Northern Rockmusic

1. Karjala 3:53
2. Sulanut Lumi 4:21
3. Velvet Night's Mysticism 4:06
4. Teatteri 3:03
5. Our Passion's Language 5:32

Well this is special, not to compare with anything I heard before, the songs of Valkyrend Varieté are moody acoustic Songs wih finnish traditional roots and the melancolie of this country. The finnish lyrics are powerful and sound unique to european ears.
Theres a lot of passion in it that music actually don't need electric guitars and hard drums!
The first song Karjala is a very natural song just guitar, percussion and main vocals, Sulanut Lumi then brings along some backing vocals and more keys! Velvet Night's Mysticism comes up with english lyrics and I think it reminds me of some very old irish traditionals, it either has mediveal elements!!
Teatteri is a bit faster but still on the same sound level! It reminds me at Nightwish's Erämaajärvi.
Our Passions Language starts with english spoken verse and goes on slow and calm including some grunted parts! The second voice is perfect integrated in this song, after 3 minutes it shows some faster part just to change into calm again, very good tempo changing and great sung by the vocalist!!! My favourite!!

Tonttu

Audio CD: 2007
Lable: Playgroundmusic

Tracklist:

1 Tonttu
2 Jouluun Sydän Virttynyt
3 Vapaus

"Into an unplugged style with physical instruments that create a majestic atmosphere and put you right into the right emotions. Don’t lose this trip to Mother Nature and true spirit of man..."
Well that describes exact the songs of Valkyrend Varieté.
Tonttu sounds a bit fuller than the songs from KV, it gives you a feeling like you sit in the dark under the full moon in the wilderness and the music is just around you in the air! Well that's what I assoziated with it. Find you own assoziation and listen to it!!
Jouluun Sydän Virttynyt starts with basic piano and is a kind of a ballad with a touch of darkness!
Vapaus is a great ballad with a beautiful melody and lots of passion and feeling to dream away!
If you like traditional stuff and /or finnish music in general you will find something in this!! Try it and visit www.myspace.com/valkyrend to check some songs!!

Tracklist:

1 Who's Behind The Door
2 Lost Like Dreamers Are
3 A Rain Tonight
4 Heal
5 Ghost In The Family
6 Jubileum Of My Sorrow
7 Satellites
8 Million Miles High
9 Draining
10 Happy New Year

Tracklist:

1. Slowly we Die
2 . Freefall
3. Save me from the outside world
4. Crying in solitude
5. Candle for the doomed
6. Nothing Is Holy
7. The Devil is Down
8. Shallow waters
9. Fly me away
11. God among us

Monsteriser start now with their secons album called "Shortcuts To A Dead End" , well a promising title in every way. o make a long story through this album short: finnish metal is the best! By the way the music is not as dark/ black as the musicians look! It is kinda melodic metal with strong polyphonic choruses. Reminds me of Stratovarius, Charon and other big finnish metalbands. The singers voice is very many-sided, varied and the musicians are professionals on their field!

Sound advice: Save me from the outside world, Crying insolitude, Nothing is holy

The Floor Is Made Of Lava (DEN)- All Juice No Fruit
♥ ♥

Audio CD: 2008
Lable: Playgroundmusic

Tracklist:

01. The Floor Is Made Of Lava
02. Pick Up A Shovel
03. Do Your Sister
04. Ho
05. Happy Monday
06. Sucker Love
07. Tango In My Tummy
08. 5-Vice
09. Told Her I'm From Compton
10. You Ain't A Bitch (Bitch)
11. IKEA Did A Job On You

This band is from Denmark and their name is as creative as their album title. I had no Idea of what will come to my ears when I opened the CD and put it in my player! But well I would say this is basically, elemental Rockmusic, a bit stoic and all songs sounds equal in a way, but no, it is not that bad. If you like brit-rock like Oasis or Wheezer this is your band, man!!

Sound Advice: Ikea did a job on you & Do your sister!!

http://www.thelava.dk/

Soul Tattoo (FIN)- Malaga
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Audio CD: 2008
Lable: Playgroundmusic

Tracklist:

1. Feather Girl
2. La Luna Park
3. Whirling
4. Burning Edgar
5. Highlight
6. Magic Hat
7. Let The Light In
8. Deepest
9. Silent Ways
10. Still Strangers
11. Skeleton Garden
(12. Space Rocker)

Soul Tattoo are difficult to classify. The album incudes (metal and) rock songs and very nice ballads like Whirling. The band is from Finland but I miss the typically finnish sound it is more an southern-american sound. Just at the number 4 Burning edgar- a very funny song- you can hear the finnish extravagance. Not that this album is not dark, sometimes it is!
There are definitley some glam-rock influences and I am pretty sure you could dance to every single song and have fun. It is crazy, dark, funny and adorable all rolled into one!
For Fans of finnish Rockmusic (Rasmus, Jann Wilde, Uniklubi, Sunrise Ave, NGT) a must have for all others a good choice!

