner-garage rock releases. For one, the production is (slightly) better and the music is much more diverse. Tricky Woo falls into the Swan Song category - the opening track "Rising Sweet Mercy" has the Zeppelinish guitar licks and melodies with a rhythm similar to Bad Co's "Feel Like Makin' Love." Lot's of early '70s influences with '80s British pop/punk vocal influence ala The Clash. As much as I love and appreciate the bands homage to classic, blusy late '60's/early '70s rock, I can't overlook their over-obvious musical and lyrical influences. "Lil-lay Bank Blues" sounds like a Willie Dixon written Zep tune, "Don't Get The Music Worried" and "Liberty Drawl" are Who/Kinks inspired, "Szabo Gabo" and "Strange Meat" show hints of Hendrix, and, once again, the Zep inspired title track (ala "Rain Song") and "Winter" (with a slide guitar riff similar to "In My Time Of Dying."). But I shouldn't complain, as Tricky Woo does bring back cool memories of a great classic rock era.
IRON FIRE
On The Edge
Noise/Sanctuary
Iron Fire's music displays powerful, classic European metal with solid musicianship. What is unfortunate is the fact that vocalist Martin Steene has got to have one of the most annoying voices I've heard in quite some time. And that lame affect they put on his vocals makes it sound even worse. It's like hearing Vince Neal singing power-metal anthems. It just does not work for me! I will, though, give props to drummer Morten Plenge and bassist Jakob Lykkebo who perform excellently. There's no doubt these guys can play their instruments. Highlights include the title track (Steene actually sings good on the powerful chorus), "Wanted Man" (not the Ratt version), the speedy "Forever Evil" and the closer "Price of Blood" (great opening riff).
Shockwaves CD Reviews Issue 5 Page 8