Artist: Gemini Five
Album: Sex Drugs Anarchy
Tracklisting:
1. Thunder & Lightning
2. I Am Hollow
3. Scream 4 Me
4. Here’s looking at you kid
5. All Pistols
6. Sex Drugs Anarchy
7. Lay your money down
8. Here 2day gone 2mrw
9. Something’s gotta give
10. Blood on the Bricks
11. We do not come in Peace
12. Stay with me

Swedish Rockers Gemini Five comeback for a third album, this time with a slight line up change, now they have Dee Dee on lead guitar, although he doesn’t play on the album. After many fans were disappointed with the dark industrial sound on Black:Anthem (although i loved it), this album will be a big surprise for them as this is one of 2008s strongest albums let alone Gemini Fives strongest album. This album is a total riff fest, with the help of 21st century riff master and CRASHDIET’s guitarist Martin Sweet this album will keep you rocking from start to finish.

The album opens with an instrumental number called “Thunder And Lightning”, while its a cool build up to the blast of power that is about to hit you, one minor fault i have with this is, the acoustic part sounds very much alike Def Leppard’s “Die Hard The Hunter” acoustic intro. Finally the first song on the album hits you, starting with “I am Hollow” some nice dirty riffs and melodic guitar parts, this song is a total driving song, the lyrics are also very cool and worth noting. The mid section riff change in “I am Hollow” is just great, however this track is NOTHING on the tracks that follow. Next is single “Scream 4 Me” this album oozes Martin Sweet style as his influence is obviously evident (he also provides backing vocals), it kicks in with pounding bass guitar and Glam Metal riffage, this is an incredibly catchy song in both its Pre-chorus and chorus, the song also has a great outro with some nice melodic guitar parts, definitely a good choice for a lead single.

Next is “Heres Looking At You Kid”, in the thank you section it has “Dave Lepard (Heres Looking At You Kid)”, so perhaps this song is about the Swedish Idol himself (and may he Rock In Peace). The song starts with some wammy bar wankage and then it turns into a really great feel good song, the style of the music behind it and the chorus, especially, reminds me of something Def Leppard would of done on tracks like “Dont Shoot Shotgun” and “Run Riot”, its a great feel good song definitely what Dave Lepard was all about a good time Rock N Roll party.

And then, ultimate ass kicking ensues as one of my favorite tracks follows with “All Pistols”. If you dont like the riffs on this song you must have serious music taste issues, the main riff is just genius and the chorus is great with its giant Woah Woahs…..if an artist wants to make me smile, all they need is a good dose of Cowbell and Woah Woah sing alongs ;). One issue with this song, the lyrics are super cheese “Your The One Under My Gun” “Shoot You Full Of Love”, this is Kiss-like cheese levels, lyrically. But it doesn’t overshadow the music behind it as this song really really rocks.

Title track “Sex Drugs Anarchy” may not be as fast paced as the others but its certainly got some great hooks and i love the chorus, more Martin Sweet addition to this song riffs and backing vocals again, wouldn’t surprise me if he did the solo also, it sounds quite like his style.

One of my favorite tracks follows “Lay Your Money Down”, not only do i love the riffs on this song, but the chorus is just great, its so catchy, its VERY alike the style of 80s Glam Metal band “RATT” (in the way the chorus is done) it certainly rocks, its all about the chorus on this song

Pretty much all of the songs continue to provide big chorus’s and hard hitting riffs, some of the best riffs you have heard this year come from this album, special mention to “Somethings Gotta Give” this song has some great riffs throughout, but the riff change for the solo part is dynamite, this song is worth it just for that section alone. After a few more great rocking tracks the album closes with a great power ballad called “Stay With Me”, this has some great music behind it but the lyrics i like especially, very catchy, and yes for those who are wondering, its meant to end with it sounding like its slowing down and breaking.