Sound advice: Burning Edgar, Highlight, Magic Hat, Still Strangers

Asgard (RUS)- On the Verge
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Audio CD: 2008
Lable: Playgroundmusic

Tracklist

I was very doubtful I have to say, when I got that record from Asgard for a review. Asgard is a russian band and they now have released their debut album "On The Verge".
well the first chords reminded me extremely of Nightwish and oher related symphonic/ melodic metal bands.
This is melodic hardrock meets power metal. They open the album with a fantastic song called Sermon Of Mephistopheles that is strong melodic rocker with pompish keyboards and a good chorus. I just found myself dancing through the room.

The melodies on the album are really great to listen and it is not that big problem that their singer Alexander Savchenkos seems to have problems with the spoken language. The singer is not an outstanding one but it works, the album lives from the great music! It's just the question how he sings live?
The ballad Frozen Void is pure magic with a wonderful melodie and the fantastic chorus as most of the songs have! They should try some songs with female vocals as a contrast!!
The album has been recorded with Micke ”Nord” Andersson (The Rasmus) as producer.

If you like melodic metal you have to listen to Asgard!

Sound advice: Sermon of Mephistopheles, Frozen Void, She- Wolf

Lovex (FIN) - Pretend or Surrender
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Label: GUN (Sony BMG)
Release: May 2nd 2008

Tracklist:

If She's Near
Turn
Take A Shot
Different Light
Writings On The Wall
Time And Time Again
Belonging To No One
My Isolation
Rid Of Me
Ordinary Day
End Of The World
End Of The World (Outro)

Almost exactly one year after the release of their debut album "Divine Insanity" the six Finns from Lovex are back with some fresh material.
The first track on the album "If she's near" lets you imagine that Lovex have gone through an ripening in the manner only a band which knows exactly what they want can do it: harder guitar riffs from Sammy Black and Vivian Sin'Amor, deep lyrics and a catching tunes which makes you wish for more.
"Turn" and "Belonging To No One" some of the faster tracks of the album also convince by sounding more grown up and makes the new Lovex sound more unique.
Sometimes you even get the idea of listening to an alternative band like Linkin Park or System Of A Down, when you notice how singer Theon McInsane worked on his voice, trying to sound more harder, by shouting out the lines of the songs. The band defenately tries to angle off and get a name as an serious band with some orchestra parts and dominating, smashing drum parts by Lovex's youngest member Julian Drain, who gets support from bass player Jason, as we all well know from bands like Evanescence and even Lovex's compatriots from HIM.
Though some might have expected and album pretty much influenced by the 80s after Lovex released their first single "Take A Shot" some time ago, you can't directly find a big common.
In fact keyboarder Christian's parts might remind of the old days of popular bands like Bon Jovi, but Lovex still manage to bring their on style in.
For those who were waiting desperately for some ballades like "Remorse" from the last album Divine Insanity, Lovex also got some nice songs on Pretend Or Surrender: Time And Time Again, a song about a busted love story or End Of The World will make the teen girls melt away and go on dreaming about being the one, Theon is singing for.

So to sum up you can say that, though Lovex grew in their music, they still hold on their old sound.

Sound advice: Belonging to no one, End of the world, Take a shot

Midnattsol (GER / NOR)- Nordlys
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Audio CD: 28.03.2008 (GER)
Lable: napalmrecords

Tracklist:

01. Open your eyes
02. Skogens lengsel
03. Northern light
04. Konkylie
05. Wintertimes
06. Race of time
07. New horizon
08. River of virgin soil
09. En natt i nord
10. Octobre (Limited Edition)

The second album of Midnattsol, Nordlys, sounds much more professional than the first one what makes sense if you knowparts of it were produced in the legendary Finnvox studios. It's not possible to put them into one category. The music still has influences from the nordic folk and it is still metal. But Carmens voice sounds much stronger as before, she learned a lot over the past two years and she is definitley better than her sister Liv Kristine (Leaves Eyes) with her thin voice, and it's nice to hear that this "operatic/ symphonic" metal works also with a lower voice than a sopran. The album lives from the dark, melancholic atmosphere that is perfectly converted on this album with the tragical vocals , the very dense weaved sound with a lot of mystic tunes. There are strong heavy metal parts and faster songs that breaks the melancholie up and make this album interesting in every way and I never had the thought of ever saying that, it sounds sometimes like the old Nightwish with these full sound and the female vocals and it is as good as they were. We are very excited to listen to the new songs live and you should do so if you like bands like Nightwish, Epica, Regicide or Tristania.