I cannot praise this album enough, this is one of the strongest Swedish albums since CRASHDIET “Rest In Sleaze” and is a must have for fans of Hard Rock, Glam Metal and Heavy Metal in general. Gemini Five with the help of some song writers and Martin Sweet have created a brilliant rocking album that you’ll soon hold high up with the classics from other Swedish bands like Shotgun Messiah, CRASHDIET and Hardcore Superstar

Check out the bands myspace here

While this album hasnt just come out, it came out last year. However i felt the band isnt too well known outside of the states or with you lovely Swedish Sleazers. So i decided to review the bands debut album “Take It Sleezy” (yes the band spell sleezy that way lol)

Whats different about this band is, they are an new sleaze band from America and ive also read them listing alot of new bands such as CRASHDIET and Vains Of Jenna as there influences (of course they list Motley Crue though) so a new band influenced by the new wave of sleaze should be pretty interesting.

The album kicks in with the head banging”Midnight Ride”, drum count in and rock. The filthy riffs are pumping and vocalist “Binge Daniels” cuts through the music nicely with his high pitched sleazy vocals. Guitarist “Jonny Prynce” lays down some nice lead guitar work on top of Bassist “Tyno Vincent’s” and Drummer “Spanky Savage’s” powerful backing. After a ass kicking with Midnight Ride, the band takes the pace down and dirty with the extremely sleazy and very catchy “Hot And Heavy”, with huge sing along chorus and brilliantly dirty lyrics “Binge Daniels” proves his charisma will infect anything with sleaze. This is one of my favourite songs frankly because the lyrics and riffs go hand in hand and is a must for any Glam Rockers collection.

Then the album kicks straight into Riff Rocker “Push Comes To Shove” now this song is my actual favourite by the band, the riffs are filthy and the chorus rocks even if it is pure cheese “When Push Comes To Shove, Im A Soldier For Your Love” no matter what you think of those lyrics i guarantee after a listen it will be stuck in your head. I love everything about this song, it completely rocks and frankly if you go right here http://www.myspace.com/dirtypennysucks bottom of the track list you can listen to it.

Next the band keeps the speed pumping with “Runnin’ Wild” the song reminds me alot of Motley Crues Live Wire but with the “Woahs” Of CRASHDIET. The song is a badass rocker with incredibily catchy chorus, however the song twice changes pace and has a drum heavy section with Crowd chanting “HEYS” which makes the song very fun!!!

Things take a slight change in style with the song “Sleaze Disease” with a melodic feel this song is like a cross between Def leppard, and CRASHDIET’s “Its A Miracle”. There is also an acoustic version of this song on the end of the album, personally i preffer the electric version i love the def leppard styled backing vocals, they actually sound like Phil Collen of Def Leppard is singing them, its great.

The band gives another “Hot N Heavy” styled sleazy rocker “Take a Bite” which has an awesome verse may i add but isnt one of the stand out tracks and can be a bit repetative for some peoples likings. Then the Hanoi rocks type blues rocker “Black N Blue” this is a fun song with harmonicas, while it feels a bit fillerish and lazy to use such a simple blues riff it is fun if you are in the mood for a groove.

Next up is the first single off of the album “Scream And Shout” with rebellious lyrics and of course, “WOAHS” whilst not the strongest song riff wise im sure any glam fan will like this song. Here is the video

One of the best tracks in my opinion on the album “Vendetta” hits you with its RATT styled riffs, the only down point is i think the vocals are a little bit too high pitched at times during this song and some people who i played the song too have complained it to be annoying. If you can get past that this song is kick ass through and through and if you like RATT you will definantely like this song.

The album finishes off with hard rockers “No.1″ and “Rock”, again the chorus’s are great and youll be singing along to them in no time, i suggest paying attention to “rock’s” pre- verse i think that part is really cool!

Overall i think this is a great catchy Glam Metal album, and its nice to see a band putting out a good quality new wave of sleaze album from the west, hopefully more bands will creep out from the west and help put it back on top this side of the globe. If enough Western Bands come out that are as good as the Swedish bands, add the latest Italian uprising i think Real Rock N Roll should be on its way back to where it belongs, the top.

Ill give this album 7 out of 10.

http://www.myspace.com/dirtypennysucks

I recently picked up this album after hearing some of airbournes tracks on there myspace at http://www.myspace.com/airbourne. Now the band sounds remarkably like ac/dc on first listening to them, which isnt a bad thing at all. The band plays a style they know as “aussie pubrock”, but airbourne does much faster and heavier then those that came before them.

Tracklisting

1. Stand Up For Rock ‘N’ Roll
2. Runnin’ Wild
3. Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast
4. Diamond In The Rough
5. Fat City
6. Blackjack
7. What’s Eatin’ You
8. Girls In Black
9. Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women
10. Heartbreaker
11. Let’s Ride (australian Version)/ Hellfire (world release version)

The album kicks off with “Stand Up For Rock N Roll”, the track is reminiscent of a thunderstruck type intro only slower, it pauses for just a second with a drum symbol countdown, listeners then should prepare to have their heads blasted off by the sheer onslaught of crunchy riffs and driving drum and bass. The pace of the album continues to stay fast and rocking with the title track “runnin wild” which i must say is one of my favourites, this track is totally awesome and will have you driving in your car excessively fast in no time!!!

The pace then goes to a moderate speed with the first major single and video off the new album “Too much, Too Young, Too fast” this anthemic made for arenas song will be in your head for days, whilst all there songs have 80s styled backing vocals and are clearly made to be catchy this one is by far the catchiest song and good choice of a single to promote the album, you can watch the video here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uANVBPVaf-g

The album picks up the pace again for a down and dirty track and currently second single (in australia only) called “Diamond in the Rough”. The song oozes with charisma as Frontman Joel O’Keeffe’s voice really works well with the band as its narrator of sleaze. The song is pretty kick ass but not as fast as the first two songs. Then there is “Fat City”, this is an awesome sleazy track , whilst not amazing its just great specifically for its main riff and yet another catchy chorus.

Then when the listener could potentially lose interest, the band hits back hard with the song “Blackjack” this is a really fast aggressive track with some awesome solos and shout along vocals, i can only imagine everyone shouting “BLACK JACK BLACK JACK!!” along with the band live, this is a really great track on the album.

Then we have the song “Whats Eatin You” this is a very catchy song full of sleazy innuendo lyrics and a great drum beat. Some cool guitar work in this song also for all of those that listen out for that sort of thing.

“Cheap Wine and Cheaper Women” is a slightly different styled track to the other songs, a more groovy type song, this is one of my least favourite songs on the album and the only one i sometimes will skip, its an ok song and adds a bit of a change. But the band doesnt need to mess with there formula much as they are proving they make great songs which can all be hits.

The band then picks up pace again with “Heartbreaker”, this is another really strong track of the album, reminds me off something off the ac/dc album “powerage” a real down n dirty track, i especially love the chorus “Just give me one more night…heartbreaker, down on ya knees”, after listening to that chorus you will want to listen the song again and again, it is an incredabily infectious chorus and the band shows yet again it was made to top charts and play arenas. I cant say a bad thing about this song at all, it flat out rocks.

The album depending on which version you have(i have the australian version of the album at the moment) finishes off with “Lets Ride”. This is a very fast rocking so intended exactly for what is in its title, driving. A fast rocking track, much like the previous songs it knocks your head off and finishes leaving you wanting the album to go on forever. Frankly i had this album on repeat for a long time.

For a band not doing something one would say is original, they have made a tremendous hard rock album and this is showing with the success they are having worldwide. While i cant specifically comment on countries outside of england, airbourne are getting alot of exposure here, played on both mainstream rock channels Scuzz and Kerrang and covered in many rock magazines this band is on its way to the top. They are the first new rock band to be given acceptable coverage by British mainstream media and they very much deserve it, i can only hope this is a sign of things to come.

I suggest anyone who likes there rock music loud, aggressive and fast paced, buy this album immedietaly.

Ill be catching airbourne on there UK tour in February so be sure to check back for my review of the band live!!!!

/Mrlee

So I got Crashdïet’s newest cd today, which just happens to be the release day. The album is called The Unattractive revolution and got released the 3rd October in Scandinavia. The cd contains 11 songs and two of them is co-written by none less than Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe. Before you listen to the album, I think you’ll have to understand that this is a new band, this doesn’t sound like the ”old” Crashdïet with Dave Lepard. This is the Olliver-Crashdïet. Don’t compare them!

Songlist:
1. In the raw
2. Like a sin
3. Falling rain
4. I dont care (feat Mick Mars)
5. Die another day
6. Alone (feat Mick Mars)
7. Thrill me
8. Overnight
9. XTC overdrive
10. Bound to be enslaved
11. The buried song

The cd starts of with the already released on a single, In the raw. Which took me a few listens to get into. Its a killer tune with good melodies, awesome guitar sounds and so on. You can already tell that this album is going to be much more heavy than the Rest in Sleaze album.