Sound advice: Open your Eyes, Northern Light, Konkylie

www.midnattsol.com
www.myspace.com/midnattsolfolk

PICTURES of Midnattsol in the Gallery

www.northern-rockmusic.com

Lines of Leaving (FIN)- Battle for Humanity
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Audio CD: 20.07.2007
Lable: Independent Sounds OY

Tracklist:

1. Extravagance (The Fabulous Life Of)
2. Fistula
3. Conscience Rise (No Kiotos?)
4. Slut #1
5. Hearts In Overdrive
6. Sacrifice For A Greater Cause
7. Christy Brown
8. Tourniquet
9. Of Cause It’s All Your Fault
10. Battle For Humanity
11. Survival Of The Fittest (Album Version)

Lines Of Leaving convince us with a full Power Rock / Metal Sound that's very propulsive and invites to mosh!
The political & social-critical lyrics (that are very impressive by the way- you shoud read through and think about) and the singers voice conveys the impression that there are a bigger punk- influences working within that band. They really have something to say, so listen!!
Even every song owns an catchy chorus what makes this album very strong and useful also for people who are not that much into metal or hardrock, Tourniquet for example shows much comercial potential with a very plausible melodie! !
The complete sound is very clear and straight, no flourishes and no needless instruments are used in this production. Just the naked truth.. an that is what describes the album the best: HONESTY !
So go and get yourself this album, you will love it!! I promise!

Sound advice: Hearts In Overdrive, Sacrifice For A Greater Cause, Tourniquet, Battle For Humanity!

Matthau Mikojan (FIN)- Same
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Audio CD: 12.03.2008 (FI)
Lable: Poko Records

1. From My Mouth To Me And To You
2. Too Fortunate To Cry
3. Welcome & Goodbye
4. Stiletto Heels
5. Ditch
6. No Hard feelings
7. A Girl On Her Own
8. Come Clean
9. April Song
10. Bring You Back
11. Then She Cried

Not only for Bloodpit Fans this piece of art will be one of the best CDs this year.
Giving a deep look into his heart and soul ex-Bloodpit singer Matthau Mikojan is singing about love and live, inspired by his own experiences.
Honest lyrics, mixed with catchy melodies, his music will make you feel like every single is dedicated to nobody but you.
Once more, Mikojan shows his great writing skills and sense for good rock music.
Probably Matthau has never been more honest than on this record. Taking a closer look at Stiletto Heels, or Bring You Back you got the feeling that he wrote this songs for the only one in his life.
The one's who were expecting him to reproach anyone for whatever happened or caused the seperating from his band will be disappointed. In this case Matthau just does what he can do best: singing authentic songs and touching everyone deep within.
April, one of the slow songs on the Album reminds of an old cowboy song, down at the fire place with it's whistled intro. In general songs like No Hard Feelings or A Girl On Her Own, a song about finding his own way, procure the impression, as Matthau finally find HIS own. He grew up in the past months and that album defenately reflects that.
His lyrics became more wise and his music sounds more grown up.
You can hear how content he is with his self and the things he is doing at the moment proverbial.
But not only songs with deep meanings are there to catch the listener. Songs as Print Lies or Too Fortunate To Cry just invite you to let go of everyday life and having a good time with his music.
For all of those who are getting excited now, Matti will be on tour this fall, to prove his life qualities.

1. Hammasratas
2. Susi-ihminen
3. Muistipalapelit
4. Vartijaton
5. Voima vastaan viha
6. Lääke
7. Kädet vasten lasia
8. Luova hulluus
9. Muuri
10. Murtumispiste

Raja is the third album of the extravagant finns and it is their best work yet.
They present precious trash metal with finnish vocals what makes it even more unique for everyone outside of Finland. Raja hits the finnish charts at No1 and will be released in Germany in June 2008. In Finland they are fabuluos known and acknowledged, it's time to conquer Germany and the rest of Europe.
The songs on Raja are technically demanding, played with lot's of passion, power and precision.
If you've ever seen Stam1na live you can imagine the head- bang -factor of this album. It just brings fun to listen to these progressive tunes and forwarding rhythms, even if you don't understand the lyrics. Try it!!