Then there is Like a sin, which is alright. The melodies are okay, everything on the song is okay, so it’s not really a killer. Anyways, then there is Falling rain which I’ve heard before as a demo. The demo kicks ass, and though the album-version is pretty different it might be even better, the chorus is fucking awesome, my favorite so far!

Then comes I don’t care which was co-written by Mick Mars. It’s good as well, might be slight heavier than the songs before it, I like this tune. Go Mick!
Now it’s time for Die Another Day, which I’ve also heard as a demo quite a while before , this is (as Falling rain) also pretty different, actually the demo was called I can sense a lie, but anyways, the pre-chorus is almost exactly the same, as well as the melodies in the verse and chorus. This is also a killer tune in my opinion.

After Die another day comes Alone which also is co-written byMick Mars. It’s more of an ballad than the other songs, but I don’t think I would call it a ballad, ’cause it’s more slow and heavy. I really like the drumming in this one, Eric really shows what he’s made of in this album.

Following up is Thrill me, which is alright too, the song doesn’t get to me though. It’s nothing special, but still a good tune. Olliver is screaming in the chorus, I like that ’cause he’s good at it. The guitar-solo is pretty nice too, short but nice!
Overnight is the next song, and already at the intro you get the feeling that this song is going to kick some arse, which it does. It’s the typical hit-song i think.

Now comes XTC Overdrive which is a fucking killer, it’s really heavy and got awesome melodies. I really like this one and I think this could be the most popular song on this album. After XTC Overdrive comes Bound to be enslaved, the song is good, the chorus is good! Olliver is screaming all through the song and I like it. It kind of sounds like an unwritten Lordi song or something, sounds a little bit like a song Lordi would write.

Last song is coming up, The buried song. There’s a different guitar sound coming up now and then the sound of that guitar sounds KICK ASS, Martin Sweet really knows his stuff. The chorus is awesome.

So to summarize the album, the guitar sounds is fucking awesome, I could listen to the album just for the guitar sound. The songs are great, Olliver hasn’t disappointed me at all. Musically it’s better than Rest in sleaze since you can notice that Martin, Peter and Eric have grown as musicians.
So for you who haven’t bought it yet, I suggest you do!

I gave them 3,5 crosses because I have built up some great expectations which didn’t get fully filled, there by 1.5 crosses is missing. The songs are great, the sound is great and I’m looking forward to the next album already.

Visit their homepage @ Crashdiet.org or their myspace @ myspace.com/realCrashdiet

Members:
Jamie - Vocals
Dani - Guitar
Cari - Drums
Al - Bass

Early demos:
“Shock rock Party Pop”

New demo:
“Ain’t going home” with songs: Ain’t going home and Faster

Production:
Recorded by Peter London and Martin Sweet in Sweet Studios

Review:
Their new demo is out, and in my point of view much better than the old demo “Shock rock Party pop” which they released before the summer of 2006. Let’s start of with “Ain’t going home”: The first song on this 2 tracked demo and it’s way more heavier than their first “debute” song “Down on your Knees”. The one thing I felt when I heard this song was “Man I’m happy, why?!”.
Well it’s obvious, Sister is a happy band. The catchy lyrics, guitar riffs and drum beats is still there and it’s something most of the bands these days doesn’t have. The chorus is as strong, if not stronger, than their previous demo and also the voice of Jamie had more cock innit in this song.

And the second song “Faster”: This song is the one that stands out more than any other songs from this band. I’m glad that these guys had a better production this time. It feels like it’s not the old Sister anymore, it’s something new!
It’s more hardrock this time and nothing is left out. The solo is OK and you can hear that Dani had his fingers working harder than ever this time. I would also like to give a plus for the slow part of the song, before Jamie screams out “faster than the speed of the light”, really gives you the adrenaline kick that I think they want you to have.

As I’ve said to myself, Sister conquered the looks in the beginning, but now they’ve also conquered the music!

I give ‘em 4.5 / 5 crosses this time, cuz I know that they can do better!

You can download the demo on Sisteronline.net or go to myspace.com/sisteronline