Sound-advice: 1) Hammasratas, 5) Voima vastaan viha and 7) Kädet vasten lasia!

If you wanna check Stam1na live, there's the possibility at 27. Apr 2008 in Berlin @ Knaak.

Pictures of Stam1na 2007

Reflexion (FIN)- Dead to the past, blind for tomorrow
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Audio CD: 14.03.2008
Label: Out Of Line

Tracklist:
1. Non-stop Glorious Ride
2. Embrace Of Wrath
3. Twilight Child
4. Dancing In The Air
5. Dead Without You
6. Weak And Tired
7. Black Is The Colour Of Your Life
8. The One With No Name
9. Forever Got Too Long
10. Thousand Nails In My Heart
11. Just One World (Goodbye)

After releasing the last album Out Of The Dark in 2006 the finnish Goth-rockers are back with Dead To The Past, Blind For Tomorrow. It unites melodic- rock with the typically finnish goth- melancholy and it's definitley an album for every dark soul out there. Nevertheless it is also a powerful, diversified and hot composition of songs that always communicate honesty what makes the band just more sympathic. It reminds of bands like Entwine, whose drummer Aksu Hanttu took part on this album as producer, HIM and maybe To Die For, to name just a few ones in this big, almost overflowded genre. You can also hear the developement from the last to the new album, the songs are harder and fresher, what shows that Reflexion never rests to become more rock 'n' roll. "DTTP, BFT" is not that extraordinary work that breaks all the mold but it is a solid and competent album that bring a lot of joy in spite of all the compulsive melancholy and that has the makings of becoming a basic-one in anyones cd-collection.

Sound-advice: Dead Without You, Twilight Child, Black Is The Colour Of Your Life

Interview with Reflexion 2007
Pictures 2007

Manzana (FIN)- Nothing as whole as a broken heart
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Manzana is a metal/ rock combo from Tampere/ Finland with a female singer.
Frontgirl Piritta’s voice is very variable from soft tunes to a great rock voice.
Their first Album „Nothing as whole as a broken heart“ is a complete thing with a high leveled sound, hard guitars and great melodies.
It starts with „Pain“ wich begins with some synthetic piano tunes that goes over to heavier guitar sound, this song is the perfect introduction for the whole album. Rocking and melodic vocals comes together all along...
It goes on with „Falling to pieces“ where the focus is more on the vocals and Pirittas voice sounds more crystal than on „Pain“! This song ist to be one of the best on this album.
It is followed by „Silence“ wich is everything but not silent!! Piritta gives anything and it’s great to hear what she can do with her voice! „Silence“ is a fast song that pushes you forward with hard beats and dirty guitars.
„Mermaid“ for me is the big highlight on the album! The melodie fixes itself in your head after listen to it once and it is definitely a rock ‚n‘ roll song with „Hit“ qualities!!
„Gift“ is different from the beginning on! It sounds like it comes from a crazy trip or something. It reminds me on some american independent girl rockbands of the 90ties like „Letters to Cleo“. Strange , steeled and hypnotic!
The next song „Call“ is again a very melodic rocksong that animates to move your asses and dance along!
The much darker „Cripple heart“ convinces with a full sound and a „sing along“ chorus- you like to mosh?? You can do!!
„Diamond“ is the calmest song on this album even though it’s not a ballade. It leads us to the last song: „Valentine“ wich also seems to have a HIT character and lot's of commercial potencial!!
It closes a very succsessful compilation of great songs on a high level that are individual each for itself but have an unmistakable sound and that always will be discovered as Manzana.
If you like metal and rock’n’roll you need this album in your collection!

Frances Amelie Sin™

© www.northern-rockmusic.com

01 - Intro (0:33)
02 - There For You (3:25)
03 - Never Let Go (3:07)
04 - Late Night Lady (3:13)
05 - Keep On Dreaming (4:10)
06 - Follow Me (4:03)
07 - Straight For Your Heart (3:24)
08 - Cry (4:20)
09 - Feel It Again (3:24)
10 - Straight Up (4:18)
11 - Bring The Stars (3:32)
12 - You're Lying (3:13)
13 - Feel The Heat (3:52)

01 - Sermon of Memphistipheles (4:32)
02 - Greedy, Thieving Weaklings (4:15)
03 - She-Wolf (7:07)
04 - The Room of Nowhere (5:48)
05 - Frozen Void (3:45)
06 - Headless Horseman (7:34)
07 - On The Verge (7:27)
08 - Wave of Destiny (7:06)
09 - Presto Evolution in G-dur (4:23)
10 - The Eternal Road (5:13)